Early days at uni 2017

[HSMMaCM]

How is everyone settling in?

DD starts on Wednesday.

Abra1d definitely feet up and snack plus beverage of choice this evening!

I have heard from DS1. He wanted the info from Santander about how to apply for his free rail card I said "Yay! You're planning a trip home!" And he laughed at me."

DD is planning to work in her old job in the holidays. As above, she may need the Easter for revision.

We deliberately encouraged her into a chain restaurant, because she can transfer to her uni town if she decides she wants to.

My DD was definitely considering trying to pick up a P/T job whilst at Uni. I tried to encourage her to consider working in a shop on campus or similar (as I feel may be more student friendly), but she said she'd equally like a regular shelf stacking job in a supermarket. She thought she could set aside any money earned for more specific things such as interesting summer project abroad. So, I did think that was good to give some thought to budgeting and saving type matters.

RedHelen perhaps we could get an MN bulkbuy discount on phones...

Well that's DS dropped off. Quick 2.5 hour trip up the motorway to Loughborough, very efficient and friendly check-in procedure with a whole herd of student helpers and trollies ferrying things back and forth. DS was first on his floor of 6 so we unpacked in peace and were in the car on our way to lunch within about 45 minutes.

Loughborough town centre was not very inspiring by day but I did point out Poundland, Primark and Wilkos. DS is fully catered but we bought emergency supplies of fruit, milk and juice on the way back.

I have to admit my feelings are probably in line with Oldie, probably helped by the fact that DS has had a gap year so has already been away for 2 separate periods of several months this year. Somehow, uni doesn't seem like such a big deal. DS is buzzing to get started and walked away with a bounce in his step. We're home now, DS2 is at the theatre this evening so it's just the two of us for dinner and I'm actually really positive about the changes and about him growing up and spreading his wings. No tears here I'm afraid! (Might all change if it goes wrong and he calls me in tears in a few days!)

unfortunate events that sounds like a great day all round.

My DS has worked in KFC on and off this last year. He may try and get some hours in Southampton. I may have to post his indestructible nylon slacks to him!

We've chatted a bit on skype today. He's registered with the GP and been to 'some talks'.

DS2 with his Dad today so it's my first evening all on my own. I shall go to running club and then to Aldi and then maybe just get into bed and watch Bake Off.

Ooh, is it bake off tonight!
Great timing!

DD just messaged to tell me she's been round the societies fair with a few people she met at her department intro talk, and spoke to several people about things she'dlso to join. As she said she can join several things and see how they go. For a fairly quiet girl she seems to really enjoy collecting info and talking with people at a groups fair type thing. I remember being much more hesitant, and less thorough, and I went round on my own which is never going to be so friendly is it? DD even looked in to being a student ambassador helping with tours at open days, which would surely be a great job, apparently paying £8 an hour too!

Wow Juggling, I didn't realise they got paid to be student ambassadors!

DD has got her Nationwide bank card but said it wouldn't work in a shop. Does anyone know if she needs to activate it somehow?

I'd have thought a new card would need activating - does she still have any info it came with?

If it's a contactless one she will need to use chip and pin first time she uses it.

Lots of updates from you all.

Seems most are doing ok. It takes time to settle and I think things are better when lectures start - more structured.

I think a week is too long for Freshers; should be Fri/Sat/Sun and a gentle start on Monday then from that point, full steam ahead!

Errol, how did your DD get on today? I can totally identify with being upset saying goodbye to pets, I would be the same.

Sparking is right. When the twins got their new bank cards in the summer it seemed not to work at first and the main reason they wanted it was for tap payments but then we realised first you have to push it in a machine and give your pin number and only after that did it work.

Fine, I think Horse - but today they were just walking round together, I think getting an idea of walking and cycling routes, they're staying in a hotel tonight.

Ah, I thought she was moving in today

Tomorrow, but she needs to be there before midday and awake for the pre-freshers course. Even starting early it took them 5 hrs this morning - think DH is going to try the A1/M62 route home.

Good plan to go the day before, it's not a great route.

Pre-freshers course Errol? Isn't that taking things a bit far?! What sort of thing does that cover, is it a department thing, or colleges maybe?

I think a week is too long for Freshers; should be Fri/Sat/Sun and a gentle start on Monday then from that point, full steam ahead! 

Totally agree Horse. It just seems to give the impression that university is all party party party. Some poor kids will be quite overwhelmed by being away from home and finding themselves in an alien environment. A less full on introduction would be much better for them.

(Fortunately, having lost his wallet, ds is headed for a quiet night in 😉)

oneleft - I'm confused. Won't she be coming home at Christmas and Easter anyway, regardless of if she has a job or not ?
I think it does them the world of good to work alongside their studies (obviously except if they are doing medicine or whoever it was who had physics lectures 9am - 7pm or whatever it was). dd is looking now. She said they have a jobs fair this week where folks looking for employees come in to the university.
She is a lifeguard and will pick up shifts again when she is home, so thinks she might look at something different when she is away, but has that to fall back on if need be.

.....all the students are in the same situation, they'll help each other through

This x 1000. I think it is a fab place to be to make the transition into adulthood.
dd said she was helping a lad in the launderette today not mentioning she was advising on all the questions she'd asked me an hour beforehand

Glad to hear move in efficient unfortunate, I'm there tomorrow.

DS had (re)introduction to Chemistry yesterday. Three hours.

Her pre-freshers thing is something her college does for engineers - I don't know if other colleges/subjects do similar. My guess is its something of an anti-imposter syndrome exercise for young women starting on a very male dominated course. International freshers is at the same time.

DS used the launderette, with it came the first phone call home, he couldn't find the compartments for the washing liquid/conditioner!

My son had his first day of lectures today, still waiting to hear how he's got on. He was a bit under the weather with a sore throat etc at weekend.

Going over Saturday to take essentials such as TVs, console and swivelly office chair and probably pick some washing up. Can't wait to see him, house feels very empty with just me DH and the dogs 😢