Starting lectures at uni 2017

[HSMMaCM]

The other thread filled up really quickly, with exciting talk of laundry, mattress toppers and lost property.

Here's where the rest of them settle in, get through freshers and the work gets serious.

DS's lack of student loan turns out to be a university cock-up, independent of all the other cock-ups. Which is nice.

They can't blame him any more then Liney.

Had a lovely visit with DD today and she's invited us back next weekend.

The house is NOT as clean as when I dropped her off.

HSMM, I can't believe there have been so many cock-ups.

Admissions. Modules. Student finance. Accommodation charges. Student support.

I spoke to DD in her final year elsewhere and she said the same - 'how has so much gone so wrong for him??'

Jealous of the face-timing and visits happening with you all. Today I broke and messaged ds to suggest we visit and take him out for a meal next week. His response: Lol.

Later he sent more info. I have a plan. Flu Camp at Christmas. Pay for summer hol.
I say What??? can I ring?
He says Nah. Later (This was 5 hours ago.)

Grrrr,

Liney hope it all goes a bit smoother now.

Thanks, Haff.

What is Flu Camp??

haff actually I think you're allowed to feel pissed off by that. It's just rude.

I don't think our young people need to be in constant touch and I suspect ours might tail offa bit, but there's no need to be horrid to your mum!!!

After a quick google I can tell you that flu camp will pay students more than 3 grand to be given a mild dose of flu or cold virus and be subjected to doses of drugs being trialled during 2 weeks in medical quarantine. Oh but there's wifi so that's OK. Great idea ds.

And thanks Carl - I'm deciding not to take it as rude but just rather thoughtless of a lad who is far too busy and prioritising far more exciting things than communicating effectively with his ancient parents.

Eeek! I wouldn't fancy Flu Camp

Fair enough haff.
I just felt rather aggravated on your part .

No doubt I need to chill ( as DD regularly tells me).

Thanks for your aggravation on my behalf Carl . Makes me feel I'm not a neurotic uni helicopter mum but sort of normal to feel miffed.

I was talking to a friend today whose dd started last month. She is so homesick she's phoning home multiple times a day and has threatened to hurt herself. Crap contact from a happy student is clearly infinitely preferable to close contact with an unhappy one.

Indeed. Them being settled and happy is definitely the main criteria.

I've heard from a mate that her DD is a bit 'wobbly'. Which is sad but not awful I think. Still early days - been there 3 weeks I think.

Flu camp - good grief Haff!

Liney I hope they're pulling all the stops out now for your DS. He has been very unlucky.

We had a lovely visit with DD on Saturday. Her new room is super and she's enjoying her course. She does get a bit lonely (she is not a party animal) but she is joining lots of things and pushing herself to get out and about. She sounded very grown up. Only when we got in the car to go home she looked so young as she was waving goodbye.

I wonder if you would qualify for flu camp if you have had the flu jab?

Still not heard a peep from DS since I dropped him back a week ago! I have txt him once on Tuesday but still waiting a reply! But his nan txt him Friday and he responded quite quickly with a few lines, so I know he's ok just a bit peeved he can just not bother to communicate with me!

Lack of contact is infinitely better than too much contact because they are ill, stressed or sad.

I offered to take DS2 around the supermarket before he went. It had been a big success when I did it for DS1. Just to spell out the tricks of the trade, pricing and displays. However he informed me it was unnecessary as his week of work experience in Morrisons taught him all he need to know apparently about deceptive special offers and ferreting at the back for the longest dates

Well, I am glad that I am not the only one with uncommunicative DC. My DD has exchanged texts and fb messenger with her brother, but nothing much for me. I have texted her a few times with chitchat, but she doesn't pick up if I call. Redundant or what?

Haffdonga - one of ds2's flatmates has been taking part in medical trials for some time (they're in their 3rd year). It's very lucrative. I've told DS2 on NO account to get involved

My brother's friend died. Enough said.

I did have a reply to my text (probably because I asked his twin if the twin was okay) and his weekend is going well, last weekend was a bit boring but this one is good; so that's good.
I've nothing like as much spare time I had built myself up to think after 33 years of having children at home and suddenly having none. Perhaps I've already got used to not having as much to do as when you have small children (and I have had a vast amount of work since they left which is part of the issue I think) or may be I just got used so quickly to not being kept up, woken in the night, woken first thing, picking up plates, full loads of washing every day.

simbobs, that's awful, where was that? I know that no-one has died from volunteer studies in this country (someone did in France) although there was that problem at Northwick Park Hospital a few years ago.

This was in the 1980s. I can't remember which uni he was at. I just remember that it was headline news locally. I'm sure that protocols are tighter now, but you just never know how someone will react to something that they have been given.

Not to mention that somebody (possibly he himself) is paying a substantial sum of money for him to even be at university so this is not the time to take money to do something that might put him out of action for weeks on end and potentially cost him his degree.

Hmm well I've spoken to ds now. He's already sent off the online form to sign up for this flu camp thing and apparently someone will phone him and push the sales pitch talk him through in more detail. Ds was very surprised that I was so strongly negative. stupid boy The website makes it sound like a fucking holiday camp with virtually no mention of risks. The risks they do mention ( very far down the page) are a touch of flu and a hurty spot when they take blood.

Ds sounded quite down actually. When I asked if he's ok the answer was meh . Oh bugger I'm hating this parenting through texting and guesswork.

We are all with you on that, I'm sure. If you really want to push the point you could mention the 1918 Flu Pandemic...

Totally with you there Haffdonga. So hard trying to have a proper conversation about serious stuff via text and even on the phone it's difficult.
Sometimes you just NEED to be able to 'read' the other person's face.