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.

Me neither! Not sure I'd want to though.

Advice from Sheffield University:

"Where jury service is likely to interfere with your study or assessment, you may seek deferral of your service. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau evaluates any requests for deferral.

Further information can be found at:

www.gov.uk/jury-service/delaying-or-being-excused-from-jury-service
You may obtain a Jury Service deferral letter to support your deferral request by visiting [Student Support].

Her Majesty's Courts Service will reply directly to you. If you do not receive a reply in a reasonable time then you should contact Her Majesty's Courts Service directly to enquire about the progress of your application for deferral.

The University cannot request a deferment on your behalf. You should send any deferment request directly to the Summoning Bureau."

DS has an invitation to Prizegiving in Dec after he breaks up, so that's well timed!

Headless we've had the same, thought I'd seen the last of school. :)

I had a what's app message from DS, asking could I lend him the deposit for a Geography Soc. trip to Prague, further questioning revealed its less about Geography and more about boozing ! I'm more than happy to pay it, I think he'll have a great time and meet more of his course mates :) . He's said he'll get a job to pay the rest , so that's a good incentive!

I popped back into DS's school recently to donate some PE kit he had no further use for and it was a VERY strange feeling!

Ds has prize giving in December too. He comes home on the 15th. He is here for the prize giving and then he heads back up north for a gig. The dope forgot that he would be home for Christmas and booked tickets for Leeds during the holiday. He could have booked tickets to see the band in London and saved an awful lot of travelling back and forth!

LadyinCement phone them up - there's a number on the letter. I've been in the same situation with a DC and they were completely fine, just crossed the DC off the list.

Bit worried about my DS. Only come here to offload really as I dont want to keep bombardning him with motherly advice which I dont seem to be able to stop myself doing. dont think I am helping really. He is a very insulated character and doesnt like socialising or drinking so he doesnt go out with his flatmates and I think he only chats to coursemates at lectures. He's didnt go to any lectures on Friday or yesterday (Monday) and seems to be falling behind with homeworks etc. Spent the weekend doing not very much and feeling unmotivated (his words). Not sure what is going on with him but I'd hate for him to start falling behind so early in the game. He's always been a high achieving loner but I think his motivation is starting to flag (think this started half way through A levels to be honest). Dont know what to suggest to him really apart from seeing his academic tutor. He isnt one for asking for help or taking advice really. I'm making him sound like a bit of a hard case but he's not he's really lovely but I think he comes across as a bit offhand and also he doesnt pay attention to instructions (puts the homeworks in the wrong office boxes etc). Worry worry.

Would he be up for joining any groups that don't require you to be an extrovert, such as subject relatrd groups perhaps, to meet other quiet students who share his interests? Or how about spmething like a walking or hillclimbing group who organise events.

That sounds very hard for you humblesims

It's hard not being there to gee them on isn't it? I keep having to tell myself to take a step back.

It's lovely to hear about everyone's DC, and how they are getting on and managing. It must be so tough when it's not going so well, for them and the parents fretting at home. I hope that it gets better for those who are struggling.
I know that I have worried about my PFB, and how he is getting on, if he were slightly more communicative, I'd probably have a better idea, but I take the crumbs that are offered and attempt to decipher the truth.

We had a Skype call on a dodgy Internet connection yesterday, and I have learnt that he's 'buggered his leg' playing rugby, had a few hangovers, and only missed one lecture.
So, using my best sherlock holmes skills, he's out and about, socialising and studying. I'm happy that things are as they should be.
Going up to see him later this week, so I'll be able to see his lovely face and actually decipher his expression when he tells me that his flatmates are 'fine'

Perhaps you could talk with him about the subject he's chosen humblesims and what it is he likes about it, where he hopes it might take him in the future.
Sometimes too I guess it's possible to change to something different, or at least look ahead to think how they'd like to tailor it to their interests with future option choices in years 2 and 3.
And simple things like I've just asked DD what her first essay is on. It can be encouraging for them if someone's taking an interest I think, especially as Uni can feel so different from school, a big change in feel and style of learning for them.

I joined a walking and hostelling group at Uni rogue and went on a lovely couple of hostelling weekends with the group giving me a chance to get out from the city for a bit which was great! Don't think DD's Uni has anything similar, but she might organise a weekend trip with friends in the Spring. Or I reckon she should start her own society, but that may be a little ambitious especially at this early stage!

I’m quite impressed that ds seems to be knuckling down with course work and actually submitting essays / reports on time....I’m only get very brief messages from him and he’s 7 hrs away but seems happy and surviving, although none of his flatmates appear to be cooks!
He’s now got involved with the aeronautical society ( which is totally unrelated to his degree- but has an Interest in planes and would love to learn to fly- they have access to simulators)
their project now is to build a drone ( in conjunction with institute of mechanical engineering)and compete against other Unis next summer...appears National Geographic are interested in their drone to monitor reefs off the coast of Belize....

Thanks for the tips. I have encouraged him to joins some clubs. At the soc fair he had a list of half a dozen he was interested in but hasnt actually joined any afaik. I think I might suggest that again. And yes talking about the subject is a good idea. I know he loves the subject but (again - yes) I think he finds the transition from stuctured school to self motivting uni hard. I think I'll suggest he comes home for the weekend for some R&R and me and DH can have a good chat with him.

Along similar lines to Juggling, I asked dd if she has designed anything yet. I got a very enthusiastic, detailed response. I didn't absolutely need to know that level of detail about their model car but glad to hear she is doing her work and enjoying it.

dd sent a photo of her meal the other night with the caption 'Look I can adult!' She still seems happy but very busy.

Bad timing for jury service but I'm sure they would defer it.

I returned jury service form (using the master signature I made ds leave behind!) and offered next summer. I checked and even for students there is no escape.

They didn't bat an eyelid when I rang LiC. I think there may be a difference between the formal stated obligations (which are legal) and how they handle it when you give them a ring. I think DD did offer an alternative but no-one took her up on it.

DSA have now failed on both parts of support still outstanding!

DD was supposed to have training on the software they have installed on her laptop. Made a date and time. Never happened.

Today she was supposed to meet her mentor for the first time. Date and time organised, but venue tbc. Never happened!

What's the point in offering support and then not organising it properly. I'm so cross for her. She just wants to forget the whole thing now, but I know she needs it.

Oh that is disappointing to hear HSM. You'd think student support would be much more careful about not meeting agreed commitments for support and arranged meetings.
Some people accessing student support could be fairly vulnerable especially in the first few weeks of term so you'd hope they would provide a more reliable service.
Hopefully your DD will just find it annoying. Hope she isn't put off from getting support that could be helpful.

Aw humblesims feel free to come on hear and offload ! Whilst he is independent and an adult, if you feel he needs more support I'd be contacting his lead tutor myself to make sure he is ok. Xx

Sorry to hear your news Humblesins I think your idea of a weekend at home seems a good one. I know it's what is want to do. I hope all settles.

Mine finally got around to putting the mattress topper I bought for him on his bed this weekend....only 3 weeks in but at least it means he's changed his bedding. Hurrah! He said it's really comfortable...who knew?
He's suffering from a rotten cold but his house did a combined online shop this week so they're delighted at being so grown up and he's got comfort food.
Still miss him like mad.

Hope things get better Humblesins.

Good luck for the operation Horse.

My mum just called to say she's been having a weekly chat with DD. Who my mother declares to be 'happy and settled'.

My mum never knowingly fails to find a negative in any situation so that's pretty concrete evidence.

DS is under the weather with a headache. But apparently he will be sufficiently revived to go out dancing tomorrow night .

His mates are seemingly looking forward to meeting his sister whose reputation precedes her!!!

DD has told us she MIGHT be available the weekend we are thinking of visiting