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.

That should be fine dahliaaa.

I took some freezer food an hour and a half in the car, but I do have some super cold freezer blocks. I did tell DD not to buy frozen food at home and wait until she arrived, but who listens to me .

As predicted, she messaged me tonight to ask "how do I get Microsoft office?". Ask the BLEEP uni, like I told you before you even went there! They had already confirmed she could get it free there, but she never followed it up!

Another Southampton uni student mum here - humble my son is also a bit of a law unto himself and my fear is that he will leave uni without making any friends.
BackForGood , has your daughter checked the uni list of societies? Southampton have a piano society for everyone from complete novices to those who can play well. The blurb looked promising. If your daughter's uni doesn't have something similar, and she has the confidence, she could approach the student union to set one up - I suspect there are lots of students who would like to keep up with their piano practice if possible.

Hi Nydj I'm sure your DS will make friends. I know that worry though. My DS kind of likes his own company and is def not a party animal (although most of his flat mates are) but he is looking at joining some societies so I'm sure he'll meet people. Whats your DS studying? Mines doing maths. Bit of a geek.

She hasn't got one in her halls Giant Steps - it is a relatively new building and no community space outside of the flats.

Her University has LOADS of societies Nydj - something they really pride themselves on - but she didn't find one at Freshers Fair that said 'chance to play piano' to her.... she did join about 9 or 10 other ones....

I suggested she goes along to the SU, although I think she is a bit cautious about not giving a false impression - she doesn't want to be getting involved with playing for anyone, she jut wants to play 'in the closet' as it were

I'd have thought so BigTilly but she's not tracked them down yet

humble he is studying economics and has always been more than happy in his own company so managed the whole of high school without making any friends so I'm not holding my breath for any changes on that front at uni but would be over the moon if he did make even one friend.

back another place to check is the equivalent of a faith and reflection centre at her uni - we were told that the one in Southampton has a new keyboard that students can practice on when there isn't an 'event' on in the room.

Thanks Nydj - I'll suggest that

Thanks HMSM and Horse - better start cooking

HSMM !!

Back, I enquired at the music department when I went to university and they had 3 practice rooms with pianos you could book to play on. The music students obviously had first say always on booking the rooms but very often particularly at times like 9am on Saturday I could usually get a practice room. I used to go every few days.
My son's hall has a chapel where he can practise instruments that otherwise might disturb people and a practice room but that is quite rare, most halls probably won't have that. (He took 3 instruments to university although I am not sure if he has played yet).

.. well I know DS is learning new skills at Uni... couldn't talk to his Dad last night as they were having a poker night in his flat!

Eve Minor obviously has his priorities right!

Apparently Bake off night is shot night in DS flat, Paul Hollywood handshake 1shot, peeping in oven before time 1 shot, etc! I guess it beats sitting on the sofa watching with his mum!😂

My time, I've shared that with DD

My DS sent me a snapchat at nearly midnight which I didn't pick up till 5.30am and what with it being a snapchat, only lasted 10 seconds. It
was of him in (I presume) his or one of his flat mate's rooms with all the house mates sitting around drinking and playing guitar. Wish I'd made a screenshot so I could see it again.

He's got his ID so (in his words) he's legit.

Hurray rights that must be a relief.

Just had a phone call from DS - the 2nd since he left home, and he's on week 3!

He is enjoying his course and says all the lectures/seminars have been interesting so far. He did ask if I had seen his printer cable. Just found it on the floor of his bedroom in the 'don't know what that is/ don't need that' pile that got left behind . Off to the Post Office now to send it to him.

I suppose that is the only thing so far that he seems to have forgotten - although annoyingly he has still NOT made an appointment with the Disability Office to discuss his support. Grrrr. The old system of DSA was so much better for him where DSA funded XX number of hours support and the Uni employed someone as his mentor/ 1:1. Now the Uni have to provide the support themselves they are obviously waiting for him the approach them. Well guess what, that is one of the reasons why he needs support - failure to ask for help when needed!

Big blue bus - this is the trouble when we can't step in on their behalf isn't it?

Glad you found the printer cable.

We have been collecting a list of things to take when we have been permitted our first visit on Sunday. Things like extra hangers, different slippers, the fake flower from her room and other bits and bobs.

DD had her first upset a few days ago . Trapped her finger in her bedroom door . She went to the medical centre as it bled a lot and was very sore and she got sent away as she's not registered . It made her homesick and she had a bit of a cry on the phone but was fine a couple of hours later and announced she's not homesick any more. Bless her . She found paying her rent painful to !

Left handed Dd has just messaged to say all the desks in her first lecture were for right handed people, so taking notes was interesting

We've had a bit of a dramatic weekend as DS was rushed to hospital on Friday with his recurrent fever (which we thought had gone). He had vomited black blood as well (TMI sorry) and the walk-in centre arranged for him to be admitted. All I can say is that I am very glad he chose Birmingham (which he did for the very reason that it is not too far from home and if he was ill he could come home quickly). We drove up there and stayed over with him. He was very dehydrated from the fever and they had real trouble fitting an IV line. They have tested him for everything under the sun (again) and hopefully he will be getting out today. He is going stir crazy although last night I took him over to his flat for half an hour for a bit of a break and then brought him back. I was pleasantly surprised at how tidy his room was! He is most annoyed at having missed his first seminar though but luckily he had no lectures today.

Birmingham has some of the best hospitals in the country in my view (after London) so in safe hands. Still, it must have been worrying.

No news from mine. I posted one something that arrived he'd ordered before he left. I expect they are both fine.

I have not had any demands for fees or rent yet. I told to double check. I suppose the university will chase it up when it's all due. They have been there just over 2 weeks.

Hope your DS is back to normal soon ono.

I dread DS being ill as he is at least a 3 hour drive away. I know he won't have registered with a local GP yet (inspite of me writing down the details of the 2 nearest ones and the Uni saying they should register within the first 2 weeks). He was away for 10 months last time and didn't bother to transfer practice! For now I am concentrating on chasing up the Disability support - one step at a time. Just keeping my fingers crossed he doesn't get ill in the meantime.

Oh god Ono, what a scare

Dingit DD is a leftie too but hasnt mentioned that as a problem yet!

Dd had a good night out with her friend in neighbouring city, and managed to get home/ back to halls afterwards, and still get up OK for lectures today.
I'm sure would have done her good to catch up with an old friend, so nice they had that to look forward to soon after moving in.

She's said lectures so far have been "good to fine"! Not sure if good is better than fine?! I guess so!

Thinking of you and DS Ono x