We've survived the first half term - go us! (starting uni 2017)

[flyingpigsinclover]

New thread....we've got to the first half term!

With you on the lobsgows,comfort food here in North West Wales.(With crusty bread) Two boys away at Uni,doesn't seem the same making it for the three of us here at home.

dingit that's amazing :-)

Our first visit is coming up later this week (or second if you count drop off day).

DS coming home for a surprise visit tonight, he's put his order in for Sunday dinner tomorrow so I've bough the works and invited his nan too, can't wait to see him.

dingit She looks amazing!

onemandown You must be so relieved. University can be the making of people and be just the environment they needed to flourish (speaking from personal experience) or it can be absolute hell if they don't click with their colleagues and/or feel like they've chosen the wrong course. Sounds like he's well on the way to having the time of his life, like I did

Does anyone remember my absolute rant about DS's ridiculous 50 minute midterm, with two essays and five "compare and contrast" questions...? Swotty git still managed 86% so I guess the prof managed to decipher his frantic scrawls

Wow, lazydog that's truly impressive! Still sounds like a crazy exam timing wise to me! 😮

Juggling - Yes, totally insane Took hours for his writing hand to stop cramping and he's an overly anxious kid who isn't used to feeling that he might have totally flunked an important exam, so I'm so relieved for him! I'm under no delusions that he's going to have to deal with bad grades at some point - everyone does - but I'm glad he's not having to take a big knock to his confidence so early on.

Wow. 86% is a fantastic result.

Have a lovely time with your DS mytime He'll have an extra hour in his own bed tonight.

Wandering back in for a chat, clutching my morning coffee.
Went to visit DD in LIverpool last weekend as it was her birthday. She gave me the biggest hug ever....on the street outside the accommodation.

She was full of cold and exhausted. The boy in the next room stays up all night playing heavy bass music. One night her bed was literally vibrating. People crashing in and out all nigh , doors slamming. People smoking in bedrooms and kitchen .
Building security guys came up and shouted at everyone...but it goes on night after night. I could forgive them for this during freshers week, but I think it's time people settled down now

We discussed some coping strategies, how to confront him, and then she came to my hotel room for a good sleep !

Flatmates had all gone home for the weekend leaving the kitchen strewn with chicken bones, pizza boxes and empty vodka bottles. Someone had been drinking Grey Goose which is like £32 a bottle in local metro supermarket....

Blimey, that sounds awful Time The halls reception people really ought to be doing more to stop this behaviour.

Privately run, UNITE students Hall, not university, so they don't have the same sort of control.
DD has asked for a transfer into a different flat but nothing available at the moment.
Drum and Bass boy next door is doing the same course as DD. Has only been to one lecture so far and yesterday asked DD what they were supposed to be doing for the big assignment which is due in on Thursday.....
When he is not having a party in his room he is gaming.
Member of the public who lives in flat across the road actually came in to complain one day....

The halls people still have authority to tell them to curb it though Time.
If enough residents complain (and even better if external residents complain too) they will have to take action.
Students are paying good money to live there, it's not fair.

Hopefully your DD's transfer will come through soon, or Drum & Bass Boy will be kicked out for non attendance.

Time that's appalling. I hope that they are getting their come-uppance. Maybe it's worth your DD talking to the university student welfare about it and they can apply pressure on the halls management - she wouldn't be unreasonable to say that it's making her ill and causing her studies to suffer.

Inconsiderate bastards like that don't deserve to be at uni.

Would definitely involve the uni Time! That's absolutely disgusting and completely unfair to your DD. Also if I were you I'd be giving Unite a rocket too. Nothing wrong with you getting involved if need be , these kind of issues are hard for our young ones to resolve.

My sons flatmates are scruffy buggers, but seem a decent bunch.

Thanks for the support folks.
DD and I thought :

She and unfortunate, quiet boy in room on the other side ask him nicely to turn it down.
Ask people in room below and above to complain too
Report every incident, both verbally and by email.
Ask for a meeting with building manager.

It's the smoking that worries me too. As soon as you go through the Fire door into the flat you can smell it. There are smoke detectors, but they either don't work very well or the students literally put a sock over it.
This is an eight floor block of flat with over 600 students crammed into the building. A network of doors, corridors and two, hard to find stair cases. I am not usually anxious type of person but I do worry about the possibility of a fire in a building like this.

...and it's £125 a week self catered !
She was a late applicant so couldn't get in to University run halls.
On the other hand it's a great. It's centre location, only 10 minutes from shopping centre and from main campus.

timetogetup My DD had a very similar experience in her unite halls. Flatmate played his music so loudly a resident in a neighbouring flat who had a heart condition had to go to hospital as his heart was being affected by the bass vibrations. When he complained, flatmate was very annoyed that the complainer hadn't come to him first! How would he have heard someone knocking at the door though? Flatmate also asked all the flat members if he could hold a party on a particular date then had a party even though the others had said they'd rather he didn't on a weeknight. After a few weeks DD moved into a private flat with her boyfriend. She got her room lease transferred very quickly. So there was no fiancial loss but still.
How about your DD asks her flatmate to come into her room to see what it's like in her room when he has his music on full blast.
Definitely team up with the other flatmates to tell him to desist and tell him they will complain to hall manager if he persists. If that doesn't work, complain to the unite company management. Strength in numbers.
Your poor DD
Complain

D

DD's unite hall was otherwise great too. Except for it being too hot, bizarrely.

This is from section 6 Tenant Conduct of the Unite tenancy agreement for 2017/18, you've certainly got grounds to complain in those circumstances and they should act.

6.2. You also agree that you will not use the Room, the Flat or the Property for any improper, immoral or illegal purpose nor in any way which may, in our reasonable opinion, be a nuisance, damage or annoyance to the other tenants of the Property, or neighbours. In particular, you will not:
6.2.1. smoke in the Property (including E-cigarettes)
6.2.2. cause any noise which, if made within the Room, can be heard outside the Room or, if made within the Flat Common Areas can be heard outside the Flat Common Areas

I hated noise at university. Take ear plugs was my main advice to my children. Wax ones. Warm them in your hands and push them in really hard. I would much rather have no noise however.
(Have had arm twisted to fund a dinner jacket for my son)

Oh dear, that sounds awful for your DD, Time.
My DD is also in a unite hall. I know they have a lot of pre-drinks in their flat. I just hope that they arent pissing off neighbours who arent into partying. I dont think its every night.
I noticed how heavy the doors are and they seriously bang shut - just that would piss me off big time!

That's really Flyingpigs.
Thanks.

Shocking story rogueantimatter.

Yes, she has earplugs and plays white noise.

I agree with everyone else Time - she needs to complain, in writing, (e-mail) day after day. She should not have to live like that. They do have a responsibility to all their tenants. It will, of course help if she can get flat mates and people in nearby flats to complain too.