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

[flyingpigsinclover]

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

DD probably thinks they'll be banging on her door to offer her dream job when she graduates. I hope she's right.

Sorry to hear your DS is struggling lazydog. Things got bad here as DD’s assignment deadline approached but we’re the other side of it & she’s now got the rest of the month at home before term starts. She’s sounding more positive so I’m cautiously optimistic!

I was certainly surprised by my son asking about internships as he had previously indicated it was something far in the future and closed off my career discussions. I am glad the other students around him have more sense and are "infecting him" with their career planning wisdom. I just want them to think about what they want to do at this stage - start planning, pick something even if in 5 years' time they want to change entirely.

There was a knock on my back door this morning and dd has come home for the day

Aaah, what a nice surprise HSMMaCM

It was lovely. She's had several hugs and now wants a lift to the station.

I have offered to pay DD's train fare if she want to come home next week. She had exams last week when most people have theirs next week. I know that she has an essay deadline coming up on Weds but could come home after that for a few days. She probably won't, though.

Just checking in.

DS1 went back on the train on the 7th Jan, then came back on the 12th as his band were playing a gig locally.
I then drove him back on the 13th. DS2 came too which was fun.
He wondered why their flat had traffic cones in it.

I've met all his flat mates now and they seem a lovely bunch.

We went to local Asda and I treated him to the nicer brands of things and got him some herbs and spices. He's really enjoying cooking for himself.

Can't believe it's second term already. DS went back on Saturday and has exams this week and next but fitted in around lectures so no let up. He worked hard over the break but was looking forward to going back and seeing his other 'family' despite exam nerves. Missing him here, the weeks after Christmas we're like A levels again when he appeared for food and with his hair sticking on end. Hope you are all coping in your different ways.

I think we are missing DD more that we did in the first term. Because of the gap year we did not see her over last summer. In contrast she arrived home on Christmas eve following her ski trip and spent two weeks reclaiming her space at home. She was supposed to be revising but after a 12 week term, freshers week and the ski trip she really needed to decompress.

Then straight back to exams, which were, apparently, tougher than expected. There was some sort of sale on rail tickets, so she has booked to come home in a couple of weeks. She has a flat lined up for next year, which she is looking forward to.

The problems in her current flat are still there, but it is only really one person, and the break has helped her work out that when it comes down to safety (either hers or the flatmates - and the issue has been behaviours following heavy drug use) she should do as the senior resident has advised and call security, ideally with some video evidence. She knows she will not be the first. The University apparently plan to axe the senior resident role. For DD having someone around who is living the life, hears the noise, and understands the impact one or two individuals can make on the well-being of others, has been a huge help.

NMS my DD says the senior resident for her flat is really nice and they certainly put on a lot of activities in the halls for the students. Sounds v sensible to go to them when there's a problem.

Sorry to hear of DC struggling. It must be even harder when they are far away.

DD went back 10 days ago, and had exams last week so this week she is doing nothing (bar partying) - TBF she did work over Christmas. Fingers crossed she continues to manage herself OK.

Do all student flats have a senior resident? Never heard of it.

I don't know. They did in my day, and I think DS' hall had some some version of the same who were tasked with helping organise social events and being around in return for cheap/free accommodation.

I think it is a good idea to have people around who have recently been undergraduates, clearly don't mind living in hall and who can offer a bit of perspective. And good also for postgraduates who may be struggling with funding, to have a way of living cheaply. DD also says hers is lovely.

But it appears that Bristol, as part of its student welfare reforms and to save money, is planning to get rid of them.

Pity. It is certain every year that some will end up feeling isolated, or with difficult flatmates, and talking to someone friendly, just a few years older is probably an easier first step than walking into a campus welfare office.

Oh thats a shame NMS.

Call from DD today to send her passport asap (plus the glasses she had prescribed in the Christmas hols) as they have finally signed for a house for next year. I think she is very relieved as she has put a lot of legwork into finding one everyone was happy with. Hope theres no hiccups!

Senior resident is a good idea, not sure if DS's halls do it.

He is currently revising (exam on Fri and one next week) and preparing to hand in an assessment.

Dds halls have a block for third year students and each of them gets free accommodation, in exchange for 'looking after' a block each. Dd says her guy is lovely and pops in to see them every so often, even if they haven't called him.

DD has her first exam this afternoon.

Last week she tried a past paper and got it all wrong. Now she says she is getting better at past papers.

I am nervous, don't know about her

DS has first exam today too. I'm really nervous, which is really daft. Trying to cut those strings but they keep regenerating.

DD had an exam, an essay and a presentation before Christmas. She has passed them all and says they've helped her understand what she needs to do going forwards. Now they have really ramped up the workload and hopefully she's ready to take it on.

I can hardly believe that this is the girl who was struggling so badly not so long ago. Hopefully, with the support she's been given from DSA, she can carry on.

I think DD may have her second January exam today. Last week's went well with even some time left to check answers which is unheard of for DD. ( These exams are all multiple choice) So at least that was an encouraging start which is fab!

I think senior residents are a great idea, and I'm sure they could just offer a discount on accommodation rather than it being free, if they need to save money.
I think Bristol ( my old Uni) should definitely keep them.
One of my friends did this and was a great support to other students, especially those from overseas.
I tried to give some similar support when I lived in student accommodation mainly housing students from overseas when I did my PGCE.

.... do we need a new thread soon.

DS has gone to his 1st exam to find the extra support he was expecting wasn't there.

there has been so many emails back and forward to the disability teams about support that I am very very cross. ( I may have phoned them and expressed how cross I am).

So we need to go back to his assessor and get another letter done.

Oh Eve, I'm not surprised you are cross on your DS's behalf, I would be fuming.

His assessment says 25 % extra time, a computer reader and voice to text.

He turned up they said we don’t have the computer software for this so you can have a human reader but if you want a scribe they want another assessors letter at £50 a go.

I pointed out they could provide a human voice to text as no computer available but they refused to agree and want another letter stating this.

I told him to talk to his tutor which he has and they are helping him raise mitigating circumstances.

But do much for the friendly helpful accommodating 5* disability support we were promised at open day.

I have a stressed DS who has worked so hard for these exams.

Eve, that's awful. DD got written confirmation several weeks in advance, and without asking, setting out what exam arrangements would be in place for her.

Eve that's awful. DD had all her exam requirements in place. If they hadn't been, she would not have been able to cope with the stress. I might have made a phone call too in circumstances like yours. I know we're not supposed to interfere, but we know them best. So sad for your DS.