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

[flyingpigsinclover]

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

It's tough isn't it roisin - I just have DD at Uni with DS still at home and I've still got it pretty bad (missing her that is)
Various other life challenges and darker evenings as we head into winter aren't helping at all.

But she is visiting this weekend for the first time which I'm so looking forward to, and she has been settling well as far as I can tell, and seems happy with some nice flatmates.
Also my other problems may resolve over next few weeks ( well, some of them!) with a new job possibility on the horizon.

With a bit of luck DS's DSA laptop, printer and all the software will arrive today.

Its taken from May to now to get to this point, hopefully the dictation software will make his life a lot easier as he has a lot of assessments to write.

Have to say that for the DSA process being aimed at helping disabled students ( DS is Dyslexic) but there is a heck of a lot of paperwork, chasing, organising etc involved... which DS wouldn't have managed if I wasn't helping him. I do feel for those who struggle and don't have a lot of support - difficult for them to navigate.

Have a coffee with me rosin that will be me next year.
And my other half is overseas a lot of the time.

[coffee]

After being really well so far dd has succumbed to some sort of cold bug. She has a very busy schedule so I expect tiredness is not helping.

The darker Autumn / Winter nights don't help do they? Everything feels gloomier.

I wonder if anyone here knows how to put links on a WhatsApp group chat thing?

I'm trying to educate my DC in 80s rave culture!

Oh dear Dd has a rant at me last night about baked beans. Lol. I think you know they’re exhausted and overwrought when they’re lecturing you about baked beans being high In sugar
This is the girl who I used to tell off as she’d eat dinner, leave loads and immediately eat a bag of crisps

Baked beans are relatively healthy I think? Possibly you can get extra healthy ones, lower in sugar and salt?

DD is usually very patient with me and we have a really good relationship, but ocassionally she will get annoyed at me about some rather random thing, and once they start there's no stopping them is there? Teenagers!

Eve I agree about DSA. DD could not have done it without my help and is still struggling with the final arrangements.

I know HSMM.. .. there is an awful lot of paperwork and chasing to do and I'm very involved in helping.

I do feel like one of the much derided helicopter mumsnet parents though being so involved but he needs the assistance to get him the support he needs.

Ignore my last post.
Apparently you just cut and paste links to WhatsApp. Doh!!!!

Have sent to kids The Happy Mondays, The Las and Primal Scream. All feeling the vibe!!!

Hello everyone I've found you on the new thread. DS came home on Friday after an epic journey due to train failures. It is reading week and he has an assignment so spent the whole time working on it, in fact I had to nag him to stop working and watch Blue Planet with us (complete reversal of last year!)

Carl, hope your DD is enjoying her time at Birmingham, DS loves it and says the food is great. He even has salad once a week

Hi ono

Loved Bychan when DS was looking. I like that the university has its own railway station!

B'ham NOT Bychan, bloody phone's on Welsh

Eve and HSMM, we have been through the DSA hoops as well. Computer is doe on Friday. Just as well as DDs current computer is very much on its last legs.

The process is awful, though amazingly DD has done most of it herself. It also seems to have been quite expensive, paying for the 16+ assessment and then some fancy eye test, with some Irlens test to go. The point was to ensure the University were aware of DDs issues, and provided the right level of support and understanding, which, so far, seems to have worked.

I can see why some might get defeated.

ono DD very much rates it.

She says the bed in the accommodation is super comfy and she he food good ( having it cooked for you and it not costing anything helps I suspect ).

Very expensive £500 for the post 16 assessment to tell us he was dyslexic - will we knew that. He was assessed at 8!

All 3dcs have dyslexia/ dyspraxia/ dyscalculia so have had to fight to get post 16 assessments in Gwynedd and ended up having to go to excellent Myles dyslexia unit at Bangor University ...who gave a very thorough assessment and recommendations ( and cost £400 for the pleasure
However when dcs have thengone to their individual university there has been a very different story and some universities have a much better handle in what support is required/available ....I'd say to anyone keep on plugging away ....although dd2 did not want anyone to know she 'was different ' and has not source the help that is available as much as her older dsis . Seems you can lead to student to support but they won't necessarily utilise it....grrr

Lol at you putting your phone on Welsh mode Horse

Well, first drama from DS. Managed to drop his phone down the loo-after it had been flushed thankfully and it is drying out in rice but battery behaving weirdly. Couldn’t even phone or text us to ask what to do! He’s adopting a wait and see approach now! Hopefully it’ll be ok. I’m not keen to replace a newish iPhone!!

I have dropped a phone down the loo twice and can vouch for the rice method. It needs to be in a fairly warm place, I think. The fancier the phone the more that can go wrong, though.

I do slightly wonder if DD could be accessing some student support for suspected dyslexia, as especially in primary years this was raised as likely. However she seems to have developed good coping strategies (apart from often running out of time in exams, being generally messy and a bit disorganised, and lingering spelling challenges - quite like me too actually) And she's a bit like your DD2 stop in the not wanting to be different type of thing.

So on balance I guess she's OK with just us supporting from home and regular student support (such as course, department, and library) and through friendships at Uni.
I know there can be some good extra support available though at Uni as one of my friends works in student support at a Uni and was telling me a bit about it all.
DD was also recruited to take part in a research study about auditory processing in people with dyslexia, which also contributes to my feeling she may be affected by these challenges.

I have also resuscitated an iPhone after a swim in the loo with the rice method.

DS was not so lucky after dropping his in a swimming pool. However, we did find out that you can still sell a water-damaged iPhone on eBay which might help BlueDoor if it doesn't come good.

I'm interested in the student support. for DS.

He has language related impairments and got extra time in his exams when he was at school.

His last Ed Psych assessment was when he was 15 so he would also need another one which would cost money. I have tried to encourage him to visit Student Support Services, but he wants to "wait and see".

Wondering if it's worth it for the extra help and possible financial support for a laptop he might get.

Thanks for the advice. He’s done the rice thing but no airing cupboard so I’m going to suggest somewhere warm in his room. He’s more annoyed with himself I think. Must check the insurance to see if it’s covered, if that proves necessary. It’s minor really compared to the issues some of your DC face.

DD's iPhone recovered from a toilet drop apart from the speakers stopped working.