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

[flyingpigsinclover]

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

Grumpy if they are approved for the DSA then that includes an assessment to see what their needs are; that is funded for them.

We did need medical evidence but it was just in the form of a letter from the GP - might you be able to get the same for your DS? Our GP didn't charge for it.

We didn't have to jump through hoops. I'm sorry for those that did, it must be horrible.

We did ours with a letter from the GP too.

Behindthebluedoor we had both the down the toilet accident and a swimming pool accident with iPhones.
Its with getting a quote for repair, especially if it's a newish iPhone6, which both of ours were.

BlueDoor DS's phone was covered on insurance, which was another godsend. They paid up really quickly. And what he got for selling it on eBay paid the excess! So not such a bad result really.

Will look into the letter from the GP route too.

Difficulty is persuading DS that it's worth doing. I don't think he wants to feel 'different'.

I need to wait until he comes home so we can discuss properly. Which may not be until the end of term now, he doesn't seem to want to come back!

I would talk to disability services team at the uni, they can recommend steps or help and for things like dyslexia carry some tests.

Also talk to DSA team, when I have had queries they have been helpful.

I think the assessment you need to pay for very much depends on the disability, DS need a ed physc to carry his out, hence the £500.

For DS the DSA has accessed him a laptop , printer/scanner, dictation software, software to read documentation, recording equipment. 30 hours of tuition from a dyslexia specialist Tutor, 8 hours of IT tuition and the university based on assessment have allowed 25% extra time plus a reader and computer dictation for all exams.

..so it was worth the pain of payment to access these services.

Is it possible to apply to DSA at this stage? My DD has MH issues and did not do it when applying for student finance. She doesn't think there is anything in it for her but I am not so sure. She has not made anyone aware of her circumstances. She has registered with a GP but not seen anyone yet.

DD didn't want to do it, but she has just had her first session with a mentor and seems to think it will help.

That's all I want for my DD. She seems to think that Student Services are only there to help if you are having problems with your course. I can't be involved now, too far away, and I am worried that there would be no one to catch her if she should fall. Hopefully it will never be necessary, but...

There is no limit or time set on applying for DSA,

www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas

the DSA team are very helpful with answering questions.

We're visiting this weekend and just had this whatsapp conversation.

Bagels. Spag hoops (2 cans is enough), white bread, pasta, frozen pizza, mince, cheese (grated), 2 packs of uncle bens rice 😊😊Sweet potato fries if you find any. Bottle of squash. Kidney beans. Tinned. Chipped tomatoes. Just one

We will of course oblige

Ha ha. Not a lot of fresh veg either!

I'll get rice with veg in. The squash with a bit of fruit in. Maybe accidentally get 2 cans of chopped tomatoes. She generally eats sweetcorn with everything, so I might get some of that too.

Just had a bit of convo with ds about whether we will go and visit him one weekend. There was discussion of which weekends he's playing a football match. I suggested we could watch the match.
His answer:
No way. It's not like that here. That would be weird.

That's me told. Because of course nobody watches football in the park in the northern city he's in.

I'm not sorry that over 12 years of standing on the sidelines of godforsaken frozen windswept mud fields is finally over

I really miss watching my DS playing footy

I did go to watch the team he played for a few weeks ago, it felt strange him not being there.

Oh Horsemad. It's strange isn't it. My heart always does a little badump when I see dcs in town wearing the team strip that ds wore every single weekend from 6 to 18 years old .

Surrey have a fruit and veg market. Dd managed to remember to go today, and came back with spring onions, 6 beef tomatoes and a punnet of raspberries for £2. The raspberries have already been eaten 

It is Haffdonga

dd didn't need to dress up for Halloween. She really has bright red eyes now! Poor thing.

Anyone else’s DC in 1st year of uni just not enjoying it? My DD got into her 1st choice uni, likes the course though stresses about the work, has made a couple of friends & now rubs along with her flatmates. She’s joined one social thing but feels she doesn’t have time for much apart from work & self-catering. She’s not a party animal but by choice would be in the company of friends most of the time. She’s ok, but just not very happy; missing home & sadder having come home for a visit at the weekend. Is this going to get better...?

Yes. I'm sure it will get better. It takes longer for quieter types to make good friends and feel relaxed with them. It's such a huge change with so many challenges it's not surprising that the first term or so is a bitof a struggle. Speaking for myself, although I enjoyed uni on the whole, the first year, in halls was quite grim really. The flatshare years were, as our young peeps would say, much more chilled.

I think it will get better Blogwoman, but maybe a slow burn type of thing.

Is she doing a full on course? It doesn't sound like she's desperately unhappy, more like it's taking time to find her place in it all.

Thank you rogue & horsemad. I don’t think she’s desperately unhappy at least. You’re quite right that it’s a huge change & she’s a worrier; everything she has to do for the 1st time feels like a big deal, I think - the everyday work of being an adult. It looks like she’s currently having a lot of the hard work & worry without very many pleasures. Her course isn’t too full on I don’t think, with one seminar each day.

Roisin and Time, make mine a strong Yorkshire tea! I’m missing DS badly him being my only one, seeking solace in my two dogs, the gym and work. Luckily DS is pretty communicative and the family WhatsApp group is a great source of contact. He’s just sent me a picture of his tea, breaded southern fried chicken fillets on white bread, I’ve just told him to get some fibre in his diet !

Already batch cooking for my visit next week....