2nd year uni (starting 2018)

[HSMMaCM]

The old thread seems to have filled up!

DD in Bristol says there doesnt seem to be much going on at the SU (I take it she means nothing she is interested in) and there are many clubs for the loaded - Champagne Society or Clay Pigeon Shooting, anyone?! Also no live music/clubbing events. When I was in Sheff (And DDs friends there report still the same now), the SU revolved around music.
It seems that SUs vary massively?

DD says there's a wide range of events at her SU and she only goes one night a week, because that's the only event she's interested in (can't remember what she said it was).

She's going for cheer leading try outs next week. She got in last year, but couldn't get there easily from her halls.

BTM, DDs impression as well. The SU is a huge, new and lovely building which is apparently only really used by the drama people.

DD plays sport and has access to medic stuff. However access to sport is through trial, and though her sport encourages everyone who is interested, some reject quite a high proportion of those who apply, plus there are issues around the dominance of mens sport, and cost. Her sport has just changed its kit, so additional cost this term.

But for many of the rest, it seems to be just clubbing. I have no idea what happened to old fashioned ents officers, who spent their University careers booking bands. Which is in real contrast to Lonodn where people are so scattered that the campus is the focus, and where many, including overseas students, joined societies.

Yes Ents! I had forgotten them!

And yes the competitive trials completely put DD off, despite her being very sporty
However she apparently got a good haul from Freshers fair even though she is not a fresher this year!

Some sports have development squads to encourage those who may not have played much before. But not all.

Some are very snooty. DD picked up a new sport but then bumped into someone she knew from County training in another. They were short of players in her position so she got invited in without trial. But politely declined. I assume there that part of the problem is that many players will already know each other through training networks, so it would be difficult for a newcomer to make an impact.

Some sports have development squads to encourage those who may not have played much before.

The rowing DD tried last year was like that, very much open to anyone who wanted to have a go - but she put her back out, and also the time commitment was just too much alongside a full timetable. She said she'd look around freshers again, thought she might try the canoe club - it looked more like a fun activity than a 'sport' (we're rather of the Ratty persuasion!)

However she apparently got a good haul from Freshers fair even though she is not a fresher this year!

I've gone to uni this year to do my masters so started three weeks earlier than all the undergrads and weren't really expected to go to the freshers week stuff until we found they had free lunches for a week

I understand the main booty was a stash of Wetherspoons vouchers.

DD went for free food vouchers and got 3 free T-shirts too, one of which was a Levi's one she had already fancied getting!

Brizzle, are you at Brizzle?!

No, I live in Brizzle but I'm not at Brizzle.

DS is at a conservatoire, as was DD until she graduated this summer. They're much smaller than the unis and tend not to have many socs or freshers' fairs. I think DS could use some of the facilities of one of the other London unis, but he doesn't. DD used to complain that the only socs at her place were unsuitable for at least half the students: Christian Union and LGBTQI society. DS is not the sort to set things up himself. It would be great if he could find a gym buddy at least.

He likes living in his new ( damp, mouldy ) flat. He doesn't know if it has gas heating/a boiler/carbon monoxide detector. There's an excellent pizza place that does amazing takeaway pizzas for £4, which is much more important. Thankfully DH is going down for his work soon (with a list of things from me to check).

Just had a call from DD - she said she'd signed up for lots of stuff on her second go round freshers fair, couldn't remember what but they'll send emails.

Errol, it must be the day - DD just text to say she's at trials for a sport she did at school till Y11 - she did say she might give it a go.

I think she may also have an ulterior motive....

Sounds like she is doing well signing up for things.

I just spoke to one of mine and we managed to log in and I paid his fees so I am £9250 worse off but at least it's done. He has a lot of lectures tomorrow so may not get to a careers talk wihch had sounded worth going to to me. He sounded really happy and they have the place nice and warm with the heating on and know how to work it now. I've reminded his twin about the fees due to be paid too. So all is going well.

Trying not to think about the fact that a student was stabbed four roads away from where DS lives in Brum. It isn't helping that DS2 is studying the "geography of crime" in Y9 and is telling me all sorts of crime statistics about Selly Oak

I was at b'ham for 6 years, tbh the riskiest thing in Selly Oak was probably some of the curry houses.

All with mine who are very busy. I did manage to catch the second twin at the weekend and we got his fees paid too so I think all the admin side is done now. One had not been out as he had a 9am lecture the next day so that sounds good to me.

You're right Errol, I was there for 3 years and some of those curry houses in Digbeth and Sparkbrook were hazardous! The student safety situation is quite bad though, much worse than when I was there. Students are just easy prey.

I was up on Saturday visiting as I was working there over the weekend so I popped in and took him out to lunch and then shopping (to the hell that is Aldi in a student area on a Saturday!)

Our DS2 is also in Selly Oak. He phoned earlier for a natter and he mentioned the stabbing. We talked about him keeping his wits about him as best as he can. It's that dilemma as a parent about how to encourage them to go about their life with confidence while staying safe.

DD has been rehearsing a dance for cheerleader try outs, which she passed last year, but decided not to do, due to transport issues.

She has 2 assignments so far.

Sorry ... meant to say ... she is in a statistically safe uni town, but I do worry about her.

DS seems ok, had a brief chat with him earlier via Messenger.
He is changing one of his modules and going to a quiz and that was all the news!

We are off to visit next month, so am looking forward to that.

One of mine is coming home I think for part of reading week for an appointment in London.

Tonight I booked our family summer holiday 2019 for 9 of us - so many lovely babies etc now going the day after their summer term ends. We have t book really early as there are 4 people who need to book time off work before anyone else does at their work and fit it around other things - university terms. It is before the July internships/vacation schemes start - not that they will necessarily get on to any of those.

Mine sounds phenomenally busy - loads of work. But enjoying her house with a proper kitchen, and had managed to try out a session of Krav Maga (no, me neither, I had to google it)