2nd year uni (starting 2018)

[HSMMaCM]

The old thread seems to have filled up!

Expensive, but you made the right decision. Poor DD tried to stick it out through her first year as she was used to getting on with people. However she was totally unprepared for how inconsiderate some can be. She has since heard that the flatmate who gave her so much grief and who stopped attending and turned nocternal after only a month at University, did not bother turning up to her first year exams. Her choice, but there was no one to protect the student who did want to study.

This year is so much better. There are some tensions as they learn how to live with others. But these are nothing in comparison with the Lord of the Flies set up of last year. No phone call for a week, then DD confirms she is regaining her confidence and is feeling happy and settled.

I still dont think it was acceptable for the University to put her through what she went through last year, and wonder how the senior administrators justify their high salaries. But other that the problems created by her not doing as well as she should have done in her first year (no second year exams so her chances of doing the intercalation she wants may be affected) things are good.

I just don't understand how some of these young people take on a huge loan with no intention of ever getting a degree. One of dds ex house mates is retaking year one. She's taken apart time job in a club in town. After her shift she winds down by drinking with her colleagues, rocking home at 6 am ( waking everyone and then sleeping all day )

Errol that made me laugh - a cull on soft toys. We did the same, but it's heartbreaking

On a plus note dd has got through to final round interviews for a placement next year. A much needed boost to her self esteem, even if she doesn't get offered it. Next stop, interview suit shopping.

Remember you don't have to pay a penny back ever unless you earn money so for many university is a free ride off the back of tax payers.

Xenia. That's so sad, but you're probably right 

It's time the whole system was overhauled. Martin Lewis, over to you.

It's not been an easy issue to deal with. Most young people saddled with "debt" no matter what Martin Lewis says feel that as a burden and obviously notice it when they lose 9% of salary. Others like mine have no debt which in a way (a 9% way) increases inequality. However at least the new system means those who never got to university (85% in my day, perhaps 50% now) are not paying for those who earn more and are graduates to get a free university education.

I sometimes wonder whether it would be worth having the finance approval depending on the degree that you are doing . For example, provide finance for would be scientists and some of the arts etc but not for people doing degrees like the BSc in Games Production. I'm not convinced though.

I don't think it is about finance. One of DD's friends is at the complete opposite of the spectrum financially with no scope for parental top ups, and relying on bursaries and vacation jobs, yet the two have very similar attitudes to money and to life/study balance.

The bigger problem seems to be students who don't seem to know why they are at University, and who have little interest in their course. It seems they went because "everyone goes". My plumber (who almost certainly earns a six figure salary in his 20s) suggests he was unusual in his peer group to opt for an apprenticeship.

DS sailed through his degree course with no issues. However roughly 70% of his coursemates were from overseas, and his University seemed willing to allow students to fail, and follow up if attendance dropped. (He says the first year course tutor was unpopular as she was pretty tough on slackers.) It helped that the demanding maths "building block" courses came in the second year, so students could repeat the year rather than fail their degree and then select third year options that suited them. All his friends seem to have gone on to very good jobs or further study at world ranked institutions.

His University is notorious for coming bottom of student satisfaction surveys causing the Government to have to drop their gold/silver/bronze incentivisation. It's a bit like looking back at your school teachers. I remember the geography teacher who challenged every essay, forcing me to stretch my analytical ability, and the demanding German teacher. The LSE demanded that DS engage, but allowed him the space to discover an academic passion. He would have struggled with the lack of discipline DD experienced.

I think student satisfaction surveys taken 10 years after graduation would show a very different picture, and wonder why the Government seems so determined to make University administration a popularity contest.

Rant over!

DD is starting her third placement of this year, which means she has got to know quite a lot in her year group, and has made a number of like minded friends. These, considerate flatmates, and an interesting course. Perfect. Which makes the looming third year flat hunt a bit scary. She knows what she needs to avoid.

Dingit, DD works in a club and doesn't get in till 4.30am or after on a Saturday, earlier if a weeknight. However, she also spends a lot of time studying and is considerate. I think! Not sure how long she will keep it going as it is exhausting, but she says she enjoys it.
Flat hunting? I had forgotten about that. I think DD and her housemates may try to stay where they are, if they can.

I suggested staying to one of mine but he says everyone moves to Clifton in year 3 (and they will have one housemate abroad next year so not the same number for the group anyway). He was up against an essay deadline so could not talk for long. It was due today. That kind of last minute stuff is not wise.

Where do they all live in second year? Mine is in second year and lives in Clifton (only a few miles down the road from home but that's another story)

God knows. Redland I think. He is full of generalisations. He also said it was against the law to copy his key (and his key is a normal one which clearly you can copy but I just shut up about it - he has never let a property anywhere in his life until this year but he doesn't need a know it all like I am going on about things to him). They are all doing very well and I am very pleased with them. I think they may be home briefly in a week's time which will be nice - both twins.

Mine could well be in Redland and saying Clifton because it sounds better - they are right on the very edge of Clifton. Allegedly.

My daughter was in Clifton for her 2nd and 3rd years a long while back, but she was renting with friends from a boy they lived with whose father bought a whole whole house for him there and the boy did it up all summer and dealt with all the letting aspects of it which was certainly good learnng for him. You need rich parents for that.

DD is on the Redland side of Whiteladies Rd. Both Redland and Clifton are lovely areas - would be great to live there as long as not deep in a student house road

You definitrly do in Bristol, Xenia, houses nearly as expensive as London!

I'll say you do - www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65807323.html

"You need rich parents for that." though in fairness property prices in Bristol have really soared over the past few years.

You can get a student mortgage. Parents act as guarantors, but income is generated by letting to fellow students. Bath Building Society is one, but there are others. DD has potentially another four years to go, so there is some appeal, though the figures probably don't add up and the property market is too uncertain. However medics/vets in cheaper places apparently do do this. I think the attraction of student houses starts to pall when your friends have finished and have started work.

I looked into a student mortgage in Bath, but it was just too expensive. DD should be able to stay in her house next year, because it's a private rent, rather than a student rent (because of her boyfriend not being a student).

DD and her flatmates have decided not to stay in the same place for next year. This was prompted by the landlord asking about their plans.

Things are going well, but some of them are not going to be around next year. One will be graduating, one will be doing a year abroad. Rather than getting new people in, they decided to look for a place for a smaller group.

Like last year, I can't quite believe they have to start looking so far in advance.

Yes, it's very early (the final year for most of them), but seems to be necessary. So this may be the last rent deposit I ever pay once they find next year's. As my daughter was tehre about 13 years ago it has been a long time.

My DD is planning on staying in the same place as they like it and the landlord is very good. She's waiting for him to ask them though as they don't want to seem too keen.

Bad tenants are a nightmare for landlords, and there's usually costs on both sides, so staying put can be a win-win.

By all accounts the students (all men, coincidence?) weren't so good and the place was filthy when DD and friends went to look round.
The landlord is realising that DD and co have higher standards - he manages the property himself so has been round to fix a few problems and is always pleased with how neat and tidy it is. He was surprised about their expectations though, last year's didn't have any but DD and co have emailed him photos of any damage that was there when they moved in and so on.

It is horribly early in the year to have to decide what to do for next year, particularly if they don't really want to stay with the same people. I really wish the universities could put some sort of embargo on rentals being released till say March.