2nd year uni (starting 2018)

[HSMMaCM]

The old thread seems to have filled up!

Just had a catch-up read. We don't have any pets so that's 1 thing we don't have to worry about.
Haffdonger, your comment, " for me she represents our dc's childhood and family life" brought a lump to my throat. I realise it's completely different because it's an inanimate object and not a living ,breathing member of the family but I feel a bit like that about my ancient Vauxhall Zafira. It's well past it's sell by date, but it's tied in to memories of days out, games of motorway I spy & Paddington Bear story cds.

Glad your DCs have managed to move into better accommodation Phizzog & Dingit. Fingers crossed that things will go smoothly now.
DS2 is hoping to spend a year abroad next year so it's tricky for him to plan his accommodation yet. I think he'd happily stay in the same house with the same people if going overseas doesn't come off.

Just back from a quick trip to see DS, all well with him 🙂

He ate for Britain when he joined us for meals!

Horsemad I like your ds eating for Britain - making the most of the parental wallet when the chance arises. DS came home for a quick break at the weekend and was most concerned to know what we would be feeding him. Anything homely but not pasta was the request.

He is finding sharing with all females quite hard work. Not the cleaning or tidying (he's a bit of a stickler for a clean kitchen) but (he says) the female emotion. Apparently there have been a few minor fallings out between the girls with lots of tears and long late night heart to hearts. He gets involved and acts as go-between and then feels bemused the next day when they are all best friends again. He has already signed up for a mixed house next year. (The only main reasons he came home was to get his passport for the sign up and Christmas jumper.)

Lol at the female 'emotion' Haffdonga - your DS sounds wonderful, mediating 🙂 I feel his pain though!

He ' feels bemused the next day when they are all best friends' 🤣🤣🤣🤣

We spent the weekend with DD which was lovely and sent her back to spend a week working on assignments.

Haff, this year will be great life experience!

Also love that the boys are eating for England when they get home!

DD has been messaging for advice about who to share with next year as she has a 3way choice. Final year seems to be approaching very fast!

It's odd, the way our perception of time varies - 3 years undergrad degree seemed a long time to me when I was doing mine. But now I'm glad DD has a 4 year course, 3 years doesn't seem long enough.

Awwww hello, I've been off this thread for ages.
Place marking so I can catch up later.

All good with DS1 in year 2 of engineering at Southampton.

DD is realising that her friends who didn't have a gap year are getting towards the end. She has 3/4 more years after the end of this one. But the her brother, who has already done four, has just sat mid-terms for his first year of his PhD (the first 1/2 years are taught, but if he does well enough in mid-terms he apparently does not need o sit exams in July.)

It seems to be reading week, and DD is "home alone". I offered to visit but she has heaps of work, plus the medics seem to be making the most of an empty city. Her head is still well into the sand over next year's accommodation, though with the confidence that something will turn up. The fall back is paying more for a bedsit - not ideal but far, far better than making the wrong choice.

Actually DD is talking about doing a Masters

NMS I have said to DD that maybe the sweet boys who want her to move into their nice flat by the uni are a good option as then she would be all sorted with no hassle!

Dd is house hunting for next year and hopefully has found one that could be for the next 3 years with her fellow dental students. Seems 9dd that she and dd2 will graduate the same year hopefully!

The eating you out of house and home just keeps on going. DS1 is 25 and lives with his GF but our fridge looks like a plague of locusts has visited whenever he calls by. 😁

DS2 is also sharing a house with 3 female students and is also bemused by the swing of emotions. The housing situation for next year has moved on rapidly. The 3 girls have joined up with 2 others and have paid a deposit on a house for next year. As DS2 said to me," I'll have to make sure I get that abroad now!"

That year abroad now.

Sounds like progress for some on the next year's house front. I am not sure if mine have started looking yet. One of mine is coming home tomorrow which will be nice (and his twin on Friday).

Appearing from the shadows to say thanks for the support offered - good to hear similar experiences. DS doing fantastic - working hard & says second year harder than first as he had covered first year at sixth year.
Applying for internships which is soul-destroying as you do not meet a human till late in the selection process.
Captain of a college frisbee team,- very athletic apparently- and has been asked to train with university team. Also has a job as Supervisor in the college bar, and has already signed for a 3rd year tenancy in his very fancy townhouse with 5 well-behaved flatmates!

So should I be sad that he has no time to come home this term & communication is strictly on a need to know basis? ( And pictures of animals) Will not see him till December 15? Or should I just be delighted that he is working hard and having the best time?!! Opinions please . ( and Support!) xx

I think it's inevitable that their time at university becomes busier.

Can you go and visit him for a weekend? This is what we do. We normally go once and he sometimes comes home once a term (depending on if he's needed for his old footy team here!).

As long as I have contact every few days by Messenger/phone then that's ok for me, although it is lovely to see him of course 🙂

It's similar for us, DD doesn't come home during the term. We went up for a weekend visit at the end of October. Of course I miss seeing her, but I'm glad she is making the most of her time at uni.

She sent a message the other day saying she'll be back in 5 weeks. Sounds like she is looking forward to seeing us.

Of course we miss her, but thats outweighed by being delighted that DD is busy and happy at uni. She probably won't come home till a bit after the end of term - apart from finishing up some work it seems like some stay a few days for more socialising than they have time for in term. It's too far for us to go and visit her. But she calls roughly once a week for a good chat with us, and betweentimes if she wants advice or occasionally if she's at loose end - that was more when she was away on her internship last summer. Having done 12 weeks then , she's hoping to find something shorter for this summer so she gets a bit of holiday before starting third year, though talking to her last night she said most of the more interesting-sounding internships were longer so who knows.

My two seem fine (but home and just left to play squash and swim). Done second trip to Waitrose with them for twin 2. We did twin 1 (including 46 loos rolls) the day before., They seem fine, loads of chatter and talking and they had a friend round last night and one the night before.

They are certainly discussing next year's accommodation but I think not viewed anything just yet but i thinkk they will soon and I have been encouraging internship and vacation scheme applications - just told one a deadline which he asked me about. Whether that translates into making applications is another matter.

Scottishmum, it sounds like your DS has got right into his stride which is great! I guess it's hard if you only have minimal contact though. Could you go and visit him?

DD doesn't come home during term time, as she is too busy, but she is in daily contact with me (Usually messaging) and the family, and I went up to visit her for a couple of days which was lovely.

Re accommodation, DD is in a big dilemma - pulled 3 ways and doesn't want to upset anyone or feel like she might not be as close with current flatmates if she doesn't go with them. I am trying to help her think of pros and cons, but it isn't easy!

Thank you all - seems I am not alone.

Horsemad , BigTillymint, we did go for one night last year - took him out for a meal and had a walk round the lovely cathedral . Was nice to see him in context.
Suggested coming down this term for lunch & he did not cheer the idea- Why would you do that?!
Think he is quite distracted & stressed about internships- over 20 applications so far. Seems tougher than my day.

Friend was saying her lovely DD is getting nowhere in finding a science placement for her year in industry - what academic area is he looking at Scottish mum? I don't know if DD is looking yet - currently slaving over an extremely esoteric/intangible essay, so I won't ask
Is he far away from where you live?

I fear it may be particularly tough finding placements in some sectors this year because companies don't know what the heck the effects of Brexit may be yet.