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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Starting Uni (first year) 2018. A support/chat thread.

480 replies

Justanothermile · 18/08/2018 08:55

Hi there.

I don't think there's another thread for folk with DC starting university this September/October. I'm not sure there's even a need, but I thought I would start one and see.

DS is my first DC and going to Lancaster. New territory for us, so we are learning as we go.

The last few weeks have been reading up about clearing and alternative courses in case he didn't get his first choice, he was pretty pessimistic but did get accepted.

Now it's countdown to the big day and planning what things he needs to take etc.

I believe accommodation will be confirmed in the next few days.

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Purplemond · 18/08/2018 09:47

I found similar very useful when my DC started a few years ago, there is a lot of good advice on here and if youre on facebook the WIWIKAU (What I Wish I Knew About University) is very useful too www.facebook.com/groups/488235648182391/

LeiatheSchnauzer · 18/08/2018 10:46

Hi! Ds is also my eldest so first time for us as well. Echoing your experience justanothermile: nerves before results day and looking at clearing options but ended up with his firm choice. He's going to Bath to study Physics.
So exciting now being able to make plans!

magbob · 18/08/2018 10:50

We are on the same threads justanothermile! DS's accommodation has been confirmed, in Grizedale College. We went to Ikea for a mattress protector and sheets because the mattresses are longer than average. Kitchen equipment is bought. We may have peaked a little early!

LooseHipsWobbleShips · 18/08/2018 11:09

Not sure if it will be helpful but my DS has completed first year MPhys at Lancaster, in Grizedale too. If you have any questions he and I would be happy to answer them if we can. He's had a great year. Worked hard but loved university life.

Original poster
Justanothermile · 18/08/2018 12:42

purple thank you that link is useful. There's a bit of worry and strife on a lot of posts but also some solid information. Cheers.

leia - great news about your DS, Bath is a lovely city. I noticed Bath closed clearing early.

magbob Pendle here! I've just paid the deposit. I think Ds's maintenance grant will just about cover the cost of accommodation... although I know Lancaster isn't as expensive as some we looked at. I saw that about the mattresses but you are streaking ahead of me with your purchases Grin

Thanks loose. I think my only concern is that DS is really quiet and finds striking up conversations tricky, he gets very nervous. I'm hoping they cover this, I'm sure he's not the only quiet student they have! Equally sure this will help him find some confidence in this regard.

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magbob · 18/08/2018 14:06

Thank you loosehips. I keep thinking back to how little information I had when I arrived at university back in 1989! If DS chooses to he can join Facebook groups, have info from Twitter, download information from websites etc. I just turned up! He knows quite a few people going to Lancaster so he is extremely lucky.

Original poster
Justanothermile · 18/08/2018 15:44

I'm now ahead of you mag, I've bought DS a shower gel and some shampoo. Grin

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Fifthtimelucky · 18/08/2018 16:27

On Thursday my daughter had her place at Exeter confirmed, and has now gone into a frenzy of organisation.

Much of her stuff is already packed (basically everything except for clothes and bedding, and whatever she will needs for the kitchen). She should find out next week what accommodation she'll be in and is hoping for self-catered and then can decide exactly what to take.

She has made an appointment at the Health Centre for a Meningitis ACWY jab, with the bank to convert her 'under 19' account to a student one, and has contacted the people who are going to supply her with various things being paid for with her DSA.

Then it's dentist and hairdresser, so she doesn't have to think about those in her first term, and she's good to go!

GreenShadow · 18/08/2018 16:50

DS3 (last child) heads off to Portsmouth next month (4 weeks today! eek!).

I thought we'd find the last to go really hard, but we've sort of got use to the idea by now and as h'es been quite independent the last year (had a gap year), it won't be such a shock to the system.

But still.....

nokidshere · 18/08/2018 18:48

My eldest is off to Southampton 4 weeks today. He's very excited but not started packing yet lol

Apparently halls will be allocated on Monday so hopefully he will get what he wants.

partystress · 18/08/2018 18:56

Thank heavens you're all here. DS, my eldest, off to York. I am thrilled for him but absolutely dreading him going and anticipate needing lots of support. Focusing on practical stuff will help for now...

NapoleonsNose · 18/08/2018 19:00

DS, no.2, is off to Sussex four weeks today. We've already got DD at uni so know what to expect a bit. I've been buying stuff for around 6 months now as it's a big dent in the budget to do it all in one go. He's got his halls allocation but is a bit disappointed it wasn't his first choice. I'm not looking forward to the empty nest one bit.

Original poster
Justanothermile · 18/08/2018 19:01

I read about the additional meningitis jab on the Facebook site linked about, of which I was not aware. Another thing for the list.

We live near York. It's truly a beautiful city. It doesn't feel too big or overwhelming. I think DD would possibly consider it for her application this coming academic year if it were not so very close by.

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Original poster
Justanothermile · 18/08/2018 19:03

fifth, my dd will be the same next year. DS is entirely the opposite! We did an Exeter open day. I've seen a lot of campuses recently having just the one year between the DC. I don't think there was one as lovely as Exeter and they seriously had their act together on the open day.

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TheThirdOfHerName · 18/08/2018 22:44

My eldest is starting at Leicester in five weeks.
He had the MenACWY at school.
He has opened a student bank account and is just waiting for the stuff to come through in the post.

I've been buying him some bits and pieces for his room (useful, common sense type of things that he probably wouldn't think of).

I'm getting a small photobook made for him with photos of family (and more importantly, the cat).

He submitted his accommodation preferences in April, but hasn't received his room offer, so we don't yet know if he'll be in catered or self-catering accommodation.

Fifthtimelucky · 18/08/2018 23:09

@Justanothermile: we went to Exeter twice, and I confess that It was a bit disappointed with the campus on our first visit. It poured all day and was generally a bit grey and gloomy. In contrast, our second visit was in glorious sunshine, which really showed it at its best.

My older daughter, who graduated this year, was never as organised as the younger one is. She generally started packing at 10pm the night before, and then wandered round the house saying "has anyone seen my x". It drove me mad!

LeiatheSchnauzer · 19/08/2018 08:28

We went to Lancaster twice (open day and applicant day) and loved it! The new physics department was amazing. If ds hadn't loved Bath so much he would have chosen Lancaster (even with the rain we had on both days!).

partystress · 19/08/2018 08:47

DS has just turned 18 and was given quite a lot of the little, useful bits and bobs in uni survival kit type pressies. Just really bedding to buy I think. Oh dear, this all seemed so far ahead of us, and now it's here Sad

LeiatheSchnauzer · 19/08/2018 09:36

We're off to Ikea next weekend, dd1 and dd2 joining us as well because they don't want to 'miss out'! Don't think we'll know his accommodation for a few weeks but all of his 5 options were for standard (not en suite) self catering so hope we can get everything he needs. Already have some bedding from the John Lewis sale but that's it so far.

Bakeandyarn · 19/08/2018 09:43

DS goes on 1st October and I’m dreading it! We’re still in a bit of emotional shock after results day and we’ve done lots of form filling etc for uni, bank accounts etc. Accommodation won’t be confirmed for a few weeks yet so we’re in limbo a bit. Think I’m going to need lots of hand holding like you partystress

Princecharlesfirstwife · 19/08/2018 10:42

DD1 goes to Sheffield on 16 September - she's not 18 until the end of next week, still seems too young to me. She on the other hand is very excited. Accomodation was booked in April pending results so that's all been confirmed now and deposit paid. She's in self catering and is a fussy little so and so as far as food is concerned so it will be an interesting time for her! I will miss her terribly - she can be a right PITA sometimes but is also very lovely and the house dynamic will be very different without her.

bruffin · 19/08/2018 10:42

DD off to Cardiff, but she is doing Camp America and not back 5th, we have about 2 weeks to sort her out before she goes. She also has her 21st birthday in that time.Its going to be so hectic, although we have a lot of stuff in the garage from when DS went to uni.

BambooWhoosh · 19/08/2018 16:38

@partystress DS is also off to York to do Maths. What subject is your DS doing?

SpareBedroom · 19/08/2018 17:44

Nokidshere DD is also going to Southampton. Where did you find out accommodation is allocated on Monday? I think we've missed that info.

Have compiled a list of things we need to get and heading for Ikea this week.

Original poster
Justanothermile · 19/08/2018 17:50

My friends DS did Maths at York and had a brilliant time.

Good idea regarding birthday presents, DS is 19 in September so I'll get folk to give him Uni items.

DS will need to change his current account into a student account and buy a rail card. It will all be last minute though as usual.

He did ask that I show him some cheap recipes though, which surprised me. That's a level of initiative and interest I'm not used to! At the moment I can only think of pasta and rice dishes and batch cooking so I'll have to think about this.

I'm feeling okay emotionally at the minute. I think I'll feel it more next year, when dd is gone too. This might change.

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