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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.

OP posts:
iknowimcoming · 03/09/2018 21:39

I've already bet my dh £5 that dd will arrive home for Christmas with anyone who's not going home for the holidays, not that I'd mind, probably Grin

LoniceraJaponica · 03/09/2018 21:44

As long as it isn't DD's boyfriend Grin

nokidshere · 03/09/2018 22:05

@LynetteScavo mine went for hsbc which has an £80 amazon voucher and a years membership of student prime. He already has rail facilities so doesn't need a one from the bank

Thesearepearls · 03/09/2018 22:16

I'm packing for DS. So far not much has been packed. I'm aiming to go a bit minimalist. A couple of ikea bags (for bedding and towels) and a suitcase.

DS was attracted by the HSBC thing but then decided he couldn't be arsed.

I've decided he's lazy :)

voilets · 03/09/2018 22:58

Soton: Montefoire ensuites are good. Nice student village feel. Good launderette. Solid rooms. Good internet. Very hot in winter. DS had a good year there.

Banks. 3 yrs ago DS just swapped his account at santander at counter after popping in. DD has to wait 2 weeks for an appt. Both times they like the railcard and it feels less faff to stay with own bank

MissConductUS · 03/09/2018 23:30

A couple of ikea bags (for bedding and towels) and a suitcase.

We used two of the ikea bags for bedding and towels too. Brilliant. They fold down to nothing when you're done with them.

We got back midday and I've just done a massive clean of DS's room. I have one big bag of rubbish, two for the charity shop and two bags of paper recycling, mostly old papers from secondary school.

I had a bit of trouble getting to sleep last night and it was sad to send him off to dinner. We're going to FaceTime with him later tonight if it works out,

MissConductUS · 03/09/2018 23:39

Oh, and for orientation today they broke into groups and made terrariums. They have a carnival tonight with facepainting, psychic readings and dunk tanks for the orientation leaders.

Tomorrow includes busing them over to the local Target store for last minute dorm items and a huge bbq.

I want to go to college there. Grin

elena7475 · 04/09/2018 08:26

Lucky Miss. My DS can say 'he is fine' with not much details. Yesterday they had Convocation and I thing they are doing 'shopping week' after. Though he decided what he wants to do even before he left for uni two weeks ago. Maybe he will pick up few extra lectures

Original poster
Justanothermile · 04/09/2018 08:46

We have similar to the Ikea bags given to us from one of our suppliers at work. I'm bringing some home from work, they zip up so great for storage.

Rest of bedding bought. Few bits to do but getting there.

We've ages to wait yet though, given start date is 30th September.

I don't think DS would do fairly lights!!

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 04/09/2018 09:06

I'm not even sure what fairy lights are. These?

fairy lights

ErrolTheDragon · 04/09/2018 09:10

That sort of thing. I'm guessing they're somewhat of a gendered preference!

Original poster
Justanothermile · 04/09/2018 09:17

To further reinforce a stereotype, DS says all the subjects for his university have started chat conversations apart from his, which is Maths. He says this is because they are all (including him) relatively introverted quiet types that wouldn't actually think of taking the initiative to start one!!

OP posts:
SpareBedroom · 04/09/2018 15:18

Thank you violets - that's really reassuring.

bruffin · 05/09/2018 08:06

DD's coming home today Yeeeeehhhhh Grin Grin Grin
She has been in USA for 3 months doing Camp America, is home then until 22nd and then off to Cardiff.
Lots to do in next couple of weeks and also all our birthdays including her 21st.

expatmigrant · 05/09/2018 08:22

My DS has just been sent his timetable...2 lectures on Wednesday afternoons. He's a keen rugby player and all matches are on Wednesdays.
We always assumed that Wednesday afternoons were free to play sports. It was when DH and I went. Has this changed?
DH going ballistic at the thought of him not attending lectures but at the same time wants him to play the sport he loves.

prettybird · 05/09/2018 09:14

Ds' Uni has Wednesday afternoon's free. In fact, he has sorted out a timetable (Scottish Uni, so lots of options in addition to his compulsory PIR subject, to make up the necessary credits) that involves no lectures or tutorials on a Wednesday and a late start on a Thursday Wink

Iirc in amongst all ds' rugby witterings , he says that one of the rugby teams only plays on Saturday, so maybe that might be an option for your ds. Alternatively, he could look at the local senior team which would definitely just play on Saturdays.

In ds' case, technically he could play BUCS rugby, senior rugby (soon, not quite yet) and U18 rugby Shock (Obviously not all at once Wink)

He's even thinking of coming down occasionally to play for his old U18 team (although having been wasted stuck out on the wing all game at the weekend and the team losing a close game as a result, he's not so keen Wink)

expatmigrant · 05/09/2018 10:38

Thanks prettybird. I'm sure DS won't be the only student affected. He has emailed the department and mentioned that there might be a mistake with their timetabling Grin.
I think he needs to get there and see what options there are. He could of course play for a local team there but really wants to get into playing BUCS rugby. He will still be playing for his home team on his visits home.
Fingers crossed for him that the university have made a mistake BUT I doubt that very much!

prettybird · 05/09/2018 10:42

Without knowing what subject your ds is doing and not wanting to encourage bad habits Blush but if they're lectures and not tutorials, could he get way with getting hold of someone else's notes?

Not ideal though Sad

hellsbells99 · 05/09/2018 18:42

Expat - assuming they are lectures (and not tutorials/labs) then most universities have them recorded on their blackboard system so he can watch them at his leisure. DD2 has had some tutorials/labs timetabled on Wednesday afternoons but has normally managed to swap with someone.

ErrolTheDragon · 05/09/2018 19:22

It always used to be Wednesday afternoon off for shopping and eating pizza sports - maybe nowadays with increased student numbers but not always correspondingly more lecture theatres, labs etc some unis are having to not leave facilities unused a tenth of the weekday?

expatmigrant · 06/09/2018 13:42

Yes hells hoping lectures will be recorded. But that wont stop DH from flapping about DS not attending lectures. (he has helicopter dad written all over)
I guess it's all about the bums on seats and getting as much of those £9000 in as possible.

prettybird · 06/09/2018 16:38

Remind your ds to take his gumshield expat Wink

Guess whose darling child forgot to take his expensive custom fit gum shield with him and only realised on his way out to the rugby trials, with no time to go and get a cheap gum shield Hmm

expatmigrant · 06/09/2018 17:54

prettybird DH wanted him to have a new custom made one but since DS lost his last two, he is now having the mold at home ones!
I have agreed to new boots though.
If DH had his way DS would be kitted out in new from head to toe and everything else. I have put a very solid foot down Grin

TheThirdOfHerName · 06/09/2018 18:10

DS1 rarely plays rugby these days but something happened today that made me laugh.

His Freshers wristband includes entry to several events, including a UV / neon party. DS1 was saying he didn't think he had anything neon to wear, then remembered his neon pink rugby shirt from the rugby tour he went on when he was 13. I didn't realise he still had it, but he dug it out and tried it on. It's somewhat too small for him (he is now 6' and 13 stone) but he's decided he likes it and wants to take it with him to university. 😂

vivprod · 07/09/2018 05:13

Hi Freshers week! DD looking to buy some new clothes has not got a clue what to buy is it all casual jeans and t-shirt/top etc?