Going to university (2019/20 academic year) - wave goodbye to family, say hello to fellow students and key uni staff and they're settling in (hopefully)

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread. Possibly a little precipitous but for some of our DC their university start date is only just over a fortnight away. Yikes!

Eek, dont know why there is a random at the beginning of that post.

D's is looking forward to reinventing himself when he is away. He had a few issues in high school, really bad acne and was a bit overweight for a while, it affected his confidence and although it's all sorted now, he feels that girls at school didn't really see him as he is. He likes a pint and drinks too fast but doesn't go out clubbing (or even to the pub that often)as that's not his type of music. The fast drinking is a concern. He's had that and all the other talks and I've packed a box of condoms in his stuff just in case. I'm hoping the prospect of inviting people to his room to hang out will encourage him to keep it in a reasonable state.

I was thinking of packing the condoms... might not tell him. Just put them in there? They are very expensive, so I can see why young people avoid them in some ways.

I haven't told him, they should get them for free I think and will possibly have them at freshers events (that I'm not sure he will go to). I actually feel a bit weird about it but figured I'd rather feel a bit weird than be a grandparent at this time. box of 20 was about £9 on Amazon, ordered will a pile of other stuff.

@Serin that could be a baptism of fire for your DS!

Remember condoms are free at Family Planning Clinics!

I think university is a great opportunity for reinvention, isn't it?

Serin he will be so pampered! He will also learn about menstrual cycles very quickly! And lots of funny stories about revolting things that humans do if the nurses I know are anything to go by. He will come back a changed man.

Condoms will be very readily available at student unions etc.

Serin apologies, my last paragraph was a general one not connected to the first

They can get them free but he'd be too embarrassed, I think.

Better safe than sorry!!

A flat full of nurses should be fun!

Older DS said freshers will be awash with condoms. Hope they know how to use them. Will they get the banana demonstration I wonder

Oh God, I had to do that in a PSE lesson once as an actual teacher. Shudder.

piggy I can't think of anything more cringy. DS shuts me down if I try to talk about any of this "stuff". In spite of being a gamer/bedroom dweller he does have a girlfriend.

Well, DD came home at 11pm and was up for work at 6.30am so only managed to get a vague agreement to my suggestion of a separate account for maintenance loan.

I was going to say that they should have been taught how to put condoms on in PSE. Mind you that could have been a couple of years ago.

I'm sure all your DC who aren't so confident with the opposite sex will find their feet in shared accommodation. I agree, they are all different, and they will find their own ways to fit in.

Piggy, I'm not sure I could get a condom onto a banana luckily I have only done sex ed to Y6

A nurse taught us all how to do it in a training session. At which point we all giggled ridiculously. Things have moved on, and school now uses fake penises (penii?) in a range of colours, shapes and sizes .

Lol can anyone beat going to Safeway and getting 30 frozen hearts and 60 condoms? I was profusely apologising and telling the check-out person I was a teacher. I was an NQT and was timetabled to do every sex ed lesson for bloody weeks.

...I had to keep buying cucumbers too....

Anyway after that ‘blast from the past’ just a tip that Sainsbury’s have half price on homeward stuff and many items were a better deal than Wilkos yesterday.

I gave mine the lecture about chlamydia and infertility years ago to eldest. He told his friends. Four of them went to the sexual health clinic to get tested. All clear but I was stunned anyone had taken me seriously.

Fake penises How do they keep a straight face?!
Cucumbers a bit hopeful for most?

I don't think I can have the condom conversation with my son. We'd both be too embarrassed. Ds2 is easier to talk to. He told me they'd done the condom thing at school at ds1 said he remembered doing that. But didn't tell me at the time. Ds2 also told me he'd been learning about periods, he told me he knew they happened to young girls and not to older women like me (I was early 40's at the time) I couldn't bring myself to correct him. But ds1 wouldn't ever say anything like that. I'd like to be more open, but don't find it easy. I think I might ask dh to do it 🤣

We/DS havent done anything yet for uni. He's not going for a month, but I think I'd better get him to set up his student account at least...

I was wondering about packing condoms too but DH said he would be mortified.
Then my 21 year old nephew gave DS a pack of 12 as nephew has split up with his GF.....its quite poignant as there are only 3 missing (TMI)

Thank god DS has already had a serious gf and done all the drinking/clubbing, etc - no need for talks here, phew!

New here and finding these Uni threads SO helpful. Anyone have DC off to Cardiff Uni? My DD did French bac and just missed a grade in one subject for her first two offers (Bath and Leeds) - it was a really stressful time as they took a few weeks before rejecting her and she went through clearing. Hoping Cardiff is a good option though and she will enjoy it... So much worry over the last few weeks.