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Higher education

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

Our DC are nearly all officially students now (going to university 2019/20) - seizing the moment, spending, socialising, societies and studying!

999 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 17/09/2019 16:00

Previous thread

[Edited by MNHQ to fix the link]

OP posts:
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Trewser · 21/09/2019 16:35

Dd has discovered a huge Topshop within cycling distance so her life is complete Hmm

BringOnTheScience · 21/09/2019 16:37

Text from DC1 ...
"Found laundrette. Nothing wrecked. 1 more Adult Point."

CointreauVersial · 21/09/2019 16:38

Just heading home after drop-off at UEA. All good, went swimmingly, room lovely (Tiny! But super-clean and MODERN, with tons of storage). Had to dash around Tesco and replace all the food we bought yesterday but left at home in the fridge (doh.). Have left DD1 unpacking and "accessorising" her room, but no idea what her five flatmates are like.

It felt so odd to leave her behind, but it hasn't hit me yet.

Cailleachian · 21/09/2019 16:43

Am trying not to panic.

DS1 left last night for an overnight journey to the other end of the country after a stressful week. He rang at 6 to say he was waiting on his connection then at 10 to say that he had arrived in the city...but was lost and could I give him directions as he didn't want the expense of a taxi. (GET A TAXI FFS!!)

His phone is now ringing out and has been since 1pm when I started phoning him. I;m assuming that all is well, and that he has found his room and has just conked out after a marathon journey. But I really wish he had texted me first.

Would it be overbearing to ring accomodation to check that he has arrived safe?

DishingOutDone · 21/09/2019 17:00

@Cailleachian - do it. Just because they've gone to uni doesn't mean that we dont have to observe basic safety stuff like knowing everyone is where they should be; call them now before it gets any later.

DishingOutDone · 21/09/2019 17:01

@RaptorInaPorkPieHat - similar experience for my DD, she can't sleep so everything is becoming a big issue Sad

BigSandyBalls2015 · 21/09/2019 17:10

Can you tell us where he is and maybe someone’s DC could check on him?

bigTillyMint · 21/09/2019 17:10

Just echoing the wondering if he will be the only one from a state comp (at Durham - ex gf was the only one on her corridor) being the reason for the comments. DS isn't really worried - he found that the majority of ex public/private school students he met up there were very friendly and it wasn't an issue socially. If anyone asks, I will tell him to announce the name of his comp proudly Grin

bigTillyMint · 21/09/2019 17:12

@Cailleachian, ring accommodation if you are concerned - it'll put your mind at rest.

VanCleefArpels · 21/09/2019 17:26

@Trewser never heard of that! I did once - ONCE- go to Cinderella Rockefellers for a sports club do and wasn’t impressed. Much more of a sweaty bop and black tie ball kinda gal, me 🤣

Cailleachian · 21/09/2019 17:34

He's alive!!

His "dont you dare ever post about me on Mumsnet" radar clearly went off and I'm just off the phone to him. He had just woken up and seen the texts. He's off back to bed for another couple of hours and I'll speak with him properly later tonight.

Thanks all.

MrsBartlet · 21/09/2019 17:50

@doorwaytoparadise Dd just graduated from Cambridge in the summer and I can assure your dd that there is plenty of partying. Work hard, play hard definitely sums it up. Even if she is shy at making friends she will not have a problem as they have the most structured freshers week I have ever known. They are all allocated college families with parents who are third years and then they have subject families which have second year parents. They have times when they go for meals with each different family and go to events as families so everything is broken down into small friendly groups which makes it really easy to make friends. Hope it goes well!

FrameyMcFrame · 21/09/2019 19:06

Oops I've missed a lot being at work again full time, just catching up on the thread.
1 week today for DD.
Ikea trip tomorrow.

Ginfordinner · 21/09/2019 19:12

Today was quite stressful. Stop start driving on the A1 from Durham until past The Angel of the North, no parking at the accommodation - literally unload and drive off @ZandathePanda take note. DD in tears at every little thing that went wrong because her stress levels are so high. However, her accommodation is lovely and her flatmates seem nice. Currently in the pub watching Newcastle play Brighton, with a large glass of wine.

I must be hard because I didn't feel emotional, just apprehensive.

bigTillyMint · 21/09/2019 19:56

@FrameyMcFrame, is your DD another one going to Durham? There seem to be quite a few on this thread!

@Cailleachian phew! It's hard to not worry about them, but it does get easier once you know they are settled and happy.

bigTillyMint · 21/09/2019 19:58

@Ginfordinner, poor DD - she sounds very nervous, but hopefully that'll settle. Is she far away from home?

Ginfordinner · 21/09/2019 20:06

Only a couple of hours in the car. She isn't very confident anyway.

MrKlaw · 21/09/2019 20:20

Just got back from Bath. I’m a wreck and drove home pretty teary the whole way. Once we’d unpacked we popped over to Tesco express and picked up some milk and cereal and a ready meal for that night, but he wasn’t bothered about a big shop. When we were done at his flat and realised it was time to leave I was already a bit wobbly. Managed a hug then we were off - and I headed for the safety of the car.

I think my emotions are a mix of immense pride in him, but also worry that he won’t repeat the financial mistakes I made at uni (his mum’s gene should help), plus frustration at not being able to just tell him how I feel. I’m sure he knows but we’re quite a ‘dry’ household so it doesn’t really get said - not since they got to their teens anyway

Practicalities were not great. Nobody to say hi at the accommodation and our key didn’t fit in the lock. Eventually found the housekeeper who let us into the flat, and we rang the housing dept who fairly quickly sent someone over with a replacement key which was a relief.

Only one toilet and shower for the flat (5 rooms) so can imagine that can be a challenge - and no wash basins in the rooms which would have reduced some pressure on the bathroom. Kitchen not great either - small due to the smaller flats but that means less likelihood of bumping into people while cooking. And the lack of space meant quite a lot of food is on the room (only one cupboard so pots and pans took priority)

Decorhate · 21/09/2019 20:24

Just back from dropping ds. The journey both ways took longer than expected. Room very nice, clean & modern & not as cramped as they looked on the website. 15 rooms on his corridor though & we only saw one other family dropping off. I hope it won’t be too hard to get to know other people with that layout.

Door stop was no good as the fire door was too heavy. Should have got a wedge!

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 21/09/2019 20:24

Sorry to hear about the gridlock in Sheffield today. Just what you don't need.

DS now settled in his flat. He's tired and will probably have an early night. The food run at the university end didn't happen about which I'm not best pleased. It's not as if they didn't have time in seven hours!

I feel well and truly emotionally wrung out. This past month has been a real rollercoaster.

How did your move go on public transport @bizzey?

Glad to hear that your DS was okay @Cailleachian.

@Piggywaspushed any positive news from your DS? Really hoping so.

OP posts:
MrKlaw · 21/09/2019 20:29

@Decorhate how was the traffic? Was practically stationary getting our out of Bath for a long way but we were coming from a different direction to you?

Decorhate · 21/09/2019 20:43

We were travelling from just north of London. It took an hour to get to the M4 this morning so not a great start. I had a tip from someone how to get there avoiding the city centre but it was a bit hairy with very narrow roads so my husband elected to go through the city on the way back. Took around 45 minutes to get to the A4.

The campus car parks were very busy but ds’ corridor was almost deserted. No cates open from what I could see, which was disappointing- so no opportunity to grab some food with their flatmates. We hadn’t brought any “fridge” food so hopefully he managed to buy something in the little shop.

I wanted him to have his grocery shopping to do during the week to fill some of the time, hope that wasn’t a bad decision!

blametheparents · 21/09/2019 20:50

Nottingham drop off done!
Room is really nice, and the kitchen is quite spacious. His block is the last one in the row and seems as if it will be quite quiet - which DS is pleased about. He loves a party and a drink, but is sensible enough to realise he doesn’t want to live in party central and that it’s nice to have somewhere to go back to that’s quiet. Bumped into somebody from school who is in the next block!

We went for lunch, and then bought loads of food from Tesco. Next week he’ll be shopping at Lidl!

He’s still not 100% after his tonsillitis, so hopefully he’ll be somewhat sensible! (I can only hope!)

Lovely to hear of everyone else dropping off today.
Hope they all have a great first weekend.

Atreus · 21/09/2019 21:08

Heading back from Bath drop off here too. DD1 super nervous but did brilliantly. I though she might want us to drop and run, but wanted us to stay and help unpack so we happily ignored the 1 hour drop off instructions. She's pleased with her room (apart from the dodgy curtains) and has met 2 other lads sharing her flat who seemed very friendly. Popped into Bath (stunning today) for a bite to eat and then took her back. She started to get a bit teary but her flat mates were all in the corridor which I think helped as the goodbyes weren't prolonged. Only trouble was I couldn't work out which floor to get out of the hall on and so had to go up and down in the lift 4 times before I worked it out! Managed to see the funny side (through my tears)

Sunndowne · 21/09/2019 21:17

@RaptorinaPorkPieHat
Don't worry, she'll adjust. First term big learning curve. My DS was so shy! A few years on, I've just left him for his first job , he seems okay but I'm still nervous for him!Smile uni is good for them. She'll settle

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