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

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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[Edited by MNHQ to fix the link]

There are 15 on ds’ corridor with one big kitchen/living space. Not enough sofa space for everyone to sit down at once & only 3 cookers I think. I did suggest that they could do rotas to share the cooking to make it easier but I doubt he will take heed of my suggestion.

Shimy That's the best news!! I am so pleased for your lad.

Just to say that the 'hiding in room' in the first few days understandably worries dparents, but by no means foretells that things are going to go badly! Some people just need to acclimatise and 'gather strength' before going out to engage with the new society they're suddenly plunged into.

Others want to get straight out there and start making connections with other humans - I think it really depends on the individual. And real friendships (and even more superficial ones) take time to build.

Hope all those who have been finding it really hard are feeling a bit better.

Are they all fresher's in his flat MrKlaw?

Sorry, rogue apostrophe

All these gym goers!

I shall be astonished if dd even considers it, even without looking at cost.

Packing this week, and bought dd a warm coat as she feels the cold. That's one thing she isn't looking forward to being so far north!

We've just found that her "secret" best friend at juniors is going to Durham too. They were "secret" best friends because in year 6 they started getting teased about being boy/girl friends, and they then went to different secondaries so haven't had much contact since then.
It's quite nice to know someone else is going from this area though, and if we go up to visit we can offer to take something for him, and I'm sure his parents will too.

A food /treats parcel is a nice thing to send. I found getting it ready quite comforting! Also don't forget to send them an advent calendar! I've got one for each for dds flatmates for the last couple of years. Always goes down well.

I've found the advert calendars cost more so send than buy, but definitely well received!

Decorhate Same here! DH has peeled too many carrots. Gap at the table feels odd.

In positive news, we've had a photo of the oven controls to decipher because they're going to attempt some sort of simplified roast for the flat. Chicken pieces & veg.

@Mustbetimeforachange @MrKlaw Yes I was wondering that too - hopefully more bearable if all Freshers. Your son could ask to go on the waiting list & then wait to decide if a place comes up - I doubt it would be compulsory to move & he will have been there a few weeks & will know the pros & cons of moving v staying put at that stage.

DD has just attempted her first trip to the campus launderette (she’s been there a week) and is aghast at the cost and how long it takes

Yes all freshers - seems like there are 3-4 flats of 5 rooms each, all in the same area (=off the same staircase)

Basic metal stairs leading to solid wooden doors so not really easy to meet separate flats but hopefully the communal area may help.

I expect he’d spend almost time at the campus during the day and maybe use the Virgil building too for study which would have other freshers

Good idea about waiting list not necessarily being a forced choice

Just sent him a code for a rail card (£10 Tesco vouchers for a 1 year card is pretty good)

I'm new to all this university malarkey so find it so difficult to judge dd's experiences.
She hasn't really clicked with her flatmates. Is that unusual or do most make their best friends there?
Where else do people find friends?

How long have they been there? Behaviour during freshers will calm eventually so if she hangs on she may yet find common ground. Also try to make friends via societies and course especially if they have tutorials and seminars in smaller groups.

Only arrived yesterday

Very early days then!

Dropped him off. Took aaaages. Moved him into room. Plug stuck and basin had filthy water with large dead spider in it. Caretaker had to come out and fix it then I had to clean in. Bed and furniture ok but no bedside table and towel rail broken so thank heavens I didn't bother to buy the drier thingy that hooks over. Room quite big and he has the shower room right outside and kitchen next door. He is only boy down stairs and three girls upstairs so he is happy. One of the girls looked tiny and terrified, bless her. We had a lovely lunch out coz its my birthday then parents had a meeting which was 'we can't tell you stuff, this all the support for them, etc etc' and then he had one that went on for ever with the ubiquitous tea video, mental health video ( both of which he has seen several times before). He was shattered so we buggered off. He's texted to say he's had a sleep and is going out with his mate later. He seemed quite happy.

@AvenueQ

• Flat mates
• people in the block and common areas but not the flat
• people on their course
• people in societies or sports clubs they join
• people they meet in the pub/library/study areas

Loads of opportunities so not the end of the world if they don’t hit it off with their flat mates

Thank you 😊

Kitchen cooker has no visible controls all the dials had the symbols rubbed off - instead there was a picture stuck to the wall showing which dial was for what, so working out oven temp will be part guesswork

On way back from dropping off. Roads up were clear. Now it’s awful and raining. Proud of Dd.
First purchase will be a fan. Room is roasting even without heating on. Any tips on good ones I can give ‘my child’? (She still hasn’t got a backpack )

@ZandathePanda yes I went looking in shops for a fan but couldn't find one. I ordered one from amazon. It's not arriving till weds. It'll probably be cold by then 😂

"All these gym goers!
I shall be astonished if dd even considers it, even without looking at cost."

I feel a little relieved at reading this. DD does not do gyms or any kind of exercise. She should, but has joint problems and is extremely unfit. Apparently some of her flatmates are gym bunnies, and she was worried she wouldn't fit in, but she says that so far they seem nice. She will need to do more walking now anyway so that is a start.

When our neighbour heard that ds was going to Bath, his first question was “is he sporty?” Ds is as sporty as me, ie not at all. Apparently Bath is full of sporty types! I’m sure Ds will find his own tribe. And save on gym fees