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]

I'd be worried and annoyed if no contact for three days after arriving. I'm sure that will happen as everything settles down, but not at first.

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I guess it depends on your kid but I’d probably wait a week before sending a text

This is Mumsnet :D

yeah we're not a talky bunch (one reason I might send him a letter, help me put things down we aren't always comfortable saying face to face), so not unusual for if we were at home.

He was on hols for 2 weeks around Europe staying in various cheap dives and I don't think texted once :P

Today is the first time DD has contacted me without a prompt. She went out last night with people from her course. She has been on a tapas tasting thing today and going to karaoke tonight.

I made her take her kagoule when we left home. It was the last thing we packed. The weather in Newcastle until today has been brilliant.

Not a soul Chilly it's a weekly event so she'll try again next week, she couldn't be arsed asking and she knew she was in the right place..... It clashed with another event anyway so she went to that instead and potted up a plant for her room

And then she bit the bullet, got the bus to Nottingham and sorted out her bus pass. Made it back alive and everything

For those wondering about texting, when older dd was in first year if I hadn’t heard from her for a while I would text her something innocuous eg “a letter has arrived for you, shall I open it” She is still very slow to get in touch unless she needs something!

My DS has sent another text to say that he still hasn't seen anyone in the kitchen of his flat. Another poor design - 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen/diner with no lounging space. They could have put a sofa and couple of comfy chairs in. He says his loan won't be paid for another 3 days. Can that be right?

Re uni in other countries my DD is abroad at the moment and found that there is really no pastoral care there, nobody to help and advise. She is famously uncommunicative but did confide this to her DB.

DD's loan hasn't come through yet either

No loan here either. It'll come through next week I think she said. Fortunately she hasn't got to pay accommodation until
October, and she has savings from work over the summer.

Ds’ loan hasn’t come through either. It’s a bit odd as dd always had hers in her first week - she went back at the start of the month this year & got it that week.

Oh well, at least mine isn't the only one. I always worry that he has failed to do something that he should have.

It says 30 Sept on Ds loan info

DS1 is at Southampton and their loan is on 23rd, DS2 at Northampton gets his on 29th

Sorry DS1 on 26th

It said on my DS's SFE account that it would be paid on 23rd but he had a message from them today saying to expect it in 3 days. I have had to send him a bit to tide him over.

He was waiting for it so that he could get a kettle and toaster as these are apparently not provided. I didn't notice when I dropped him off. So much for "fully furnished". And they have to clean the flat themselves. DS is frustrated at not seeing anyone in the kitchen so that they can discuss a rota etc. but he called me earlier to tell me what he had cooked himself for dinner, and said that he knew how to make things because he had watched me in the kitchen and been accustomed to home cooked food (unlike some of his mates).

He's popping back tomorrow as it is his gf's birthday so he will come and see us.

Week 2 for dd2 and into proper lectures. Sounds like shes really enjoying herself, has auditioned for a play tonight which will get her knowing more people.

@simbobs you checked if they’re allowed electrical - at minimum may need testing

DS has sent us a text every night so far just to say he is having a good time and not to worry about him. I think he remembers how much I worried when I didnt hear from his sister when she was away at uni (and worse, travelling solo around Europe).

It'll be brand new electricals, and nobody asked to test anything else that was brought. I think denying the students a kettle might be a human rights issue!

@serin I think my DS is a bit the same as DD seldom gets in touch and he knows how I feel about that. Though I did get a text from her today in resppnse to one of mine.

I know I will be getting one text a week, as I have told him to remind me every Monday to put money into account. He wants it weekly but only term time so cannot set up a standing order. He may forget to stay in touch but will never forget about money.

@serin DS1 was not a great communicator and I think DS2 has recognised that, and has made the effort for a couple quick chats. I would think as he settles in more and the course itself gets underway the regularity will naturally drop off somewhat. He skyped late afternoon today and ended the call somewhat abruptly as he'd heard someone else on the corridor and wanted to go for a chat with them. 100% fine with me, I think whilst he's not super socially confident he is making an effort.

I know it's a different country but I cant get over how different student finance is to what it is just a few miles over the border.

Dd would get about 4k maintenance if we lived in england. Instead she gets 1k grant and 8k loan. More than covers her accommodation and most of her costs hopefully.
And all monies are paid in 3 equal installments.

Pity her rent payments are far from equal.

DH is either winding me up or he's an arse. He has form for both.

I have a hatchback that's a medium size. He drives an estate. He defers all driving to me wherever possible. And is hoping I'm driving Saturday.
Both he and dds sister want to come for the drop off. So there's no way everything is going to fit in my car!!!

Oh, got a nice little surprise after having dropped off dc over a week ago. Who knew about low zone emission charges. Well, we didn't....so notice of fine came in the post today ( we knew about congestion charges, and not needing to pay on a Sunday).

I have just had a nasty surprise. I logged into student finance to find that DD's finance has been cancelled!!!

I shall have to call them first thing to morrow

It says that the university course details weren't completed, but I know it was. I am beyond angry and upset.