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Original poster

The ABC of university life (2019/20 cohort) - settling in we hope

999 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 26/09/2019 12:16

Previous thread - sorry about the lame thread title but done in a hurry!

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 29/09/2019 18:40

@DrMadelineMaxwell, I did wonder Grin

mum2eim · 29/09/2019 18:40

@DrMadelineMaxwell your DD sounds like mine. She’s going to do college activities but not going to go out clubbing. So a good compromise here too.

Witchend · 29/09/2019 18:40

I don't think I'd manage to input much into a college community 5 hours away! Grin

Don't think Josephine Butlers does that. Hope not for dd's sake as it's the sort of thing she worries about. Anyone else there? I can't remember there being anyone else.

The weather seems to have arrived here before dh. Glad I battened the trampoline down yesterday as it would need it. Never forget opening the curtains to see it making an escape at head height! Grin

Sent dd a text, and hope she replies. She isn't best at replying.

Weather better next week at Durham, especially Wednesday, which is great as that's when she matriculates, and I think there's quite a walk for her.

simbobs · 29/09/2019 18:51

@Framey you have to go to the Student Finance account and look around. I know there is an edit function in there as we had to change DD's bank details when she switched to a student bank account, and she was panicking, so I did it for her. That was a couple of years ago so I don't remember the details, sorry.

justasking111 · 29/09/2019 18:54

Well he has gone back today. Jammy devil got a lift from DILs friends who stayed this weekend they live three miles from his uni. building.

When he saw I had bought lucozade, throat sweets and all his favourite fridge items, he said thanks. Well he never appreciated me before so two weeks at uni. have done him some good.

HoldMyLobster · 29/09/2019 19:07

My DS has managed laundry .. it's done by app

Yes - same at DD's university. She was used to doing her own laundry at boarding school, and she actually finds it amazing how much easier it is to do it when there's an app that shows you whether any machines are available, tells you when your wash is done, etc. I think to pay for laundry you just wave your phone somewhere near the machine. I don't think this is something I really want her to get used to :-)

bigTillyMint · 29/09/2019 19:27

@Witchend trampoline at head height? Shock I think DS matriculates on Wed too?

@justasking111 good that he had a lift back. And said thanks!

MrKlaw · 29/09/2019 19:32

Checked in on the loans - they said if not paid by the 3rd to contact SFE

So will chase DS next weekend

Benjispruce · 29/09/2019 19:57

I think DD edited her SF account to pay it into her new HSBC account so it would be separate from her current account and she wouldn’t have to worry . She is yet to give us the details so we can top it up but I know there will be an urgent text as soon as payment is demanded! We are now plonked on the sofa with a glass of red with phones at the ready desperate for the latest text. Something is digging into my back..... oh wait.... it’s my backpack!Blush

RedHelenB · 29/09/2019 20:26

@FrameyMcFrame when they initially applied they could put bank details in. Dd didnt have her student account though so filled ot in just before she left for uni. Her loan gas been paid in.

Clankboing · 29/09/2019 20:39

We dropped ds off very successfully this afternoon. The rain was torrential but we managed it all well. Lots of students helping the process and it felt like I was leaving ds at a safe, happy campus. His room was lovely, clean, modern and cosy and on the ground floor, which I liked as it felt less claustrophobic. When I left I looked in through the outside window and it had a tint, so I assured ds that we couldn't see inside from outside. We sorted most of his room, bought a Subway for lunch on the campus and left him before his welcome meeting. Ds was quite happy and calm. He texted dh later but hasn't replied to me, which I am hoping is a sign that he is with other students. Fingers crossed. I'm just pleased that the drop off went so well and ds seemed so chilled.

Benjispruce · 29/09/2019 20:48

Just had another WhatsApp of DD with her face painted in college colour stripes with a group of others all smiles. I want to ask her if she’s drinking enough water ConfusedBlush

bigTillyMint · 29/09/2019 20:58

@Benjispruce, nothing from DS Grin

Benjispruce · 29/09/2019 21:03

It’s more than we expected Tilly and I have a worry about the show reel effect as opposed to the cutting room floor. With DD there can be big highs and big lows. Perhaps your DS is more chilled and consistent.

simbobs · 29/09/2019 21:09

My DS seems to have stopped responding. I tried calling him as we are going away and got a text saying he was eating. Then, nothing. I know he is out with mates, but would have liked a quick chat.

Benjispruce · 29/09/2019 21:13

Have a lovely time simbobs I’d love a break now. Will he be able to WhatsApp you while you’re away? It’s free!

Ginfordinner · 29/09/2019 21:26

DD has been messaging sporadically. She is out tonight with 4 others watching her cousins play in a band.

Witchend · 29/09/2019 21:26

A couple of messaged from dd. Enough so I know she's okay, but not so many that I think she's just sitting in her room feeling miserable. They sound pretty upbeat from the tone, and I think she's now gone out, so hopefully a good start.

MissConductUS · 29/09/2019 21:27

We just dropped DS back at his dorm after a day of sightseeing. He has an assignment to work on and when he's done we will pick him up and take him out for a nice dinner. We're driving back to New York in the morning.

I'm a bit worried about him. After telling us about not liking his new crew team captain he said he was homesick and was thinking about transferring somewhere closer to home. But at the end of last term he said he missed being at uni when he came home for the summer. I'm hoping it's just down to him readjusting. I'd love to have him closer to home but this uni is such a great fit for him and he's right outside of Boston, which is a fabulous city for students.

We'll see him again in about a month when he comes home for Columbus Day long weekend. Hopefully he'll be back in the groove by then.

Clankboing · 29/09/2019 21:36

@Witchend spot on, that is my feeling too. If ds messages me lots I will worry that he is lonely, if he doesn't message I will know he is busy and hopefully happy. Hopefully I will hear from him tomorrow. Back home, it's quiet. We still have 3 dc here but ds1 is the chatty one. (I've also realised that he is the one who over feeds the cats, causing cat food wastage, cat food smell and cat food mess. The kitchen is lovely tonight).

ProfessorLayton1 · 29/09/2019 21:40

Dd regularly FaceTimes us, speaks and texts her sister, sends a good night text every night. She seems to like her hall, made few friends , couple of girls are from London so they seem to be of great help to her.

Her newly acquired friends include someone doing English, History, something in SOAS ( can't remember what it is ) and couple of medics. They all seem to get on well.. Dd is not into clubbing and I know she is back in her room before 1.00 am. Her lectures begin tomorrow and she is really looking forward to start the course now..

We got congestion charge twice as we took our car in to central London - two eighty pound notice !! we did not realise that we need to pay the same day as never took our car into London before. DH has written to TFL .., not sure what he is going to achieve but something to keep his mind occupied today!

MrKlaw · 29/09/2019 21:45

Do you tend to voice call, voice WhatsApp/FaceTime, or video WhatsApp/FaceTime?

DishingOutDone · 29/09/2019 21:50

I went up to see DD yesterday, she's been there over a week but was having lots of issues with accommodation and had also forgotten a few things so we headed up to see her. She's having a crap time, noise from street is awful and people on her floor are having parties - one just started when I was talking to her this evening. She can complain to security after 11 but I wonder how effective that will be. Mind you she is on the top floor so thankfully no people above her to have parties!!

I do feel sad this accommodation was expensive and I just feel useless for being unable to sort it out - when I booked it for her the management company rep said it was the quietest block they have!!

PhannyMcNee · 29/09/2019 21:57

Well I'm revived the first week is done. DC1 has whatsapped most days, mostly unprompted, and chatted a little without too much eyerolling it seems!

Facetimed with her tonight Grin she seems happy and is getting on well with her housemates. She's looked into the clubs she was most interested in and they look underwhelming so she's going to look outside the uni to see if she has more luck externally. One in particular is a bit niche and not necessarily what you'd expect students to be doing!!. But it also going to join some uni clubs/societies that she thinks sound cheap interesting.

She has been doing her finances today and is shocked at how much she's spent on drink! However the loan (which is for her rent) is safe and she's applied for the HSBC account. We'll then pay her living money not there and any extras she'll put into her old account where the student loan goes in and her rent goes out.

We've arranged to go and visit at half term. She seemed really keen and asked us to go for longer than we were thinking which is fab. Maybe she is missing us a tiny bit Wink

PhannyMcNee · 29/09/2019 21:58

relieved not revived Blush