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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:
Benjispruce · 05/10/2019 18:23

I’d go to Bath for any reason, beautiful place.

Ginfordinner · 05/10/2019 18:26

bigTillyMint DD knew that Newcastle has a party reputation, but she seems to have found her tribe who still like to go out, just not clubbing. She has a pretty good taste in music and doesn't like the awful din "music" that is played in clubs and hasn't got the stamina to rock in at 4 am and go to a 9 am lecture.

Danglingmod · 05/10/2019 18:38

Ds's idea of a good night out is the theatre... and preferably a matinée at that Grin

Ginfordinner · 05/10/2019 18:51

Interestingly, when we were wandering around Newcastle today we walked past the theatre where they were showing Les Mis, and DD's eyes lit up.

Witchend · 05/10/2019 18:54

Dd would agree with a good night out being the theatre. I told her to see if their local one does student standby tickets.
We used to love those.

ZandathePanda · 05/10/2019 18:56

Newcastle is take-it-or-leave-it for partying tbh. Plenty of students don’t ‘party’ but if you do want to go out you know it will be ‘good’! Of Dds flatmates, 3 quieter ones who don’t go out, 4 of them who will probably go out at weekends/if there’s a good party on.

Chillywhippet · 05/10/2019 18:59

Lots of universities offer quiet accommodation including Warwick, Birmingham, Southampton, Swansea. At Swansea the accommodation preference included quiet, alcohol free, single sex, Welsh speaking and of course no preference.

DD’s quiet flat is on the top floor so no noise above. The flat has done some things together like going for pizza and a film night.

Danglingmod · 05/10/2019 19:04

That's good, Chilly. Ds would want alcohol free and quiet as a minimum. He's thinking Warwick for Masters though I assume he'd be having to find his own accomm.

AtiaoftheJulii · 05/10/2019 19:04

I've not been well this week and haven't kept up with the thread - have tried to have a quick skim, hope I haven't missed anything big and that everyone is starting to settle in.

Ds came home yesterday for a family wedding - lovely to see him, and reassuring to actually hear him chatting away about what he's doing there and friends he's making, rather than just getting miserable texts. As has been said earlier, they unload and feel better, and we have to carry the burden of worry!

He does have tendencies to sink into a low mood though, so he has contacted Student Services (Manchester - they seem to have a lot on offer, hope the quality is as good as the quantity) and is hoping to be able to see someone next week.

AtiaoftheJulii · 05/10/2019 19:08

Newcastle is take-it-or-leave-it for partying tbh. Plenty of students don’t ‘party’ but if you do want to go out you know it will be ‘good’!

Absolutely - dd2 has recently gone back to Newcastle for her final year, and while she loves clubbing when she wants to, it's not compulsory! She's also a massive nerd who is planning on working very hard this year Grin

justasking111 · 05/10/2019 19:11

I hope the student that fell from the balcony makes a full recovery. My friends DS was hit by a bus in his first year so was laid up for a time.

Danglingmod · 05/10/2019 19:23

Which Uni was that at?

Ginfordinner · 05/10/2019 19:28

NTU. Awful news. Why on earth anyone thought building balconies on student flats is beyond me.

Mustbetimeforachange · 05/10/2019 19:40

Bath is a wonderful place, but I have to say I thought the Christmas market was beyond awful! However if I had a DS there I would probably do the same & give it a second chance!

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2019 19:42

My DHalfSis fell from a balcony when she was a student many years ago. Has been wheelchair bound since Sad

Ginfordinner · 05/10/2019 19:42

I meant to say
Why anyone thought that building balconies on student flats was a good idea is beyond me

Ginfordinner · 05/10/2019 19:43

So sorry Piggy Flowers

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2019 19:47

It was a long time ago and she has led a pretty good life, I guess, but it does make me feel anxious about student hijinx a bit.

Danglingmod · 05/10/2019 19:48

Gosh, how terrible. For the recent victim and Piggy's half-sister.

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2019 19:50

These things sometimes happen in places like Magaluf as well. We do have much better safety standards here for balcony height so it's very unusual in this country. Poor lad.

Laniakea · 05/10/2019 20:00

it's just horrendous ... reading press reports of a 19 year old man - technically yes but they are still kids really (awaits the standard they become fully formed adults at the stroke of midnight on their 18th birthday comments Sad ). It's heartbreaking.

I don't have any settling in stories but life is eventful for dd - she's working 45 hours a week in a hotel, getting good at dealing with the unexpected (heart attack on Thursday) and slightly bizarre (croquet world cup) & generally really enjoying it.

Lots of her friends are back from uni this weekend - I've had a bunch of them here all afternoon & am reminded of how much I love teenagers (sniff) ... they've gone off to town to get drunk now :p

Shimy · 05/10/2019 20:03

Is the young man still alive? how awful.

bigTillyMint · 05/10/2019 20:09

Oh gosh, such sad stories. And totally agree about why would you put a balcony on student accom?

@Laniakea sounds like great experience for your DD - mine has had to deal with a few difficult situations in her job too - they may not be "grown ups" yet, but good to know they are coping with stuff.

Ragwort · 05/10/2019 20:13

Very sad about the NTU student, my DS is at NTU and he hasn't mentioned it, I wonder if they all know what's happened Sad.

blametheparents · 05/10/2019 20:37

Visit to DS at Nottingham was lovely today. His flat was amazingly clean and tidy! Took a trip into Nottingham for some lunch and the got him a couple of bits from Wilko.
He’s settled in really well, but said weekend days can be a bit quiet so he was pleased to hang out with us for a bit. He was so busy at weekends during year 13 with school and club rugby that I imagine a relaxing weekend feels a bit weird!