UEA freshers (2019 starters) part 2

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread and hope you don't mind that I set up the next thread @juicy0. Just did it to ensure that we carry on chatting seamlessly

Oh no, your poor DS coming down with the dreaded virus just before he's due to go back to uni. DS seems to be sounding more productive cough chesty again which isn't a good sign either.

Hope your DS feels better soon. It really is a nasty one :-(.

I think all youngsters are relatively lazy these days, mine included. However, they can't save the planet and avoid walking/using a bike or just ditching the car! Public transport is relatively expensive too.

Thanks @NewModelArmyMayhem18 I hope yours gets over the cough. My ds has no actual cold symptoms. Just aching body, headache, dizzy, high temp. etc. He's eaten a little dinner so must be on the mend.

I have no idea how much a bus trip costs. The only bus I've been on for many years was the one at UEA in open day. I know ds is reluctant to pay for a bus anywhere. I will get him a bus pass if he needs one when they move.

DD is heading back this weekend for a party on Saturday night. It's been so lovely to have her home for the holidays and I will miss her terribly again when she leaves. Fortunately she loves her course and is really happy with her choice of uni so it makes it easier to say goodbye. Easter seems so far away though and she's away on a field trip for part of the Easter hols. I'm hoping she may pop home once or twice in between!
How are you all feeling about your DC heading back to uni?

@juicy0 that's the field trip to Slapton Sands, isn't it? Hopefully, the weather will be half decent by then!

DS is ready to go back. I have to say he's not done much over the Christmas holiday period, laid low by the horrible virus. We will miss him but this term is quite short? Possibly no more than nine weeks maximum?

I am feeling the same @juicy0 ☹️ Dh is taking ds back tomorrow. It has been lovely having him at home and now I have to go back to missing him all over again. Like your dd, ds is very happy at UEA so that does make the missing him easier. It would be awful to be missing him and know that he was unhappy, too.

Having said that I was in Norwich for meetings today and have booked my next meetings with these customers for a Monday after consulting with ds on which was the best day for him to be able to meet me for lunch!

@MrsBartlet how lovely that you can do that 😊
That's the good thing for me being local to UEA, we can do the same occasionally and it does make a difference when the terms are so long.

Fingers crossed they may also have found a house!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 yes that's the one, as you say if the weather is kind to them it should be ok. Jolly long bus journey though!

We are half way between UEA and Slapton Sands so DS is a bit peeved that he has to go back to Norwich before the very long (six/seven hours?) down there. If memory serves me correctly Riverford Organic HQ is just down the road from there!

DS has his 'tribe' for house-hunting but something tells me he won't be the one in charge of finding one!!!

My DS seems to think you have to make your own way to Slapton but I dont know what basis he has for thinking that
Going back on Sunday and trying to get him to sort out the final washing. He prefers the x box.

Yes I'm dropping my ds off Sunday too. I asked if he was looking forward to going back. He said yes in some ways but no in others. I think he mostly is, he's enjoying his course. I think he's a bit worried about this house hunt with 3 lads still set on the big expensive house and 2 plus ds want something cheaper. I hope it's all sorted out soon. I think it's going to be a mad rush for houses too, lots looking and lots getting turned down. Ds has only looked at 4 and was turned down for 2. Apparently one was a state and quite run down.
Easter does seem a long way off doesn't it? Ds may come home before then being so close. But I doubt it.

@Sluj that's not the impression DS has given me but who knows? DS doesn't usually have his finger on the pulse!

Yes, I can imagine that some student lets are not in a very good state. It probably says all you need to know about the landlord/letting agents if they are in a state, don't you think?

Blimey @sluj I hope that's not the case! DD seems to think there is coach transport from the UEA but she may have just assumed that so she's going to try and get some more info for me.
I've been with her to look at a couple of houses during the hols and they were pretty grotty! We must remind them all to take photos of all the rooms on the day they take over the contract and highlight any issues to the agent or landlord so that when it comes to getting deposits back there are no arguments.
Does £107 per room (4 bed) inclusive of utilities and broadband seem reasonable? The only thing they would beee to pay for in addition is a TV licence but I do t think they'll bother

@juicy0 I would say that's quite a good deal for accommodation. Well done to your DD!

I'm pretty sure they would organise transport otherwise there would be the danger of them turning up in dribs and drabs and some potentially not turning up at all.

Extra added value that the geography degrees include field trips.

I’m taking DS back to UEA today, we had a long chat last night, he’s a bit apprehensive about going back, hes not 100% sure about his course, which is slightly concerning.
He was given access hours to a mentor by DSA but he hasn’t arranged the help so far, I’m trying to push him to get this help as I’m sure having another’s person will help to keep him on track.
I know what he’s like, if he doesn’t like something he just puts it off and then ends up not leaving enough time to complete it properly and my suspicion is that he’s let his work slip a bit.
He is enjoying UEA, living more independently etc and has his house all sorted for next year, so he’s happy in lots of ways, he’s just not sure he wants to be a biologist.
His real interest is history but unfortunately he didn’t take A level history, so I don’t think he could change to History.
I’m saying don’t worry about the long term just deal with each unit as it comes up and try to put more effort in.
I feel like I’ve said this before... during A levels 😬

@Itscoldoutthere is there any possibility he could convert to a history degree without having done an A-Level? Or do joint honours? I am sure universities are very receptive to people changing courses at this stage? I am sure that history is one of those subjects that you could potentially do without an A-Level in it?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18. I’m not sure, he’s particularly interested in military history (rather niche I know) and all those courses do require History A level, but it may be some History courses have foundation years or like you say he could look at combined.
To be honest I’m hoping he carries on with Biology, it’s such a wide subject and I think he’s just currently doing units in areas he doesn’t find interesting, next year he can choose many of his modules and therefore tailor it more to suit his interests.
He seemed very happy to see his flat mates when I dropped him yesterday and he is enjoying UEA, so I hope he just cracks on with it.

@itscoldouthere DS2 is doing History at UEA, I don't think from what he says at least there is much if any military history in the UEA course / module options. DS3 (Y12) is interested in military history and the ethics of conflict so may look at something like War & Society at Swansea (interestingly A level History not specified in entry requirements). There is a specific Military History degree at Kent, requirements from their website
BBB including History or a related humanities based essay writing subject which includes English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

All that said I'm sure many students on many courses will find some bits of their degree in the first year that are a bit dull. UEA seems such a great and welcoming Uni generally so I hope that your DS can successfully work through this.

@Itscoldouthere ds is enjoying the biology but really not enjoying the maths work and chemistry that they have to do during the first year. He's hoping they won't do it once they start choosing modules in year 2.

@icanbewhatiwant DS is fine with the chemistry (he took it as A level) and Maths (took it up to AS) but has not enjoyed the last 2 Biology units ( think the main on was ecology) he’s more interested in Genetics which they’ve already done as a small unit and bioinformatics (not sure if they do that in yr 1).
I do think many first years don’t enjoy everything, I just hope he does enough to pass and pushes on through.
I’m staying positive as mainly it’s going well 😊

@Itscoldouthere ds also enjoys genetics. He's worried about not passing the maths exams. He did an AS level equivalent but only got C. He's never been one for maths. I know they are getting results soon. So I hope he's done ok. Another exams Thursday.
Ds has been quiet the last few days. So I hope he's happy to go back.

@juicy0 yes that's a good price. There aren't any at the moment including bills. I think getting one including bills is a great idea. The one they lost out on was £110 each including bills. The one the other 3 are set on is £120 without bills. Ds says there has been no more chat in their group after their disagreement. I've told him either set up with the 2 that don't want to pay so much or if they continue as a group if 6 then they need to set a limit before viewing any more. If it comes down to it I'll have to give ds more money, but one lad just has his loan and no more. So he definitely has a limit to stick to. It's difficult setting up and agreeing on a home with people you don't actually know that well.

@Icanbewhatiwant, at the best of time talking about money (what one can/cannot afford) is not something that most people feel comfortable with, let alone our young adults.

Agree that finding a house which includes bills (or most) is a big bonus.

I think the first year includes lots of general, consolidation modules and that as they get further into their degrees, they will have more choice and find their study subject focus more to their liking?

Thanks for the support guys, I’m generally really pleased with how DS is coping with university life, so trying not to worry, but with my impending move (my DH left this morning to start his job in Canada 😳) I just want to be sure the boys are OK and happy, so I was a bit concerned when he said he wasn’t sure about the course.
@boys3 thank you for all the history information, we did know about the Kent course (which needs A level history) but didn’t know about Swansea, I may look into it as a possible back up plan, just in case.

Just on our way home from dropping D.S. back. Did a shop for him too, so he shouldn’t need to spend too much. Next accommodation instalment is due on 20th Jan - student loans should hit this week.

DS back in 5 weeks for reading week

Hope we are all feeling ok now that our DC have headed back to uni? I have felt flat today but not as bad as I felt in September thankfully and I'm hoping to book a family holiday this week for us all to look forward to.

DD and her flatmates went to view the previously mentioned house this afternoon and have signed up and paid the deposit. It's £107 per week for 3 of the rooms and £112 for the fourth room as it has an en-suite but it includes all utility bills including broadband. Each bedroom has a lock and there is a large kitchen/diner and separate lounge, garden and parking for a couple of cars. It's only about a 20min walk from campus so I don't think they will all bother with cars. I'm pleased they've found somewhere nice that they're all happy with and the landlord keeps everything in really good order too.