The CDE of University Life (2019/20 cohort) - assignments, flat-hunting, Halloween and the end of their first term fast approaching

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread - Obvs the end of term is looming sooner for some than for others? I guess the Oxbridge posse will finish by the end of November or just into December?

DD struggles with her CFS and has had to decline a few social invitations through illness as well, so I think from that aspect it means that she isn't enjoying university to the full. Her workload is very heavy, and having had a gap year means that she is playing catch up on more than a few occasions.

She definitely doesn't regret going, and only once wanted to come home, but that was because she had a really nasty ear infection.

Dd has done badly in a test and is now having a massive panic. She is adamant that its nothing to do with the clubbing and partying that goes on almost every night

DD’s is £115 pw incl bills for a 5 bed terrace in Durham city with courtyard garden.

That sounds fab benji

Sorry, £120 pw incl bills.

Still fab!

I admit to feeling sceptical about parents who assert that their DC love university. Really? Every single aspect?

Yes, DD loves university. Her only complaint so far is that she has 10 minutes to do a 15 minute walk between some lectures. Some students are complaining about Chicago weather, but it's warmer than DD is used to.

She is loving her academics, her bands, her social life, her hall of residence, her freedom, living just outside a big city after years of being in a town so small it doesn't have a traffic light.

For the first time in 4 years she's not sharing a room, so she loves her privacy.

I loved it when I went too. It was a completely new world for me after the northern industrial town, shitty comprehensive and stressful home life that I'd come from. I met people who completely changed my outlook on life.

Know some of your have DC who row. If any are on a gap year/just post university, here's an opportunity to earn some money and work at Hampton School in SW London. January - July 2020. (It's on the second 'support staff' tab).

I loved every aspect of first year : at least the bits I'd happily share with my DM. A few nasty friendship issues and a horrible situation with a young man but otherwise it was fab. I found second year more challenging because of my own expectations of achievements . But, all in all, I loved school and loved university. Always great escapes from my rather toxic family tbh.

Some students are complaining about Chicago weather, but it's warmer than DD is used to. Every time I watch ER reruns (on All4 at the moment) I think of your DD @HoldMyLobster.

DS has said he loves university. He is very unforthcoming about everything else but that point he is keen to stress.

Dd absolutely loves everything about it but has suddenly realised it is harder than she thought academically...

Dd absolutely loves everything about it but has suddenly realised it is harder than she thought academically...

Mmm. DS is doing a language ab initio and has been coasting so far, but has suddenly hit the end of what he'd learnt from Duolingo and is really having to work at it now.

She's been very diligent but totally screwed up an essay on her favourite topic. Now all her insecurities are back. She sees her academic mentor on friday so fingers crossed she can pull it back.

One of the smartest people I know, who I went to university with, screwed up one of her essays astonishingly badly. She insisted on having it re-marked by alternative markers, and it stayed very low. The learning experience for her was that she should really make sure she understood what was required before doing the work. She still came out with a First.

Good luck to your DD Trewser - I'm sure this is a one-off.

It's very early days too. I would have thought that most students are still getting a handle on what level is now required (which presumably may vary from university to university).

I remember doing really badly in a test three weeks into my foundation accounting course, and wanting to jack it in. But I decided that would be a bad idea, pulled my socks up and passed all of my exams.

@Benjispruce that sounds fab price for Durham city centre.

Well DS in Durham, has apparently signed for a house! £125 p.w including bills. All double rooms and 3 bathrooms for 5 of them!

It’s a decent size house with 5 double bedrooms each with desk, chair, double bed etc , basic kitchen and 2 bathrooms. I had no idea on prices but DD said they started around £95pw without bills.
DD says she’s loving uni. I think she’s made lots of friends and being part of 3 sports teams helps plus she regularly uses the gym. I think the physical exercise really helps with mood and wellbeing and I’m delighted about that because she had let it slide in 6th form.

That sounds great @bigTillyMint is it in the viaduct area?

@Benjispruce, yes! Not sure of any other details though - DS is busy with essays and recovering from a very messy footy social

An electric fan arrived here today for DD. She’d ordered it from Amazon but forgot to change the address! She said her room is so hot, she hasn’t closed the window since she went to uni and often finds it hard to sleep. Will have to send it up now. What a waste of energy though!

DS has his window open all the time too. It was chilly in his room (window open) when we visited but he said he kept it open so his room didn't smell.....

@bigTillyMint £125 per week sounds great. DS hasn't signed the contract yet but agreed in principal to £135 per week including bills in the Viaduct area. In the adult world, the rent would be negotiable. Should I be telling him to negotiate a better deal? Demand seems so high and everyone's getting really panicky about signing up now....

@Jano69, no idea if they can negotiate! His might be nicer?