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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

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

999 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 30/10/2019 15:56

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?

OP posts:
Benjispruce · 26/11/2019 20:48

As with anything, you read before you sign.

Itscoldouthere · 26/11/2019 21:28

I will definately look out for that as DS is going to meet his landlord at the weekend to sign paperwork. He’s in a house of 8 so good chance someone could drop out before they move in next September !

simbobs · 26/11/2019 22:36

In my DS's case the parents of 2 of his friends would not be in a position to find the money should the need arise, so will be reluctant to sign anything. I don't know about the others, but I would not be surprised if one or more dropped out. The place that they found is also not as well located as where they currently live. We have tried to impress on him the need to think logically, and also to keep us in the loop.

Witchend · 26/11/2019 23:03

@Benjispruce That's the case with Dd's house, so do check carefully what you've signed. But she's only with 2 others and one is an international student so had to pay all up front Shock so not as scary as it could be.

Apparently a lot of international students choose to stay in college as they need a UK guarantor, and they can't necessarily get one.

bengalcat · 27/11/2019 06:55

Thanks for the caution re signing guarantor stuff - will look out for that with my reading glasses on !
Spoke to mine for the first time last night - she was in the phone for an hour ( whilst multitasking in the kitchen ) but seemed very jolly . Only had one lecturer not turned up for a lecture so far , others have been forward thinking enough to notify their absence in advance . Her college winter ball is this weekend - it has a white theme so she was pleased with the white pashmina I sent up ( hopefully it won’t get booze stains all over it etc ) .

Benjispruce · 27/11/2019 07:24

Yes my DD’s tenancy agreement and guarantor agreement is all sound. Wouldn’t have signed over responsibility for the other tenants, it was the first thing I checked.

Benjispruce · 27/11/2019 07:28

The majority of DD’s rent will be covered by loan and we will just be paying the shortfall. She keeps that loan in a separate account so there’s no danger of not meeting the rent. Damages are proportionate.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/11/2019 19:02

Now DD has made the decision to apply for accommodation on campus again, I was curious as to how likely it is that she'd be able to be accommodated.

They had told me it was 'likely' that she'd be able to get a room. But in conversation with her they said they had never yet had a problem finding somewhere for any 2nd or 3rd year students who wanted to stay on.

She struggles socially and won't actively go out and socialise, so although she's fitted in as well as she wants to when hanging out with her flatmates or drinking/playing cards when they are having pre drinks or staying in for the evening, she won't go out drinking with them. Which leaves her ever so slightly alienated. Which means I think she will be happier staying on campus next year rather than having to choose people to then live with next year.

simbobs · 27/11/2019 22:30

Mine is home again, as too ill to go to lectures, and still doesn't know whether they are actually on. I have asked him more than once to check with fellow students. I'm hoping they are on strike so that he won't have missed anything.

HoldMyLobster · 28/11/2019 02:35

I have mine home for Thanksgiving - her first trip home since the start of Sept. The dog and cats are absolutely ecstatic. The rest of us are quite pleased too.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 28/11/2019 06:27

@HoldMyLobster - lovely. Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration. All the more poignant, no doubt, for being reunited with your DD for the long weekend.

OP posts:
TheGirlFromStoryville · 28/11/2019 06:40

Hello all.
Our DD is currently in her first year at Imperial, she is in Beit Hall which is what she wanted so all good there.
She's currently looking at second year accommodation and her boyfriend (also 1st year but different course) has suggested they flat share next year. They've seen a 2 br flat for £400pw which is less than what they're paying now but I'm wary of her booking it now in case they split up.
Any thoughts on how to broach it with her?

bigTillyMint · 28/11/2019 07:15

@HoldMyLobster, happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy being witj your DD Smile

@TheGirlFromStoryville, I would be very wary too. How long have they been together? It's not just that they might split up, it's very intense too - just the two of them. Could ypu talk to her about how big a commitment it is - to stay together for at least a year, it's a big adult step.
Is there any chance they would share as part of a mixed group/with their own friends?

Alicatz66 · 28/11/2019 09:05

Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating 🥳

Ragwort · 28/11/2019 10:03

mine is your DS getting much work to do in his own time, essays, projects etc? My DS says he’s only had one piece of work Hmm, I assume there is reading as well but it doesn’t seem very challenging, no mention of exams at the end of term. DS says he enjoys the lecture and seminar sessions but it all seems very relaxed compared to some of the other courses mentioned on this thread.

Benjispruce · 28/11/2019 15:29

Well, DD is fed up with the strike and nothing to do so is on her way home tonight! Tried to get her stay as only 2 weeks left but she got quite upset and just needs to get away from uni for a bit. I guess that without any work , the cracks start to appear. Still, very excited to be seeing her for the first time since end of September even if it will be at 10pm tonight!

Benjispruce · 28/11/2019 15:30

DD has not had much challenge yet either @Ragwort and she’s worried as not written an essay since A levels.

bigTillyMint · 28/11/2019 16:03

@Benjispruce, sorry your DD is bored/tired. It's bound to happen at this time of the first term, especially if lectures are all cancelled because of the strike.

DS has 4 essays to hand in tomorrow- not holding my breath! I know he is looking forward to coming home and DD says he's FTing her a lot.

minesawine · 28/11/2019 16:42

Hi Rags My DS says the course is interesting but really easy and that his A'Levels were much harder. He said they have not even started the economics module yet, and wont do so until next year, which is strange. He has a couple of assignments to complete in the next week or so, but nothing too challenging. Surprisingly he is really enjoying the finance and accountancy module. I think the exams are after Xmas, but I could be wrong.

He said his Halls are so noisy with constant screaming and partying going on, but eventually he admitted that he often joins in with them Grin so he is doing lots of late nighters in the library, which he finds really calm and good for focusing. He is really looking forward to having his own studio, so I think we have made the right decision for him (but not my wallet Shock)

Benjispruce · 28/11/2019 17:03

I think you’re right @bigTillyMint and I think she would’ve been ok if the strikes hadn’t happened. Hoping a bit of home time and the relative luxury of house and shower and fridge to herself tomorrow will help. Fingers crossed she’ll navigate the journey of 3 changes ok.Confused

HoldMyLobster · 28/11/2019 17:08

HoldMyLobster - lovely. Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration. All the more poignant, no doubt, for being reunited with your DD for the long weekend.

I think for the first time I really 'get' Thanksgiving IYSWIM. It's so lovely to have her here. She went to boarding school but she was never away for more than 4 weeks at a time, and this time it's been nearly 3 months.

It's nice to have relaxed time to just be together without feeling like there's a short time in which we have a list of things we need to sort out, or say, or find out from her.

So far I've found out which sorority she's joining, where she'll live next year, that she and her boyfriend are still together, and that she loves where she lives but it's the wrong end of campus for seeing all her friends.

bigTillyMint · 28/11/2019 17:10

3 changes? Fingers crossed!

HoldMyLobster · 28/11/2019 17:35

Benjispruce I adored university but I still felt absolutely exhausted and ready for a break after a few months of it. A bit of time being loved at home, and having comfy bed, couch, full fridge, etc is very restorative.

Benjispruce · 28/11/2019 17:49

Ah thanks @holdmylobster, I hope so. Just that she’ll have to do the big journey again in 2 weeks! Happy thanksgiving to you all.

Ginfordinner · 28/11/2019 17:49

Which universities and which subjects are not setting much work?

DD is doing biomed at Newcastle and has loads of work, plus practicals. She has also had several tests and exams, one 1000 word essay to do and has lab assessments during the last week, then more exams after Christmas. She had an exam today that went quite badly, and is very tired. She is certainly not finding her degree easier than A levels.

I can understand why some students feel that non science subjects are less demanding.

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