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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 · 07/12/2019 07:56

At DD’s Durham college, only en-suite rooms have to be vacated every holiday. One plus of sharing a bathroom I guess.

Trewser · 07/12/2019 07:59

Great news from dd, she scored 80% in a biomechanics exam which had a lot of maths in it (not her strong point). She went to all the relevant lectures and a special maths seminar- was the ONLY student to go to this, bless her. Average was 60 something so we are both relieved and delighted as it counts towards her first year grade.

Ginfordinner · 07/12/2019 08:26

Well done to your DD Trewser. DD has had 3 exams so far, and has a lab practical assessment next week, then more exams in January.

bigTillyMint · 07/12/2019 08:26

@Benjispruce, no idea whether DS went to that...He had a rather big night on Wed at his footy social Hmm
Also no idea if he definitely has to clear his room as they are not all used apparently? Hope he can sort himself out if he does have to clear it - there's a huge space under the bed and he has friends in houses...

DrMadelineMaxwell · 07/12/2019 08:48

In York it's the ensuite 38 week lets rooms that need to be vacated, but only over the Easter break. So she has left all her stuff there apart from her clothes and her tech.
They have a top cupboard that they can padlock but I font know whether they will be allowed to keep anything in there for the holidays.

bigTillyMint · 07/12/2019 08:52

AFAIK in Durham they padlock stuff into the under bed space in the holidays.... DS will need to get a padlock.

Benjispruce · 07/12/2019 08:55

Would be great if he doesn’t have to clear out @bigTillymint

Benjispruce · 07/12/2019 08:56

DD seemed pretty sure they do have to but that lots can go under the bed as they have to strip the bed and basically leave it bare. I can’t see every en-suite being rented out over Christmas though, can you?

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 07/12/2019 09:52

@SchrodingersKitty well done for making it to the other side, safely back at home. Sounds like a gruelling journey for you all though.

I can remember taking a trunk to uni and sending it there and back on the train. Most of the time I used to go home on public transport under my own steam.

Well done to your DD @Trewser.

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Jano69 · 07/12/2019 09:56

@Trewser Great result!

Corporate/tourist accommodation is a big revenue earner for Unis with beautiful city centres (think Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, York etc). Hence the need for central based students with ensuite facilities to vacate.

DS had originally applied for a Bailey College with ensuite but ended up in a far distant college with a shared bathroom. He was absolutely gutted at the time. However, the costs are lower, he's made some amazing friends and now he doesn't have to vacate for Christmas as quite frankly there is no market demand for his room!

DH is actually going to pick DS up next weekend. He has a business meeting so thought he'd pick up DS for the return journey home. DS is ecstatic about the prospect of a meal out on the Friday evening and the luxury of a door to door journey home.

minesawine · 07/12/2019 10:04

Whilst my DS doesnt have to vacate his room in Nottingham, he has just chosen to bring half the contents home with him, including his tv and all his clothes. Oh well, at least I get to see his year 2 studio that I am paying a fortune for and get to give his mouldy fridge a clean. Just so happy hes coming home

ZandathePanda · 07/12/2019 10:04

I didn’t realise it was so common to have to vacate your room! Dd will only bring down a few clothes, tech and books. Well that’s the plan!

Ginfordinner · 07/12/2019 10:09

Same for my DD Zanda

Benjispruce · 07/12/2019 10:23

DD is planning on bringing most of her clothes home as she’s home a month and NEEDS them. To be fair I’d be the same. That’s why she went home with a larger suitcase last weekend.
Well done to @SchrodingersKitty and @Trewser’s DD.Smile

bigTillyMint · 07/12/2019 11:46

@Benjispruce, well he did go to the ball (videos of them singing Xmas songs!) And clubbing after, and thinks he does have to clear his room but hasn't bought a padlock yet...

He also says he's bringing his washing home Confused

Trewser · 07/12/2019 11:50

I'm so relieved as she has form for partying more than working. She genuinely seems to be loving it. After the nightmare we had getting her to uni at all, its such a bloody relief that things seem to be going well. She's back next Thurs to vote and eat us out of house and home!

Benjispruce · 07/12/2019 11:58

@bigTillyMint tell him to do his washing at college. DD says it’s so easy and drying is free.

bigTillyMint · 07/12/2019 12:04

@Benjispruce, he has done 3 washes this term apparently Grin

@Trewser, it's so good to know they can study and party. I've no idea if DS is doing the studying as well as the partying - he was hermit-like during Alevels, which paid off, but is now back to the "real" DS Hmm

Benjispruce · 07/12/2019 12:12

@bigTillymint time for number 4!Wink

bigTillyMint · 07/12/2019 12:19

I have told him that!!!
DD has never brought back washing which is surprising since she is not the tidiest.... Whereas DSs halls room always looks pretty neat Confused

Benjispruce · 07/12/2019 14:54

Same with my DD, so surprised she has done so much washing.

HoldMyLobster · 07/12/2019 16:32

Well done to your DD Trewser! Good for her - I do think working diligently is key at university. (Not something I did, I'm embarrassed to say.)

I hadn't realised so many rooms have to be emptied. That sounds like a really tough day SchrodingersKitty. I hope you can all relax a bit now and enjoy Christmas.

My DD finishes college in a week but she's going to LA for a few days, then coming here (where it's below freezing and snowy). I'm intrigued to see how she packs a carry-on bag to cope with the two climates.

simbobs · 07/12/2019 16:37

I have spent a good part of the afternoon trying to clean and create space in DC rooms. I have emptied and refolded the clothes in DD's wardrobe; it is completely full, so no idea where she is going to put the things that she brings back. She will need to take some of her warmer things with her (studying abroad), but it really needs a good turn-out. I am loathe to do it and later be accused of having thrifted something that she wanted to keep. When I was her age I couldn't fill a suitcase with the amount of clothes that I had.
DS, on the other hand, has been back here a few times, and each time has taken more clothes back with him - probably because he hasn't done much washing, so now there is hardly anything decent left. I have even had to buy him some more underpants in case he brings home only dirty clothes. There are some things he can't borrow from DH.

Piggywaspushed · 07/12/2019 20:00

We are braving Lincoln tomorrow. Dreading seeing DS's room tbh! He sounded confused by the idea of packing a case so I wonder if he'll manage that...

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 08/12/2019 08:23

Hope you have a good visit today @Piggywaspushed. Imagine that Lincoln will be lovely in pre-Christmas mode.

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