University life for freshers (2019/20) - we're hopping towards Easter with a pandemic to avoid **Title edited by MNHQ**

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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[Benjispruce]

@Kuponut I think the loan is based on your p60 from previous April. I think there was a question last time that asked if you expect to earn less the next year.
DD has shared some results: A 1st and a high 2:1 which make up 50% of her first year result. I’m relieved as she’s been partying so much. She’s very hot with that.

[Benjispruce]

Hot? Happy!

[Serin]

I have now forgotten all about DS1 who went off last Sept and seemed to settle instantly. It is all about DS2 here at the moment, he is revising hard for A levels and is hoping to get his grades to go to uni this Autumn.
After which, DH and I are going to spend a month lying in a darkened room to recover.

[Decorhate]

Yes I am also more worried about youngest - who is doing GCSEs this summer.

[Benjispruce]

Me too!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

@Serin, two to see through A Levels/starting at university in two years is a big ask. You deserve a break once your DS2's university place is decided.

[Prokupatuscrakedatus]

I just reminded DD that she has to hand in her conformation of registration for 2nd semester at her health insurer, student finances etc. She hadn't realized.

At ours there is only our second DC to get through school (ADHD and AS) - but I do not see him going to university.

[Whatagoodidea]

Very quiet in our house now both DC at uni. Took some getting use to but we're enjoying it now.
Just had a trip to the cinema to see Emma, lovely film

[Itscoldouthere]

@Serin ‘spend a month lying in a darkened room to recover’ now that made me laugh.

Having both my boys start at university in September last year I know the feeling. We are now living a very different life as my husband has been moved to Canada with his job, the whole getting in to university thing feels like it was ages ago now.

[bigTillyMint]

@Serin, I cannot begin to tell you how different I feel now DS is away at uni too compared to the last 6 years of GCSES and Alevels with added anxiety and stress for my two!
I keep pushing thoughts that it will all go pear shaped for one or both of them out of my mind

[Itscoldouthere]

@bigTillyMint gosh I know what you mean, I’ve always got that niggle in the back of my head, ‘when’s it going to fall apart’, but at the same time trying to remain completely positive, believing those tricky days are behind us!

[justasking111]

We are settling into a childless rut. We have a passel of grand children who are now taking up a lot of time. Think we just have to hope that DS gets through these three years fairly smoothly.

[Ragwort]

Our life is also much calmer and quieter (& tidier!) now that DS is at Uni, he is an only child and I am honestly grateful that I don't have to go through A levels and uni applications ever again . It is a huge relief that he has settled happily. We won't see much of him at Easter as he is going on the Uni ski trip (clearly managing fine on his loan!). Thanks for the reminder about SF.

[Benjispruce]

Life is much quieter and tidier with DD1 at university. DD2 is doing her GCSEs this year but she’s much quieter and tidy person. They don’t always get on either so it’s been nice to not have to play referee. It was interesting when we visited this week as I could feel those tensions rising again. I love both my daughters equally but it is tiring balancing and managing their different personalities and egos at times.

[bigTillyMint]

I’m lucky that my two get on really well. But they are both party animals (so in and out at all hours) and tidiness is not high on their priority list. Plus DD can be quite loud and dramatic at times...

[Jano69]

Just back from Durham, it was sooo freezing cold and rainy, I've made a promise to myself never to return in the winter! Terrible timing for offer holders days.

We had some nice days out at Seaham and Hadrian's Wall but DS was really stressed about his summatives which put a downer on things.

DD was checking out the colleges as she'll be applying this autumn - St Mary's and Collingwood are on her shortlist.

Thanks for sharing vital info re Student Finance - I learn so much here.

We have booked DD in for an MMR as she had single jabs when she was little and the mumps vaccine was no longer available when she was due the second dose.

I'm off to bed - the unpacking and washing can wait until tomorrow.

[Benjispruce]

Shame about the weather @Jano69.It certainly got very cold when we were up but thankfully dry and sunny. I’m not sure we’ll go again when DD is so busy as she had 3 lectures a day and often with short gaps. She would have liked to show us around more.

[Jano69]

I agree @Benjispruce not worth visiting when the weather's rubbish and our dc are full on with lectures/seminars/summatives. To be honest, DS looked relieved when we left. Oh well....

[Witchend]

@Jano69 I've been surprised how little dd has complained about the cold and the weather as she suffers badly from the cold.
Otoh when we were there ds was going round in shorts and t-shirt (and refusing his jacket) despite the weather!

We deliberately went for the weekend, as dd has so much contact time that it seemed silly to go up midweek when we'd hardly see her. I suspect we probably won't go up midterm again without good reason, but we'll see how it goes next year. It was nice to see her, and I think it has made this term feel quicker to her, as she is now thinking that in a month she'll be home.

Summer term is going to be a bit odd. She says her exams are early (unlike my first year exams which were after the end of term!) and she has nearly a month with not much! Not sure whether that will be good or bad, as it will be nice for her to have time there to chill, but she may find that without the busy-ness it's a bit boring.

[Piggywaspushed]

I have fallen off numerous threads now but just popping by to say hello!

[Piggywaspushed]

DS1 is home this weekend. Mugs and socks everywhere!

[Jano69]

Hi Piggy! How are things with you?

Witchend yes lots of students wearing T-shirts and shorts - they've acclimatised or gone completely barmy.

I was horrified to learn that DS has NO lectures or seminars in the summer term - just independent study, exams and partying. Is this just Durham or all unis? What with the strikes as well, the tuition fees do not seems value for money, especially for humanities.

[Piggywaspushed]

Same old, same old jan. DS is bobbling along in his usual low key fashion.

[Benjispruce]

I for one think this degree could be done over 2 years!
We didn’t go over the weekend due to sport and social life commitments!

[simbobs]

Bookmarking. Just worrying about the need for DS to apply for next year's finance. With DD it always seems to happen without prompting. Must try and sound him out, though getting hold of him at the moment is proving difficult. Not sure whether he wants to continue...