University 2020 :10: Empty nests warm vests and covid tests: uni parents 2020

[sammyjoanne]

Carry on from MilicentMartha's University 9 thead
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/a4025020-University-2020-9-And-theyre-off-making-hay-while-the-sun-shines?msgid=101075411#101075411

Hope no one's dc is affected by the uxb in Exeter.

DD FaceTimed me yesterday. They had a sports themed night this weekend for a housemates half birthday. One chap had a couple of go kart helmets so they wore those whilst on a racing car computer game. DD was basketball and they had their own hoop and ball. Then they set up ‘curling’ using the 2 tables in the kitchen from end to end. DD’s half birthday next weekend so there will be a theme for that. Hopefully try and get some pics

That sounds fun @sammyjoanne.

Dds looking forward to going back next weekend. I'm going to miss my cook... I think I've only cooked a handful of times in the last 3 months!

@Frazzled6 Thats great you have not had to cook and your DD does it :) Good news shes going back :)

DS is looking into private halls for next year. There are quite a few to choose from in Manchester. Hopefully he’ll have more of a normal student experience there next year. He’s only met the other 7 in his flat all year, f2f, so when their house share fell through, it was either join in with another group, (but he doesn’t know anyone) or start afresh in a hall where there probably won’t be established groups. It’s a bit more expensive than a house share but he’s saved so much money this year because there hasn’t been anything to spend it on.

I’ve given up name changing back for this thread!

DD's flat has booked club tickets out in Lancaster for the night of 21st June - there's optimism for you!
Also thinking of new names for the next thread if anyone wants one (I do, this has been such a support!) but feel free to suggest/choose an alternative

• my offering is 'lockdowns meltdowns and shutdowns - surviving uni 2021'

What about, Freshers dance with daffodils, Uni life 2021 its all fresh air and no nightlife

Considering this one lasted 6 months, maybe something less spring like?

Spring has sprung, Vaccines begun, Covid do one.

Final Furlong For First year Freshers..........then Freedom

BCBG thats great :) its worth pre booking them as its going to be busy come 21st of June.
Grizedale is advertising for people to sort out Extravs. Im glad because it gives people something to plan and look forward to. I think all the colleges are doing it :)

DS has booked a room in a private hall for next year. Phew, one less thing to worry about!

@SusannahSophia great news! As you say one less thing to worry about

Just dropped DS off at the station with his lateral flow test certificate from yesterday - he has to have another up there before they will let him in to his college!

Ds2 has also found a house in Lancaster for five ( they have met only virtually through some matching process) half way between town and Bailrigg, so not quite where he wanted but it is on the bus route apparently, and has the all important living room big enough to hang out in. Well so he says.
DS says he is getting a lot of fresh air atm, and playing a lot of online chess with other students. He seems happy enough, I think the more spring like weather is helping to make them feel less "imprisoned". He plans to come home on the 20th March, mental health wise he needs to I think. Then home for 3 weeks.

Thats fab news Susannah, that must be a huge relief hes sorted it.
Kingscote, he must be very pleased to return back to campus again :)

Spoke with DD yesterday. Sorted out together online student finance and then she tells me her and the her flat are booking Amsterdam for September.

@Nettleskeins great news!

Glad to see accommodation all sorted for those that were still looking.

Dd goes back on Saturday she's been a bit clingey this week.. Its been a bit of a roller-coaster week though. She had her car stolen on Saturday but fortunately the police recovered it on Monday (undamaged) so she's able to collect it tomorrow (after forensics). I think she's looking forward to going back but she hadn't planned to return until after Easter. Some of her close housemates are back and they are planning to treat dd to a meal and movie night on her return...I think the 3 month break has just unsettled her a bit because she had a fab first term.

Glad house shares are happening for some.

I had DS home for a few weeks , he was really struggling and was overwhelmed with everything.

He’s gone back & we have put strategies in place to help him , also getting him a formal dyslexia assessment to see if he can get other support.

He seems happier , has more confidence to participate in lectures ( he’s the only 1 , it’s generally silence!) and is driving the group course work.

It’s taking a lot of my time to talk to him regularly though and keep him positive.

I guess i would be accused of being over involved by certain sections of mumsnet but it’s what he needs at the moment.

Eve, ds2 is still waiting for the dyslexia assessment at Lancaster. It is quite frustrating.
I don't think you are overinvolved, just sensible. It is so unnatural not to be able to check up on them in a normal way, ie visiting or having them down for the weekend...and the pressures on them are unnatural too.

Who cares if others think you are over involved? If your DS needs the support then of course you’ll want to help him. Not all young adults are completely self sufficient at 18 or 19. And it’s been a very difficult year.

I’m sad that my DS wasn’t able to meet like minded people to share with next year, but he’s been lucky that he’s been pretty happy with his flatmates, even if he hasn’t made friends for life! I hope next year is more normal for them all.

@Nettleskeins yay nice one thats great. When its 6 meeting up outside they can all have a get together :) Bonus its on the bus route too .
@Eve Its good hes getting the assessment. And its only right your helping him. If it helps him keep focused and happy then your doing a great job :)

@Eve you're absolutely not over involved, I think at the moment we have to do whatever it takes to support our offspring in this totally unusual situation. Their mental health is the most important thing and it's very hard to only be able to check In remotely with them rather than a visit once they're back at uni. Sounds like you're doing a great job to me.

@Eve Also agree you are doing totally the right thing - it’s the kids with good support from home who are coping the best x

Daughters half birthday at uni this weekend just gone. They did disney theme. they bought her a 3d light, and they all dressed up. There was various princesses (dd was belle) and aladdin. A male mary poppins, and bert, and ratatouille with chefs outfit and a chefs hat. Plays disney music and had snacks. They have booked the flights and hotel for Amsterdam for September now.
Although they finish 20th of March, shes staying for 1 more week, with the 2 housemates that joined late so they not on their own.
So its been a long stint, 12 weeks as she went up 2nd of Jan. DD also says 'extravs' are going ahead, so she plans to do Grizedale, and perhaps Bowland.
DD2 had some news. All being well and if restrictions get lifted to plan, it might be on for a year 11 prom, so fingers crossed for that.
Put a deposit down for Cornwall for August. Just a standard caravan, so looking forward to that :)