Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Higher education

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

Original poster

Another path ....... the journey begins

999 replies

chopc · 19/09/2021 22:28

Hello @321zyx @AvocadoPlant @bendmeoverbackwards @BigWoollyJumpers @Braveheart35 @calculatorqueen @ChimneyPot @Dobbyisahouseelf @Eastisup @jano69 @Majaso12 @MidLifeCrisis007 @NCTDN @Notagardener @OnTheBenchOfDoom @Parsonage63 @Pumpkintopf @Peaseblossum22 @quest1on @Peaseblossum22 @SATSmadness @SeasonFinale @Tenpastseven @Vargas @Xenia

Apologies for anyone I omitted to tag

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 02/10/2021 18:57

Sorry that should have been on the Durham thread Blush

Notagardener · 02/10/2021 20:18

ha ha, yes I also had to have a read in the other threads :)

Revengeofthepangolins · 03/10/2021 10:00

Also amused by other threads, although that “discouraged” one is really odd and has totally spiralled.

I think people don’t really think through the genesis of threads - the general uni thread fir our year never wholly took off, did it, so to some extent this has taken its place.

I love hearing about how all the DC are doing, and with a year 11 coming up behind, it is really interesting to have these windows into life at other universities.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 03/10/2021 16:37

Glad drop off went so well @Pumpkintopf and @Majaso12 I hope they settle in easily and start having a great time.

Ds has facetimed today which was lovely as we got to see him. He has been in contact several times every day sometimes just a quick message other times a bit longer. He posted photos including him in his suit and gown for matriculation and walking in a throng of other gowned friends. Everyone seems incredibly friendly and his lectures etc start tomorrow.

As for others posting crap about us on another thread, firstly I would say let's see how they all are at the end of January when they have actually been through the process of tests and interviews and SAQs and rejections and offers. Secondly what I do care about and have appreciated is how supportive and friendly this thread has been through what has been an odd time with lockdowns and TAGs and our children starting uni.

MN is full of trolls and haters and on a site that has so many contributors it is nice to feel part of a group. So thank you "another path" people.

AvocadoPlant · 03/10/2021 16:46

So having started to recover from freshers flu, DD is now feeling rubbish!
Sore throat, feverish, and upset tummy. Same as 2 of her flat mates.
She hasn’t missed any lectures, but has cancelled a couple of nights out, and is missing auditions today for a comp team.

Apart from the usual, ie pain relief, fluids and
rest, I’m not sure what else she can do.
Any suggestions?

Original poster
chopc · 03/10/2021 16:50

@AvocadoPlant I recommend a multivitamin and a pro biotic.

In addition my family has personal experience of using a herbal product called Septilin. Similar to echinacea but Septilin is particularly good for respiratory health.
Disclaimer this advise is not evidence based on RCT's but my own experience.

OP posts:
Original poster
chopc · 03/10/2021 16:50

@AvocadoPlant in addition to the most natural remedy of rest of course

OP posts:
Original poster
chopc · 03/10/2021 16:51

@OnTheBenchOfDoom hear hear. I very much feel part of a group here . Thank you all!

OP posts:
Majaso12 · 03/10/2021 17:05

Dd rang this morning which was nice. She said her flatmates are nice but don’t like going out, so last night she went into another kitchen where 20 share and then went to a club with 30 others. Don’t need to worry about her not socialising! She said the kitchen that 20 share is 3 times as big as her kitchen that’s shared between 9 of them. Today she’s at a bbq which she thought was at 2 and then mingles at 7.

Pumpkintopf How is your ds getting on?

Pumpkintopf · 03/10/2021 19:42

Hi all, thanks so much for all the virtual hugs, really very much appreciated.

I absolutely echo how much I value being a part of this wonderful supportive group, thank you all.

@Majaso12 that sounds brilliant. How is her room? I know you worried it might be dark?

DS FaceTimed earlier. He looked v tired - he didn't have tickets for the fresher mingle last night in Ken so he and most of his flatmates followed a crowd and found a flat party going on in Woodward that they joined. Sounds like they had a great time! Today he's been to the gym and to asda (again) - he really needs a meal plan or something! Wish he was in catered halls. Talked him through the contents of his food bag and how to make pasta and sauce (!) so at least he has something in his stomach before going out again tonight.

First lecture tomorrow. He said most of his hall mates are Londoners - one lad's home is Wembley so he can virtually see home from the hall. Helpful as they will obviously have more of a clue when it comes to getting around on the tube and whatever. Really pleased he's met a couple of fellow physicists so although they may not have the same timetable for labs etc at least there'll hopefully be some days they can travel in together.

pourmeanotherglass · 03/10/2021 19:48

Spoke to DD today. She's had a good week, and gets on with her flatmates, but after a week of clubbing and late nights they all have the lurgy. DD didnt have much voice left. Hopefully next week she'll take it a bit easier and get some sleep.

Pumpkintopf · 03/10/2021 20:34

It's definitely a bit of an endurance test isn't it @pourmeanotherglass !

Majaso12 · 03/10/2021 21:01

Thanks for all the best wishes everyone.

Pumpkimtopt Her room is modern and quite light. Her window looks out onto a small street, not quite as nice as the ones out the front that overlook the private gardens in the middle.I think she’s been in North Acton today. Don’t think she got to the mingles at 7, whether she’s still going.

Pumpkintopf · 03/10/2021 21:05

Ah great Majoso- lovely that they all seem to be mixing and enjoying themselves!

Original poster
chopc · 03/10/2021 21:42

Where are your DD's halls @Majaso12 ?

OP posts:
Majaso12 · 03/10/2021 22:46

chopc She’s in Keogh halls Southside.

Original poster
chopc · 04/10/2021 06:38

Does imperial not have any accommodation walking distance to campus?

OP posts:
Majaso12 · 04/10/2021 07:55

Southside and Eastside are about 2 minutes from campus and Beit Hall about 5 minutes away.

BigWoollyJumpers · 04/10/2021 10:03

With some of your DC's only just getting going, I was thrown by how
time really does fly, DD has already booked a train home for reading week. She is seeing a friend, and DD1 down in Exeter during the first few days, but she is also going to come at the end of that week for a long weekend as it is DH's birthday. She's in her fourth week already!

calculatorqueen · 04/10/2021 13:08

Lovely to hear how everyone is settling in, mixing and enjoying themselves. Even DS, who had never been to the pub for a pint previously, is enjoying clubbing. He seems to be getting on well with his flat, they have nicknamed him 'The Northener', everyone else is from the south. We actually live in the south of the West Midlands but with myself and DH's influence, he probably has a bit of a northern twang. Still find it strange that Exeter does seem to be fairly restricted on the geographical area that it draws students from.

Anyone looking at being a Student Ambassador? DS is going to apply this week. The rate of pay is about £10.50 and the hours are flexible for fitting in with studies.

AvocadoPlant · 04/10/2021 15:18

@chopc thanks for the suggestions.

Original poster
chopc · 04/10/2021 15:26

Oh didn't realise @Majaso12

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 04/10/2021 18:39

@BigWoollyJumpers Has she already been able to ascertain that she won't need access to the library for reading week?

BigWoollyJumpers · 05/10/2021 09:08

[quote SeasonFinale]@BigWoollyJumpers Has she already been able to ascertain that she won't need access to the library for reading week?[/quote]
No idea! They all seem to be coming home, and I know other DC's from previous years always seemed to come home, for reading week. I think she mentioned she has enhanced on-line access to "stuff". TBH, I leave it to her.

AvocadoPlant · 05/10/2021 11:57

DD was only planning to come home for part of Reading Week as she has some group presentations the following week so thought students would be around to work on these.
However after the first group presentation, I'm not sure she's quite so keen - as it ended up being just DDs work!
Has anyone else had a similar (or hopefully better) experience?