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

[chopc]

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

@AvocadoPlant I'm not looking forward to any group work that DS2 has to do. DS1 has had to do group projects for engineering in both his 1st and 2nd year. Both times he ended up with someone in the group who did nothing. Part of the overall mark was peer marking each other but the lecturers weren't particularly happy about the low marks given to the non contributors. The group had previously told the lecturers of their concerns but they were more or less told they had to manage the situation like in the work place. But in the work place, I'd like to think they'd be given written warnings and ultimately be removed. It does make it stressful for those that are working hard and end up carrying others.

I wish Durham would start earlier in September and do a Reading Week like Exeter - perfect timing to return home for a few days and recharge the batteries.

Totally agree @jano69 . Although we are taking both grandmothers up at half term for the weekend which they are looking forward to

For me the absence of DS1 is being felt more this week. I was very excited for him last week with all the freshers events at Durham. Not sure if any non Durham parents are aware - some of us have had and are having huge admin issues with modules not been confirmed/ wrong time tables being given etc. Hope everything works out for the best.

DS1 said he has another few days of clothes left so hasn't had to do a wash yet. He has joined mainly sports clubs but I do hope he does some non sports activities too.

For me the absence of DS1 is being felt more this week. Hugs.

I saw a friend for coffee yesterday, we both had tears in our eyes at one point talking about how we still missed our DC. Oh dear. It is a mini bereavement really, not seeing someone for a prolonged period of time, that you have had constant contact with over years and years. Roll on halfterm/xmas!

Sorry to say, with DD1, and I may have said this before, but every time she came home, and upon leaving again, for the first year, and again when she left in the second year, I always had another little cry . She did too though . Very emotional us lot.

Hugs right back at you @BigWoollyJumpers

His modules not being sorted in Durham not helping the heart sink feeling ......

Looks like the disadvantage our cohort had with Covid may be long lasting eg oversubscribed courses etc

@chopc

Hugs right back at you *@BigWoollyJumpers*

His modules not being sorted in Durham not helping the heart sink feeling ......

Looks like the disadvantage our cohort had with Covid may be long lasting eg oversubscribed courses etc

Goodness me, I have just lurked on the Durham thread. What a complete nightmare for you all. The History dept seems particularly in crises. What a shame.

I have to say, Exeter seem to be on top on everything in comparison.

I have been sending little presents to DD since she got there. Once just a card, then a box of chocolates, this week I sent this:

www.sacla.co.uk/products/lunch-box?_pos=1&_sid=54fd5a3b9&_ss=r

Hopefully she will find it both useful and fun .

Ha, yes I have also sent little things, popcorn from Joe and Seph, a card (with some redirected post). Dc1 also got sent chocs and occasional cakes

I sent Dd some brownies. (M&S not homemade!) . They were well received

When dh does the shopping early on a Saturday morning, for years he always used to bring ds a freddo. So this week, he’s bought one and posted it to ds with a little card. 💕

Aww cute @Stillcrikey

That's really thoughtfull Strillcrikey, DH would be perplexed by it if I told him about this..

Really struggling to keep up with this fast moving thread and the Durham one! Thankfully ds is not in History dept so has not suffered with the dreadful admin issues, yet. He seems to be having a good time. We are now debating whether to go and visit. We want to, but just wondering if he will want us. We are thinking of going for one Sat night in November, by train as I can't bear to drive if we don't have to.

Is anyone else visiting their Fresher this term?

Am also thinking of posting ds a little cuddly toy, dh thinks I'm mad but ds has always liked little soft toys....I'm being pathetic aren't I?

I think the Freddo thing is lovely!

The Freddo thing is so lovely! Love the look of that sacla hamper too.

We have a chatty fresher tonight- he's texting about how much he's missing home food. He should've let me teach him how to cook!! Really wish I could beam him back, feed him then return him. He's having the best time though - really making the most of London.

@chopc really sorry to hear that there are some issues with the course. Can they be resolved or is it a question of missing out on modules your DS wanted to do as they are oversubscribed?

I'm definitely planning on visiting him this term, to take him out for Sunday lunch if nothing else!

The freedo thing is indeed lovely! That reminds me I need to get off my arse and post some bank stuff to DS tomorrow.

@Vargas we are visiting DS during half term - grandparents in tow! Some London DC's who live in the south have already come home one weekend and others are expected.

My mother is welcome to visit me whenever she wants and we have in fact got a bedroom in the house done up for this purpose. DS mother lives in our annex. So our DC have grown up with us being very involved with our elders. I did hear DS saying to his brother that if he goes to Uni in London, the parents can visit often but I am sure that was said in jest rather than truly not wanting us to visit.

Time will tell the reality

@Pumpkintopf lovely to hear your DS is making the most of London! I wonder if a club called Zenith in Acton is still around 🤔. That was very prominent in my youth.

What happened was DS was given the modules he asked for. However when he got his time table he was scheduled for two different modules which wasn't in his initial allocation. He has contacted the department who said they will get to the emails in the order they were received. He said so many are in the same note. Get this - the students have two hours a week during which they can contact the department- online!!!!

On the social side, Durham is all that DS was hoping it would be ........ (an extension of his school) 🙈. So he has settled in well and is not homesick. And apparently the food in halls is good.

I shall enquire @chopc ! He certainly seems to be doing the rounds - attached himself to a medics pub crawl tonight apparently having joined the medics badminton society, and was at Ministry of Sound last night!

Two hour window that they are allowed to contact?! That's unreasonable surely?

Glad the social side is going well at least 😊

Sorry to read about all the issues in Durham. I hope they are teething problems and get resolved.
The Fredo story is so sweet.
Lovely to hear of the DC coming home for reading week.
So DD found a cheap flight and is coming home for one night to go to her grad ball from school. It has been rescheduled loads of times but is happening over mid term just after the Covid restrictions are lifted here.
Apart from it being a bit crazy, flying overnight Wednesday, getting in Thursday early, having a nap, a shower, hair and make up and then staying up all night to party she will be flying back lunch time Friday to get back for a Halloween party in Brown that night. We will be in Lanzarote!!!!
So I am coming home early to be here when she gets in.
DH was moaning about it being ridiculous, totally forgetting we did this a few times when we lived in SF, or I did anyway.
I have totally avoided the news Oxbridge discussions. DT1 has mentioned applying in 2023 but I am just blocking it out for now. DT2 wants to go to drama school for musical theatre so that year will be very stressful in our house.

Wow @ChimneyPot that’s a whistle stop tour! And there’s me thinking DS was all jet setty having flown up to Glasgow from Bristol last weekend to see his girlfriend!

We are going down to visit him at the end of October. I’d planned and booked it before he left. It just felt right to go 5 / 6 weeks in to give him the chance to have a ‘free’ meal, show us round his city and just check in to allay any feelings of missing us too much (but obviously it’s mostly so I can see and hug him). 😳🤣

Ah to be young again @ChimneyPot - she will sleep for a week after that!

Sorry to hear that Durham is causing stress with timetabling issues. I hope they get resolved very soon.

I love the freedo story!

@Vargas DH and I popped down to Exeter last weekend and this definitely perked our DD up. Things are going really well socially this week and she is much happier, sigh of relief here.

My DD has a field trip in a couple of weeks and apparently everyone is coming home for a long weekend. I plan to feed her (she has definitely lost weight) and let her sleep as she in Lafrowda and she gets woken up quite a bit. Hopefully this might get her through to Christmas.

Wow @ChimneyPot. Very jet set. That does indeed sound like something that can only be survived if you have young bones. I’d just arrive and then sleep! I hope she has a great time at her ball.
Lovely to hear of reading weeks and meet ups . It feels like dd has just gone, but some of your Dc are becoming old hands at this living independently lark!

Just catching up on the thread.
How frustrating at Durham. Especially after the delays with allocating accommodation. Hoping that all the students are getting timetables and options sorted, and they will look back at this as a minor blip in the overall experience.

@ChimneyPot sounds like your DD is enjoying life both sides of the Pond!

Loving the ideas for care packages, sending a Freddo bar must bring back so many happy memories x

Well DD’s freshers flu has morphed into full pneumonia. The GP is confident it can be treated with some heavy duty antibiotics.
DD is insisting she wants to stay at Exeter, and her flat mates are being really supportive.
I just want to get in the car and bring her home! I’m also tormenting myself as she has had an allergic reaction to ABs in the past.

Why do they have to grow up….

Oh dear @AvocadoPlant . Hope your DD feels better soon (if it was my DS he wouldn't get any choice in the matter - adult or not). Rest is so needed

Also all these freshers with freshers flu - how do they know it's not covid? Have they done a Covid PCR. Because the advise is lateral flow tests are for asymptomatic people and if you are having one of the three main symptoms (or any respiratory symptoms IMO), you should have a Covid test.

Of course they are invincible (!) but ........