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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:
BigWoollyJumpers · 21/09/2021 11:27

@Jng1

I agree the admin side of things is quite overwhelming, and in fact this is what (dyslexic) DS has struggled with most! He shared his email screen with me on zoom and was basically inundated with emails from every different department saying 'welcome to the university, this is what we do, if you need XYZ here are some links etc'. In amongst all this were a couple which were actually important and relevant to his course this week, but they were in real danger of being lost in the tsunami of other 'fluff' (his words!).
I think accommodation bills are in! DD has sent me the amount needed for the top up, but I don't know exactly when it is due.
AvocadoPlant · 21/09/2021 12:13

DDs loan came through yesterday, so the accommodation bills coming now sounds about right, thanks for the heads up!

@Jng1 - how is your DS now?

Jng1 · 21/09/2021 12:21

DS's accommodation isn't due until 4th October I think?

@AvocadoPlant - I think he's doing OK thanks. Had a few WhatsApp messages and we've jumped onto zoom a couple of times to share screens about things, but he's started his courses this week, so all has gone quiet.

He was saying yesterday that it's a bit of a shock going back to academic work, because he took a gap year and actually left sixth form at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. So 18 months since he last did any studying!

Notagardener · 21/09/2021 14:35

"So 18 months since he last did any studying!"

That will defin be a shock to the system

Jng1 · 21/09/2021 15:12

@Notagardener - Yes! But not uncommon it seems - at least half of his flat are 19 year olds who deferred/took a gap year. It's a factor the unis are going to need to acknowledge!

Notagardener · 21/09/2021 15:34

Yes, Jng1 of course there have always been youngsters taking a gap year. Just thinking of how I was after a long summer holiday.....

AvocadoPlant · 21/09/2021 15:52

Don’t worry JNG1, it’s even longer for DD as she ended up taking 2 gap years. 🤷‍♀️
But she continued to write, and did a LOT of pre-reading and making notes over the summer.
I’m hoping it’s like riding a bike …

One of her flatmates is a friend from school (same year) and is on the same course as your DS, I wonder if they know each other.

Dobbyismyabsolutefav · 21/09/2021 18:52

Definitely a full house of freshers flu for the Exeter crowd.

Thanks @AvocadoPlant my DD is on the mend now and enjoyed all her lectures yesterday. Hopefully everyone's DD/DS feel better in a few days.

I some how have dates for paying accommodation, not sure when or where I found them, but I have 4/10, 17/01 and 09/05.

Majaso12 · 21/09/2021 21:42

Pumpkintopf. Dd still hasn’t got her timetable!

olliepolly · 22/09/2021 06:53

DS actually posted ( rare event ) a whats app photo of a pot of chilli he made. Dread to think what the shared kitchen looked like after that but didn’t stoop so low as to ask him if he had tidied up.
I know he had 4 online lectures on Monday and little sign of anything F2F . Strange that his week is so weighted to Monday but think not all of those are regular weekly events.
At the moment grateful for small pieces of information.
Sounds like they have bonded as a flat group of 10. 9 in so far with 1 international to come. Even split of Male/female and bias to science/med.

SeasonFinale · 22/09/2021 07:45

DS has his timetable and has 1 hour online and 10 F2f (or so I believe). He has 4 sessions on a Thursday including a 9am-10am and a 4pm to 5pm. He is absolutely gutted as Wednesday is sports afternoon followed by a notorious clubbing night out!! He would much prefer a heavy Monday after a gentle Saturday. He also has something everyday!

SeasonFinale · 22/09/2021 07:45

*gentle Sunday

Longtimenewsee · 22/09/2021 08:15

Sorry to hear of the nasty colds. I hope they are soon feeling better.
We will be dropping dd off v early on Saturday ( leaving here at an ungodly hour for her move in slot!) . I think I’ll find it exhausting ( both physically and emotionally) so I’ve actually taken Monday off work to come down from the weekend and this weeks frantic prep.

AvocadoPlant · 22/09/2021 10:11

Longtimenewsee - I think taking the Monday off is a good idea. We dropped off DD on the Sunday, then stayed locally overnight, before meeting up the next day and taking her for a food shop, then leaving and arriving home at about 4pm.
I really wished I had taken the Tuesday off work too - though I’m very lucky as I work from home.
But I was emotionally quite drained.

Original poster
chopc · 22/09/2021 12:09

On countdown here. I think very few universities left to start now. I think DS has had his last night away from home with friends as most of the ones who are left will be going to Durham (over 30 from his school)

I ordered a picture blanket from printerpix which I am really pleased with and wrote a card for him to take with him.

Mixed feelings at the moment as soon excited for him (especially after seeing the freshers week offerings) but will miss his terribly. His brother doesn't engage in conversation and his sister is a moody so and so .........🙈

OP posts:
Pumpkintopf · 22/09/2021 12:13

@Majaso12 that's terrible!

Can I ask - have you had an invoice for accommodation yet? Or a link to book a moving in slot? Is this stuff on My Imperial? I'm finding this very stressful and annoying as DH keeps nagging me for this stuff whilst DS is not engaging at all as more focused (I guess understandably) on driving at the moment- his instructor makes the decision today whether he thinks he's ready to have a go at the test 🤞

Pumpkintopf · 22/09/2021 12:14

@chopc snap, I have a moody DD too. Will really miss DS but, as you say, excited for him. I think I'm a bit in denial at the moment...

AvocadoPlant · 22/09/2021 12:24

@Majaso12 has your DD started uni? If so not having the timetable is crazy!

DD got hers towards the end of Freshers once the optional modules had been chosen,

Majaso12 · 22/09/2021 13:38

Pumpkintofpf Not had any of that! She only got the moving in slot because she emailed and it was either 9-12 I think or 1-5 Saturday or Sunday and she went for Saturday 1-5. Apparently they aren’t replying to emails now so might be better to call them. You could only book a slot if on the induction you had to fill in, you said you were from amber or red list and then it asked or you were from the U.K.!

AvocadoPlant. She doesn’t move in until 2nd October, but she was meant to get her timetable on the 20th.

Original poster
chopc · 22/09/2021 15:25

Bloody hell - just had a call from our Durham overnight accommodation to say they don't have any record of our booking as they have just changed management! I contacted them to ask if they have space for my DD as she decided she wants to come and see her brother off

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 22/09/2021 15:43

Probably no use but i have just cancelled two rooms in Harrogate , that was the closest we could get for Saturday night.

Original poster
chopc · 22/09/2021 15:52

Thank you @Peaseblossum22 . When the new owners got my email she blocked out a room and we do have accom for three but not four

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 22/09/2021 16:16

That’s a shame but at least you have a room for the three of you . Could you squash in ?

Pumpkintopf · 22/09/2021 16:31

@chopc nightmare! Good job you got in touch!

Pumpkintopf · 22/09/2021 16:33

@Majaso12 thank you so much for all this - moving in slot now sorted, rang the accommodation team as you suggested. 1-5 Saturday 👍. Sounds like parking and drop off will be fun..!! 'Please use public transport if you can'- hmm, don't think so with the amount of stuff we have piling up in the spare room for him to take!