Is there a general starting uni thread??

[Susiesue61]

I've seen a few threads for specific universities but not a generic one!
DD has gone to JMU in Liverpool and I'm finding it really hard going! Anyone fancy a support thread? Or direct me if there is one already!

Dropped my Dd2 at LJMU on Saturday.She is really quite introvert so I know she's struggling. Me too.

I've had my first tears tonight. I want her to push herself to go out and enjoy herself, but I know she's finding that hard.

DD was honest with her female flatmates that she was exhausted and wanted an early night, and they all admitted that they felt the same but didn’t want to say anything. They are all in their pjs watching a movie. It’s so hard as she still feels 16 because of Covid.

My DD is also really struggling today. I've had a couple of tearful phone calls. She's been out every night and says she is trying to throw herself into making friends but she's not finding it at all easy. She's looked up a couple of friends from school and is meeting them tonight so I hope seeing some familiar faces will help x

I'm so sorry that lots of them are finding it hard. DD is coming home tomorrow and having tea before she goes to football training, and then back to her flat. She hasn't got any lectures tomorrow and her flatmates have. Football will do her good as it's with her usual team, they'll all boost her up!

Same here. No lectures until next week. I know she will stay in her room. I've been talking to her tonight trying to convince her to go to the Freshers fair.

Oh @threesenoughthanks it's so hard isn't it? Where is she staying?
Dd has booked for freshers fair next week. She wants to sign up for footy.
JMU doesn't seem to have much on for them this week, unless DD only tells me half a story! DS1 started Liverpool uni 3 years ago and seemed to have more organised things to go to.

She's in St Andrew's. How about your Dd? Mine isn't sporty but I'm sure she'd find something to interest her if she gave it a go.

After an awful day yesterday, dd is so much happier today! She had a tutor group thing earlier, finally met some of the people doing her course and they all had lunch together afterwards. This afternoon she and a couple of flat mates went to explore the city and find the supermarket. This evening we caught up on Bake Off together via facetime which was lovely. She is exhausted though, it really does take it out of them

Can I join in?

Dropped my DS off at Liverpool on Saturday, and I missed him like crazy for the first few days, but I think it's easing into a new normal. He seems to get on okay with his flatmates, and they all went out on Saturday and Sunday night, but he stayed in on Monday as he said he was exhausted. They went out without him, but they didn't seem to mind as he was out with them again on Tuesday. He stayed in again last night as he thinks he's got fresher's flu now. He's also met up with some people from his course.

What has surprised him most is that out of 7 people in his flat he's the only one who doesn't smoke, and there are only two of them not taking drugs.

@doistayordoigo What course is your son doing at Liverpool? My daughter is there doing business management. She is definitely struggling with meeting people although has been out every night so is trying to throw herself into it. She is also exhausted and sounds like she's developing freshers flu!

@frantic17 He's doing Vet Med who are doing their own department events as well, but I think they've also got their own version of freshers week next week, so not sure when they settle down into the normal routine of lectures. I think all the forced "fun" can be a bit counter productive.

I'd like to join too. DT1 was off on Saturday - think he's settling in ok but we've only had a few WhatsApp messages so far. He said he'd cooked a good curry yesterday!

I really miss him but am busy helping DT2 get ready to go to Warwick this Sunday, and have also had a week of plumbing crap to deal with (frustrating but distracting). Once they're both gone it's going to really hit me, I think.

@doistayordoigo I totally agree about the forced fun. I'm hoping things settle down when she starts her course and has more of a routine. I think she's staying in tonight after 5 nights out....it's no wonder she's exhausted. That's good that your son has course specific socials too x

car packed here, heading off shortly for our tea time arrival slot.

Brave face on.

Please can I join ? DS was dropped off at Nottingham on Sunday by DH ( who incidentally spent the drive home crying and all day Monday) I was so worried as he is very shy and doesn't drink much or go out. However he has absolutely loved it-been out clubbing every night and met loads of people. He says everyone is really friendly ( esp the northerners-he is a london kid!) and he seems really confident in going to the canteen to eat and generally lounging in the common room area. I've also learnt some new phrases " pre's" which means meeting in someones room for drinks before you go out.

My DS goes on Saturday. He is 19 now and was a victim of the 2020 non-A level exams so had to take another A level this year. It's been such a boring time for him (and everyone else, I know) that even though he's really keen to go to uni, it will be a huge adjustment. Thankfully (or not) having had such a boring time, he's had a lot of time to think about things and has considered all eventualities!

doistayordoigo it amazes me - where do these students find the money ?!

nancypineapple that is great news. My DS is also quite shy (more socially anxious I think) and doesn't drink a lot but really wants to have fun. I think the build up to going can be worse!

Dropping DS at Southampton on Saturday.
Trying to get stuff sorted for his room - so hard to know what's really needed.
He's getting quite nervous.

I'm impressed with all yours going out so much!! DD is ok, she likes her flatmates and has made a couple of friends on her course. She's struggling with all the downtime, she's used to a busy house! I think being so near home isn't helping as she's stil doing things like football and work that she does anyway, it's an excuse to come home!

@cardentisul sending lots of good luck for your DS and hope he settles in well. I'm just really relieved that mine seems to be enjoying it-although now I'm a tad worried he is enjoying himself too much!
@Susiesue61 I hope once your dd's course begins properly she will feel more settled. It's just such a shock for them especially after being in lockdown for so long.

@Susiesue61 Yes, downtime has been a struggle for my DD too. Last weekend, particularly Sunday, she seemed quite down but I suspect it was heightened by boredom (and still no decent Wi-fi available as it's a newly built halls!). This week she's been to a few lectures so having structure definitely helps with her wellbeing, as does going to the cinema and eating fish and chips on the beach with her new flat mates!

I'm struggling because my DM passed away in May and now my DD is 7 hours away. I guess I need to find a new hobby!

We did the Bath drop off, a bit chaotic with problems with door card entry to her halls, but after we left she has been taking people to the accommodation office to get their cards sorted out like an old hand.... a little bit of knowledge really helps, she's made 3 "friends" this way already. We are home now and feeling a bit deflated, empty nest, empty of all the organising/emotional/brain filling stuff, feel exhausted.

nancypineapple which hall is your son in?
My Northener son at Nottingham has made friends with loads of Londoners. Also likes hanging out in the common room for pre's (Cavendish).

Just back from Bath drop off too. Room was nice enough but quite small - plenty of storage though. She seemed ok when we left. Know exactly how you’re feeling BeyondMyWits - just exhausted and empty.