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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 first year ......

998 replies

chopc · 13/01/2022 20:42

Apologies if I didn't tag anyone. Hopefully have inckueded all current posters

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Computer science
@Majaso12 -Imperial - Biochemistry
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial -Physics
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - Open
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -modern languages
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History
@Notagardener LSE
@Revengeofthepangolins UCL - History
@raspberryrippleicecream ? -Maths
@derekthe1adyhamster Birmingham- Computer Science
@Vargas -Durham -Geography
@AvocadoPlant Exeter -History

OP posts:
Original poster
chopc · 25/09/2022 19:19

@Xenia I have actually missed seeing updates of you and your brood. Your twin DS's must have completed their law conversions now? What's next for them?

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 26/09/2022 11:53

@Tenpastseven Mine is going into y2 at Bristol (first lectures today) but he started y1 last year after a gap year. In his halls flat last year 8/10 had had a gap year.

Xenia · 26/09/2022 13:56

chopc, I am still sometimes checking the thread and am glad everyone's children are settling in for another term. This is my first September actually since 1965 ( started school in 1966) when I have NOT had a school term starting as I went straight from law school to marrying a teacher to having a child in nursery school (mornings only) in 1987. Two of my grandchildren are at school however so I suppose school terms are still a bit of a thing as far as they are concerned.

The twins are fine. They have been my trainee solicitors (of my very tiny firm of solicitors) since June. Both did very well in their last summer law exams earlier this year and one starts a 6 month secondment to a London law firm today actually which is allowing him to join in the various induction events with their own trainees. So he remains my trainee solicitor until they both qualify in 2024 but for the next 6 months works there not here. He is still living at home however. I said I would fund their law courses IF they qualified in 2024 (so if they did not get a job with another firm whilst studying then it should be with me). They are very lucky (or very unfortunate to work for their mother depending on your point of view).

BenchOfCompany · 01/10/2022 18:24

I love @Xenia 's updates, truly. I found it a great comfort that you continue to post not just on our thread but on others, reassuring people that it all works out fine and not to worry too much. I love hearing what everyone else's children are up to on this thread. Most of my friends have younger children or older ones who went straight into work so no uni experience. My nephew lived at home for uni but my niece moved out to uni last year just like Ds.

We have just dropped Ds back to Durham. He is in beautiful accommodation, a bigger room than first year and he seems to have a very friendly flatmate so that is good. Also just little things like more fridge and freezer space. His view is stunning although he will lose the tree that appears to be on fire in its autumn colour. But there are loads of other trees around and he did partly choose Durham for its greenery.

Missing him already, it doesn't seem to be any easier although we are much less worried this time round, he knows where his lectures are so no issues finding rooms which was all new last year. He has also taken a teeny Instant Pot for more cooking this year. He just had a slow cooker last year. We helped him haul his Tesco delivery up to his flat, looks like he'll be eating well.

Lampzade · 01/10/2022 19:27

@Xenia my dd has started at Bristol and is studying economics
Had a few wobbly moments for the first week but is beginning to enjoy it

Majaso12 · 01/10/2022 19:41

On our way back from London. dd’s accommodation is nice. Much bigger room than she had last year.

@Pumpkintopf. How is your ds getting on at his accommodation? Hope everything has gone ok for him.

Longtimenewsee · 01/10/2022 21:12

Hi all. Good to hear all the news. We dropped Dd back in Durham last weekend . V nice accommodation this year with a lovely room and a great view .. lots of greenery. She’s been cooking triple amounts and freezing to give herself a head start for when lectures start on Monday. She’s joined some new societies and is hoping to find a better work/ fun balance this year .. she was worked pretty hard last year so let’s hope it’s doable

Pumpkintopf · 01/10/2022 23:08

Hey all,

Thanks @Majaso12 - getting there. Their power and gas supplies were shut off on Tuesday as despite DS having been told by octopus they'd taken over his supply as a matter of fact they hadn't, and had to send an engineer out to swap their meters over. They've been without internet until today as despite Virgin telling DS the new router would be delivered last Saturday it was not...

Their landlord appeared to believe that one three (at a push) seater pleather sofa (and that is the ONLY item of furniture in their sitting room ) in a house let to four people is 'furnished' so DH and I had to have a little chat with the agent about what is reasonable. Pisses me off that despite the massive rents they're paying, people think it's ok to do everything on the cheap and rip off students. Well, not on my watch. They now have a dining table and chairs and a second sofa is being delivered 🙄

Glad to hear your DD's room is good. All still well with her boyfriend?

Notagardener · 02/10/2022 08:22

Pumpkintopf, so true about the furniture issue. DC also had only 1 sofa but no table or chairs. Bed in 1 of the rooms had broken off legs.
They managed to get a small table , chairs and new bed as well as a microwave.
But no desk or chair in the bedrooms.
Sofa had a big rip mended with tape. All hidden under a blanket...

As per Mumsnet advice she and DH took loads of pictures, Inc of the matrass stain🙂.

I am hoping to visit midterm as there wasn't space in the car for me when she moved in

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/10/2022 08:53

@Pumpkintopf that’s really cheeky of the landlord, good for stepping in. Our dc may be adults now but renting houses and all the issues surrounding that is new to them and they need a bit of support.

@Xenia I also love your updates, keep them coming!

DD’s house is lovely, she is very lucky. Big kitchen /diner. Seems to be well furnished.

My oldest dd also has a new place to live. She’s in her last year of a dance degree, college is only half an hour’s drive from home. She likes being able to pop back for a home cooked dinner!

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/10/2022 08:58

@Longtimenewsee your DD’s cooking and organisation sound fantastic!

My dd is struggling a bit with cooking. I did try and encourage it when she was younger but she wasn’t interested. Now she feels a bit embarrassed about her lack of skills. I bought her the Nosh student cookbook and help her out with cooking tips when needed. I’m sure she’ll get there eventually with practice. The other issue is that she’s quite a fussy eater and doesn’t eat things like bolognaise or baked potatoes. However she did salmon the other day and also stir fried chicken.

Majaso12 · 02/10/2022 11:01

@Pumpkintopf. That’s bad, but good you’re stepping in. Don’t think dd would have coped very well without internet!

All good with her boyfriend. He’s in the same accommodation, but a floor above her. Are things still good with your ds and his gf?

Longtimenewsee · 02/10/2022 14:48

Lol.. I wouldn’t say she actually *likes cooking @bendmeoverbackwards . It’s more that needs must. She figures batch cooking will ease the pain. She’s planning to eat in college a few times a week too.

Majaso12 · 02/10/2022 16:05

@Longtimenewsee. Your dd sounds well organised. My dd doesn’t seem to plan in advance what she’s having for tea and then has to go out to buy some food when she’s hungry and then come back and cook it. She does seem to enjoy cooking though. Dd thought the workload was heavy last year and has heard 2nd year is a lot more, so she’s a bit worried about that. Not sure if she’ll join any societies. She joined a dance one last year but a bit late in the year and didn’t end up going.

Longtimenewsee · 03/10/2022 00:20

@Majaso12 .. yes Dd is worried about the year 2 workload too. I’m hoping it won’t be as tough as first year.. and that it leaves time for fun too

Pumpkintopf · 04/10/2022 23:04

@Majaso12 they seem happy so fingers crossed as it'll be terribly awkward if they break up while sharing a house.

DS is trying to cook three times a week - we shall see how long that lasts! Lectures starts again for him on Thursday. He's made the most of this week getting his room sorted out etc and did a fair bit of pre-work so hopefully will be starting year 2 off well.

Majaso12 · 05/10/2022 17:58

@Pumpkintopf. DD’s lectures started this morning at 9, for 3 hours. She had a 2 hour ice skating lesson this afternoon! She’s auditioning for dance society next week. She’d signed up to be a mum and is doing hide and seek with her children tomorrow! I hope she has time for all that because she said she didn’t get much time last year and has said this year is going to be a lot more work, so she’s heard.

Pumpkintopf · 05/10/2022 18:08

Oh that sounds fun @Majaso12 ! Yes DS has also heard that year 2 is tough. Hopefully by starting well rather than getting behind like last year, he'll manage to stay on top of things...

Majaso12 · 05/10/2022 18:19

Actually treasure hunt not hide and seek!

Original poster
chopc · 05/10/2022 22:51

@Xenia thanks for the update!
Do you think it's because they knew they could always fall back on you that there wasn't enough effort in finding work with another firm? Although I know how competitive it is out there

@Longtimenewsee @BenchOfCompany - where in Durham are your DC living with lovely views etc? DS is in a mid terrace surrounded by other houses ........

@bendmeoverbackwards my DD14 is interested in going to a performing arts school for sixth form. Are you able to point me in the right direction so I can get started on my research? PM me is you wish but let me know you have done it so I can check. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
BenchOfCompany · 06/10/2022 07:33

@chopc he is in Unite so basically a private hall as we wanted him to have an en-suite room again which all of them are and have no worries about paying bills or if someone locked the front door. It is opposite the Graham Sports Centre ie that huge multi-sports facility owned by the university where they all train. It is set back from the road so lovely and quiet and it is in a beautiful setting with lots of trees and greenery. He chose it for proximity to the science campus as he knew he would be there every day.

Ds1 has always enjoyed cooking whereas Ds2 isn't as much as a foodie but will still prepare food. He seems to be looking ahead to universities and courses. We may be at our first open day in a couple of weeks. He is year 12.

BenchOfCompany · 06/10/2022 07:45

Should have added that Unite shares the campus with the college where they teach agriculture, small animal care, there are stables for horses etc so it is a massive site with Unite just housing 222 students. So the grounds are lovely. More expensive than first year though for en-suite. He is wanting to stay there for next year too and we agree it is a great.

Longtimenewsee · 06/10/2022 08:22

Dd wants to stay in her place next year too.. I’ll dm you chopc

AvocadoPlant · 06/10/2022 12:49

@chopc does your DD have a preference for the type of performing she’s interested in? Ie MT, Acting or Dance?

Original poster
chopc · 06/10/2022 14:57

@AvocadoPlant dancing and singing are her strengths so more musical theater than drama school

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