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Higher education

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

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:
AvocadoPlant · 06/10/2022 20:14

@chopc how exciting, I envy people with great performance skills.
DD attended a performing arts school for 6th form, but chose the acting stream. It was an incredible experience and she’s made some wonderful friends.
She also learned a lot about time management, juggling A levels in the morning then 4 hours of vocational work each afternoon.

chopc · 06/10/2022 22:11

Are you in the SE @AvocadoPlant ? If so which school did your DD attend?

OP posts:
AvocadoPlant · 06/10/2022 22:37

@chopc Ive PM’d you

bendmeoverbackwards · 07/10/2022 16:54

@chopc I am going to PM you.

chopc · 07/10/2022 18:59

Thanks both

OP posts:
Pumpkintopf · 09/10/2022 20:02

Just sitting with DD finalising her UCAS application. Feels weird to be doing it all again (and for final child).

AvocadoPlant · 10/10/2022 12:18

I think it does feel different when it’s the last one.
Though I felt the same when the youngest left nursery, left primary school etc.
Each time it’s the end of a stage of life.

ChimneyPot · 11/10/2022 14:33

One of my DTs would have loved a performing arts school but such things don’t exist in Ireland so she is combining school and final exams with 12 hours per week of dance/drama/singing. She is hoping to do a foundation course in MT next year but knows it is very competitive.

The other DT wants to do Politics/English but doesn’t want to apply to Oxbridge. I may be over looking at Durham, Exeter, Glasgow or anywhere else that gives her an offer

DD1 started class in the US in early September and it is full on. Lots of midterms and assignments already and she is on committees in 3 societies so very busy. She also says there is much less partying this year.
She did manage a long weekend in NY with friends this weekend so it’s not all work.
Happily she is still on a full dining plan as she doesn’t cook at all beyond frying eggs. They have been told that permission will only be given to live off campus in exceptional circumstances next year so is under no pressure to find accommodation next year.

ChimneyPot · 11/10/2022 14:56

Forgot to update on DS who is still in primary. It is his last year there so really feeling those end of a stage in life that others have mentioned.

BigWoollyJumpers · 12/10/2022 15:36

All your DC's seem to be having a good time.

Poor old DD got freshers pretty much immediately, in fact all her friends have had it, but it has left her with very painful ears and a chesty cough. I do wonder whether she has some residual weakness now from Covid. Anyhoo, she has missed a few lectures and seminars so needs to do some catching up now.

She has some great modules this year. She put in, and got her choices. So one is Heaven and Hell, religions through the ages, which is under the Theology dept, and covers everything from Greek onwards, which fits in with her Classics background very nicely, so she isn't starting from scratch. And then she also has History in Media, which could cover anything from Bridgerton to Mary Beard.

She and her boyfriend have settled in well, they are like an old married couple! Chores are shared, they take it in turns to shop and cook in a week, so they each get to cook and eat what they like. His mum and myself have been kitting them out with old curtains and rugs, and other cosy items found in our lofts. We have just purchased them a dehumidifier as the flat is quite damp, not dangerously so, no mould, but always smells and feels slightly damp. They will also need it to dry clothes come winter proper.

All very domestic!

Absolutelyshocked · 13/10/2022 06:29

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Longtimenewsee · 13/10/2022 06:56

Gosh - I am sorry @Absolutelyshocked . Sounds like this has come out of the blue ..for you at least . .What are her reasons? Has she spoken to uni etc?or is it all done and dusted?
what are her plans?

Longtimenewsee · 13/10/2022 06:59

Sorry .. missed the bit about no explanation. ( covid brain atm) No wonder you are finding it hard to cope with!. Sounds like something has suddenly happened. Has she been happy up til now?

Absolutelyshocked · 13/10/2022 07:24

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Longtimenewsee · 13/10/2022 07:43

Yes..two weeks doesn’t seem long enough to gauge workload for the year does it. Is she responsive when you try to chat to her about it? Or is she shutting you down? Is there anything else going on in her life which when you add uni, makes it all too difficult to cope with?
At the end of the day, it’s her choice but it’s frustrating to not have the chance to even understand (or help!)@Absolutelyshocked . Much sympathy x

Absolutelyshocked · 13/10/2022 08:22

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ChimneyPot · 13/10/2022 09:45

@Absolutelyshocked
I hope she is ok.

Longtimenewsee · 13/10/2022 10:25

Gosh that’s is hard @Absolutelyshocked . Could you say you are going to visit just to check she is ok? If she doesn’t want you there, it may at least get her talking ?

AvocadoPlant · 13/10/2022 12:58

Reading your message @Absolutelyshocked I hope your DD gets in touch, but if not I would raise it with student welfare given she’s dropped out of her course and is not contactable.
Can you say which uni she was at?

Absolutelyshocked · 13/10/2022 19:27

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Overeggingthepudding · 13/10/2022 19:57

Yes @Absolutelyshocked I think you should email them too. I meant *say you were going to visit in the hope she might actually respond (to the threat of a visit) and start talking but it sounds like welfare might be the best option for you

Absolutelyshocked · 13/10/2022 20:06

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bendmeoverbackwards · 14/10/2022 07:34

Sorry to hear @Absolutelyshocked I hope your dd is ok. Keep posting here, we can all offer support.

bendmeoverbackwards · 14/10/2022 07:38

@BigWoollyJumpers love your update about dd and her boyfriend, sounds like they’re doing really well.

Dd is ok but also had Freshers flu. She’s not too keen on the compulsory modules this term but seems to be enjoying her options.

She’s already in a show this weekend, dh is visiting tomorrow to watch and see her briefly between performances.

Majaso12 · 14/10/2022 10:14

@Absolutelyshocked. Sorry to hear about your dd, hope she will get in touch with you. I would have emailed welfare as well or turned up. We found out ds had sent an email to his tutor about deferring his final year and hadn’t said anything to us, so we drove down to find out what was going on. It was all to do with problems with his housemates, it was awful at the time, but he did decide to carry on and not defer. He didn’t really have a great time at uni and did his masters at a local uni which worked out much better.