Another path- the first year ......

[chopc]

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

Glad they are going to check up on her @Absolutelyshocked . x

(chop "@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". Possibly. it certainly annoyed me that all 5 children did not do anything like as much as I did during my 3 year LLB to apply for jobs etc. One was sponsored at post grad law school by her law firm where she still works so it did not affect her. Her sister was my trainee - that was around credit crunch/crash of 2008 times and it really was very hard to get jobs. The twins - one was going to have a gap year after university but covid stopped that so he decided to do the law conversion course the same year as his twin. I was happy to fund for all 5 any useful career directed post grad course in anything they chose to do. I have loved law so have no problems 4 of them picked it and I am happy to fund it for those that need it.
They did make some applications - one more than the other in each of two years at law school but did not get a contract that way. I do look at the CVs of trainees they meet on linkedin and most of them do not really have a much better set of grades or experience than my twins so I suspect some of it is just luck. They both know I don't support children after this phase however othe than letting them live in the house but buying their own food so they have the next year and a bit to think about and then apply for the first qualfied job which will not be at my firm.

One has had 5 days of trainee courses last week from home online and we were chatting about the other trainees on the course who seemed to have a lot of different backgrounds in terms of working in a different job first, or years as a paralegal or straight from studies to the job.)

Good luck to all those on the thread with children at university still including Bristol . One of my sons says he might ultimately live in Bristol as he likes it so much.

@Absolutelyshocked any update on your dd? I hope she is ok.

How's everyone doing? Just caught up on the thread. DS appears to be settling well into second year. He's tried out for the Imperial squash teams and got into the 3s, had his first match v UCL and won it so he's pretty happy. I'm so glad he's finding time for sports and exercise, so far this year he seems to be having a good work life balance, long may it last.

All good here thanks @Pumpkintopf

DD has settled into year 2 really well. Course is busier this year with 20+ hours p/w, compared to 8+, and she is enjoying the majority of her modules. She is on the committee of one of her societies this year and coupled with lovely housemates seems pretty content with uni life. Also she seems to have met a boy who is a lot more attentive than her first boyfriend.

The only small irritation is that DD's house was being renovated over the summer and as suspected this over ran and they have had lots of snagging. They had to dig up the floor in the bathroom last week as the toilet was still not working. The landlord has just decided to up the rent by £20 p/w for next year so they are back to house hunting for year 3 already.

Waves to the Exeter crowd. How is your DS getting on this year @Jng1

I'm sorry to hear your news @Notagardener

I hope a lovely family photo will give your dad's partner comfort at this difficult time. Safe travels and your DD sounds lovely to drop everything so that she can meet you to be in the photo.

Sorry to hear that @Notagardener . I hope the visit brings you all some happiness.

Glad Dc are settling into year 2 well and managing to have fun as well as the hard work. Well done to your Ds @Pumpkintopf This was my wish for Dd this year. She found Year 1 such a slog with so many teaching sessions and so much work that she was worried about going back. Anyway so far << touches wood>> her worries are unfounded- she says she’s really enjoying all her modules and has joined a new society ( as well as orchestra) and seems to be managing the work load v well.
Flatmates seem lovely and Cooking for herself also going well.. Phew! -I’m really happy that she’s happy at the moment

dc is hoping to stay where she is accommodation wise- so is just hoping it doesn’t go up too much for next year! 🙄

I think it is @Absolutelyshocked whose step mum is in hospice? In any case sorry to hear this and it's good you will meet your DD so you can see if she is Ok as well

@Pumpkintopf lovely to hear your DS is finding balance this year. My DS has got himself a job serving breakfast- he said he is free most mornings so thought he will make use of his time. He said he is OK for money so this is something he wants to do than needing to do to get by. Like Xenia, we have planned to and are lucky enough to be in a position to support DC until they have finished their education

All are welcome in this thread of course but if anyone has changed their username from when the thread started please could you update as I already have mental pics of you and your DC and like to follow their progress

DS has already informed DH that he is signing up for his house for next year. So no year abroad as we wanted. It has to be his decision as I think being amongst friends is also important for the third year and I guess as he has already studied abroad he doesn't see the attraction. Would love for my parents to have suggested and supported this though

I was also happy to hear he will be sharing again with the current housemates plus one other - hopefully it means all are gelling well

Just spoken to DD and they are all being advised rent is going up next year, as with@Dobbyismyabsolutefav. DD thinks her will be over £200 for next year. They are all getting a bit stressed, if they can't afford the rent, what happens. Where are they all going to go?? Some of them have budgets of only £120 or £140..... one of her friends is paying £190 in a six bedroom house, and hers is going up to over £200. £5k per month for a student let... bloody hell.

@Absolutelyshocked crikey you have got a lot on your plate. I really hope the meet up is helpful and that you can understand why your dd is where she is and hopefully be reassured. Sending hugs your way.

@BigWoollyJumpers - is this because they're in a rental house with bills included? Or is it purely a hike in rent? Seems very high!

@BigWoollyJumpers I know why rents are going up but the pressure it puts on the youngsters especially with the uncertainty around bills is difficult.

I've irritated my DD tonight as they have missed out on a house today so I 'helpfully' found a couple of options in their price range. Apparently she doesn't have time to look at my message because she is rushing to go out tonight. It is so difficult as a couple of her housemates are on a tight budget. I've even suggested that she pays £10+ more for a bigger room so that someone can pay less for a smaller room. There are so many lovely 4/5/6 bed houses if you want to pay £180+, not that I want to stump up this amount, but I also want DD to get something reasonable. Oh well I just need to stop being helpful/interfering.

Dd said there were students queuing during the night last night for properties in Durham. Some letting agent released its properties this morning . At extortionate prices too apparently

Hi all, DD will also be moving next year, landlord has advised the rent will be going up by £30 to £200 per week each for a 6 bed excluding bills.
Its daylight robbery!! The house is a typical student pad, everything is the absolute cheapest, wood chip paper painted over on the walls, chipboard cupboards etc.
In fairness it was clean when they moved in, but honestly it’s all such a rip off

Rant over!

DD is coming home this weekend, and one of her brothers is also coming over (he lives about an hour away and I’m guessing his gf is busy)
So looking forward to a cosy evening on Friday - though board games have been mentioned and we’re a pretty competitive group! I can’t help thinking it might be more restful to walk to the village pub for a drink and a meal instead 😂

Thankfully DS1 (Durham) is due to be abroad next year, but DD started at Exeter last month so finding accommodation for next year has been high on her priority list in the last 24 hours! Thankfully she and her mates got a deposit down on a nice 6 bedroom place today without having to pay anywhere near the £200+ being quoted elsewhere. Phew!

Sounds a lovely weekend planned @AvocadoPlant and we love a board game in our house.

I think my DD and flatmates are being unrealistic trying to secure a 6 bed house without having a rent increase.

@MidLifeCrisis007 Do you mind me asking what letting agent your DD used? Also if your DD has just signed for a 6 bed house in Sylvan Road for a decent price well done!

No, not Sylvan Road! Will PM you!

@MidLifeCrisis007 - DD is in Sylvan Road this year

Sorry, thst should be to @Dobbyismyabsolutefav

Thank you @MidLifeCrisis007 I've just pinged off an e-mail to DD with a couple of options.

@AvocadoPlant Great location. There are a few nice houses available on this road but sadly DD's house mates have a smaller budget.

By Exeter standards, this house looks like excellent value!!! £125pw!!! www.accommodationforstudents.com/property/42601-5-bed-house-newtown-exeter

Oh my bad.... I see one bedroom is £125, and the others are more. Doh!

OMG - So is DD! Small world 😂

My dd is staying in private halls accommodation next year. She wants a studio flat.

Last year there were 3 mums on here with kids at DS' Durham college. All 3 DC were in the same corridor! What are the chances?! I got more gossip via the Mumsnet mum with the DD across the corridor than I did from DS!