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

DC taking a year out but still busy in committee of a student society, related to her course. Can earn enough money to support herself and planning on doing some courses.
Still no idea what prompted this decision ...

@Notagardener . Sounds like she has thought it through and has a plan in place. Very glad she is ok. x

@Notagardener second what @Overeggingthepudding said. She seems to be "ok"? What is your take on it?

Bless her. As long as she is happier, and has straightened things out in her mind, I guess that's for the best. She seems to still be engaging with her subject though, so with the courses, she's still on track, but just needed some time out.

@AvocadoPlant Your DD seems very busy, good for her. I chatted with DD but she doesn't think she know's your DD. My DD is still quite shy and pretty content to just womble along! She never goes out, but does have people in, but more for tea and cake, than wild parties. She is very happy though, so I can't complain.

So, we think/hope next year is sorted. After a frantic weekend, of the landlord putting their flat up for rental, and getting people in to look, they finally got hold of him, to ask why he didn't ask them first? They were very upset. Turns out he thought they were third years......, so he has given them until Nov 1st for 1st refusal. He is only putting rent up by £6 so just over £200 with bills inc. so I think they will go for it again. Even if the BF goes off on a year abroad, one of DD's friends can come in and take over the rental from him, as she is not happy with her current group. Fingers crossed it all turns out alright in the end.

Another bit of news for all Exeter peeps (and others). So, it always happens to DD, just one of those things. She is the smallest, most anxious, stressy child, but always steps in to help others.

She got assaulted in Sidwell Street (slightly dodgy area) by a mentally unstable woman. She was walking down to her gym and noticed an Asian girl, young, tiny, being repeatedly pushed into the road and screamed at by this older woman. DD, also 5ft nothing, tiny, runs over and shields the other girl, and helps her back to the pavement. The woman continues to hit DD, until she backs off, and starts on someone else. Literally no-one else stepped up to help. I am so proud of DD, but very sorry that no-one else helped. Unfortunately I can't get DD to report it, she is too anxious, despite her acknowledging that the police need to know. She only has a small bruise but I did point out that it could have been worse and could be worse next time for someone else. I will try to work on her when she comes home this weekend, she can maybe fill out a form on-line.

@BigWoollyJumpers so sorry to read this - unfortunately its not an isolated incident, and if its the same person, the police are aware.
Am sending you a PM.

Sorry - typing on phone and hit post too early!
Really hope your DD is okay and how incredibly brave of her to step in to that situation and rescue the other woman. True courage.

Your poor DD @BigWoollyJumpers I do hope that she feels that she can report the incident as it could have escalated to something a lot more serious.

In other Exeter related dramas, DD was out clubbing with her medic "parents" last week . A girl collapsed in the night club and the boys dashed over to help... they put her in the recovery position and checked her pulse etc (even though it was highly likely she'd just had a shandy too many). The bouncer was really angry and claimed they were assaulting her even when they explained they were medics. He claimed you can't be a medic when in a night club!

@BigWoollyJumpers how horrid for your DD .....really sorry to hear this

@BigWoollyJumpers . I hope your Dd is ok and she’s not too upset by the incident. I hope she can find a way to report it.
You must be v proud of your girl .. she sounds amazing

As they say, not getting easier when children grow up.

Nope - It never gets easier does it.

Totally agree this parenting malarkey doesn't get any easier.

Blimey it's all going on in Exeter!

@BigWoollyJumpers that must have been very scary for your DD. She was very brave to help the other girl. What a shame that, from what avocado says it might not be an isolated incident.

Amused by the bouncer 'deciding' that medics couldn't be medics in a club!

@Notagardener this does all sound very puzzling. Great that your DD seems to have a plan in place and can support herself- so presumably is staying in her London accommodation? And presumably LSE have agreed her plan? Would she have articulated it more fully to them do you think? Not that I think they'll share it with you, just that it might help to know she has thought it all through even if for some reason she can't explain it to you right now.

I completely agree that parenting doesn't get any easier. I remember laughing when parents of older children told me that in my sleep deprived mother of a newborn state- but I hadn't appreciated that when they go out into the world and suddenly you can't control their entire environment, friends, etc- how tough it can be. New challenges all the time and I thought I was done once DS got into uni 🤷‍♀️

How are the Durham contingent getting on with their third year houses? Over on the WIWIKAU, there are posts of mile long queues, and parents in despair because the rents have doubled!

@Pumpkintopf yes in fact she has a 2 year contract for accommodation and she feels confident her job (which she had as a part-time job already) can pay for it. She has flexible hours. She says uni has approved the break. She is still active with various societies (committee keeps her busy). Welfare are aware of her ....through me...

But this was all discussed in the 10 min that I met up with her🙂

@BigWoollyJumpers . Dd has it in a request at her private halls to stay put for Yr 3 . Year 4 is year abroad.

@BigWoollyJumpers I've just been reading about the accommodation issues at Durham on Facebook what I nightmare for the students.

Well the Durham accommodation fiasco made the BBC Kent news! Do you think someone started a rumour and it all went from there?

@Notagardener that's a tough challenge to cover all that in the ten minutes you had. Any chance of another meet up soon? You've got so much going on at the moment, I hope you're ok.

Just seeing her has actually put my mind at rest.

Hope everyone for whom it is still relevant had a lovely half term! DH and I took a couple of days off and had a trip to Birmingham with dd. Confirmed her thoughts that this is her university of choice and it was nice for me to see the campus (and for all of us to see something of the city). It seems very vibrant with lots of construction going on!

We went on the open day of Birmingham uni with dc3! Yes I also liked it how easy it was to just take a short train ride straight into the Bullring😁