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

Good to hear all your updates 😊

We went up to see Dd last weekend. Lovely trip although the weather was a bit bracing.
Finally got to the coast up there… big waves and so windy. Blew away a few cobwebs!.

She was in really good spirits.. and ( so far) enjoying second year much more than first . She’s really pleased her exams are going to be in person this year.

No accommodation signed yet- hoping to stay put and is waiting for that to be confirmed.

Ha, I was annoyed when dd signed on for her current flat for 2 years instead of 1 year, I was worried she might "get stuck with it". Looks like it may be a good idee after all . Well, who knows...? All is a bit of an unknown.

Yes, it'sme 😁

Well my DS is apparently the best cook in the house , he needs to organise everyone else and he said he thinks he should be a househusband as he will be good at it and can play golf all day ......

You know what it actually got me thinking. There is no rush in life is there? Is there really such a hurry to start a career soon after you graduate? Of course they will need to get some form of work to support themselves but they will be working for a looong time no? So is there anything wrong with doing odd jobs, travelling and even just bumming around ? Can career and possibly the rate race wait?

@Notagardener I think your DD has made a good call securing accommodation for both years.

@chopc I've have had a similar conversation with my DD. She always knew she didn't want to take a gap year before uni but didn't realise she could after her degree, bless her. So maybe a fun year working, travelling and then have the space to apply for a job without the pressure of studying.

A year away from studying was so useful for my DD. Her brothers went straight into their courses from A levels but as they were Maths heavy that was probably the right decision.

So, I’m happy to report that DD has probably got her accommodation sorted for next year. And is now focussed on the Christmas Ball with the Cheer Soc, and hopefully her course work!

In other good news, DDs been told there’s a chance her internship which was due to finish at Christmas will be extended to the summer (funding permitted).

This is quite outing, but I’ve recently found out that an intern where I work is on an unpaid internship through Bath university. I was really surprised - I thought (mistakenly) that these had been phased out as unfair to students as they only really benefit those whose family can afford to support them for the year.

I think a year or so out or a year doing other things ( travelling etc) is an excellent idea if they can do it … before or after uni. I wish DD’s elder brother had taken some time out of study before uni. He really wasn’t ready for it, struggled throughout and didn’t fully engage with much of it at all.
I also think taking time after graduation to do other things whilst working out the next step is a good idea

Are anyone else’s Dc doing integrated masters? Or am I going to be all on my lonesome speaking into a void from summer 2024 😁. DD’s 4th year is supposed to be a year abroad . I say ‘supposed’ as I’ve learnt with my Dc never to count my chickens as they have a knack of throwing out a curveball. I believe nothing is set in stone re the qualification she ends up leaving with as can switch to bsc and do 3 years or complète 4th year in uk .

Ha ha, yes , agree with taking a year out before or after ( as dc1 is currently doing). Not sure about it in the middle of a course like Dc2...

Dd1 took a year out before university. I advised her to do this because I felt that she wasn’t ready. Also she was unsure about what degree she wanted to do.
it was the best decision ever. She spent three months working in public health in East Africa and then worked for the rest of the year.
When she went to university she was more confident and had saved some money.
She is loving her time at university and is doing really well

Ah yes @Notagardener . That was certainly a curveball . Hope it is all going well with her.
dd had a return ticket booked back to uni on a train strike day in Jan. She’s just rebooked for the first Monday of term (when hopefully things should have settled down) She will have to miss first lecture but should get to afternoon ones ok.

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav Exeter Xmas market is lovely! Plenty to see but not too big, all centred around Cathedral Green (Cathedral also open foc to visitors).

I wish we’d been able to stay a bit longer as it’s the Carnival parade today too, but a combination of rubbish weather and difficulty booking a central hotel meant we just paid a flying visit.

Will definitely make a weekend trip next year I think.

@AvocadoPlant Sounds lovely and I'm really looking forward to my weekend in Exeter. So many lovely restaurants to choose from and obviously catching up with DD. Facetime is great but a proper hug is what I want!

Maybe the Exeter crowd should meet up at the Christmas Market next year. Coffee and cake at Eat on the Green would be perfect.

Yes to the hugs - so lovely to get a proper hug
And yes to a meet up - would be fun to meet in the real world 😁

@AvocadoPlant I'm sure there will be a few bumps in the road but if our young adults get through to year 3 then I think we will deserve a glass of something. Exeter Christmas Market will be perfect.

Don't worry @Overeggingthepudding I will be back on this thread for some advice for gap year suggestions so you won't be left on your own.

@AvocadoPlant @Dobbyismyabsolutefav Xmas market by the Cathedral sounds fab. DD hasn't been yet! She did go on a Uni trip to Bath though this weekend, and went to the Xmas market there. She had a lovely day out with BF.

Yes, to meeting up next year, why not? Perhaps we need to book those city hotels early. We could stay in DD's flat, as they have a two bed, but obviously only share the one..... it's bit cold and damp for me though! Anyone tried the new Marriott yet? Out by the Rubgy ground??

@KnittedCardi I bet the Christmas Market in Bath was lovely.

So that sounds like a plan for Exeter next year. I haven't seen the new Marriott yet but will have a look. I'm staying in an airbnb in St James in a fortnight which I've used before.

@KnittedCardi I bet the Christmas Market in Bath was lovely.

So that sounds like a plan for Exeter next year. I haven't seen the new Marriott yet but will have a look. I'm staying in an airbnb in St James in a fortnight which I've used before.

@KnittedCardi no, haven’t been to the Marriott. We’ve tended to stay at the Southgate Mercure - really central, only a few minutes walk to the cathedral and shops.
Bath Xmas market is my local one, but gets very busy with lots of coach parties 😁

Nice to hear everyone's news.

It would be lovely for all the Exeter people to meet up, I'm excited for you and I don't even have an Exeter dc!

I haven't seen dd for ages and really missing her. We chat/facetime several times a week. She's feeling quite stressed with a lot going on. They had a difficult time looking for a third year house - they found one place in a good location and a reasonable rent but it has a bit of mould. One girl in the group said that was an absolute no no and even offered to pull out of the group (which wouldn't really help as they would have had to find an alternative person). Dd was worrying they'd be stuck without anywhere. In the end they signed up but this girl is insisting on the biggest room which is (currently) mould free.

They've already contacted the landlord and he seems to be quite responsive and helpful so hopefully the mould issue will be sorted before their tenancy starts in July. I think it's hard to find student accommodation that's completely mould or damp free, it's a very common problem.

Dd had an assignment that was due yesterday, it was a presentation they had to do and film themselves. She says it's not her best work but it's done now. Then she is in a play so busy with rehearsals for that. I think she's starting to realise she might have taken on a bit too much extra curricular stuff, she will def cut down next year.

When do your dc's terms finish? Dd doesn't finish till 16th December, very late!

Ooh lovely to come on and see so many messages! Haven't checked in in a while - fab to hear all the news.

@Overeggingthepudding DS also doing an integrated masters 😅

@bendmeoverbackwards 16th December here too

DD is having to come home on the 15th. I think the trains will be carnage that day due to strikes either side!

Count me in for any Exeter meet-ups! 😀

@AvocadoPlant Regarding unpaid internships, sadly they seem very much still around! I was similarly shocked to discover the DC of a friend was doing essentially a 9-month unpaid internship for the second year of her MA and also paying the university £5k for the privilege, not to mention accommodation & living costs on top!
At least when DS1 did his STEM year in industry he was properly paid (£19k).

One very happy DD and one very happy Mum, third year accommodation secured this morning!

Waves @Jng1

Dd also signed a tenancy for next year this morning . She’s staying in the same place and it’s gone up by £11pw ( bills included) which I thought was pretty good considering some of the price hikes in Durham .