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Higher education

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

Original poster

Ds thinking of doing extra project over summer for 8 weeks at Uni.

33 replies

ServantofthePeople · 03/04/2022 18:11

My son is planning his summer. They’ve announced at his college that they’ve got funding available for some new projects. It involves staying at university and doing a project that’s unconnected to your degree.

I feel a bit odd about this. Firstly I think it would be good for him to get a job and earn some money over the summer. Secondly if he is going to do something creative/intellectual it seems to me it would be more mind expanding to do it somewhere else - ideally overseas.

After my first year of university I went into raining that summer. What sort of things have your kids done in the first summer starting uni? What do you think about the idea of staying there throughout quite a lot of the summer – does anyone else feel it might make you a bit stale for the place?

OP posts:
Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 03/04/2022 18:12

Inter-railing!

OP posts:
GregBrawlsInDogJail · 03/04/2022 18:14

It's not your call..?

It's not like he's announced a plan to spend the summer selling drugs or even playing Xbox around the clock. And he has other summers he can go interrailing in if he wants. A funded uni project that adds to his breadth could be an excellent thing to have on his CV.

Makinglists · 03/04/2022 18:25

After my first year I got a summer job in a factory on a production line - it was dull but I earned money. His opportunity sounds great - he's always got the following summer to do something 'exciting'. Its his call I'm afraid though.

Loopytiles · 03/04/2022 18:26

Is it paid? If not, is money an issue?

I think the main thing is to do SOMETHING!

Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 05/04/2022 08:38

Thanks.

Yes, doing something matters.
I’m just surprised and having misgivings about staying in the Uni town.

OP posts:
SandyIrvine · 05/04/2022 09:17

DD stayed in uni town last summer (Edinburgh) for work. She enjoyed it and made a different set of friends. However despite working 6 days a week only managed to save £600 over the 3 months. My DS2 did a summer project one year (Glasgow). In his case location definitely mattered. I can't have imagined him staying on a campus university or sleepy town which is dead over the summer without students. DS2s project turned out to be useful in getting a job on graduation. They commented on this in interview feedback.

Loopytiles · 05/04/2022 10:33

What’re your misgivings? If he won’t be earning money for the things he wants to do, and will incur extra costs for housing, that’d make sense!

Duracellbunnywannabe · 05/04/2022 10:36

He is an adult. Surely it’s his choice.

Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 05/04/2022 14:27

thanks Sandy.

OP posts:
Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 05/04/2022 14:28

re misgivings I worry about burnout. lots of them are burning out, apparently. he was completely burnt out last summer after A levels and it was a nightmare for me. I can assure Duracell that having turned 18 made no difference to his needs.....

he's been bright as a button since heading off for uni again and I want him to (i) stay that way (ii) get some sense of responsibility for earning money.

OP posts:
poetryandwine · 05/04/2022 14:34

You say the project is funded: is there any chance he will be earning from it?

If not, and if the reality is that he needs the money, then unfortunately that is that. But I would think he wants to do this because he is enthusiastic and the opposite of burned out. I agree it is likely to be an asset to his CV. So unless needs beckon, I would be supporting it.

NerrSnerr · 05/04/2022 14:42

I imagine life is good in his university city. He has freedom, he has friends (and some may stay over the summer- I did, and many others did too) and he wants to continue.

Does he have a job in that city he could continue doing party time?

cloudyrain · 05/04/2022 14:54

My DD stayed in her uni city last summer and worked locally, she was in a house share and wanted to enjoy the freedom. This year she has to come home for 3 months as there is a gap between her accommodation rental dates, it will be nice to see her but a week or so would have been fine! She came home for a week at Christmas and will only be home for the long Easter weekend not the whole break.
I understand about burn out after A levels but a first year of a degree is often far less exhausting or completely different

Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 05/04/2022 15:08

thanks this is all really helpful.

I'll miss him too!

lots of conflicting feeling, some more legit than others!

OP posts:
MaChienEstUnDick · 05/04/2022 15:11

Once I left home I didn't go back, moved to my uni city age 21 and that was where I lived so I don't get any angst about uni cities becoming 'stale' - they're places where people live.

If you're supporting him financially then of course it's within your rights to say 'I didn't budget for the summer too so you'll need to get a job alongside this project'. But essentially I think it's nothing to do with you, 100% his choice.

purplecorkheart · 05/04/2022 15:23

Can he afford not to earn this summer or does the projects pay.

This could be an excellent opportunity to gain experience and make contacts that could serve him well when trying to start a career.

Darbs76 · 05/04/2022 17:18

Sounds like a good opportunity, sure you will miss him though

Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 05/04/2022 18:58

I think I’ll talk to him about the money side

OP posts:
EwwSprouts · 06/04/2022 08:29

I would be very reassured that he is enjoying university life, making good connections outside his course and wanting to do something that will contribute to his CV such as working as part of a team.

Original poster
ServantofthePeople · 07/04/2022 11:20

thank you sprouts.

you're right.

lots of conflicting emotions here - that's why we're not in charge of our grown kids any more I guess :) :) :)

OP posts:
JudgeRindersMinder · 07/04/2022 11:30

I think it depends entirely on finances

Seeline · 07/04/2022 11:37

My DSs second year house had a lease starting at the beginning of July so he spent a lot of time in his uni town last summer as he was paying for the accommodation anyway.

This year he is doing similar, but at least he has a job too this summer - carrying on with his coffee shop work that he does doing term time, so not related to his degree.

He is 20 - it's really up to him.

parietal · 07/04/2022 11:42

it will be excellent for his CV. encourage him to do it.

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/04/2022 11:43

Sounds sensible to me. He can add it to his CV.

user1487194234 · 07/04/2022 17:31

Mine spend a lot of time in the summers in their University cities
Do come home a bit,went on holiday ,did some tutoring
Entirely up to them
I pay their rents
I always think,when I was their age what would I have preferred to do ,stay at home with my parents or have fun in my Uni flat
Let me think...