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

[ServantofthePeople]

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?

I think if your son finds it beneficial for him, its worth going for it. My daughter would do the same. She prefers her independance rather than staying with the folks at home. Plus it will look good on CV's too for him.

IF you can all afford it… then…

He should do it.

People live in places where there are universities all the time. He’ll be fine.

Upon graduation, employers have to try hard to differentiate between graduates. This sounds like it will help massively.

He wants to do it. People always do well at stuff they really want to do.

Arrange a short trip home for him after 4 weeks, or go and stay over somewhere nearby yourself for the weekend.

It's very unusual these days for students to go travelling just for the sake of it in the summer like the olden days.
Most are doing internships/summer projects/working in their old jobs to save up

‘It's very unusual these days for students to go travelling just for the sake of it in the summer like the olden days.
Most are doing internships/summer projects/working in their old jobs to save up“

Really? I did not know that!

Way back in 1997, between my second and final year at uni, I stayed there for most of the summer because I'd been awarded a research scholarship. It meant being paid an amount (not as much as I earned on a factory line which is what I did for work when at home) but getting to do actual research with academics at the uni. I loved it, didn't mind that all the other undergrads had gone home and had managed to negotiate free accommodation so it didn't cost my parents or me any more than we were already committed to.

It’s not easy to get a job for 8 weeks either...

This sounds like a great opportunity. I’ll be delighted if one of my DC do something like this in the future

Ok I will support