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Higher education

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

Original poster

LSE as an undergrad.. experineces and tips

55 replies

ChateauMargaux · 11/08/2022 23:03

My son is heading to LSE as an undergrad.. all new to us, he plays sport, has lived a sheltered life in rural France for the past 10 years, more sheltered than normal because of covid.

Any tips for settling in, finding a tribe and making the most of the first year without being overwhelmed?

OP posts:
Notagardener · 27/09/2022 19:28

Yes, DD is in year 2 now, but she comes from a small rural school, and loves being in London, meeting so many different people, student societies fit in with her course....

Understartersorders · 13/10/2022 21:22

How are all of your LSE undergrads getting on? After a tough start where he felt totally at sea, DS is throwing himself into life at LSE. For a guy who had few friends at school and college, he has finally found his people. Workload is crazy though, he seems to spend hours studying!

doubleshotcappuccino · 15/10/2022 17:57

Ditto for Dd :-) Settled in .. working hard but loving it ..

Understartersorders · 16/10/2022 11:12

Hi all. Just a word of warning for your young people, my DS was jumped and assaulted on his way back to Bankside Halls with his girlfriend last night. Fortunately he is ok, just a black eye and bruises probably only thanks to the passer by who intervened. It wasn’t particularly late and it was a busy well lit area near the Tate Modern. Just give your kids a heads up to be aware of who’s around them.

Original poster
ChateauMargaux · 16/10/2022 12:25

@Understartersorders ... I am so sorry for your son and his girlfriend and for you as it's not easy to be away from your children when they are hurt / traumatised / scared.

OP posts:
Understartersorders · 16/10/2022 12:46

@ChateauMargaux thank you. It’s been a very worrying 12 hours, fortunately he’s out of A&E now and on his way back to his halls

doubleshotcappuccino · 16/10/2022 20:19

@Understartersorders I'm so sorry to hear that must have been a very scary ordeal for them and you just must have been beside yourself with worry... really hope they are both ok

Understartersorders · 16/10/2022 22:12

@doubleshotcappuccino thank you. They are both pretty shaken up and he’s quite badly bruised. I drove up to Bankside to collect him tonight, he can’t attend classes because he can’t see properly, and he needs to be kept an eye on overnight as he’s got a huge lump on his head. Such a shame after settling in so well, although it was wonderful to see his new friends all waiting with him and wishing him well as he got into the car. Hopefully he will be able to go back in a couple of days and pick up where he left off.

Notagardener · 16/10/2022 22:38

DC1 was also once attacked in London, middle of the day, with another friend. Since then he carried an empty old wallet to throw at any attacker wanting money

Oldowl · 16/10/2022 22:45

@Understartersorders I am really sorry to hear about your DS and his GF. I hope they recover quickly from their ordeal.

DD had her phone snatched out of her hands by a masked youth on a bike near St Paul's this time last year. She gave chase 😱but luckily they were too quick as they would almost definitely have had a knife on them. She was shaken up for weeks to have been robbed in broad daylight.

doubleshotcappuccino · 17/10/2022 06:23

@Understartersorders so disappointing for him and you to be set back after such a great start. I know this is stating the obvious but so frustrating that these mindless acts of violence have to take away from what is otherwise a beautiful city to study in and a campus right in the heart of so much history. Wishing him a speedy recovery and that he can get back to the school soon and continue to enjoy his experience.

Understartersorders · 17/10/2022 10:10

@Notagardener @Oldowl sorry to hear your DCs have also experienced something similar.

@doubleshotcappuccino I think he will go back a bit more street smart and aware of what can happen. I think he (and I) naively thought things like this wouldn’t happen to him because he’s quite sensible, but in a big city it’s more common than we think. But he loves London and I don’t think he will let this ruin his experience. Thank you all for your well wishes x

doubleshotcappuccino · 17/10/2022 11:22

@Understartersorders that's great to hear .. yes it truly is a wonderful place to live and study .. really wish him the very best and you and glad to hear his enthusiasm is not dampened.

lightand · 17/10/2022 11:27

Understartersorders · 18/08/2022 19:48

DS is studying History and Politics so they may cross paths @doubleshotcappuccino

Hi
Out of interest is it correct that that course only allows 15 students on it?

lightand · 17/10/2022 11:29

And gosh. Just read what happened to your son and gilrfriend. Awful. Sorry that happened.

Understartersorders · 17/10/2022 11:40

lightand · 17/10/2022 11:27

Hi
Out of interest is it correct that that course only allows 15 students on it?

Show quote history

Yes that’s right, although they are part of the International History department which is bigger.

Original poster
ChateauMargaux · 17/10/2022 12:01

Your poor boy @Understartersorders .. love, hugs, arnica and lavender oil. I hope the night was OK and you are all wrapped in blankets drinking hot chocolate today.

OP posts:
Notagardener · 17/10/2022 12:30

Lots of cool societies with IR. As per my daughter. She has been visiting various embassies. Model UN is another favourite

doubleshotcappuccino · 18/10/2022 19:00

@Understartersorders how is your DS been doing this week ? Hopefully on the mend xxx

Understartersorders · 19/10/2022 06:35

@doubleshotcappuccino he’s doing much better, thank you for asking. His injuries are healing well and he seems to be processing what has happened. The care shown by LSE has been amazing, his professors and academic advisor have all sent personal messages and offered their time and support when he returns. He’s hoping to be back in London by the weekend so he can settle back in ready for classes next week. I’m so proud of his resilience and his determination to put this behind him and not let it derail him xx

doubleshotcappuccino · 19/10/2022 06:59

@Understartersorders so pleased to hear he's recovering and that's he's had support and personal messages and support. Must have been a very worrying time for you, there does seem to be a lot of support from the students and staff when needed which is very reassuring. Xxx

Xanum · 05/11/2022 17:30

DS brought hone two friends from LSE for his birthday. Which settled the social question!

He says the work is difficult and thinks will get harder. Probably right.

Must be a shock to be surrounded by A students all the time.

Original poster
ChateauMargaux · 05/11/2022 19:38

@Xanum .. that is lovely to hear. I hope you all had a lovely time.

We saw DS last week.. it was lovely. Seems to beloving it!!

OP posts:
Original poster
ChateauMargaux · 05/11/2022 19:41

I do remember the shock of being in a roomful of people who were used to getting the answer first.. in DS's case... it's a roomful of people who can use big words!

OP posts:
Needmoresleep · 06/11/2022 10:11

ChateauMargaux, in contrast DS was surprised that no one seemed to speak in classes. It appeared to be partly a cultural thing. Those from East Asia were used to listening and learning but not contributing, whereas DS came from a private school with small classes and a lot of interaction. The discussion seemed to come in the informal study/friendship groups they formed themselves.

Since the thread is labelled "tips" it might be worth noting that for the more quantitative courses, the second year tends to be the toughest. It is well worth looking ahead and putting in the extra effort on first year maths and stats courses if there will be compulsory second year courses that follow on from them. One of DS' close friends was incredibly hard working, and came from the sort of background where intensive tutoring was the norm, but probably reached her ceiling in terms of maths aptitude at A level. With a lot of effort she somehow got through the second year, and in third year was able to opt for things like economic history and philosophy that suited her better. (But left the UK as soon as she could vowing not to return. The LSE was not a happy time for her.)

The advantage of having the tough year in the middle is that if you are doing well by the time you reach the third year the pressure is off and you can opt for courses that interest you. Equally if you are struggling these are not final exams so there is scope to resit or even repeat the year, or to make up for poor grades by doing well in your third year.