Getting ready to send them off!

[Maggiethecat]

Have been doing lists of things to be done before Dd goes off but must admit there's a bit of burying head in sand going on.

What are you doing to help prepare Dc/yourself ahead of the move (practical/logistics or indeed emotional preparation )

Cupboard space

"DD was the only one for whom I made the effort to provide a 'Moving up to secondary school' type book and she said it was actually the worst thing about moving up to secondary school she experienced, not an eventuality covered in the book itself, oddly enough..."

That made me laugh even more than the idea of presenting my dd with a copy of 'The places you'll go'

DD's flat kitchen wasn't too bad on cupboard space Sadless but I would have thought a couple of plates and bowls would be plenty, if all of them bring 1 or 2 spare then that allows for visitors without anyone needing a full set.

She's headed out today, hopefully when she gets back she'll have at least one flatmate!

Not much space then for all kitchen stuff as well as food need to take less. Need to start packing car soon getting abit worried now she has never been away for more then a couple of days.

Thanks sal

@SierraSapphire @HannahDefoesTrenchcoat hope you both made it ok and got the offspring installed successfully!

That's a full cupboard @HannahDefoesTrenchcoat 😁 DD's kitchen seemed to have a good amount of cupboard and fridge and freezer space, I was impressed.

@Sadless it is certainly an adjustment. Re car space, more important to fit in the things she can't just buy when she's there! Do you have a long journey tomorrow?

Very slick system in place and we were parked nice and near the halls. Dd3 needs a fridge in her room for medication and the university supplied it for her - we didn't quite believe it would be there until we saw it! She was happy to stay, feeling a bit better. Eldest dd is doing postgrad at the same uni and was on that campus today (usually on the smaller campus) so called in to say hello after her day, so that was nice.

It's Manchester it's about 25 miles or a 40 minute train ride for her to come back at weekends if she wants. Started packing the car with stuff I know she definitely needs. Going to wait till she gets home to ask about plates if she wants to keep extras in her room if she has the space.
She has found 4 girls in the flat she's in and hopefully she will be making friends this time tomorrow. I think they are brave to be moving around the country alone (my daughter not so far but far enough) to start a new life.

Thanks
Sal

All's been great for us thanks @atiaofthejulii - DD has a great room - two windows, one wall to floor looking out over green spaces and the campus. One of her best friends lives opposite and we've been out with DD's sister. She's half unpacked and hanging out with new friends tonight. The main move in starts from tomorrow so she's given other housemates a Snapchat tour. DD cried as we left the restaurant, she was more emotional than I was unexpectedly, I'm not sure it's hit me yet, it might when I get home tomorrow.

Well, all in all I was almost twelve hours door to door. Not an experience I'm keen to repeat in a hurry.

DS was the only one in his flat, the main move in is today. He and some others went to a meet and greet and he's made some friends, particularly a guitarist who is interested in starting a band with him. He sounds so happy and excited, we're completely thrilled for him.

His room stunk of smoke, not sure how as I imagined the smoke detectors would go off. We've bought some heavy duty air freshener and he's had the windows open so hopefully won't be too bad after a couple of days. The noise is terrific, particularly since we live in a very peaceful, rural area. Again he's thrilled by it all, so all good.

I on the other hand was destroyed once I'd left him. I'm over it now and am appreciative of the updates, though devoutly thankful they are positive. He's got plans to return the first weekend of November as one of his work colleagues has a surprise 60th party. She's been a huge support to him and he wants to be able to wish her happy birthday, so won't be too long till he's back.

Good luck to all making the trip today. May the traffic gods smile favourably on you 😉

Not a great start. Drive home from a Nottingham. Not sure it’s for Dd ( wast first choice) as it’s a city campus. No real welcome or Freshers reps. Small flat of 4. DD cried when we got there. She picked up once room decorated and we went out for a drink and food. I’ll be very surprised if she stays.

@Benjispruce4 - so sorry to hear that. Hope she’ll make friends and that she’ll soon feel better about being there. 💐

Oh @Benjispruce4 that must have been tough. I hope she settles in ok. Or realises in a non-traumatic way that it's not the place for her. You must feel on edge.

Dd3's flat very quiet so far! Two other people moving in at the same time as her yesterday afternoon - she did speak to one in the evening after they had been out for dinner with their family, spoke to the other briefly in the kitchen but they didn't reappear. Couple more people seemed to arrive during the evening (around 7 and then about 10) but no actual sighting of them. And then she heard another at 8am this morning but hasn't seen them either. She's used the kitchen to make and eat dinner, made a drink last night and again this morning, and said there's no sign that anyone else has used it at all (kettle level the same as she'd left it, and she even checked the bin!). Anyway, she's out this afternoon and evening with her sisters, and says if no one appears tomorrow morning she will be knocking on doors 😀

@Champagneforeveryone sounds like he's going to enjoy it and I hope his updates stay positive!

Awwww @Benjispruce4 i hope she settles soon - I know it’s been a bumpy ride for her. I know a couple of dc who had very wobbly starts but then loved their time at various unis.

Ds seems to be doing well - first night at Squirrels Uni bar at Fallowfield with his flat and then last night went to a club with his flat and another. Keeping my fingers crossed everything carrys on going well - his v long term girl friend is at Bristol so v hard for them.

we’ve driven over 600 miles since dropped ds as took dd to Durham open day (which she absolutely adored) and then revisited York which she also loves but Durham seems to be top of the list. She has no idea where else to apply to so may put ucas in with just these 2 initially and then figure out the rest.

We’ve had a text to say she’s been invited out and was going. 🤞🏻

@Benjispruce4 great news - hope she had a fab time!

Dd arrived in halls just as the party was getting started. She's a party girl but it was a bit full on. Her boyfriend is staying a few days so that's nice. I tried to reassure her that they are all nervous, drinking too much and generally being pretty silly to begin with. She finds good friends usually but apparently spent all night crying.

@Benjispruce4 So pleased you got a positive update.
@stilldumdedumming Hopefully a fresh start this morning.

@Benjispruce4
We dropped our DS1 at his Nottingham City centre accommodation yesterday.
Had an argument with him as I told him to grab a trolley while I spoke to check in,when I turned round they had all gone!
I think city centre living will suit my son especially as the nightclub he goes to most often is a stones throw away.
I'm sure your daughter will be fine after a few nights out,walk abouts with her roommate's etc
Last year's halls of residence experience wasn't great.
Fingers crossed for all the new starters.

I’m finally off, having come down with her on Thursday. She took her room on Friday but fares made more sense for me to leave today 😉
Did a few things, wandered around by myself but it was good to be around just in case she needed anything.
She couldn’t wait to see the back of me today!!

My DD would not let us buy her some cider. She really doesn’t drink much and has decided not to drink at all I think.

She has 2 or 3 societies that she is planning to join which will be social and active. She’s had a gap year doing a demanding job and knows herself a lot better.

Her older sister’s boyfriend told DD that he didn’t drink or go clubbing in freshers but he has loved university. He did well with his degree and was treasurer for a busy society and is part of a sporty group too. I guess I’m saying that a slow start may lead to a really happy time.

My oldest DD threw herself into socialising and spent most of her time at uni in a big city in clubs where the condensation from the sweat dripped off the ceiling and week nights they went out at midnight. She just about pulled it around for the degree but and is happy and responsible now!

Well DS finally got an email from uni accommodation yesterday evening offering him a place in halls!
A bit bloody late now. Plus moving in day is the day his course starts?
And it's one hour by bus away.
So no thanks.
Sticking with the private shared house we secured!

@HannahDefoesTrenchcoat Dd same .. offered to buy some drinks but she's not a drinker and decided not to .. a bit nervous about freshers but feeling reassured and a share some of the comments on here

DD FaceTimed and last night wasn’t great. She was relieved to be asked but this group had already bonded as been there a week(!) Today she has sat in the flat kitchen for over an hour hoping to see one of the other 3 flatmates but nobody around. She has no timetable, no contact from reps. I’ve said to walk over to the SU. This isn’t what we expected. Thought all her flatmates would want to make friends and find stuff out together but 2 have friends/gf in their rooms .

DD took a bottle of gin and I brought her another one, 4 flat mates sat and shared this before heading out on the town! One was still with family and the other locked in her room worried about flat sharing!
They seem happier today and plodding along nicely.

she knows we’re here if she needs us and has booked a flight back home for October and Christmas.

DS was in clearing and so didn’t get uni halls, but was lucky to secure private halls. Disparate bunch in his flat so he’s on a mission to socialise going to the SU bar each night and putting himself out there. It’s important to get out there and be open rather than wait for people to come to you, no matter how nerve wracking this may be. Can she join any clubs? They are great for connecting with like minded people.

DS was in clearing and so didn’t get uni halls, but was lucky to secure private halls. Disparate bunch in his flat so he’s on a mission to socialise going to the SU bar each night and putting himself out there. It’s important to get out there and be open rather than wait for people to come to you, no matter how nerve wracking this may be. Can she join any clubs? They are great for connecting with like minded people.