Annnddd they're off! Uni Starters 2023 Thread.

[Titsywoo]

Hi all,

I thought I'd start a different thread as the Alevels and beyond one is more geared to remarks and clearing at this point so didn't want to start derailing that with chat off packing and freshers week.

How is everyone getting on with helping their DC prepare and the idea that soon they will be moving away?

My DD is off to Cardiff to read psychology so will be about 3.5 hours drive away. I'm both nervous and excited for her right now! Packing is going well - pretty much all stuff has been bought and the induction pan set should arrive today. There is a large pile on the landing which keeps growing as we think of extra bits.

Due to a very lucky spot by me when scrolling Tiktok DD has found and been added to the Cardiff Psychology year 1 snapchat group. From that she got chatting to some others who aren't massively into drinking or clubbing and they have another chat for people who want to do other things than clubbing. They are organising meeting for some of the SU 'Give it a go' events such as an escape room and Ikea trip! Dd has also persuaded a couple of people to join the Hookers society with her (for crocheting! 😄).

Dd had a terrible time with bullying and social isolation from year 5 till the end of sixth form so I am praying this is the new start where she finally finds her tribe 🤞🙏

Looking forward to hearing how everyone's DC is getting on and how the first few weeks are for them. Not long to go now! DD leaves in 20 days 😬

DS2 is also off to York on the 17th. DS1 is at Nottingham. It's been lovely having them both together over the summer.
In two weeks we will have an empty nest. Massive changes ahead.

@cptartapp is he looking forward to York? What’s he studying? Has he got accom sorted? DD doing Business and in Derwent. yes it’s going to be odd without her around. We aren’t quite empty nest yet as have DD3 but it does feel a bit sudden as DD1 moved out in May and now DD2 in 2 weeks! I’m sure I’ll still be cooking mountains!

@lastdayatschool that is a bit of a journey! Will he fly back for hols?

Hello - could I join please? DS did A Levels last year but had a year out and is off to Newcastle in a couple of weeks time. Despite having had an extra year to get ready I’ve been in denial that he was going and so don’t seem to have got too much yet…,hopefully will get it all sorted soon!

His gf is also going to Newcastle which was coincidental - he’d decided on it before meeting her and I think she had as well. They deliberately chose different accommodation blocks and I’m hoping it will all go well.

Am going to miss him - has been nice having him around more this year. Although DD going into year 13 so get to do it all again now!

Seems to be a few people going to York - I went there and now live less than 2 miles from the campus. Is a good place to go 😊

Do unis start later in England? DS is off to Edinburgh on the 9th. He's all packed and ready to go. It's just the two of us at home (and the dog) so it's going to be a big change. Exciting though.

Wow - lots going to York! My dd is too. She's been told she should arrive on the 16th though - I guess maybe they stagger arrivals across the weekend.

I don't feel as though we're very prepared! Dd is looking forward to it, but sort of a bit in denial about how imminent it is and having to do things! We haven't even thought about packing yet, and although we've made a list of things to buy, we haven't actually bought much yet. Interesting to hear about the FB groups for students. We'll have to check that out!

Yes, he most certainly will lol.

Hi all!
Ds is off to London at the end of the month. We are in Scotland, so a bit of a trek, but straightforward on the train. We'll both help him down with some initial belongings, and have a wee overnight in the big smoke for fun.
He hasn't been allocated his accommodation yet, so doesn't know what area he's living in (there is a spread location wise). No hint of anything being organised or packed here. To be fair, still pretty early days. But, he has joined a few societies already and pretty much already sorted a uni job!

@blametheparents I’ve avoided the derailed Exeter thread which has morphed into something completely else!

Yes, the usual culprits did rather take that one off topic. Some of them could start a fight in am empty room

Saw some moving in on wiwikau yesterday, the rooms look so much better than back in my day.

@RainBow725 dd3 is also off to Birmingham in 2 weeks. Which accommodation does your ds have? Dd will be in Tennis Courts and hasn’t managed to find anyone else in her flat on the group chats yet.

My niece was in Tennis courts a couple of years ago and was very happy there. She lives with the flatmates she had then in a house share now.

He's studying Chemistry, doing the Mchem, four year integrated masters. He has Vanbrough.
Yes I think he's looking forward to it. I'm more concerned about him than his brother though, he's a lot quieter and less confident. Just hoping he meets a nice crowd.

@TeaAndALemonTart blown away by some of the photos of the rooms at Heriot Watt. Looked more like 4star hotel rooms than student halls.

DD2 going to Royal Holloway in two weeks.
NOTHING done!
DD1 did her degree there so we're slightly ahead of the curve in that we know the do's and don'ts.
Luckily DD1 is picking up a lot of the slack.
Going to IKEA this week but being second time round we're not going to go mad.
She's just turned 18 and very immature compared to her sister when she went away so a completely different kettle of fish.
We're buying her a ninja one person air fryer as she cannot cook for toffee but can easily make a meal in our ninja so that should solve the no cook issue.
I imagine there will be multiple air fryers lined up on the worktop!!
In hindsight should have started earlier stocking up on toiletries months ago!
She's going to have a minimal allowance to live off til she finds a job so sending her off fully stocked with her hair products (has curly hair so really need these).
Determined not to pack the car sky high with stuff that won't be used but come the day I'm sure it'll be just as bad!
Luckily have the Lakeland drier from DD's time as that will save her a tidy sum in drying bills.

My problem is that she's my baby.
I'm heartbroken that she'll be leaving even though I'm so unbelievably proud of her and she can't wait.
Still i can see lots of tears.
With DD1 it was literally drop her stuff off and told to leave.
Can't believe I'm crying as I type this!!!!

@Outnumberedbytwo My DS is in Tennis Courts too! I think he's only found one other in his flat so far in the WhatsApp group.

Thank you @Wiii , good to know your niece was happy in Tennis Courts! I’m sure dd3 will be fine, we saw Tennis Courts on the offer holders day and it seemed friendly and sociable according to the students she met.

Those of you going to York, is it York Uni or St John? DD is St John and hasn't been given any kind of arrival slot yet. It's concerning me as her accommodation is huge with no parking by the looks of things.

I just moved my DD into Heriot watt yesterday - in Galashiels though!

Ah, that’s cool, @RainBow725 . Maybe they’ll bump into each other in freshers week! Dd is doing natural sciences, how about your ds?

@MermaidEyes Uni of York for my DD - she was given accom type and the college within days of results (none of her 7 choices but she’s just happy to be on campus). She’s meant to find out the room & block sometime next week. Maybe worth you asking on the FB page ‘WIWIKAU’ as there’s a lot more traffic.

@cptartapp everyone always says they find their tribe and I do think that’s likely as similar types will choose similar courses.

DS is off to University of Manchester soon. Not sure exactly when as they've not been given this information yet!
His halls look nice on the website (it's one of the newer ones thankfully) with his own bathroom.

Been collecting stuff for a few weeks now - deliberating an air fryer as we have one here and he uses it all the time. He says he'll just chuck stuff in the oven (as electric is included anyway!) but we'll see. I guess one can be ordered and sent by Amazon if needs be.
I'm not sure if he'll need a bedside lamp - did others take one?

I think all the prep has kept me grounded though I've been having wobbles every other day or so recently with huge waves of sadness coming over me. I'm a single parent and he's my youngest and last to leave the nest. Other times I'm so excited for him! It's a tough time for sure!

Just waved my lad off as he starts the 9hr trek north for yr 2. Feels weird as he's been back for what seems like a very long summer so the low level but constant anxiety I feel when he's not here, starts again. I wouldn't say it's empty nest as I'm happy in my own company but it is stressful.