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Original poster

Annnddd they're off! Uni Starters 2023 Thread.

1000 replies

Titsywoo · 02/09/2023 10:55

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 😬

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
MargaretThursday · 23/09/2023 18:38

IWillNoLie · 23/09/2023 18:34

A pair of flip flops/sliders/crocs (one of these, not all!) is also useful for nipping to the kitchen/fire alarms/shared showers.

She has two out of three 🤣 just in case.

MargaretThursday · 23/09/2023 18:39

@Tabbytabs
Glad dd isn't the only one.

The funny thing is a few weeks ago I suggested she got one of those shoe tidies you can hang in wardrobes. She told me she wouldn't need one as she "wasn't taking many shoes".

I dread to think what a lot would be.

Tabbytabs · 23/09/2023 18:43

@MargaretThursday dd uses her shoe boxes stacked up as a bedside table. She was wearing her massive new rocks, so with her shower flip flops that was 14 pairs. She also took 5 fur coats. It’s a good job we have a massive car!

Tabbytabs · 23/09/2023 18:46

How long does it take to get used to different water? Dd says her water tastes like arse! Cardiff is soft and our water is really hard.

PatriciaHolm · 23/09/2023 19:40

DD also took 12 pairs of shoes/boots! plus sliders...and a shoe rack to put them on... and about 5 coats as well I think! She is apparently also making a list for when I go down in a couple of weeks time..

ipodtherforipoor · 23/09/2023 19:53

So.... when do they turn in the Nanny Cam???? I don't like this!!!!!

L1ttledrummergirl · 23/09/2023 19:53

Dd took the trainers she was wearing, a pair of crocs for the shower and a pair of heels.

She's been home twice this week (close enough for her sports coach) and taken back a few jumpers as the weather is getting cooler

Things are settling down in their house, the toilet is fixed, maintenance are sorting the hob, and the housemate making a mess is now cleaning it up behind themselves. Dd is seeming more like her usual self and is off out again tonight. Smile

ipodtherforipoor · 23/09/2023 19:55

Tabbytabs · 23/09/2023 18:46

How long does it take to get used to different water? Dd says her water tastes like arse! Cardiff is soft and our water is really hard.

Mine asked on the way up to Nottingham if the water would be ok.... put it down to autism! Guess it's a "thing"! He assured me he likes Devon water but Scotland was amazing... however he just had to do his first wash of his bedding and bath towel due to clearly NOT drinking water!

MargaretThursday · 23/09/2023 20:14

16 pairs of shoes now...

ipodtherforipoor · 23/09/2023 20:47

Susiesue61 · 23/09/2023 16:12

DS2 seems to be loving Sheffield. I’m delighted for him, he’s only just 18 but loves going out! He’s been to his first sport social and starts training tomorrow. He has however used his sick bowl for the first time 🤨

Mine confessed to sleeping on his floor with his towel because he got sick on his bed and bin...

ZittiEBuoni · 23/09/2023 21:45

Is my dd the first to succumb to the dreaded Freshers' Flu?

At least, she had it this morning when she was supposed to go to an audition...then she felt better this evening Hmm.

ipodtherforipoor · 23/09/2023 22:08

ZittiEBuoni · 23/09/2023 21:45

Is my dd the first to succumb to the dreaded Freshers' Flu?

At least, she had it this morning when she was supposed to go to an audition...then she felt better this evening Hmm.

Just in time to go out out?! Mine promised to eat veg and take vitamins.... I've fallen fir a scam haven't I????

ZittiEBuoni · 23/09/2023 22:14

@ipodtherforipoor I think all dd's vitamins are coming from fruit cider at this point.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 23/09/2023 22:20

DD wasn't going to, but then did grab her 2 favourite teddies when finishing her packing.

She's out tonight with 2 of her new flatmate friends for a freshers thing. She sounds happy. We've got a parcel of a few birthday bits to go in the post tomorrow for next week.

sammyjoanne · 23/09/2023 22:20

Dropped daughter off at Reading on Sunday. Had has no problems making friends but was feeling overwhelmed and homesick. Did not like doing the admin and trying to sort out an app that was not working, then having to move a job interview at the co-op on campus because it clashed with a welcome talk (she got the job in the end). Wedneday was the wobble day and since then we have facetimed every day and its really helped keep the homesickness at bay. Her b/f is with her now, bless him when he saw her upset he booked the first train ticket for this weekend. She thinks once the lessons start and her job and her new friends it should help her settle more. Ive said to facetime if she still needs it, and if she wants a visit back she can get the train booked. But friends wise, she is having a blast and did roller disco, kareoke, the student union music night, and done her first laundry.

Original poster
Titsywoo · 23/09/2023 22:36

Dd has only 2 pairs of shoes but a lot of cuddly toys! She has a collection of plushies of which she has taken a small selection - but only ones that match her colour scheme 😄

She's been to an escape room at the SU today and met some others from a group chat she is on. Also met more of her flatmates and apparently they are all really nice. One of the girls is going to the same foam party as DD tomorrow so they are going together. DDs boyfriend is clubbing tonight and tried to persuade her out again (or at least to pre's) but she is exhausted so is in for the night now so she can sort her room and get a good sleep.

I'm so proud of how she is putting herself out there to meet people. It doesn't come naturally to her and she has been disappointed so many times in the past with friendships but she is talking to everyone and really getting involved. Hope it works and she finds some good friends.

So nice to hear about everyone settling in and all the ups and downs of the first few weeks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Titsywoo · 23/09/2023 22:36

Sorry about the weird spaces!

OP posts:
ipodtherforipoor · 23/09/2023 22:53

sammyjoanne · 23/09/2023 22:20

Dropped daughter off at Reading on Sunday. Had has no problems making friends but was feeling overwhelmed and homesick. Did not like doing the admin and trying to sort out an app that was not working, then having to move a job interview at the co-op on campus because it clashed with a welcome talk (she got the job in the end). Wedneday was the wobble day and since then we have facetimed every day and its really helped keep the homesickness at bay. Her b/f is with her now, bless him when he saw her upset he booked the first train ticket for this weekend. She thinks once the lessons start and her job and her new friends it should help her settle more. Ive said to facetime if she still needs it, and if she wants a visit back she can get the train booked. But friends wise, she is having a blast and did roller disco, kareoke, the student union music night, and done her first laundry.

Omg "wobble day" is a thing! Just when you think they are ok....! Currently job hunting in the vicinity is feeling extreme but a possibility... it's harder with just a husband than I thought

Travelban · 24/09/2023 08:20

First week ticked off for dd1 also! She made some.friends, went out, booked with some sports trials, went to her induction lectures etc
No wobbles so far.

It was her sister's birthday yesterday, so she decided to make the 4 and a half hour journey home last minute. It was very nice to see her, we did lots of nice things all together.
Boyfriend has also travelled from uni so he will see her today before she gets back late this afternoon.

She said it was nice to get home as the week was intense but we probably wont see her now until reading week which is october half term..but she knows she can always come home for the weekend if she feels like it!

FluWhenSupposedToDropOff · 24/09/2023 08:38

@MermaidEyes thank you for responding! DD said she'd rather 'die at college' than at home Confused so we've pushed on. She was really worried that she'd miss making initial friends.

We stayed at friends last night to break the journey. They kindly put up with us coughing and going to bed early, DD says she feeling better today thank goodness.

I have no idea what we packed, we had almighty temperatures at the time! Luckily DH was feeling lots better so he packed the car & did the driving.

We're about to have bacon butties and then drive the last 3 hour leg!

Good luck everyone!

Susiesue61 · 24/09/2023 09:38

Oh no! DS has a habit of being sick so his lovely brother and sister sent him off with a special bowl

Susiesue61 · 24/09/2023 09:39

Sorry that was for @ipodtherforipoor

Susiesue61 · 24/09/2023 09:41

He messaged yesterday to ask if his pan was for the induction hob (which it’s not!) so clearly hasn’t cooked since Tuesday!

Pourmeanotherwine · 24/09/2023 09:44

Spoke to DD yesterday. She seems to have had a fairly quiet Freshers week, but is happy enough. She has been mostly socialising with people from her course in the daytime, but as they are in different accomodation she's not been out at night as no- one to bus/walk home with.
They have had induction activities on campus most days, and have been down to beach a few times between these. She's on a group chat for her course, and was off to meet some of them yesterday afternoon.
She had a few drinks with her flatmates on the first evening, and they seem nice enough, but are based on a different campus to her (she is in Falmouuth and they are in Penryn), so she's mostly been mixing with people from her course.
She's not much of a clubber anyway, and needs some quiet time on her own. I think her flat is an official quiet one. She's got the info for some clubs and societies to try out so I'm hoping she decides to give those a go.
It seems a different experience of Freshers to DD1, who was out clubbing every night, but I think she's happy.

troppibambini6 · 24/09/2023 10:07

@Susiesue61 dd said exactly the same thing to us a few days in. I didn't realise they would be induction either 🙈

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