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 😬

DD1 off to Cardiff Uni on the 22nd to study urban planning. We are only 30 mins away so I'm not quite at the bawling stage yet 😂 but I will be soon.

@Marmalade71 yes! It's not quite empty nest that I feel. But it's my worry about whether ds will be ok. I'm busy enough and I can mother from afar believe me.

Thanks for the Santander advice, we are going to try again on her laptop after we've been to Dunelm for 'small double' bedding - wish I'd had a small double instead of my prison-issue small single . How times change.

Same! DD is currently on a weekend away with her boyfriend and his family and I'm still a little unsettled. I just worry about her safety etc. Her boyfriend is actually already at the uni she is going to (year above). At first I thought that was a good thing as she would know someone. However he is becoming a but problematic so I worry he will hold her back. I know I need to let her get on witb it but I do struggle!

Dunelm is a 5 minute drive from dd when she moves. I have a basket on the go ready to do click and collect on the day.

@ZittiEBuoni ds has a prison single and his room is tin, but it's London and he doesn't have a lot of stuff. But he does have an ensuite. Which is still fancy!

@Titsywoo we just have to trust them. I'd moved out by the time I was 16 and I did some enormously stupid things. I think our kids are much better around stuff like drugs and alcohol. Maybe personal safety and consent too.

His room is tiny I meant. I don't think I can edit

DD2's off to Chichester in the middle of September to do a variation on Musical Theatre. She's had a year out and is very excited. I hope she can get her head round studying again.

Laughing at the tin room @stilldumdedumming , that really does sound like harsh conditions . We don't get an ensuite but they have 2 showers/sinks/toilets between 5 so not bad.

I too am feeling a bit antsy about dd on her own in the big city. She is sensible around alcohol etc but loves music and clubbing so late nights are bound to happen. She is headstrong and, despite all warnings, I can picture her deciding to walk home alone at 3 am etc. But worrying about what you can't do anything about is futile so I'm going to try not to think about it too much.

At the moment my big concern is that she had Covid back in early July and is still sniffing and coughing. I'm trying to get her to contact the GP but she's adamant she's fine...

Son is looking at Freshers things they seem to need to buy a wristband which is expensive £40 / £60 and he's on a tight budget, also not the most social of butterflies but he's wondering if he'll miss out by not doing this (another Yorkie!)

Hi @MargaretThursday - fellow Chichester Uni mum to a DD - I remember seeing you on another thread and saying hi. Can't believe D day is nearly here. I have a feeling your DD is on the Bishop Otter campus. Mine on the Bogna Regis campus. DD said she redownloaded the Circuit app for the laundry today as realised she'd picked the wrong one. Mind boggles.

@Titsywoo I understand your worries re boyf being at same Uni. DD has just finished things (seemingly amicably) with her boyf as decided she wants to start Uni single and not have to keep checking in with him as she does at the mo - he's already in year 2 and at a Uni an hour and 1/2 away from where hers is and she finding it semi stifling. She had thought she'd cope with the distance but now decided she'll still find the distance too hard so thought she'd do it now rather than when feeling wobbly at the start of her Uni experience.
Don't worry too much, they'll find their way.

@AnneOfCleavage
Hi!

Yes, dd's on the Bishop's Otter Campus. All the musical theatre is except Triple Threat. Not sure why that's on the other. She's on a WhatsApp group for her accommodation and is chatting to a few people, but no one from her flat unfortunately.
I think there's a bus between the two campuses; she's hoping she might go down to the beach sometimes. I've told her no drunken late night swimming. 🤣

I will let her know there's a laundry app. I asked her the other day (dd1's machines had detergent already in them so I was wondering if she needed any or not) and she said she knew nothing at all about washing!

DD (final year) has been giving DS some tips for his Freshers week. Her top tip; make sure you get nicely drunk at the pre-going-out session in someone’s room, don’t vomit in the Uber, then you’ll arrive at the club ready for a great night.
Thanks DD 😏🙄

@MargaretThursday yes it's weird the triple threat is on the other campus. DD loves M-T and dancing so is hoping to get involved in clubs that involve those.
Apparently the circuit app is the + one and it's colourful not the black and white one. DD did the B&W one first not realising til an ambassador corrected her. I've suggested she not load anything on it til she's in halls in case of any changes.
Yes the bus going between campuses is a bonus and the beach is a 5 minute walk from the Bogna campus. A big pull for why she liked it so much on looking round.

My daughter moved in to HW yesterday. The rooms are really lovely, lots of storage too. Daughter feeling great about her move to Uni. She can’t wait to start her course now.

That’s where my daughter is too!

DS is off on a short break to Amsterdam with the other members of the band they all play in. Two of them were in the same year and school as him and one the year below. He’s the only one one going to uni now (and possibly at all). Has been good to have this extra year for the band but I’m guessing it will all be different from now on. That was making me a bit sad a few weeks ago but think I’ve mostly pulled myself together.

@Plasmodesmata is that Uni of York or St John’s? I’ve heard that clubs and bars jump in on the Fresher stuff that’s totally unrelated to uni events to make a bit of money, which can be misleading as students think they’re uni organised. The colleges at uni of York seem to put things on at campus. I’ll ask DD if she’s seen anything about wristbands. I’d assume St John’s will do campus stuff too - do they have colleges?

Uni of York. St Johns don't have individual colleges they are much smaller.

Hello! Dd is off to Cardiff too (seems a popular choice). We loved the city when we visited and she is starting to get excited. I feel really disorganised, despite the fact I think we have everything except a saucepan! She will be taking an air fryer too, I bet 90% of students turn up with one

DS is off to Cardiff to study medicine. We don't live far away which will be good for him. I'm hoping the fact we are nearby will make him feel secure, but without coming home too often. He's going to the same halls my dad went to in the 60's. Hoping they've been refurbished since then🤣

Interesting those of you who are allowed to bring air fryers, DDs accommodation don't allow them. She's rather disappointed.

Yes I thought that @MermaidEyes . I'm pretty sure DS' accommodation doesn't allow any electric cooking stuff, like kettles and toasters and whatnot. The kitchen is supplied with one of each, plus a microwave.

Yes same here @tribpot although dd said on her group chat someone said the kitchen doesn't even have a kettle or toaster which I find hard to believe. That's standard student equipment surely?!

I think lots don't have kettles - I remember DS going off with his new flatmates to buy one. I think the problem with toasters is they break very easily especially with mis-use . Some clueless students try and do cheese toasties etc in them. It means the unis don't have to keep replacing them.