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 😬

She was thrilled to get a letter from her godmother (my somewhat crazy friend) yesterday so is going to write some letters to people to encourage replies!

Can't believe it's 3 weeks since DS went! He's not the most outgoing or sociable but managed a few freshers events and even one club night ( never again, apparently 😹)... he's joined the baking society and came third with his first bake last week (much more his speed than clubbing). And he's joined the gym.

He has one friend from school there, not in same halls but they've hung out a bit, and one of his flatmates is local ( different schools but she knew some people that knew him). He's slow to make friends (suspect autistic but not diagnosed) but has made a couple of tentative ones now courses have started. flatmates seem ok, although I suspect he's doing most of the cleaning of the communal areas due to his ocd.

Lectures/labs etc have started and he's very busy Monday & Tuesday, nothing scheduled on a Wednesday and busyish Thursday & Friday (he's doing medical sciences).

We text most days, even if it's just a quick good morning ( a habit we'd got into whenever he was with his dad/ away with school) and he doesn't seem to object... even managed a couple of phone calls over the last three weeks...admittedly many of the texts have been "what program do I wsh this on?" Or "what do I clean this with" or photos of things he's cooked/ baked...

He seems ok so far 🤞🤞🤞

I miss him though...

@TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong that is so sweet. I didn’t even know baking societies were a thing!

Dd got home last night and couldn’t use the bathroom because the boys were in there taking apart the extraction fan! Typical men 🤣 She’s made some friends to go to the pub with, so she’s really pleased.

@Tabbytabs he'd already sussed that out before he went.. he loves baking...

Weirdly, another society he considered was pole dancing! 🙀

TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong. my DD has OCD too. Does your DS have mental health involvement at uni? It might be worth flagging up or speaking to his local team if he is starting compulsions in his flat.

I’ve heard from DD most days - not a lot but a text here and there. She seems absolutely fine. No one from her school at her uni or anyone else she knew previously but it is a long way so was inevitable but she’s fine with that. She’s had a couple of lectures. A rather long 3 hour one, and has even visited the library and taken out some key books. She’s in the throes of job applications but is also doing quite a bit of clubbing/partying. She’s also joined the gym & a baking society @TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong but don’t think they’ve done any yet. Your DS has made me smile at the thought of pole dancing! Love it!!

Had a lovely FaceTime with DD last night and she sent some photos this morning. She's rushing from one event to the next, picking up new friends along the way (met a girl with the same name, same course, same halls 😂). All seems well so far, which is awesome. All good at home too, busy with work and life, so not feeling her loss yet...

In the car heading up the motorway. DD was quite emotional saying goodbye to the cats. She knows it is ok to have moments not to feel ok. There was actually room in the car for me so I am not taking the train like I expected to be doing.

She has nighttime punting this evening, a couple of club nights booked for later in the week, Fresher’s Feast, a college family meal and so far no costs for any of them.

Can anyone recommend a good student cookbook that has recipes in that 18 year old lads will actually want to cook and eat?!!

NOSH for students

But most of them just use tiktok or Instagram

There's a really good app called Too Good To Go - not cooking but you can buy a bag of stuff at the end of the day really cheap. Sons used it a couple of times and when we were away in Brighton we booked a slot at Pizza Express for £4, collected at 10pm and lots of goodies left over from evening.

Worth a look for cheap top-up shop. My son did one for the Co-Op on campus for £3 and got bag of salad, 2 avocados, two ham/cheese wraps, loaf of bread and a microwave meal.

@AM130674 thanks!

Another recommendation for NOSH for students, it's great.

We have a returner at the weekend for the night, not to see use but to use our washing machine.

She worked out her train ticket is cheaper than doing her washing in the laundry at £3.50 a load and she’ll get fed in the process.

Dd has just sent us a picture of a birthday cake her new friends made for her birthday tomorrow. They are all busy tomorrow with lectures and she has training in the evening so they are celebrating today. They used balloons and banners and made it special.

Can I just say that I love those girls and I've never met them. Dd looked so happy.

DH's birthday today, will DD remember? The suspense! (I did remind her earlier in the week.)

Dd went to spoons last night with a girl she knows from school and college (same friendship group, but not close friends) and she randomly bumped into a girl from a her chem class and then someone who was in her tutor. She didn’t know either of them were there. It’s a small world!

@L1ttledrummergirl awww that’s lovely! Hope your DD has a fab birthday.

DS arrived back home, told us many things, read out a list of extra kitchen equipment he needs (seems university is making him want to cook!) picked up guitars and amp and pedal board and set off for a rehearsal with his band before a gig tonight!

I’m going to the gig as I love seeing them play. Feels like it should be a Friday - getting up tomorrow for work may not be fun!

He also (on my suggestion) brought some washing home so I have a load on. He’ll be going back on Sunday.

He seems to be enjoying everything he’s doing - as I guessed he didn’t do too many actual freshers things but is doing various things and says he’s nicely busy.

Dd has been to Spoons... I got her emailed receipt.

Dd said she has had a sore throat today - praying it isn't the start of something as she has so much planned this weekend!

My DD is surprised at the number of people who are retaking years. Also, the lectures in one of her modules is normally taught in 2nd year, but the lecturer is teaching it as though they're second years and know a lot more than they do.

So she's worried she's going to fail and will have to retake her year. I've told her not to worry, much more important to spend this year getting well settled and enjoying herself rather than working all the time, and if she has to retake a year, so be it.

@Lyxou there needs to be a balance doesn’t there? She’s only been there two minutes so hopefully it’s early days and it’ll start making sense soon. I do wonder though if some students don’t realise how many study hours they’re meant to do (ie, circa 40hrs a week). If they’re only getting 6-9hrs contact per week that’s a lot of independent study and getting into that mindset may take a while.

I had a stroppy DS today who couldn't get the Bluetooth operated washing machines to work

Tell him to look at mob kitchen (internet or app). Easy recipes, all filmed so they can see how to do it, vibe that appeals to 18 year olds. Also on TikTok and gram