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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:
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humtv · 01/10/2023 09:54

Thanks all. Will look into the room swap process.

Allloveisbeautiful · 01/10/2023 10:03

@Tabbytabs nothing wrong with being a tight arse😂😂they have to learn to budget….something they should really be taught in school in my opinion!

Tabbytabs · 01/10/2023 10:19

@Allloveisbeautiful one thing I’ve been militant with teaching her is how to feed yourself on a budget. How to stretch one meal into 3, which shops to shop in at what time, using too good to go, getting vouchers and using cashback apps etc. This week she has only had to buy food for one meal. She ate for free at the freshers fairs all week 🤣 I am so proud!

Allloveisbeautiful · 01/10/2023 10:22

@Tabbytabs which cashback apps would you recommend? Well done to your DD!

DrMadelineMaxwell · 01/10/2023 10:25

Dd has worked all through a levels and built up a fee k to take with her. And welsh funding means she gets a healthy maintenance amount that we dont need to add to. But she will probably want a job at some point. Her bursary thing comes with an expectation to attend uni events but then mentions they might be paid so she is holding on to see how well being an ambassador for the dept works out!

It is her birthday today. First birthday ever that we haven't seen her. We had intended to visit but then she booked freshers events and has made good friends so has plans and told us not to go.

Tabbytabs · 01/10/2023 10:25

We use shopmium and checkoutsmart. You can quite often get freebies on them and they gift you boxes of chocs on your birthday. It’s not a massive saving and it’s quite often garbage food (crisps, fizzy pop), but every little helps!

Tabbytabs · 01/10/2023 10:41

@DrMadelineMaxwell happy birthday to your dd!

Lyxou · 01/10/2023 11:00

@Allloveisbeautiful My DD applied before she even got there, but she's already a trained/experienced gymnastics coach, and getting a coaching job at the big club in her new city is her way in to use all the awesome equipment they have. She doesn't know what hours exactly she's doing yet, but I think she's asked to just do 2 hours a week for now, because she's got so much else on at the moment. Her favourite are the 4 year olds, so she's hoping to get a couple of hours coaching them.

To be fair, she's not short of money, but that's only because she's had a job since she was 15, and is a tight arse with money. Earns it but never spends it.

HicIocusEst · 01/10/2023 12:56

DrMadelineMaxwell · 01/10/2023 10:25

Dd has worked all through a levels and built up a fee k to take with her. And welsh funding means she gets a healthy maintenance amount that we dont need to add to. But she will probably want a job at some point. Her bursary thing comes with an expectation to attend uni events but then mentions they might be paid so she is holding on to see how well being an ambassador for the dept works out!

It is her birthday today. First birthday ever that we haven't seen her. We had intended to visit but then she booked freshers events and has made good friends so has plans and told us not to go.

Hope she has a good birthday! My dd's is tomorrow.
I've sent a cake which should be arriving any moment now 😂

DrMadelineMaxwell · 01/10/2023 14:31

Had a long chat with her on the phone. Then she sent me a photo of her kitchen that her flatmates have decorated for her....and got her cake.

ZittiEBuoni · 01/10/2023 15:14

Happy birthday to your dd @DrMadelineMaxwell , how sweet of her flatmates to organise a cake and celebration for her.

DD is singing at a harvest festival evensong with one of the choirs she's joined - seems like a very fast turnaround, hope they're all good sight readers!

MargaretThursday · 01/10/2023 18:05

Happy birthday @DrMadelineMaxwell 's dd!

Bit of a weekend. Dd's grandma died yesterday morning, so I had to phone and tell her and was a bit worried because she was very emotional on the phone.
Today dd "I will not phone home every weekend like big sister did" phoned me, and I've heard all about everything, which is lovely.
Her term starts tomorrow so I hope she's as positive after a week of really doing the work!

NotDonna · 01/10/2023 21:09

Someone asked about a cash back app. Maybe it was @Allloveisbeautiful My DD uses Chase. She has the student Santander account as she wanted the 4year free railcard. Her money is paid into her Santander but then she transfers funds for day to day spends to chase which gives 1% cash back and I think 1% interest on the general account. They also give 4% interest on any savings. They also do this round up thing but she doesn’t like that so has turned that off. I think it’s an easy way to save - they basically round up to the nearest pound and pop that in a savings account that gives 5% interest.

Riverpebble · 01/10/2023 21:57

We're dropping off tomorrow.

MirandaWest · 01/10/2023 22:08

DS went back again this afternoon after having arrived on Thursday. Didn’t see too much of him but what we did see was nice. Amusing things were him voluntarily emptying the kitchen bin (it seems he is good at keeping the flat kitchen tidy) and him wanting additional kitchen items. He also took back an electric guitar and a bass, bringing the total of guitars there to three (still more here!)

He’a hoping to audition for a band for a musical I think and also look into the music scene up there a bit.

Tomorrow he gets to meet his tutor and have about three lectures I think. It sounds like he is enjoying himself although he said he’s had some ups and downs. Think his girlfriend who is at the same university is finding it a bit harder - was about to say that quite a few of her friends from home haven’t gone to university (yet) but then remembered DS’s good friends are still here too. Possibly having had a year out first has helped him.

I felt better about him leaving this time although he will be back again in under two weeks for another gig 😂

Original poster
Titsywoo · 02/10/2023 00:16

Dd has spent most of the weekend asleep as unwell with freshers flu. Hoping she will feel better for her first lecture tomorrow! Sadly she missed out on a couple of events that would have been great for meeting people but hopefully it won't hold her back too much. She has already applied for a few jobs so is hoping to hear back from them soon. I am concerned she is spending too much time with her boyfriend but she still seems to be making friends and he has certainly been comfort for her while she has been ill so I'm keeping my thoughts to myself for now!

OP posts:
Delphigirl · 02/10/2023 08:26

NotDonna · 01/10/2023 21:09

Someone asked about a cash back app. Maybe it was @Allloveisbeautiful My DD uses Chase. She has the student Santander account as she wanted the 4year free railcard. Her money is paid into her Santander but then she transfers funds for day to day spends to chase which gives 1% cash back and I think 1% interest on the general account. They also give 4% interest on any savings. They also do this round up thing but she doesn’t like that so has turned that off. I think it’s an easy way to save - they basically round up to the nearest pound and pop that in a savings account that gives 5% interest.

Yes mine uses chase as well and the 5% interest is great for his savings from summer working.

Delphigirl · 02/10/2023 08:27

Sorry to hear about everyone with freshers flu/covid already. DS ok so far but no doubt only a matter of time.

LightandAiry · 02/10/2023 08:45

My DD seems to be settling in very well at Bath - I have an older ds who had a bad time at uni due to COVID ruining things, so I am extra pleased she has made friends. I tell my older one it's all in the past and life moves on, hopefully he's off travelling/working soon.

Lectures etc start this week for most if them?

Thanks for the app recommendations @Tabbytabs

That's lovely of the flatmates @DrMadelineMaxwell

LightandAiry · 02/10/2023 08:48

@MargaretThursday sorry to hear about your dd's Grandma :(

NotDonna · 02/10/2023 10:16

DD started lectures last Monday at York @LightandAiry but they started uni a week earlier than Bath. So far going ok. Has even found the library, and not only been inside but also taken out study books!! 😱

giddymonday · 02/10/2023 13:06

well after a fantastic start,
been away for three weeks, making loads of new friends, my fresher now has freshers flu (or possibly covid) and has just phoned me crying and saying she feels
horrendous. She has type 1 diabetes too which is affected by illness. She's about 45 mins away in the car and wants me to pick her up as she feels horrendous. Wondering what to do!

IWillNoLie · 02/10/2023 13:13

giddymonday. It is rotten feeling ill in halls so I would probably collect. Though that might want to risk assess the bug going round your house too if there are vulnerably individuals or important events on the near horizon,

blametheparents · 02/10/2023 13:15

giddymonday · 02/10/2023 13:06

well after a fantastic start,
been away for three weeks, making loads of new friends, my fresher now has freshers flu (or possibly covid) and has just phoned me crying and saying she feels
horrendous. She has type 1 diabetes too which is affected by illness. She's about 45 mins away in the car and wants me to pick her up as she feels horrendous. Wondering what to do!

I think that I would pick her up if she feels that bad - esp with the type 1 diabetes as a factor. If she is unable to attend lectures because she feels so rough, then it won't hurt being at home. And since uni is only 45 mons away, it's not a huge drama to go and get her and then drop her back mid-week.

Delphigirl · 02/10/2023 13:39

Pick her up and tuck her into bed at home until she feels better. Poor thing, such bad luck!

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