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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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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NotDonna · 06/09/2023 21:12

@43ontherocksporfavor that’s the same as the catered set up at York. Just bfast & dinner 5 days a week. I’m guessing they’ll get lunch from an outlet if they’re in lectures. No idea what the kitchens are like but I’m pretty sure DDs ‘band 2’ is for 18 people - so weekends could be interesting! We’re packing a fair amount of kitchen gear as same stuff required whether catered or not. Hopefully somewhere to put it!

DD received her timetable today. Just 3hrs of lectures per week but there’ll be seminars and tutorials/group work added to that. It just made me realise that she’s thinking it’ll be like school with a full timetable as opposed to predominantly independent learning. For her course there’s only 6-10 hrs contact time per week.

ZittiEBuoni · 06/09/2023 21:40

@BabyStopCryin Interesting, same thing happened to dd - one of her 5 flatmates is a boy she's friendly with from school. I wondered if it was deliberate.

MrsBlueFly · 06/09/2023 22:48

@TJworried HW at Galashiels is so small they’ll probably bump into each other!
my DD is enjoying so far but it’s so hot! She’s already found a wee job too

TJworried · 06/09/2023 23:58

@MrsBlueFly My DD got job too. She is saving up to buy a car. Will make shopping much easier in Gala!!! DD is on the Interior Design course.

Thethingswedoforlove · 07/09/2023 00:24

Haven’t seen anyone with a dc off to Nottingham yet. I have one! She goes on fri 22nd. She is currently interrailing so focus on going is somewhat delayed! Very excited for her but realising how big a part she plays in family life akready and what a big hole she will leave behind. They are all about to embark on a very exciting chapter in their lives…

sammyjoanne · 07/09/2023 00:37

Joining the party 😀
My DD2 is going to be studying at Reading university to study zoology. Shes also applied for Santander account, been accepted, just waiting on card pin etc, so hope it comes in time, we did it Friday just gone.
Shes very excited, but because her move in day in her halls is the last day of them all, shes got to not only move in, but has to collect campus card, final part of enrollment, then get her password to set up her uni email (shes got that bit). Then a couple of other bits (think she said the consent talk ?) and have the apps ready; and all have to be done that day. Then shes got a freshers event that night. Its all go.
@WednesdaysPlaits DD1 studies at Lancaster uni and shes in 4th year. Her first choice was Oxford and she got as far as interview stages. Lancaster was the best move ever. The support she has got has been superb, and shes done a couple of internships there, and also shes got a summer job, and because her private halls (in the city, hello student) in 3rd year finished early, Lancaster provide summer accommodation, so shes there now in Bowland college (shes a Grizedalian). Its a safe uni, well lit at night, lots of security and she loves it there. She hopes to get a phd at Lancaster fingers crossed, but will be happy in the northwest. Wishng you all the best for your DS he will love it there, im sure.

Allloveisbeautiful · 07/09/2023 02:13

@Thethingswedoforlove our son is off to Nottingham on 23rd!

Thethingswedoforlove · 07/09/2023 04:09

Waves at @Allloveisbeautiful

mychickshaveflown · 07/09/2023 04:57

DD is almost through Freshers (St Andrews).
Seems to be going well - out till 2am at events nightly so is beginning to feel a bit drained. I don’t think she’s made it to many meals (catered) but I hope this changes once classes start. Its an ancient uni with some interesting traditions - one is that freshers get adopted into an academic family of older students so she now has a uni mum. My job is done ☺️

northender · 07/09/2023 06:09

DD is off to Newcastle. A bit different as she is going up on the train on Monday...eek, for a week of rugby training. She'll be staying on the sofa in one of the othe other players houses who she hasn't met or had contact with yet. I'm then going up in the car at the end of the week with all her stuff to move her in to her flat.
She's excited & I've got a couple of days off now to spend time with her & get stuff sorted. We've just ordered new bedding but kitchen kit is an eclectic mix of charity shop & hand me downs
I'll really miss her but at the same time am ready for her to go

TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong · 07/09/2023 07:38

Can I join in... DS moved into halls in Aberdeen yesterday having made the longest drive he's done since recently passing his test (3.5 hours).

He had similar issues to PPs with his CTF ( thankfully finally sorted Friday) and Santander conversion to student account ( sorted in the end on pc rather than app).

He brought some stuff from home and we used UniKitOut for rest... but it sounds like some items are missing so I'll have to get him to check with reception that there's not another box, and if not he'll need to add some items to his supermarket/ B&M run this morning...

He is so ready for this next stage but it's going to take some adjusting to for me... and his sisters...

Allloveisbeautiful · 07/09/2023 08:09

Morning all…but if a dopey question but what is CTF? Child Trust Fund?!!!

BabyStopCryin · 07/09/2023 08:44

Yes but they don’t exist on that form anymore (I think - it’s been a while since I worked in finance). When DS was little the gvt gave each baby £400 (?) to invest in one.

PettsWoodParadise · 07/09/2023 09:16

Yes CTF is Child Trust Fund. It was £250 for each child. It only ran for a few years but would be relevant for our children’s cohort. Many even if you didn’t add to it might be worth £1,000 now. DD’s grandma put in £25 each month and so did I. If I got a bonus of a few hundred pounds I would split it and put half in the CTF.

We can pay for living costs out of income and DD doing a summer job and has chosen to use CTF for fees. Having seen the horror headline in Telegraph this morning about loan debts this is definitely the right choice for DD, but know Martin Lewis advice is different and many won’t have this option so feel very fortunate.

catrescuelady · 07/09/2023 09:18

DS is off to York Uni on the 17th. He has just been for a 2 day induction.

MrsBlueFly · 07/09/2023 09:41

@TJworried
my DD is doing Textiles! She’s still learning to drive but we’ve got contacts for driving lessons - seemingly pass rate is 70% for Gala. Which is better than 50% where we are!

Fourcandlesx · 07/09/2023 09:55

@Thethingswedoforlove Nottingham here too on 22nd! Originally got accommodation off campus but changed his mind so is now catered on campus. Not ideal but I think it was the better option for him in the end

MirandaWest · 07/09/2023 09:55

northender · 07/09/2023 06:09

DD is off to Newcastle. A bit different as she is going up on the train on Monday...eek, for a week of rugby training. She'll be staying on the sofa in one of the othe other players houses who she hasn't met or had contact with yet. I'm then going up in the car at the end of the week with all her stuff to move her in to her flat.
She's excited & I've got a couple of days off now to spend time with her & get stuff sorted. We've just ordered new bedding but kitchen kit is an eclectic mix of charity shop & hand me downs
I'll really miss her but at the same time am ready for her to go

My DS is off to Newcastle too - but will not be doing rugby! He'll be back from a trip to Amsterdam later on today and maybe then I will actually start properly getting him more things. Although I do keep getting deliveries from Dunelm...

ZittiEBuoni · 07/09/2023 12:24

Bristol wristband update for PPs who were interested - apparently there is one, but worth waiting to buy one until the events it covers are announced, as people often end up only wanting to go to 1 or 2 things and you can pay for all of them on the door anyway. (Quoting DD and her flatmates, who may not be authorities on this...)

Cupofteafortwo · 07/09/2023 15:36

Can i join! Ds is going to Cardiff on the MChem programme. Been buying bits but he refused to get any kitchen stuff apart from plates and dishes as he said the group he’s in for his flat are all going to club together. It’s making me nervous!

BabyStopCryin · 07/09/2023 15:43

I have a ‘mad chemist’ here too! Oh when he starts explaining things 🤯

Tabbytabs · 07/09/2023 16:02

Cupofteafortwo · 07/09/2023 15:36

Can i join! Ds is going to Cardiff on the MChem programme. Been buying bits but he refused to get any kitchen stuff apart from plates and dishes as he said the group he’s in for his flat are all going to club together. It’s making me nervous!

Hi fellow Cardiff parent! Only 2 weeks to go!

Tabbytabs · 07/09/2023 16:03

Dd has just found out who 3 of her 4 flat mates are, so she’s feeling a bit better now. Just went and picked up a mattress topper (Argos have Silent Night ones on offer for £12 if anyone needs one).

Stroopwaffels · 07/09/2023 16:11

DD is moving to Stirling on Saturday to start a 4 year teacher training course. We're really not sure how many years she will be living in halls - in the 3rd and 4th year she has big blocks of teaching practice in schools (10 weeks and 12 weeks) and when it's 24 weeks of teaching, it seems ridiculous to pay out for accommodation when she's only using 50%. Anyway. She wants to take her entire room with her, even things like bikinis and summer dresses.

Penelope1703 · 07/09/2023 16:13

ZittiEBuoni · 07/09/2023 12:24

Bristol wristband update for PPs who were interested - apparently there is one, but worth waiting to buy one until the events it covers are announced, as people often end up only wanting to go to 1 or 2 things and you can pay for all of them on the door anyway. (Quoting DD and her flatmates, who may not be authorities on this...)

Yes they look like they're more for big club nights and parties but that's not (currently) a thing for DS. The SU website is some really nice looking events including free crockery after an amnesty at the end of last term. Nice sustainable idea!

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