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Higher education

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They settle in and we miss them. Uni Starters 2023 - Thread 2

886 replies

spamm · 16/10/2023 02:25

I wanted to get a news thread ready for everyone as you wake up in the Uk.

We are settling into a routine of talking to DS on FaceTime on Sunday mornings after our breakfast, which is early pm his time. It is so nice to see his smile and catch up on how he is doing. I know at some point he will have a bad day, but so far he seems to be doing so well, I am ridiculously proud.

Hope you all have a good week!

OP posts:
stilldumdedumming · 24/10/2023 22:03

On kitchen cleanliness- Ds has just started cooking. His flat mates are helping him out because he's so self conscious of his pretty extreme dyspraxia. They made ā celebratory poster in honour of his pasta and cheese today. Ha!

Anyway he sent me a photo and I remarked on the kitchen being completely spotless. He said it's always like that.

Tabbytabs · 24/10/2023 22:13

@NotDonna Yes, puppies are right twats, but we have cats and want a whippet, so can’t really get a fully grown dog. Prey drive and all that! It’s either that or have another baby and I can’t be doing with that shit 😂At least the puppy toddler knobhead stage doesn’t last that long. Ds had terrible twos until he was about 13!

Dd has a messy kitchen flatmate. She’s a nightmare and uses 4 pans every time she cooks, doesn’t wash them up and leaves her dirty crap all over the kitchen. Dd is a bit of a hothead and will end up telling her to fuck off if she gets in an argument over it. I’ve suggested she just moves the dirty stuff to one side and try and ignore it.

spamm · 27/10/2023 04:38

@hadrianswallsycamore your dd has been on my mind. I hope she is doing ok.

And @MirandaWest I hope your DS is out of hospital by now and doing better.

Tonight has been hard, I am really missing DS and was close to tears. I went and laid down on his bed for a bit, and I am now watching the Walking Dead, to try and distract myself. Nothing like zombies to dry tears. I could not cope with something sentimental. Even the Bake Off was making me feel all pathetic.

Hopefully I will wake up feeling a bit better in the morning. Dh spoke to him today and he seems to be doing well, with lots of exciting stories about classes and socials.

OP posts:
HasaDiga · 27/10/2023 06:40

Another here with a non communicative child. He’s literally ignored my texts for four days. I had to send him an obscure question about the Tudors to get a response for proof of life!

ZittiEBuoni · 27/10/2023 08:35

Off for a 'proper' visit to dd this morning after last weekend's emergency laptop dash. Happy weekend to everyone!

MirandaWest · 27/10/2023 12:20

@spamm thank you for thinking of DS. He is still in hospital. Is all a bit rubbish tbh

WendyWebersdrugget · 27/10/2023 14:33

Oh no! Hope he starts to feel much better soon!

NotDonna · 27/10/2023 14:39

Oh @MirandaWest that’s so blooming hard!! Sending best wishes to you all x

How is your DD doing @hadrianswallsycamore? Do hope she’s ‘okay’. I don’t mean to be flippant as of course she’ll not be ok.

@HasaDiga that made me giggle - my DD2 who’s at uni chats frequently with me by text but DD1 who’s an apprentice (lives out) is just like your DS. Such different personalities.

NotDonna · 27/10/2023 14:43

@spamm how are you doing today?

MirandaWest · 27/10/2023 14:49

DS is feeling better than he was but just needs the blood tests to show it as well. Is better for him to be there than released too early but is getting harder for everyone to manage.

I am also distracting myself by worrying about housing for next year for him but I think I need to stop thinking about that right now!

spamm · 27/10/2023 15:36

@NotDonna - thanks for asking. I am a little better, thank you. Still feeling a little teary. I would say it is " that time of the month", but I thought I was through that as I have not had a period for more than a year. I need to see my doctor and figure things out.

I am trying to distract myself by doing work on my day off. DH and I went for a long walk and then breakfast at our favorite cafe. I will curl up with a book later.

@MirandaWest - oh wow, that feels like a long time. I hope your DS is out very soon. Lots of good wishes. Xx

We did not know that reading week existed - I don't think it is listed in the general Uni calendar I was looking at when figuring out flights, Christmas break, etc...and DS only figured it out last week. I think he is going to visit a friend in Manchester, but is still undecided. I wish I could jump on a flight to him, but work is too busy right now.

OP posts:
NotDonna · 27/10/2023 17:21

@spamm yes, defo have a chat with your GP.

MirandaWest · 27/10/2023 18:49

Went to visit DS in hospital this afternoon. We were in the cafe when the ward called him to say his blood tests from this morning were much better and he could leave! So instead of me leaving when his girlfriend arrived we went up to the ward and packed his things away and now we’re back home (along with his girlfriend 😊)

He has various medicines to take (although he was anyway so is used to it). Am hoping he will now be settled on this for a bit. Am tired now!

Downsidesupside · 27/10/2023 18:59

@MirandaWest that's really good news.

Dd was in hospital on Wednesday for a planned operation. She will be on crutches for the next 6 weeks at least which is going to make life interesting on a course which involves modules in the gym. At least she can now look forward to being fully fit again.

I've dragged her out to the hairdresser today so she can start feeling human again with clean hair.

Takeittotheboss · 27/10/2023 20:19

@MirandaWest Glad to hear your boy is on the mend. 🤗

MargaretThursday · 27/10/2023 21:10

@MirandaWest
Great! Hope he continues to improve. Have a lovely weekend pampering him.

NotDonna · 28/10/2023 03:01

@MirandaWest Yeah!! That’s great news. Fingers crossed he stays well and no more Hosp admissions required
@Downsidesupside hope your dd is managing the crutches ok and looking forward to being fully fit again!

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/10/2023 12:11

@MirandaWest I'm so glad he's on the mend and @Downsidesupside I think taking her to the hairdressers was such a lovely thing to do. Hope she makes a speedy recovery Wink

WendyWebersdrugget · 28/10/2023 15:41

@MirandaWest so pleased DS is recovering well now - that is good news!

Z0rr0 · 29/10/2023 20:53

@Lyxou is your DD at Bristol?

tribpot · 29/10/2023 21:06

I was wondering why the uni freshers' thread had gone so quiet, I had somehow failed to realise it was full!

DS is currently home for reading week and has been home every other weekend ever since the Covid incident. He says it makes it much easier to cope with being away, knowing it's only ever for about 10 days at a time. It's also much easier for the cat, she seems happier now that he's coming and going regularly.

He still hasn't really started to make any friends, despite joining some clubs and things. He says the people in his tutor group seem to be getting on well with each other but don't give him the time of day. He's had a weird experience with a student not on his course, who seemed desperate to connect with him on Tiktok and when DS said he didn't have it kind of demanded his mobile number from him. This has made him even more dubious about putting himself forward as he doesn't want to make other people feel uncomfortable like this guy did to him.

God it's so hard.

Downsidesupside · 29/10/2023 21:33

Thank you. Dd is back at uni now with some frozen homemade meals to keep her going. She was met by one of her lovely housemates and friends who sat with when she arrived back.

Dh and went off to buy trousers that fitted over her brace as none of us thought about that before the operation and it's getting too cold for skirts. Hopefully her first proper day back will go well tomorrow.

troppibambini6 · 30/10/2023 09:08

@MirandaWest that's great news!

@tribpot glad you found us, I'm sorry ds is finding things tricky but good that he's finding coming home helpful

@spamm there's been a lot of tears from me too and I'm no where near as far away from dd as you are.

Dd is okayish. The boyfriend had been a bit of a nob saying he's struggling with the split and trying to arrange to meet up. Dd has said you chose this please show some respect and give me some space to get over this. He basically wants to keep her dangling so they can hook back up at Christmas but she's told him she thinks he right they should split she's not prepared to do that, thank god!

She entered a mooting competition last week and her and her partner won their case. 50 entered and the top four get a mini pupilage. She doesn't think she will be one of the four but it's all good experience. She's also doing another networking event at a criminal barristers chambers tomorrow which she's looking forward to.

troppibambini6 · 30/10/2023 09:09

@Downsidesupside I hope dd gets well soon it great she's heading back and frozen meals sound like a great idea.

ZittiEBuoni · 30/10/2023 09:22

It was lovely to see dd in her 'natural habitat' this weekend (the flat already has the obligatory window sill full of empty bottles in the kitchen) - I got to hear her choir rehearsing, which was beautiful, and much dining and shopping was done. I am vintage/charity shopped out! She's home next weekend too for MIL's annual fireworks beano.

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