Uni starters 2024

[radiator2]

The countdown is on. Uni move in has started for some unis and is right around the corner for others. How are we all feeling? Wishing the best of luck to all freshers!

Thanks x

Sorry to hear this @ThatsNotMyTeen . I hope they manage to settle in over the next weeks or so. Is there anything specific they are hating, or is it just the adjustment to everything that's new?

I had a panicked message from DD yesterday. 'Could you send me some pants - I've run out!'. 🤔I mentioned she should perhaps do some washing....or maybe visit the Primark that's literally half a mile away from her flat.

Honestly!

(Turns out she has already managed to persuade someone to do her washing for her(!!) but was embarrassed to put her pants in).

Have been chatting today with my yp whilst she tackles circuit laundry. She's not used to using pods so that was fun!! Her lectures started Monday, she has made a group of friends and they arrange to meet up before lectures. She's loving her flat, and really likes her flatmates. It's a quiet house but they have been out clubbing together. Plus everyone is tidy which delights my daughter. She messages everyday, usually in the family chat just to share news etc but it's lovely to hear from her and hearing what's she's getting up to. She's hoping to visit next week and I'm sorting out a day soon where me and her sister can go to her and go for a meal out. Really missing het still but hearing how much she loves it there really helps.

I'm being allowed to visit on Sunday - there might have been a bit of bribery involved (lunch / supermarket shop / early dinner depending on timings) but I'm swinging past as part of a bigger trip.

Apparently at the drop off weekend somebody's parents insisted on staying overnight at a nearby hotel and appearing again the next day - the horror!

Apparently at the drop off weekend somebody's parents insisted on staying overnight at a nearby hotel and appearing again the next day - the horror!

We dropped our DS off in central London, and, as it was my birthday weekend, decided to make the weekend of it. We were instructed that we could only do that if we stayed the other side of the river and didn't try to go back!

They are funny!

We did exactly the same! Had to make ourselves scarce Friday evening and all day Saturday, and were allowed to make an appearance on Sunday to help do a big shop and take her to lunch. We're down this Sunday again, as DH is attending a sporting event in the city. My debit card is doing warm-up stretches. X

I'm going to present DS with a new baking tray. I know how to treat him!

DD went to the Freshers Ball and apparently then was appointed "look out" over someone who was paralytically drunk as she was the only one of her crowd who'd stayed reasonably sober! But she was laughing about it.

She's made friends on the course and seems to be spending most of her time with them - says her flat mates are nice but she simply isn't seeing a lot of them.

Lectures are still introductions to the course which she's finding a bit dull - would like them to start actually delivering the course instead.

She seems quite happy although it's always a bit hard to tell with DD as she's pathologically averse to expressing huge enthusiasm about anything!

DS seems a bit brighter although still feels very uncomfortable in his flat. He is seriously thinking about asking for a swap but apparently they won’t accept anyone until late October. He’s made a friend who randomly lives fairly locally…supports a local rival football team! I suggested that he went out tonight and was told they are doing pre reading of stuff in the library that they’ve been told to read. I admire his dedication (and my previous posts demonstrate his determination to get there!) but honestly it’s his first full week…could he just not have some fun!!

@mrsconradfisher Has your DS joined any sports teams? Just wondering if he might meet more people on the Wednesday afternoon sports sessions?

He went to a futsal trial on Monday night. And is going to cycling trial and football trial on Saturday. Just for halls teams, he won’t have a chance of getting in the proper teams.

Freshers flu has struck, and she's getting fed up with all the enforced socialising. Still not met anyone on her 'floor' (she's on a half landing on her own), but says she knows there are people around as all the bathrooms were occupied this morning! They keep them busy - today is was matriculation, meet your tutors, second society fair, something something... boat party tonight which she isn't joining and the inside activity she's wondering whether to skip too for an early night. Last night was supposed to be an early one but she stayed up doing the activities. Not connected with anyone yet but seems to be chatting to lots of people, and is quite ready for the course to start and get into a routine.
Meanwhile on the homefront I've signed up for crochet and weaving workshops! I haven't cooked since she left (microwave to the rescue). Still think she's around - dropped something loud early this morning and cringed til I remembered 😔.

Hopefully he’ll meet like minded people and have fun.

Mine announced he might try Gaelic football 😮

After a full on freshers week DS has come down to earth with a bump. He was frustrated by not being able to connect to the Eduroam wifi but miraculously managed it in 10 mins on Tues morning. He was frustrated because he couldn’t get access to course work but has now caught up. He asked me if I thought they would mind if he completed the workbook they have been given online because he’s bored and the subject is interesting. I am relieved because he’s had a gap year and had become a bit disillusioned with education through sixth form.
His main comment was that “ his social battery is very much drained”, even party animals run out of steam.

All going well here (there) so far. We’re going over the first weekend of half term (we have the week off) so we’ll say hello, get some shopping and take him for lunch or dinner. Said what days we’re in the area and he can spend as much or as little time with us as he likes. The dogs will be giddy to see him.

Freshers Flu here too. She's missed a few lectures. Used up most of the meds I packed.

It’s very early days mines only had one tutorial so far. Once he has more work hopefully the gaps in day won’t seem as long as he’ll be studying.
I’ve seen a suggestion to give them a coffee card and invite someone from class to coffee on them to see if that helps break ice.
Other suggestion for low contact hours is a pt job to give them a bit more of a structure in week.
My dc has had some online not in person lectures but doesn’t seem to mind.

Thank you. I’m sure he’ll be fine soon. He has 2 jobs already 😂

That’s great.

Dd seems to have found some friends on her course but flatmates don't seem that sociable. She hasn't been out very much but doesn't seem too bothered about that. Seems very organised about shopping and meal planning (one of my biggest worries was that she wouldnt eat!) although calling most days. I'm happy to hear from her but I think I'll be happier when I don't hear from her everyday

Dd is home! (though I'm still at work). She has no lectures on Fridays and it is her birthday on Saturday so she came back this afternoon. The dog went mad when he saw her.

That’s lovely @Comefromaway enjoy your weekend. Mine is coming home too for first time tomorrow mainly to attend a festival but will see her.

She is out with my dad all day Saturday on an experience day (both their birthday presents) but we should get to spend a bit of time with her.

Have nice time with your child too.

I've been avoiding this thread as it kept making me cry. I feel like I'm getting used to it a bit now.

She seems to be very busy, she's joined three societies - been to welcome nights for them all, gets on really well with her flatmates - they've been baking and had a "family film and pizza night" and been out shopping together. This is the kind of stuff that broke her when she started sixth form so I couldn't be happier...I know she'll be fine with the academic stuff.

I haven't really had much info but she seems happy. I'm just getting constant how does this work and how much of this do I need to use texts 😂

My DD seems exactly the same