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Higher education

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

Uni starters 2025/26 all welcome

576 replies

NCTDN · 07/09/2025 08:54

Following on from a year 13 support thread, thought this might be nice to ease us into their new chapters. We had a lovely one for my older DC so created this to help us navigate everything!

OP posts:
igivein · 08/09/2025 11:40

Can I join please?
DS (PFB & only) off to Lincoln to study physics.
I'm starting to be a bit concerned about the lack of communication from the uni. He's had a gap year so applied grades in hand and was accepted straight away (well before this year's results).
He applied for accommodation, which I think is sorted.
He filled in his enrolment the day after results day, he got an acknowledgement which said they'd be in touch within 10 working days and he's heard nothing since.
I thought they would have given him a moving in slot by now and a list of what's actually provided in the accommodation (so we can work out what he needs). Freshers doesn't start until the 22nd, but we need to get sorted as moving him in will need an overnight stay because of distance.
He's supremely unconcerned and I'm the one who's getting nervous 😂

Monstermunchy · 08/09/2025 11:44

DS2 is off to Sheffield Uni on the 20th. His brother has just graduated and got a job in a different city to home, so our nest will be empty too…

I'm not too sure my two got the memo about this generation drinking less (younger one is slightly more measured…) 😅

singingirl · 08/09/2025 11:58

May I join? My dd is off to UCA Farnham to study animation, and is up and down with her emotions - excited most of the time, but wobbly at others. I am attempting to remain calm on the outside at least. She is off this weekend too.

Martyjake · 08/09/2025 18:57

Hi my son is off to Bangor to study Marine Biology but he doesn't start till the 21st. Not sure how he will get on as he finds it difficult to make friends, lacks confidence. I'm hoping being on his own will encourage him to step out of his comfort zone.

MargaretThursday · 08/09/2025 19:27

Ds is off to Rose Bruford to do lighting.

Dd2 has gone back this weekend, he goes next weekend and then we have an empty nest. Not sure if I'm sad or excited!

Ds is very excited by his tool kit. He was okay about kitchen equipment (well, he looked at dd1's old stuff and said it would do). He could care less about his clothing, but only if he was planning on wearing the same outfit all term probably is

I'm hoping he can muster up enough enthusiasm to actually pack his clothes.

@Ineedcoffeenow
Tell your dd to go and find some societies to join. It doesn't have to be particularly round her interests, but just for social time. Volunteering to be backstage for theatre things can bring you into a group, but that's probably later in term. I always told mine that the Christian Union normally offers a certain amount of food and friendship if they need someone to listen.
They may never have thought about ultimate frisbee, or embroidering on tote bags, or wearing your pants on your head society but it's often the societies where you find other people you get on with.

Tell her not to worry about being good at it/enthusiastic but just go along. Dd1 loved a baking society, dd2 joined an orchestra (that she swore she would not go anywhere near).

And actually from experience, those who have old friends and cling to them often find it easy at the beginning, but really hard later because they don't start looking outside their old group either after they've fallen out with them, or because they've discovered that everyone else is moving on and they're still just the old group and not getting new experiences and they begin to wonder if they're missing out.

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 08/09/2025 19:40

I’m quite pleased my dd is off to Sheffield. She has an active social life in Leeds and it might give her a rest! 🤣

NCTDN · 08/09/2025 21:49

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 08/09/2025 19:40

I’m quite pleased my dd is off to Sheffield. She has an active social life in Leeds and it might give her a rest! 🤣

I think Sheffield and active social other go together don’t they?!

OP posts:
unsurewhattodoaboutit · 09/09/2025 00:47

@NCTDNyes but at least no ‘Otley Run’!🥴

sleepwouldbenice · 09/09/2025 00:59

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 07/09/2025 09:01

Hi daughter going to Sheffield Hallam to study nursing

Waving. Mine doing paramedic science. Which halls?

PhotoDad · 10/09/2025 12:34

Checking in on the thread - thank you, @NCTDN! Only skimmed at the moment. DS is on his gap year; currently backpacking with a friend in SE Asia, before starting a job in New Zealand, before he starts uni. Best of luck to everyone; DD has just finished university, and it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride!

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 10/09/2025 15:31

@sleepwouldbenicethe forge. She has identified another girl in her flat doing paramedic science.

sleepwouldbenice · 10/09/2025 15:52

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 10/09/2025 15:31

@sleepwouldbenicethe forge. She has identified another girl in her flat doing paramedic science.

Thanks. Drat. I told her to apply earlier for the Forge
My DD is in Anvil

Thanks

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 10/09/2025 16:48

@sleepwouldbeniceshame but there are lots of healthcare students spread across the accommodations so I’m sure she will get to know lots of them x

Ineedcoffeenow · 10/09/2025 18:07

DD has been gone since Saturday and I’m missing her like mad. Think it’s going to take a while before I get used to her being away. But she seems to be having a good time so I’m happy. Except that classes have already started in freshers week and she has an assignment due on Friday. I think that’s a bit too much. Freshers week is supposed to be about kicking back and enjoying the time.

Tinytigertail · 10/09/2025 18:48

Ineedcoffeenow · 10/09/2025 18:07

DD has been gone since Saturday and I’m missing her like mad. Think it’s going to take a while before I get used to her being away. But she seems to be having a good time so I’m happy. Except that classes have already started in freshers week and she has an assignment due on Friday. I think that’s a bit too much. Freshers week is supposed to be about kicking back and enjoying the time.

My DD also has a really full on timetable over Freshers, wonder if it's a new way of trying to minimise Freshers carnage?

Ineedcoffeenow · 10/09/2025 19:00

@Tinytigertail Maybe! It seems a bit mean.

She’s been told today that she needs to buy some equipment that’s around £180-£200. They never mentioned that at the open day! Guess that will be on us.

BonjourCrisette · 10/09/2025 21:06

Best of luck to everyone! DD isn't going this year and is applying with grades in hand. But I am totally going to lurk and pick up useful tips for next year!!

DD's gap year will be working, writing (this is her thing), and doing some stuff related to the degree she's interested in. But she is doing a bit of short trip travelling too and is off to Paris tomorrow.

mumonthehill · 11/09/2025 10:12

Fab to hear how all are getting on!! Ds has had his medical for NZ so hopefully heading off end of the month. He has had his timetable through for his sports training and it is intense but looks great. Now a job to find!

SplatSplash · 12/09/2025 21:39

DC going to Nottingham to do Economics. This time next week I'll be in a Nottingham Hotel room while they're , hopefully, out bonding with new flatmates.

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 13/09/2025 20:36

Dropped ds off at university today. Felt quite emotional walking away.

Millionsofmonkeys · 13/09/2025 21:14

Still got a fortnight before dropping DS off. His brother popped home for a day or so, and has gone back to his flat. It's all so bittersweet.

MonkeyTennis34 · 14/09/2025 14:04

Dropped DS2 off at Liverpool uni yesterday. He was more than happy for us not to linger. He went out last night with a boy from his 6th form. We’re hoping he’s going to make some new friends too.

piscofrisco · 15/09/2025 09:47

Dropped DD on Saturday. She seems to be having a great time. I feel bereft :(

HippyChickMama · 15/09/2025 14:36

Ds doesn’t go until the 27th. I think we’ve got everything, but then I keep thinking of little things that might be useful, this week it was a cutlery organiser for his drawer and an extension lead for under his desk. I’m now badgering him to start sorting through his clothes and books and decide what he’s taking. Dd is pretending not to care that her big brother is going to be living somewhere else during term time, but then she double checked with me at the weekend that he won’t be leaving while she’s at school and she’s also insisted on getting him a gift for his room from her

welshmum3 · 15/09/2025 15:30

Dd ( neurodivergent) dropped at Gloucester (Oxtalls) Uni on Saturday. Having a major wobble today and already wanting to come home.

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