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Higher education

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

Original poster

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:
Millionsofmonkeys · 15/09/2025 16:34

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.

Aww. Would she give it 6 weeks to make a more informed decision? It's so very hard when they are struggling. My older DS had a miserable first couple of months and then things turned around and now he is living in his uni city as he loves it so much!

@HippyChickMama is your DC going to Lancaster? Only asking as that is our moving in day too.

jamimmi · 15/09/2025 18:03

@Millionsofmonkeys we are lancaster our date is 28th so probably a different collage! Mine is Grizedale

Millionsofmonkeys · 15/09/2025 18:10

Pendle :)
What is your DC studying?

Woollyguru · 15/09/2025 18:34

DS going to Warwick to do maths. Drop off on 27th.

He's had a gap year in South America and did some solo travelling staying in hostels and talking to random strangers which I am sure will stand him in good stead for uni.

A very close friend of his from 6th form is also going to Warwick but doing a different degree. It's nice that he knows someone but hopefully they branch out and make new friends. I'm sure they will.

HippyChickMama · 15/09/2025 19:25

Millionsofmonkeys · 15/09/2025 16:34

Aww. Would she give it 6 weeks to make a more informed decision? It's so very hard when they are struggling. My older DS had a miserable first couple of months and then things turned around and now he is living in his uni city as he loves it so much!

@HippyChickMama is your DC going to Lancaster? Only asking as that is our moving in day too.

Show quote history

Not Lancaster, Warwick, but I’m glad there are other universities starting that late, most of his school friends going to other universities went last weekend

TheLivelyViper · 15/09/2025 20:07

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.

It gets better over time, often freshers can be a lot as there's so much going on, and if you do have lectures they tend to be overwhelming with so much information.
She'll settle in, it takes time encourage her to maybe ask if her flatmates want a drink as a good way to talk to them.

Also make sure she's getting support from the university Disability team, has she got an learning support plan or something similar in place? Did she apply for DSA? As they often give a specialist wellbeing mentor sessions as well. If she doesn't, she'll have a personal tutor, they can be great if you engage with them, they're lectures in your department so know about the modules etc, can give advice on assignments but also can access other support for you. She should have an introductory session with them soon, so encourage her to be honest with them if she's having wobbles.

But also everyone has those wobbles it's a lot moving far, being with completely new people, lots to do, it's normal to have wobbles but I'm sure she'll be fine. If she wants to talk to someone, get her to contact anyone in student support or disability services, they'll likely have residence mentors as well in the accommodation.

welshmum3 · 15/09/2025 21:44

Thanks @TheLivelyViper .
She does have DSA and has been allocated an academic mentor and a wellbeing mentor. As far as I'm aware there is an ILSP in place too.
She says the issue is with flatmates. She's come from a residential school so is used to communal living but has been used to 24/7 staff support.
I have reiterated she's not the only one who will be feeling this way and that it will pass and she'll get into the swing of things.
She's been in touch with the accommodation support chap today and he's been over to see her.

mumonthehill · 15/09/2025 22:16

I had a major wobble when I went many years ago, my dm said i had to stay 2 weeks and then we could talk about it. I didn't love it after 2 weeks but certainly was more able to stay. I loved it in the end.

TheLivelyViper · 15/09/2025 22:17

welshmum3 · 15/09/2025 21:44

Thanks @TheLivelyViper .
She does have DSA and has been allocated an academic mentor and a wellbeing mentor. As far as I'm aware there is an ILSP in place too.
She says the issue is with flatmates. She's come from a residential school so is used to communal living but has been used to 24/7 staff support.
I have reiterated she's not the only one who will be feeling this way and that it will pass and she'll get into the swing of things.
She's been in touch with the accommodation support chap today and he's been over to see her.

That's good the an accommodation support person has seen her, hopefully seeing her wellbeing mentor as well will help. I know most accommodation will have some staff working for most hours, they'll be security 24/7, but staff are available most of the day is she needs anything. Is it the bonding with her flatmates that's hard? Perhaps maybe doing soke baking etc, could be a good way of getting everyone to talk, another good tip is if people drink getting some wine (or just get non alcoholic) or something and just doing a board game. It can be hard but you do sort of need to put yourself out there, and just say hi to people, everyone will be nervous and over focusing on themselves so she'll make her way through and make friends as she goes. Societies are great as you know people will have a specific interest.

PennywisePoundFoolish · 16/09/2025 10:04

@welshmum3 sorry DD has been upset but it sounds like she's got good support in place and really good she's communicating and engaging with it all. It's a tricky time for many, especially so for ND students. I hope she's feeling better about it all soon.

DS2 hasn't been very well. Started off with a bad throat but then got diarrhoea quite badly. He was able to do the enhanced induction online. He was well enough to go to another induction thing yesterday at the campus and has a course-specific one today.

His laundry got trapped in a washing machine, but the staff were really kind and helpful and even dried it for him after it was released. That he was able to sort it himself is a big step for him (autistic and very anxious). He was really worried he'd broken it and would get in trouble.

He says he's got no appetite still and just eating a bit of toast every day. He always goes down with stuff hard and has diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue syndrome as well. But generally seems OK.

Holidaytimeyay · 16/09/2025 19:12

@welshmum3 and @Ineedcoffeenow sorry to hear that your DC’s are struggling, it can be really tough in the beginning. Joining societies etc will really help. My eldest DC struggled a lot in uni and was only really happy and settled for one year but did manage to complete their degree. They ended up joining a church group and made friends and felt part of the community that way. It’s very hard as a parent when they are struggling and away, I hope they settle in soon.

I will be dropping my DC at Southampton this weekend, they really don’t enjoy being away from home so I am hoping they’ll settle in ok. They will have a mentor etc as have DSA.

Good luck to everyone dropping children off and starting uni, it’s so lovely to hear all your news!

tinks3110 · 16/09/2025 19:28

I am feeling emotional reading this thread. We dropped my eldest off at Lincoln (Geogrpahy) on Sunday and I don’t think it’s quite sunk in for me yet. I keep going to talk to them and remembering they’re not there. At the moment it just feels like she’s gone for a few days and will be back 😭

MargaretThursday · 16/09/2025 19:52

Ds has just messaged to ask if we can send up his football stuff. That's really positive because he must have at least spoken to someone who talked about football!

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 16/09/2025 20:53

Rang DD today. She’s ill as she partied for 3 straight days! Hopefully having a quieter night tonight!

madameimadam · 16/09/2025 20:58

My DS has a week to go before he heads off to Loughborough. Ive been fine up until I had a vivid dream last night and woke up in bits! It’s clearly in my subconscious. I know it’s an adventure for them but it’s hard for us, isn’t it? 😭

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 16/09/2025 23:10

@welshmum3 sorry to hear your DD has had a slightly rocky start. It's so different to anything they've experienced before. I'm sure for lots of our DC it won't be plain sailing through the whole year.

Still have a couple of weeks before DC1 is off. Still haven't made a proper list, so watching with interest. I am a chronic overpacker with a small car - not the best of combinations. In the meantime DC1's been sent on an online bridging course for Spanish which is keeping her busy.

OohIsThatAFlake · 17/09/2025 00:41

taking DS to lincoln on saturday - we live on the isle of man so it’s a trek over. will have to buy everything there as no shops here and no car space. he’s studying creative writing.
will still have DD at home but she’ll miss him terribly, they’re very close
juat hoping he settles in and enjoys it as i can’t just drive to get him

Thethingswedoforlove · 17/09/2025 01:07

My dd2 is off to Warwick to do psychology. She moves in 25/9. She is getting increasing fomo that her friends are disappearing one by one. She is so ready emotionally to go now! She’s my youngest so I am trying to be brave but her enthusiasm is infectious so I am genuinely excited for her new life.

PennywisePoundFoolish · 17/09/2025 07:49

DS2 said there were 2 people from his school that were at the maths induction course yesterday but he didn't talk to them(!)

I am very worried about him socially, but he was sounding quite upbeat, particularly about the student discounts! He's got another thing at the maths department today. He's been walking and it takes about 30 minutes (we panic-booked accommodation as it was his insurance). He's thinking about getting a bike.

DH insisted on hiring a car to when we moved DS2 in. My car is plenty big enough (it's a Kia Carens) particularly as we bought everything when we got there and I'd done one trip to Exeter and back that week, so I was Hmm. The hire car was lovely and a lot more comfortable, especially as I'm relegated to the back as DS2 is much taller than both of us now 😅

I've got 3 others at home, but it's still weird not having him here. The dog is not happy and spending a lot of time by the front door

StrikesAtticFlat · 17/09/2025 07:53

Hello! Glad to join this thread. I feel like I’m the only University of Sussex parent in the world - anyone else?! I can’t find any FB groups etc. Taking DD this coming weekend.

OreoCookay · 17/09/2025 07:54

PennywisePoundFoolish · 17/09/2025 07:49

DS2 said there were 2 people from his school that were at the maths induction course yesterday but he didn't talk to them(!)

I am very worried about him socially, but he was sounding quite upbeat, particularly about the student discounts! He's got another thing at the maths department today. He's been walking and it takes about 30 minutes (we panic-booked accommodation as it was his insurance). He's thinking about getting a bike.

DH insisted on hiring a car to when we moved DS2 in. My car is plenty big enough (it's a Kia Carens) particularly as we bought everything when we got there and I'd done one trip to Exeter and back that week, so I was Hmm. The hire car was lovely and a lot more comfortable, especially as I'm relegated to the back as DS2 is much taller than both of us now 😅

I've got 3 others at home, but it's still weird not having him here. The dog is not happy and spending a lot of time by the front door

my dog has been coming home from walks and then dashing up and down the stairs repeatedly, looking for mine who left last Friday.

ilovebagpuss · 17/09/2025 09:40

DD had her Lancaster timetable through yesterday we were shocked to see a few seminars at 6-7pm!
She is hating the wait and seeing everyone starting I wish it was a bit earlier start date but we have to wait until the 28th.
The lack of a structure is starting to get to her as she has had quite a long boring summer after a bit of travel and a few work shifts weekly.

welshmum3 · 17/09/2025 12:36

So, went down to see Dd at her request today ( luckily I booked AL this week). She actually seems happy enough despite the "I hate it here" messages 🤷.
We've organised her room a bit as she'd not unpacked anything, and she's gone off to Freshers Fayre.
She has said she spends evenings playing board games and cards with her flatmates and they've been out shopping together and for takeaway. So she's not actually spending all her free time in her room isolated and upset 🤷.
We have also chatted about coming home some weeks as teaching is only two days a week or meeting up with her brother who is less than an hour away. And she's planned for old school friends to stay over in her halls...She's doing ok 👍

igivein · 17/09/2025 13:41

We're moving DS into Lincoln on Sunday. His move in slot is 9am so we needed a hotel for Saturday night. There's very little available, and what there was was £600 for one night! price gouging at all?!!!!
So we're staying half an hour away for £140, which is a bit more reasonable!
It feels really weird because I'm a uni lecturer and our Fresher's is this week. I'm seeing my new first years in a different light this year ... keep making sure they've had something to eat and telling them to ring home 😂

OreoCookay · 17/09/2025 14:07

igivein · 17/09/2025 13:41

We're moving DS into Lincoln on Sunday. His move in slot is 9am so we needed a hotel for Saturday night. There's very little available, and what there was was £600 for one night! price gouging at all?!!!!
So we're staying half an hour away for £140, which is a bit more reasonable!
It feels really weird because I'm a uni lecturer and our Fresher's is this week. I'm seeing my new first years in a different light this year ... keep making sure they've had something to eat and telling them to ring home 😂

I think you can turn up late for an early morning slot, so long as they still have people giving out room keys etc.

My DD turned up a bit early (booked for 11am, arrived 9.30am) and it was fine.