Uni starters 2025/26 all welcome

[NCTDN]

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!

I’m in the same situation—a lecturer and my DD went off to uni last week. I’m getting ready for the start of the new academic year and it’s a bit of an odd feeling.

@welshmum3 glad your DD is feeing better!

Just joining - DS is off to Southampton on Saturday. We’ve done all the shopping and boxed everything up, he’s doing well on admin like registering for GP online etc. He’s ready to go and excited about his course, but I know DH and I will be sad without him, he’s our only and we love spending time with him. Trying to be positive, supportive and realistic all at once! He went Interrailing over the summer so that was good preparation in a way.

We move ds to England from NI at the weekend and I’m dreading it though obviously don’t show it. He has no choice as his course isn’t offered here and he’d really rather not be moving away if he didn’t have to.

I’m trying to be so positive about it. He doesn’t drink or party but there seems to be plenty of non party options for next week and he can’t be the only one.

There’s a swimming pool fairly close and we’ve even made a list of films he needs to watch if all else fails!

I have older dd still at uni and at home but it’s going to be very odd without ds!
Plus I’m dreading packing the car.

Sorry to hear about DC who are struggling at first – I'm sure it's very usual to have a wobble, but then settle in well.
Taking DS off to Sheffield on Sunday – which is three hours each way and I need to get back same day since I'm working the next day. DH will be at home waiting for DD to get back from her DoE expedition. Thanks for the tip further up the thread that you can potentially get there early, that could be useful for our 3pm slot.
DS has also seen all his mates go off. He's had a few updates on how they're getting on, and I think has got some ideas from them. He won't know anyone though – but he's definitely ready to start the next step.

@Changed18which halls is he going to in Sheffield?

DD off to Warwick to do maths. I’ve seen quite a few with Warwick bound DC here : ) She’s getting v bored waiting but Warwick maths dept have provided a fair amount of work to do already by way of a refresher before term even starts so she’s working her way through that. She moves in next Friday. I think the first few weeks will be tough for her. She’s not a drinker or much of a party person. She does know someone else going who she gets on well with so that’s good.
Really hope everyone’s DC settle soon.

Could you not go on the Saturday night to break up your driving?

DS is off to Lancaster.. the wait to start feels looooong

We drove down the night before and stayed at a hotel. Then realised there's one right next door to DS2s accommodation, they share the carpark 😅. Apparently they give discounts for parents visiting DC so we'll stay there when we visit.

DS2 went to the GP yesterday as he's had diarrhoea for a week and no appetite etc and rang for advice and they told him to come in. He had a blood test and the results are OK. GP said it could be his antidepressants causing irritation and prescribed something for that. He has an appointment today and also needs to take a 💩 sample. I'm pleased he's managed it all himself, but definitely felt the distance.

Good luck to all those settling DC in over the next couple of weeks.

@unsurewhattodoaboutit what halls are you going to? We’re Froggatt.

@PennywisePoundFoolish Your poor DS. Rotten luck to be unwell at the start of time, but reassuring that he's seeking help when needed.

Interesting example of the different approaches by different subjects even within the same university today. DC1 is starting a joint honours course in October. The first department has already sent lots of compulsory pre course reading, an online course, and dire warnings about being properly prepared to work at a fast pace. The second department has sent no reading whatsoever, but an invitation to a party in the first week .

@Holidaytimeyay @MotherOfCatBoy Soton parent here too. DD doing midwifery. We drop her off on Saturday afternoon (she has three weeks in Wessex Lane before moving to Glen Eyre due to delays in fire safety work). We are all feeling quite emotional about it!

Hi @SingingAvocado, we are also dropping DC on Saturday at Glen Eyre. Wasn’t aware of any works going on 😬.
Yes, DC is very emotional and I am worried but luckily not too far to go to collect if necessary.
Hope it all goes well, I remember dropping older DC at uni and the queues were awful so I hope it’s better at Southampton🤞.

@NCTDNShes in the Forge since last Saturday. Seems to have spent 5 days with a hangover!

We're driving from Kent to Nottingham tomorrow . Route planners seem to suggest either M25 and M1 or M25, M11 and then A14 to M1.

Any suggestions as to which might be best. The second route is 10miles longer but I've always tried t9 avoid the M1.

@SplatSplash
We drove from Kent to Liverpool via the M1, it took almost 2 hours longer than it should as they kept slowing the traffic down.

DS now has timetable and name of block for Lancaster. Looks like 20 contact hours a week.

He is in a show flat as he's naturally very tidy and clean and really gross messy flatmates would go his head in. Didn't get the accommodation ambassador job he applied for though :(

@SingingAvocado and @Holidaytimeyay DS is in Glen Eyre too

Millionsofmonkeys my DD has got her block at Lancaster as well, not sure about timetable. I assume the actual rooms will be allocated on the day. Arrival time is booked, I was surprised how many slots were free.

She's also in a show flat but couldn't get the accommodation ambassador link to work - she even emailed the contact but heard nothing back. I imagine they were overwhelmed with applications. At least they get food vouchers if their flats are used I think.

Joining the thread, my DS is also off to Lancaster, and he only seems to have only 9 hours of contact time on his timetable, which he is going to find strange. He also doesn't know which block of accommodation he is in, it could be one of 6, but it is meant to be a show flat

@Bagpussmouse @Sweetpeasaremadeforbees All in show flats - what are the chances?!

DS is in Pendle shared. Maybe they are flatmates, lol.
I feel like he's ready to be off now. 9 hours is low for contact - has he chosen his minor?

My friend's daughter going to Sussex. Are you on the WIWIKAU "what I wish I knew about university on Facebook. There are then branches for different Uni's

DS started at York last Saturday. I think him having a gap year really helped him socially. Took us 8 hours to drive there due to traffic but we were amused at all the cars obviously heading to Uni's on the roads. He has surprisingly settled in quite quickly but he did go to boarding school so used to been away. He doesn't drink but went out to a club night but they didn't get in as some forgot their ID so they went to Mcdonalds. lol Walked back and had to give one of the girls piggy backs as she wore high shoes and her feet hurt. :-)

@Millionsofmonkeys DS is in County. He is doing history and his minor is international relations and both lectures and seminars seem to be on the timetable. I think they are meant to do a lot of independent study. I think we ready to go, but another week to wait, the dining room is full of boxes and bags.