Thread 41 Corona Cohort - Autumn Adventures of our Adult Children

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

This is a support thread for our young adults post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting, and their results ( or life updates for those who went into work or have had results earlier). It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, uni vs employment please don't within this thread.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue. We were previously on the secondary board and then further education, now we shall be here in 'Parents of Adult Children' gulp

Our DS/DD may continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed). Be warned there might be lots of 'Uni Freshers' chat this time of year. My experience is that everyone is welcomed wherever, whatever their child is doing we have some in work, gap years , apprenticeships etc too. Lots of contributors with different experiences and always sympathy and support to be had !

previous thread

[HarrietDVane]

Thank you for the new thread!

[singingstones]

Thanks Orange. Updated list of what our DC are up to, including some new joiners. Let me know of any mistakes or omissions, or if you would prefer not to be included, or if you're lurking and would like to join. I did have a little tidy up last time and removed a few people who seemed to have left the thread, so apologies if you are still here but have fallen off.

@278Newnames / DS / Engineering / Bath
@Alsoplayspiccolo / DD / English and Film / Birmingham
@AnneofCleavage / DD / gap year + Primary Education / Chichester
@Appuskidu / DD / Psychology / Birmingham
@Benjispruce4 / DD / Sociology / NTU
@blinkbonny / DS / Sociology / Nottingham
@BlueMarigold / DD / Biology / Birmingham
@boxcar / DD / English and Drama / Birmingham
@boxcar / DS / / Swansea
@Cantonet / DS / Sports Science / Surrey
@cariadambyth / DD / History / RHUL
@cheninblanc / DD / Digital Marketing for Fashion / Fashion Retail Academy
@Chewbecca / DS / Economics / Loughborough
@CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee / DD / Music / Cardiff
@coffeeandbiscuittime / DD / Medicine / waiting list – applying 2023?
@collywobble / DS / PPE / Loughborough
@Comefromaway / DS / Music / Leeds Conservatoire
@craggyrat / DS / History / Cambridge
@crazycrofter / DD / Psychology / Nottingham
@Decorhate / DS / Economics and Politics / Sheffield
@Delphigirl / DS / Oceanography / gap year + Plymouth (or Dalhousie?)
@deuxgarcons / DS / Comp Sci / Swansea
@DoggerelBank / DS / Biotechnology / Manchester
@DontCallMeBaby / DD / TESOL and Korean / UCLAN
@ealingwestmum / DD / Middle Eastern & European Studies / TCD
@EwwSprouts / DS / Biology / Durham
@EspeciallyDivided / DS / Wildlife Conservation and Countryside Management / RAU
@Fiddlersgreen / DS / Journalism / Leicester
@Fonty / DS / History / Exeter
@Fruitygal / DD / Biology / Durham
@GoldenRuby / DD / Anthropology and Sociology / Durham
@HarrietDVane / DD / MFL / Warwick
@Hattifatteners / DD / Vet Med / Bristol
@Heifer / DD / Biology / Nottingham
@HibiscusIsland / DD / Biological Sciences / Warwick
@HoneyMobster / DD / Medicine / Oxford
@Horace123 / DS / Classics / Oxford
@horrificbiology / DD / Biology / Lancaster
@icanbewhatiwant / DS / History and Philosophy / Sussex
@Isthisjustnormal / DS / Comp Sci / York
@JustHereWithMyPopcorn / DS / Law / Nottingham
@KingscoteStaff / DD / Medicine / Newcastle
@kiwiandcherries / DD / Primary Education / Winchester
@Knickerthief1 / DD / Child Nursing / York
@Mango0 / DD / Maths / Lancaster
@MirandaWest / DS / gap year + Geography / Newcastle
@MondaysChild7 / DD / Interior Design / USW
@Monkey2001 / DS / Medicine / 2023 entry
@mummabear74 / DD / Environmental Science / tbc
@mummyinbeds / DS / Law and French Law / Nottingham
@NCTDN / DD / Liberal Arts / Bristol
@Northumberlandlass / DS / Accounting / Northumbria
@Oblomov22 / DS / Accountancy / PwC Nottingham
@omnishambles / DS / Mech Eng / Nottingham
@OublietteBravo / DD / Business with Law / Exeter
@PaddingtonPaddington / DD / Music / RWCMD
@pangolinfan / DD / Economics and Politics / Edinburgh
@PhotoDad / DD / Illustration / ARU
@Piggywaspushed / DS / Policy, Politics and Economics / Birmingham
@ProggyMat / DD / Classics / Oxford
@Sallyingon / DS / / Lancaster
@sazzy5 / DS / Sport and Exercise Med Sci / Exeter
@scabby1 / DS / Economics and Politics / Bristol
@ScarlettDarling / DS / Biochemistry / Oxford
@Seeline / DD / Liberal Arts / UEA
@Shimy / DS / Management / Warwick
@singingstones / DS / Neuroscience / Nottingham
@Siriusmuggle / DS / BMus Music Performance / RNCM
@sofakingcool / DS / Business Economics / Reading
@stephaniestephanie / DS / Film + TV with Innovation / Bristol
@Takeittotheboss / DS / gap year + Economics / Liverpool
@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango / DD / Politics + IR / Bath
@Tomnooktoldmeto / DD / Creative Writing and Media / NTU
@Tomnooktoldmeto / DS / History / NTU
@tryingmybest13 / DS / Archaeology / Bangor
@Understartersorders / DS / / LSE
@Volterra / DS / Maths / Bath
@whatsnext2 / DD / English joint hons / Reading
@Wheresthebeach / DD / gap year + Marine Biology / Portsmouth
@whoamitojudge / DD / cabin crew training + employment
@Zebracat / DD / Flexible Combined Honours / Exeter
@ZittiEBuoni / DD / applying 2023 tbc

[JustHereWithMyPopcorn]

Thanks @CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee and @singingstones can’t believe I’m on the first page, don’t normally see the new threads before they’re 10 pages in! The 3am wake up time has some benefits I guess. 😂

[POTC]

I've stumbled upon you all in active conversations tonight after I dropped DS at uni in the afternoon. I'm taking that as a sign that I should join you, late to the party but hopefully you won't mind?
DS is doing Geography at Lincoln.
He too has turquoise curtains, although he doesn't know that as he's colourblind, have no idea what colour he thinks they are!
Just me and him went for the booked slot on Friday and he has stayed but on Saturday (today now!) his dad is driving me and DS2 (15) up with the forgotten bits so we can go for a birthday meal as DS turns 19 on Sunday. Its 2.5hrs so not exactly economical but he didn't think he'd get everything in his dad's estate car with us all in there too and it was good to have that time just us. He packed my 22yr old tiny vw polo and did get everything in. He's even taken his computer desk chair 😂
I've briefly skimmed through the previous thread and tried to take bits in. I do remember seeing Monkey2001 mention ds being too tall for the beds. DS is 6'3" and has just had to accept that he won't be able to lie down fully outstretched! He does have a small double though so space to move. I'm very close to UEA so if you need someone to visit for you and host a video call so you can view things without having to travel that far please shout!
I've spent the last week feeling guilty because fb has been full of posts about how sad people are that their dc are moving to uni, how they've been crying for weeks etc. I've not felt any of that anguish and have felt like a bad parent for not being bothered. For me it's just exciting that he's getting this experience. It is a bit different for us I guess as there are 6 going from his sixth form, all doing different courses. The one girl is in a different private accommodation but mine and his 4 mates are all together in one flat. She has already been to visit him, and in her flat everyone else is 3rd year so I suspect she'll be in their flat often! It's in a halls of residence that the uni sold to a private company so right opposite student union but they were able to arrange to all be in one flat, bypassing that worry of which accommodation he'd be allocated and how much of his maintenance loan it would swallow up. We signed the tenancy in January with the incentive of discounted weekly rent so it's costing less than all the actual uni accommodation apart from the really old, shared bathroom block. We did discover on arrival that the one remaining room in their flat has been allocated. The company weren't expecting to have so many that they'd need that room but they're completely full. I do feel quite sorry for the lad in that room as he's going in to a flat where he's sharing with 5 lads who have all been best mates since yr7!
As I left DS this afternoon I asked for a hug. "Really? You'll see me tomorrow" was the response but he did then eventually relent 😁
He rang tonight, only because he needed some info from the box his computer keyboard came in but I did get to ask some questions and he promises it's tidier now!

[Fruitygal]

@CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee thanks for the new thread we arrived after an epic journey at 7pm and drop off at Durham is today. Booked a lovely pub for dinner last night and DD a lot calmer after tears when leaving the 🐈‍⬛, her brother and bestie yesterday.

Welcome @POTC think you must be from my end of the country. We looked at Lincoln for my DS2 - loved the place but the course we looked at wasn’t right for him 😢

Have fun for his birthday celebrations! Wow so many mates all going to same uni - same courses or different courses?

@Benjispruce4 Sending a big hug and I’m glad the BF is there - the worst luck for your DD

Photos of rooms and views have been great - don’t think DD will have much of a view at her college as her college flat is in a quad I think ? Lots if activities planned by the college in the next week so very different experience to my DSs where they had to go and find the party themselves.

[Benjispruce4]

@Fruitygal thats what is great about Durham. I hope she loves it as DD1 did.
Thanks for new thread @CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee I hope to speak to DD properly this morning to assess the situation.

[OublietteBravo]

Thanks for the new thread. I can’t believe it’s already a week since we dropped DD off. Today is going to seem a bit strange. It’s my birthday, and there will only be 3 of us going out for dinner.

[craggyrat]

Have read back a bit now and definitely up for 1 October detox life idea.

Hi and welcome @POTC

sorry to hear about everything your DD is going through @Benjispruce4. It sounds sad and scary. Hope you have a good conversation with her today.

[handmademitlove]

Dropped DD at York yesterday. Bit of a wobble but seems okay this morning.

[PhotoDad]

Thanks for the new thread! I went out with colleagues last night and came home to hundreds of new messages. Good luck to all those who are settling in at the moment, some great stories. Sorry to hear that there are still a few problems.

I do track my DD's phone. All of our family are visible to each other on Google Maps, have been since the kids got phones. She is aware of that and might switch it off at some point! She is a homebody and it's reassuring that she is actually out and about sometimes during the day (often in local parks, probably sketching), and also spending some time at a couple of friends' accommodation.

Some lovely rooms! DD has subsequently bought more things for hers, but these pics show what it was like once she'd unpacked. It's upstairs in a semi-detached house, and view is onto a quiet residential street. It's bigger than she was expecting, given she managed to get the lowest rent in the entire uni! (All the stuffed toys and cushions on the bed were made by her, it's one of her hobbies.)

[NCTDN]

Good luck to all Durhamers for today! DD was telling me that a friend found out after allocation that her college is no longer a gowned one and that was one reason she chose it?
@Benjispruce4 i hope your dd is able to think rationally about what to do. I really feel for you.

[Benjispruce4]

Thanks and happy birthday @craggyrat its my other DD’s birthday too!
How was the welcome at York @handmademitlove ? That’s where DD wanted to go.

[PhotoDad]

And was it @Fruitygal who knew Mill Road? DD has found a great and cheap Jordanian restaurant!

[EspeciallyDivided]

Morning all, thanks for the new thread @CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee and the list update @singingstones .

Welcome on board @POTC .

Good luck to all those dropping off this weekend, and Happy Birthday to those celebrating.

We have agreed to pop up and take DS out for lunch today as he has been away for two weeks now. Just a couple of hours to catch up and drop off a few more bits. Hope it doesn’t make him homesick. We won’t go onto the campus this time, just ring him from the car park and then head out for a bit.

[handmademitlove]

@Benjispruce4 they were lovely. Picked up keys and the college administrator came over to say hello - Dd gave first name and then admin said her surname. She was a bit bemused that they knew who she was, but given she moved in a day early and we had emailed about a number of things, I said it was just that! Reception staff were really helpful. Will see how she does today with everyone else moving in. Yesterday was nice and quiet but I suspect today will be a lot busier! She messaged this morning to say that a girl I was chatting to yesterday said hello to me via her on the group chat 😂🤣

[craggyrat]

@EspeciallyDivided - that is a lovely room your DS has got.

We are staying at the Premier Inn near Parker’s Piece next weekend when we drop DS so hoping to find good restaurants. His college is quite close by. I think that’s where their Freshers Fair is the following Tuesday

[Decorhate]

Thanks for the new thread. Ds’ first week has gone quickly. Which is a good thing.

He has had a few introductory lectures & been out quite a bit. Even had some school friends visit who are at a different uni! Seems happy enough.

Good luck to everyone moving this weekend.

[PhotoDad]

@craggyrat

@EspeciallyDivided - that is a lovely room your DS has got.

We are staying at the Premier Inn near Parker’s Piece next weekend when we drop DS so hoping to find good restaurants. His college is quite close by. I think that’s where their Freshers Fair is the following Tuesday

@craggyrat For what it's worth, DD really likes "Little Petra" a few minutes walk from Parker's Piece down Mill Road. Good value Mediterranean food (and about five mins from her house!)

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

Welcome @POTC sounds like some larks will be happening at Lincoln.

Thank you for the updated list @singingstones so helpful!

Welcome @handmademitlove I was attracted to York for Music for Dd but she didn't want to go too far.

@PhotoDad I love the stuffed toys. Dd went through a phase of making stuff during lockdown..I wish she'd kept it on. Concentrates her mind from anxieties.

Dd attempted clubbing last night but got a bit nervy/anxious. She has been missing dog and boyfriend. I think he is going up there this weekend which is a bad idea really. Especially seeing as the rest of the Cardiff lot are moving in. He's been messaging me saying he is worried that she will be getting drunk and going clubbing with people she doesn't know and therefore he doesn’t trust.. He really doesn't know much about uni life, so can.be forgiven..I hope he hasn't passed on his anxieties to Dd though! Dd also a bit nervy about the course, will her auditions be good enough, will she be able to keep up etc. I think she'll be OK once all the welcome stuff kicks off next week. I hope so.

I don't have a room pic without her in it. It is one of the cheapest rooms though. Her window view is straight into a tree, which is nice if she peers from a certain angle you can see down into Cardiff. Was it you @volterra that said you stayed in Roath?

The SU seen to be doing loads for all, as well as the usual clubbing, day trips, therapy dog meets, bbqs, quiet lounges etc, hall tours, tea and coffee chat sessions. I'm pleased that the support is there if she wants it.

@cariadambyth thought you'd find it useful to know DN just moved back into halls at second year with RHU, apparently a popular option.

[Oblomov22]

Thank you Orange.

[craggyrat]

Thanks for the recommendation @PhotoDad

[blinkbonny]

Thanks for the thread @CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee, the list @singingstones and welcome @POTC . @PhotoDad your DD is so creative!

Think DS went out to a club last night so seems the catered dining will be helpful to hook into outings, at least at first.

[singingstones]

Good luck today Durhamers and crazy's DD 🍀

[cariadambyth]

Hello all, I have been following avidly but don’t seem to have posted for ages. I’ve loved seeing all the rooms. Who chooses university curtains??? They need some to have a quiet word with them and explain the error of their ways.
Thanks for that info @orange, that’s really useful to know. Dd seems to be having the time of her life there and has kept herself busy by day and night it seems. She’s met some lovely people she gets on really well with and has baked brownies and a Victoria sponge this week. My only worry is that the actual work part of uni life will be a distraction from her socialising and baking! I feel very lucky to be in this position as she has a few friends elsewhere who are really struggling and as a result, their poor mums are too.

[ScarlettDarling]

Good luck to all who are leaving today. We’ve still got ds home for another week. He’s off to his part time job this morning but he’s not actually going out tonight as nearly all of his friends are away so we’ll have a family pizza night. Feeling stupidly emotional, just hoping it improves once he’s away and we all settle into routine.