Starting Uni - The next chapter

[Groovee]

So results day is here and I knew it would happen but in just over 3 weeks Dd will be moving to Dundee.

Thought I would start a thread to get us through those moments that we as parents find hard.

same here pb . They aren't bothered but I like them to have some nice things from time to time.

This is the one we got though didn't pay quite that much.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OQWR3G2/ref=asc_df_B00OQWR3G254685142/?hvlocphy=9072497&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&hvnetw=g&hvadid=218086929007&creative=22110&hvpone&hvlocint&creativeASIN=B00OQWR3G2&th=1&hvpos=1o3&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-378476208146&hvrand=1261786530231123437

the way I look at it now, the things that I am buying now qill probably be the last things I buy them that aren't birthday/christmas gifts as the next time they need replaced they should be buying them themselves. So, bought the last pair of walking boots, last passport, last rain jacket, last back pack etc. So, therefore I don't mind making sure that the last one is a quality item. Also consider that this is them fully grown (though DS2 has had a mini spurt) so wont be replaicing things as they are outgrown.

I remember getting a small grant at one point because my Dad was supporting three students at once, despite him being a GP on a decent salary. As soon as I left my Mum went back as a mature student too ( although I think her parents contributed some cash ).
DS will need a new dressing gown, he lives in his, goes on over his clothes as soon as he sits down to study and is consequently a bit ratty, deciding whether to buy him the St A's red gown, think we may drop hints to grandparents...
We are free lancers with fluctuating incomes so, although we are paying the hall fees this year DS has taken out the full loan, there's no way he will spend it all but the idea is he'll save up a surplus in case we have a lean year or two ( bloody Brexit!). If he doesn't need it he can use it for post grad or to buy a car or something useful, or even pay it back...

I did the new bath robes/dressing gowns and slippers at Christmas wiggly thinking ahead that DS1 might need one for living away. Also nice new wash bags. Just made their Christmas stuff look a bigger pile by filling it with stuff they needed :)

I lost my red gown in one of my house moves a few years after I graduated

Having lived in halls in St Andrews (John Burnett Hall), I'd agree that a decent dressing gown is essential - although I'm sure that the facilities have improved since my time (memories of going from Kilmallie into the main building in my dressing gown in order to get a shower rather than a bath! )

I bought the turkish cotton bath robes from land's end on a deal, they are outstanding quality.

Hm. Wish I could say that my ds was not label obsessed! We reckon he has a shoe fetish judging on the number of pairs of designer trainers he has (all bought by him through his part time job) never mind the pile of t shirts & hoodies! One thing mine does not need is clothes!! He actually bought another shoe cleaning kit while on holiday as I accidently stood on a pair of his white trainers and dirtied the toes.. (also note ANOTHER shoe cleaning kit. He already has one but had left it at home)
Since he has an ensuite at uni (and at home) I was not going to bother with dressing gown etc. Apart from the stuff he'll need for his room and some basic kitchen stuff I don't plan on buying him anything.

Ds got a blue stripy hooded dressing gown (à la Sheldon from Big Bang Theory) a couple of Christmases ago which he has only worn intermittently.

I've also just paid out for new glasses and sunglasses for DS, he should be heading into adulthood fully equiped for every eventuality! :o

Got ds some reactolite prescription glasses this summer, so he has a back-up to his (very weak) prescription glasses.

I've also organised a dentist's appointment for him before he turns 18 (and 2 weeks before he leaves, so there is time for an extra appointment if required)

DS can't get reacolite as he needs his lenses thinned to the max (-9.5 prescription) as that would been ideal. between both DSs i was over £600 at the optician and that was with lots of discounts and maximum NHS vouchers.

Wax, DS got a new backpack for Christmas, we think alike.
You've all reminded me to get his eyes checked.
He's just got a letter about a long awaited hospital ortho appt that, of course, is bang in the middle of Freshers week, need to decide whether to try and rearrange it or not, or find out if theirs vital orientation stuff taking place on that day... probably best to try and move it to reading week...

Can all you people who have been to Uni please tell me what actually happens in Freshers week? Is this just for folk who are moving to Uni to get to know each other or is it for all students? Do they go to classes etc?

All info gratefully received :).

To my eternal regret I didn't go to Freshers Week. DH was in the Rag Committee at his Uni - he reckons you spend the week finding out about all the clubs and societies, orientating yourself round campus and getting to know people.

Is it structured howabout? DS wont cope with just going down and joining in things.

DH says there were things to do with his course in lecture format as well (this was a long time ago and in England). Sounds like a sort of extended open day type structure. Hoping someone with more knowledge comes along soon. DD1 reading over my shoulder says your DS1 sounds just like her (we may have noted this before ), so all hints and tips gratefully received.

Aww it's hard for them howabout they have a lot to offer (DS1 is hilarious and very quick with it) but just too shy until they get to know people. He really needs others to take him in hand though. I think the added pressure of feeling that they should be having the time of their lives doesn't help. He ends up hanging on the periphery looking as uncomfortable as hell. Probably doesn't help that he is 6'3 so it's a bit hard to just blend in...

I hope you don't mind a visitor from a foreign land (Essex) on here, but just to say that at DS1's university - Birmingham - the 'Welcome week', as the university prefers to call it, definitely involves timetabled 'university' and 'departmental' induction sessions. There is probably something about it on the public website, but if not, try looking for the student portal?

Thanks Marching, i suspect DS hasn't joined anything but i'll have a wee look to see what I can find. He'll definitely cope better with having particular places to be, even if it is interspersed with time out to drink in the union view the sports facilities.

Dd seems to think freshers week is parties! 🤷🏻‍♀️

She's asked me to get a box so she can put her placement clothes in it then when she needs it in the new year, I've to take it up

I bought her a diary, teachers all have diaries, so she's written all her semesters in. She's delighted she's off the week before me at Easter!!!

my DD definitely reckons freshers week is parties

and apparently both strathclyde and glasgow haven't given out their room allocations yet and are saying they'll get them when they pick up keys. big excitement when i picked her up from work is that she's had an email to say she's getting a free departmental hoody - which she's thrilled about as her view is that engineering has the best colour

i hadn't even considered the dressing gown/decency issue but i think DD will be ok as she does have a big fleece one that would keep her covered up.

Dd will need more onesies 🙈

And initiations.. still shocked at (previously shy quiet elite level sportswoman DD1) dressed as an animal with red cups taped to each hand.

So DH asked me why I didn't go to Freshers Week this morning. First time in almost 30 years together he finally realised how privileged he was compared to me. I couldn't really afford to go and had no idea how to factor in the logistics as despite being 2 hour commute away I didn't get offered halls. I was also only 17 and lacking in confidence as no ex Uni relatives to consult.

He reckons my whole Uni experience would have been vastly different in a good way if someone had given me the train fare and told me to get on with it.

My twitter feed has the links to Glasgow Freshers sign ups today, so presume all the others have similar.

Is there anyone else on here with a dc staying at home for first year?

@weegiemum I think Wax's Ds is staying at home but travelling to uni x