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.

dS has had a Freshers events brochure in the post, all the club nights in the union start at 10.30 his usual bed time! I'm sure he'll find some other quiet country mice to hang out with or maybe he will under go a rapid personality transformation....

Yes weegie DS1 is staying home foreverthe first year. I don't really want him to move out as i'd miss him, but I wanted him to want to move out (if that makes sense?). Even DS2, aside from his new ambition to be a barman, talks a good game about wanting to move out and also to study/live abroad but has also said he'd like to spend the first year at home .

I am obviously doing something wrong. Spoiled rotten probably.

DS is off to Oxford after a year off in which to age a bit. Such a long way and we can't take him because of timings and work so he is heading off on the train.

DD went from London to Edinburgh on her own last year. I waved her off at Kings Cross. She has all her stuff vacuum packed in a single suitcase. When she got to Edinburgh, it was straight to Ikea (with the rest of humanity) for bedding and kitchen stuff.

She has really blossomed by having to do everything for herself (my credit card).

Wax dd1 is staying home for a few reasons, and it seems quite common in her peer group - is it a Glasgow thing?

Though I don't have to worry about dressing gowns and cutlery, we're going to have to negotiate some ground rules once things blast off - I wasn't in before about 3am any night of my Freshers Week, and the girl does like a party!

Theres also the issue of money - how much do we give her? Obvs no rent/bills but there will be transport (though she just got a bike I cant see her riding it through the winter), we'll keep paying her phone contract, but we are hoping she gets a job! I really don't want her taking out a loan if we can afford for her not to. But theres a real possibility we could end up with 3 kids at uni at the same time.

She's had her heart set on GSA for so long, I'm just praying it is all she hopes for!

Think there are some "enrolment" type activities during the day and tours of the library. Not all the social activities involve alcohol - dd went with a group to see a film.

Also there are "welcome" desks and i know the CU had a therapy dog for anxious students to stroke. DD had lots of hugs with the dog despite not being anxious at all.

Weegie - it's very much a Glasgow thing to go to the local Uni. I was unusual going away - all my friends went to Glasgow or Strathclyde (bar 1 who went to Cambridge). Roll forward 40 years and Ds says almost all his school friends are going to Glasgow or Strathclyde, although he knows someone going to St Andrews, another to Dundee and one who went to Edinburgh after S5.

He's the only one from his school going to Aberdeen this year though - but I think he's looking forward to it for that very reason. (Have had an argument with dh about that as I remember looking forward to "my" start on my own at St Andrews with a similar sentiment and dh wants to get his niece, going into 4th year up there, to smother look after him for the first few months )

Dd is the only one moving away out of her group. They're all discussing what to spend their saas on and she knows she can't.

It wasn't about not wanting to leave that made dd1 apply to GSA - there simply isn't another art school outside of London that is of that caliber, it's the Oxbridge of Art Schools.

But having got in she's decided to stay home for several reasons - I'm disabled and she worries about me, saving money (though we can afford for her to move out) and probably most importantly, she's had mh problems in the past, including borderline anorexia and at the moment doesn't feel up to living on her own. She's a homebody and doesn't fancy halls! So I get to keep her ever-improving cooking for another year. Her plan is to meet other arty types and move into a flat next year.

I know there are extenuating circumstances in your dd's case Weegie - plus she already had the example of you and your dh to see the benefits of moving away and meeting new people

The fact that she got into such an internationally renowned art school - and without having to do a portfolio year - is a fantastic achievement!

Thanks prettybird, she really has done rather well, her artistic abilities do amaze me and have done for years.

She'll move out when the time is right for her. Navigating a "home" student is just out of my experience, though I'm aware it's the Weegie norm!

Extenuating circumstances in your case weegie. We are not local but it is commutable. We are right on the edge of the border of him being entitled to guaranteed accommodation but i din't think that was the reason. He is just painfully shy, socially anxious and quite a young just turned 18. He doesn't go out although is perfectly happy to sink a few pints when out with us.

in terms of money, the plan is that we pay for his travel and we would have paid for his accommodation and the rest is down to him. We'll keep paying for his phone and I feel a bit mean stopping his pocket money but he really needs to get a job. He is not work shy, just too shy shy to go through the process of getting a job and we don't have contacts to be able to help. he has taken the loan but the plan is not to use it and then either to repay it at the end or put it towards getting a flat or something. he has some savings and got a small lump sum from us for his Birthday. If he is very very frugal he could add that that to the first year loan and spread it over the full course and survive given that he has food, shelter and travel covered

I was winding him up a bit tonight though about possibly relocating back to Edinburgh :)

Ohhh some great info on here my DS will be starting second year at sixth form in September and then looking to go to Uni next September. We’ve just started looking at what amount of loan etc he will receive! (It seems like it won’t pay for very much, doubt it would cover accommodation) Any tips please?

Not sure this is the right forum for you as this is in Scotsnet and our loan system is different to the English system (different income thresholds and amounts of loans, different interest rates and different thresholds for repayments once the student starts earning). Plus of course no fees!

Hi - Glad I have seen this thread! DD1 is off to Napier and starting to get nervous . All advice/tips much appreciated!

Congratulations to all your DC on their exciting new adventures. My DC is taking a different path to get their degree. Despite meeting their offer requirements they have decided to skip the straight degree route and have accepted an offer for a degree apprenticeship which takes them out of UCAS and they gain a place via their employer instead (still have to meet requirements).

So I’m happy that I have my DC home for another year as halls are not an option, I think it’s going to be tough working towards their degree while working pretty much full time. A lot is unknown but I imagine that they will try and get a flat share with fellow apprenticeships next year.

On the finance side they are salaried so all good 😃.

weegie any tips on what to put in an art portfolio gratefully received as next DC that is up is completely different to DC1.

Dd is going to Glasgow Uni in September and she'll be staying at home. She had no interest at all in moving away. I fully expect her to be at home for the full 4 years!!!

All of her friends are also staying at home, although are dotted about various unis/colleges around Glasgow.

Celtiethree I'm involved in the graduate apprenticeships through my work. I'm sure your DC will enjoy it

DS1 would have been keen to do a graduate apprenticeship, he applied for a couple but didn't hear anything and was too shy to pursue it any more. Well done celtie I'm sure your DD will love it.

Thanks swift it will be tough but definitely worth it! They are looking forward to it.

Thanks wax from your posts I know your DC is studying computing, summer internships later on in their degree program are really really useful! There are some excellent ones out there. They are also paid - so even better and set them up well did post graduation.

@celtiethree we're looking into an apprenticeship route for Ds as his work experience mentioned that they hope to set it up within their company.

Dd has told her dad and brother she expects them to take her to the football on the 22nd 😂

@Groovee we didn’t really look at apprenticeships until last minute as I hadn’t realised that some were now degree apprenticeships. Good luck to your DS there are some fantastic ones out there, even better if he already knows and likes the company!

My friend's Ds was asked to leave school at 16 due to a variety of things and he was pointed in the degree apprentice direction and it's really been the making of him. He's in his 3rd year now.

celtiethree dd1 did her portfolio through the Visual Arts Centre at the Tramway. It was Saturday all day for about 6 months, they did portfolio piece stuff and also helped put together the portfolio from H and AH stuff as well. The Art school interviews are over before SQA stuff needs sent off.

Her dept at school were always helpful.

It depends what you're applying for - dd1 is doing Communication Design so needed graphic design and photography in her portfolio. You need to tailor things to the course.

Thanks - Product Design is the current plan. I’ve just had a look at the Tramway it looks great. DC is only going into 5th year so have s bit of time to play with as they are definitely staying for 6th as well.