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Original poster

DCs off to uni—anyone want to join?

126 replies

Ineedcoffeenow · 06/08/2025 13:07

Now DD has got her grades needed for uni, I’m starting to get my head around that she’s only got 4 weeks before she leaves. I’m going to miss her so much! But im also very excited for her to have the uni experience. Hopefully it will all go according to plan.

The preparation (aka shopping) will
start soon.

Anyone else also going through this?

OP posts:
cigarsmokingwoman · 14/09/2025 14:21

DD glad she is only commuting (to stirling) as apparently some halls have problems with ants and cockroaches and people have had to be moved. Its a shitload of money for a room that isn't very clean so I feel for them.

Browniesforbreakfast · 14/09/2025 14:26

cigarsmokingwoman · 14/09/2025 14:21

DD glad she is only commuting (to stirling) as apparently some halls have problems with ants and cockroaches and people have had to be moved. Its a shitload of money for a room that isn't very clean so I feel for them.

I imagine vermin and pests are often an issue with halls - students are not the cleanest inhabitants in terms of not leaving food residues around. I remember reading quite a few Edinburgh halls had issues with mice.

Jeevesnotwooster · 14/09/2025 18:16

cigarsmokingwoman · 14/09/2025 14:21

DD glad she is only commuting (to stirling) as apparently some halls have problems with ants and cockroaches and people have had to be moved. Its a shitload of money for a room that isn't very clean so I feel for them.

I think there is an issue with one of the buildings which had been treated over the summer but still an issue. Imagine it must be a nightmare for the uni.

DD's halls at Stirling are fine (and relatively cheap).

Edinburghuni · 14/09/2025 22:03

swaninbay sorry to hear that, I’m sure everyone is just shy, I’m sure they will emerge once they need the kitchen! If it helps I read somewhere that you need as big box of biscuits to help break the ice,
goos luck to him and everyone.

Browniesforbreakfast · 14/09/2025 22:09

Edinburghuni · 14/09/2025 22:03

swaninbay sorry to hear that, I’m sure everyone is just shy, I’m sure they will emerge once they need the kitchen! If it helps I read somewhere that you need as big box of biscuits to help break the ice,
goos luck to him and everyone.

Reading this post after the post about ants and cockroaches gives it a different spin…

Edinburghuni · 14/09/2025 22:11

Well, it’s the end of the first week! Lessons tomorrow. I hope everyone is beginning to find a niche.
now I need to find one! Maybe we need a separate thread for empty nesters and what they do. I’m only half joking .

swaninbay · 15/09/2025 08:47

Yesterday I was texting him advice: hang about in the kitchen, suggest a walk, suggest a card game. And phew all is well. They are quiet, like him and he did everything I suggested, even teaching the lads poker! Went for a walk with one boy, turns out he has a lot in common with and is someone he can investigate the gym with. My husband told me I was texting him too much. I completely disagree and did what was needed to help navigate the tricky first day. I slept much better last night 🙂. I feel he is okay now. Turns out many of their parents stayed overnight locally and they were all out with parents last night. Never occurred to me to do that.

Original poster
Ineedcoffeenow · 15/09/2025 12:49

We didn’t stay over. I thought it best to give her space to settle in—there was a big freshers week event that night that she went to with her other flatmates. It’s been more since the freshers week has calmed down that she’s found it difficult. She’s not got so much to take her mind off it.

OP posts:
Browniesforbreakfast · 15/09/2025 13:10

We didn’t stay over and nor do I track them (would quite like to track but they would object).

swaninbay · 15/09/2025 14:03

I don't track either, I think it would stress me too much. There's not a huge amount going on in their freshers week, mainly overnight parties every night which is not DS scene. @Ineedcoffeenowhasnt the start of lessons kept her busy?

Original poster
Ineedcoffeenow · 15/09/2025 21:31

@swaninbay lessons just started properly today. She seems to be happier. She’s figured out how to use Moodle (the virtual learning environment), which has helped as she was lost on it. The only problem is that they still haven’t figured out the timetable! It keeps changing by the day. I’m not impressed—the course is poorly organised so far.

OP posts:
Browniesforbreakfast · 15/09/2025 22:06

I get very minimal messages. Think I am going to have to visit to find out more about what DC is are up to… Feeling envious of other parents getting regular updates!

Edinburghuni · 15/09/2025 23:40

swaninbay well done! I get told the same off DH. Then we spend ages pondering each text - we get a reply, yay! We get ignored..panic! We’ve been too needy . It’s so hard!
brownies we get super minimal texts too - I guess that means they’re having fun?But I do wonder if now the excitement of freshers week has worn off it’s a bit different, like you say, ineedcoffeeniw is it uncool to ask to see photos of the kitchen, common room etc? I think we scared him off when he asked if he could collect extra bits and we offered to drop them off and go for dinner. Agh! Just watched that Freddy flint off cricket thing and I wish I could talk to DS as effortlessly like that.
i think DS super fed up as he’s not 18. If anyone knows how to get a dodgy ID card, let me know! (Serious question)
hope they are all ok.

ScoldsBridal · 16/09/2025 15:31

We stayed overnight after dropping our YP off but didn’t hang out with them - we just went out for a nice meal on our own and a drink and said ‘hello, I remember you from 21 years ago don’t I?’ Definitely going to be an adjustment with both progeny off at Uni.

We were having so much fun the next day at the beach that our YP ended calling us and asking where we were. We said our farewells, handed over a wee card and silly present from home and went on our way. No tears were shed because they seemed so happy and excited. Feeling a bit flat now but happy they’re happy. I know it’s early days but they’ve been good early days 😊Am sure there will be ups and downs but Mission Drop-off has been a success.

swaninbay · 16/09/2025 17:52

DS met his course fellow students today. He said he chatted to three of them. I'm so pleased. He spent all last year doing an HNc and didn't make any friends. I told him he has to make an effort, and he really is. But now he has some low grade stomach bug. Not too bad, so an opportunity to talk about kitchen hygiene. He actually asked me how to wash up dishes hygienically. Lol. Sports fair on Thursday and Freshers fair Saturday, so he wants to join the hiking club and video gaming club. Told us to visit Sunday!

swaninbay · 17/09/2025 06:54

Have any DC got their SAAS loans yet? Mine hasn't, just wondering if there's something he's forgotten to do.

cigarsmokingwoman · 17/09/2025 09:51

DD forgot to apply for a loan and its saying she now can't apply and the number is constantly engaged. Even the webchat is busy. Nightmare.

Original poster
Ineedcoffeenow · 17/09/2025 09:51

DD got it a week ago, but I’m not sure if it’s linked to the start date (if your DC hasn’t started yet,)

OP posts:
ScoldsBridal · 17/09/2025 15:31

YP got theirs on Monday.

ThatsNotMyTeen · 17/09/2025 15:41

Mine got his SAAS on Monday

swaninbay · 17/09/2025 16:21

I think if might be that he hadn't sorted his student id. Till he does that he's not officially registered at the university?

gethighlikeplanes · 03/10/2025 10:24

It’s now four weeks since we moved DD into her accommodation, how is everyone’s DC getting on?

DD has had a few ups and downs, mostly health related with the dreaded Freshers Flu and a bit of homesickness but on the whole it’s been mostly positive.

As for myself, I’ve found that as the weeks have passed I’ve missed her more - at first it just felt like she was away on a trip/holiday and as she had been working so much prior to the move I was used to her being out the house but it’s got harder not easier.

Original poster
Ineedcoffeenow · 03/10/2025 12:23

DD has been back every week as she has a driving lesson (I really hope she passes as this arrangement is making it harder to keep up with work). She has her test in 4 weeks. After that I don’t expect to see her anywhere near as much. Im sure I will feel
it a lot more by that point.

I’m still worried for her safety—not that I have any specific reasons for this, but it’s her being away in a big city she doesn’t know so much, although she’s finding her way around. She was here last night and I felt like I could relax. Everybody was in the house and safe. I’m going to have to get over this or I’ll drive myself crazy!

OP posts:
gethighlikeplanes · 03/10/2025 20:22

This stresses me out as well. DD lives in accommodation that’s a bit further away from the main clubs and tends to see her friends are back safely and then carries on to hers! She’s assured me that she’s walking most of (if not all) the way with others but it still scares me!

swaninbay · 04/10/2025 09:16

DS has been doing really well, considering six months ago he had anxiety attacks. He gets on well with his flatmates, went on a society hill walk where he knew noone and talked to all the guys. He's been away three weeks and walked through the door last night! Ten minutes warning, braving the storm, he was lucky his train/bus weren't cancelled. All his flatmates went away this weekend also. His brother will drive him back tomorrow. Now I just need to persuade him to record lectures ( he's dyslexic, his DSA application not approved yet) as he can't take notes. A work in progress.....