Who's got a child off to Uni this month?

Millie2008_2

I'm a uni lecturer and every year I feel older and older when the newbies turn up (I'm only in my 30s, but they look soooo young!)

But to all of the worried parents, I know it's easier said than done, but please try not to worry too much. I see anxious little faces turn up on the first day (they meet people in halls when they arrive, but may not know anyone on their course until they turn up at their dept of study), then see the same faces a couple of days later smiling and surrounded by friends. We also have a very good pastoral system (as do other institutions), so that if students do have worries, there is a team of people that they can speak to.

The other good thing about uni is that there is literally something for everyone. I tend to wander around our freshers fair and there are literally hundreds of clubs and societies for practically everything you can imagine. So if anyone is worried about their son/daughter not making friends, please urge them to go and see what clubs are running and they are bound to meet like minded people

I had a tutee who found it very difficult to settle at first and kept going home, although I suggested it might be better if she stayed for the odd weekend, but a few months in, she had settled well, found a sports club and announced to me the other day that she wants to stay on and do a postgrad course. So, although for some it takes a little longer to settle, the vast majority do

Millie2008_2

Oh and if you want to send them off with one useful tip, without coming across as a nagging parent, it would be to attend everything course-wise (except in cases of illness, etc). For us, lectures are voluntary attendance and without exception, those who miss lectures and tutorials do less well than students who have a good attendance record. Lectures are far more than a handout of powerpoint slides I know this sounds obvious, but it is very easy to get into the habit of skipping 9am lectures after a heavy night and it really, really doesn't help in the long term (I had a first year last year who was a poor attender, thought he could catch up and copy friends' lecture notes and failed the year- a very expensive mistake)


(God, I sound old.... )

kindle37

loopylouc wrote: »

We're taking DD3 to Cumbria on Sunday, she is so much the chatterbox of the family that it is going to be so quiet without her.
All packing is done and we've discovered that after all she does have a carpet on her bedroom floor :rotfl:
Now looking at all the bags and boxes and wondering if the car is big enought, we're going to have fun on Saturday packing it all up as we're setting of early on Sunday morning.

We're going to Cumbria too! Which one? We're going to lancaster We're going with dd1, had to hire a van last min today, ds1 having to stay at home as he can't fit in van. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow

ciderwithrosie_2

And before you know it, you'll be attending their graduation! Which is my next dilemma - what does one wear (as the mother of the graduant) to these functions? It's in the O2 at the end of November so will probably be fairly chilly. We will be travelling up by train from Somerset and back on the day.

Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent on this thread.

louise3965

Just dropped dd1 off today at her shared house in Manchester. She's at the uni there and starting her second year. She liked her first year and stayed in Oak House halls but the novelty of 5am fire alarms and 247 party people wore off by bonfire night!

sheilavw

Our youngest is going back to Edge Hill monday, although classes dont start till the 1st Oct, she will be home the next two weekends for work!

mustbemad

louise3965 wrote: »

Just dropped dd1 off today at her shared house in Manchester. She's at the uni there and starting her second year. She liked her first year and stayed in Oak House halls but the novelty of 5am fire alarms and 247 party people wore off by bonfire night!

Lol, good luck getting my son out of bed at 5am, it's hard enough waking him before lunch!

mintymoneysaver

Just dropped DD off in Manchester. Gorgeous room ( one of the perks of being in the hall she didn't want!) and her last facebook status shows a row of cocktails, so she's obviously settling in already! I had a bit of a wobbly mother moment when we actually said goodbye, but I know she'll love it, and it's what I want for her.

mustbemad

mintymoneysaver wrote: »

Just dropped DD off in Manchester. Gorgeous room ( one of the perks of being in the hall she didn't want!) and her last facebook status shows a row of cocktails, so she's obviously settling in already! I had a bit of a wobbly mother moment when we actually said goodbye, but I know she'll love it, and it's what I want for her.

I'm glad to hear your daughter has a lovely room, oak house reminded me somewhat of a public toilet, exposed brickwork painted green :rotfl:

dogstarheaven

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

And before you know it, you'll be attending their graduation! Which is my next dilemma - what does one wear (as the mother of the graduant) to these functions? It's in the O2 at the end of November so will probably be fairly chilly. We will be travelling up by train from Somerset and back on the day.

Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent on this thread.

mine's graduated from UCL only 10days ago (only child!) and i too, suffered from what-to-wear-syndrome (plus daughter!) in the end, anything smart and comfortable is appropriate. i wore a just above the knee length summer dress with heels. had to carry a big bag as it contained the camera with zoom lens!! as it was an evening event at 6.30 - 10am, it completely clashed with what to do for dinner. altho' canapes were served, i (and other parents) got sloshed on the free champers all night!!:eek: (and our children stayed sober!)