Is it normal to get cold feet before uni?

[t8yman]

now you mention it, I think I did know that. doh!

[feral chile]

I didnt realise you were a pediatric nurse Kat?

s'funny, I took her to the Manchester Uni open day, and was really rooting for her to like it, as its my fave city in the country. She really disliked it! Gutted!

She didnt get to sample the delights of a night out though.

She will be fine, I remember 2.5 years ago, when she told us she couldnt possibly handle waitressing. Her boss says she is fantastic. Different job entirely, but shows how self doubt can make you feel. She is a really outgoing confident person too. Strange!

Glad you're all feeling better. Sounds like she just had a little wobble

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Good news, we both sat and had a good chat with her, she seemed a lot more settled yesterday. I think it was the money thing and the workload thing. She said she was struggling with her workload now (just pre a-level) I explained to her that in real terms, a-levels (or whatever they are called these days) are far harder than a degree, at least they were when I were a lad.

We told her that both sets of grandparents had money squirreled away for her uni, as does her great grandma, and I learned yesterday that we do to! which was a surprise!

I also told her she was vastly underestimating her own abilities, she is more than capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to.

I think she just needed reassurance.

But thanks to all who have contributed, i really did need some different points of view on this - especially from you young 'uns!

A nursing degree is probably one of the hardest qualifications to get. Although they don't get the generous hoildays like most students and you have to remember that half of their time is ward experience for registration which only leaves half for the actual academic content. The demands can get too much for many people.I am not trying to put you off but it is a course you have to go into with your eyes wide open. Although my training was different the pace is extremely intense and there are many people drop out in the first year.

Also is she not entitled to a bursary, and a non-means tested student loan, as well as her course fees paid for?

[t8yman]

yes she is entitled to a bursary rufus - I think its about 1k a year, the loan is means tested though.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

yes she is entitled to a bursary rufus - I think its about 1k a year, the loan is means tested though.

Are you sure? I thought funding was made up of three components.

The £1000 bursary which is non-means tested

Then there is a means tested bursary of up to £5K, both of these are paid by the NHS

Also she can get a reduced student loan of over £3k which is not means tested and you get that through Student Finance (England)

[t8yman]

I am aware that the funding is done slightly differently to other students, but havent looked mega deeply into it so far rufus, but thanks for the pointers.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

There should be some info on the university website. If you do a google search there is a calculator on the NHS bursary page.

[Katster]

She should also be able to ask for help at college with completing her applications for student finance etc.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

You and your daughter might want to have a look at some of the trusts / charities mentioned here (see link below). A quick, well written letter to them could reap financial rewards. There are loads of trusts / charities like this that 'have' to give a certain amount of money away annually, so a further search on her behalf may also help. I know I'd knock out a standard letter to them if I were in her shoes - it's a great gamble for the price of a stamp;

http://www.qni.org.uk/for_nurses/financial_and_personal_assistance/alternative_help

[eastynh]

It is better to go and give it her best shot, not like it and come home, than it would be not to go and regret it for the rest of her life.

I wanted to quit so many times as it was really making me ill ( I was 31 when I started and had to balance it with a full time job doing a continental shift pattern). But it was the best thing I ever done and I don't regret it one bit.

[feral chile]

it's a tough ne, because everyone's different.

I was so terrified at the thought of having to decide what to do at uni, and leaving home, that I left school at 16 to avoid having to deal with it.

ironically, this meant that I met and married my husband at 19, and had 3 children by the time I was 23 (third child born day after 23rd birthday) so had to grow up anyway.

I then went to uni aged 24 and loved every minute if it, but it was a vastly different experience as a mature student with my own family, than it would have been 6 years earlier.

[t8yman]

well we move our daughter down to London this weekend. She seems to be looking forward to this big new adventure. 

[fred quimby]

well we move our daughter down to London this weekend. She seems to be looking forward to this big new adventure. 

 

 

Are you? or is it getting more tearful for you?

[t8yman]

I have the normal fatherly concerns, but she's a lot more mature than I was at her age, and very capable of dealing with what is in front of her. Plus we have a few family down that way for emergency support should she need it. I will miss her obviously, she's got a great sense of humour and is great company.

[russycarps]

where in london will she be living?

[t8yman]

Her digs are on Borough High Street, Southwark. So shes between Borough Market and Elephant and Castle.

[jump]

Well at least South London is better for staying in at night although saying that she'll be down the road from Ministry of Sound

[russycarps]

Her digs are on Borough High Street, Southwark. So shes between Borough Market and Elephant and Castle.

 

 

It's nice round there, she'll be just fine. That's where I have piano lessons. There is a very pleasant and inexpensive italian restaurant there called Alma's. Tell her to check it out!

 

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/almas-restaurant-london

[t8yman]

Well at least South London is better for staying in at night although saying that she'll be down the road from Ministry of Sound

 

she's already spotted that!

 

 

It's nice round there, she'll be just fine. That's where I have piano lessons. There is a very pleasant and inexpensive italian restaurant there called Alma's. Tell her to check it out!

 

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/almas-restaurant-london

 

 

cool, we will get a chance to check it out a bit on Saturday when we take her, maybe grab something to eat before we head back.

[russycarps]

check out the George Inn too, also on Borough High Street. The last galleried inn in London and mentioned in Little Dorrit! Probably more one for an old fogey like you than your daughter though..

 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/george-inn/

[TheGayTent]

Hmm beautiful looking place and fine for a quick visit during a quiet time. However, don't go on the weekend and especially a week night as it'll be rammed and service is poor...plus the ale selection is pretty crap.

Stunning building though that should be seen at least once.

[t8yman]

Well that went really well. The accommodation is good - if a little small, Borough High Street is indeed a great place, and Borough Market looks like a really great place, although it was mostly closed yesterday. 

 

We went in "The George" entirely by accident as it happens, we were looking for an all day breakfast somewhere reasonably nice - which wasnt that easy tbh, and ended up plumping for the George as we were sick of walking, hungry, and keen to get on the road home and let our daughter get on with her day. Its a lovely pub, a bit of a haven in all of the bustle, lovely big courtyard, good food, and a nice vibe. I imagine it being absolutely rammed out there on a sunny bank holiday weekend.

 

Location-wise, I dont think she could have picked anywhere better.

 

The other students seemed nice enough, and she has freshers week events planned for every day this week. I'm more excited for her than worried about her now.