[Misc] University Open Days - what to look for.

[Deportivo Seagull]

You sound like you know what you’re talking about, this parent financial role you talk of, as mentioned earlier I’ve got one completing fourth and final year and one having just started, I haven’t laid out any money for either, apart fro petrol driving them up there and hotel fees ect?

We made the decision to help both of ours mainly because of the courses they were doing. Chemistry for senior which isnt a course you want to do whilst having a part time job, though he did work over the summer. Similarly my daughter studied child nursing which requires them to work placements so a part time job on top of that would be taking the piss. Paid off for both with senior doing a PhD a my daughter getting a first, best in her cohort and a job at great Ormond street. saying that we did say we would only support for a stem subject or a vocational degree.

We (and they) are very fortunate to be able to help them out.

and the reason we dropped them of at Uni …. No way either of them could get all there kit on a train or in the car they were ensured on.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

I guess these days, a lot of parents assume that if they are subsidising their kid's university education, they feel entitled to play a more active role. Certainly, at Open Days, it's often the parents who ask the questions about Tarquin's likely career or salary - while Tarquin is cringing with embarrassment.

It's also the parents who phone-up to complain when Tarquin or Jocasta 'only' graduate with a 2:2 degree (how does one politely explain that their darling offspring were lazy entitled little sh*ts who preferred drinking and shagging for three years rather than actually studying and following the advice of their professors?).

From what I can gather from my two is that the state school kids seem much more engaged and determined to do well whereas the private school kids think it’s more of a laugh. A number seem to expect to fail a year and still get help from mummy and daddy.

 

[BN9 BHA]

My youngest lad is at Portsmouth, he did look at Exeter but said he can back for home games if he’s only in Pompey

 

[clapham_gull]

Turning to NSC for advice on accompanying your offspring to University Open Days. We're going up to MASSIVE Leeds today.

I'm pretty much going to follow this advice
and ask about accommodation options not just in the first year as I know this is a massive problem in some places.

Also any advice from parents, current and ex-students of Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff and Bristol is much appreciated. Ta

Avoid anyone from the Student Union at all costs.

If you are unfortunate to meet one, take their leaflet politely but slowly move away trying to avoid eye contact at all times.

Being on a committee may appear a bit of a laugh at times, but unfortunately for many it's a gateway for harder activity like organising events.

Most never fully recover after leaving University although the condition can be controlled within the community by joining the parish council.

For others proper employment is never possible. After a spiral of Student Union activity they end up as political advisors and in the worst cases members of the New Labour shadow cabinet.

 

[BrightonCottager]

So far, so good. Walked through the city centre (normal chain shops) & got bus to Headingly, noting how locals talked to strangers on t'bus. Deliberately staying in Headingly as its a big student area. We both like what weve seen of the city so far, with a buzzy centre and impressive Victorian inner suburbs. Some Massive houses.

Met my mate in a 'Ale House' which sold beer cheaper than at home. He'd brought his mate who was a laugh and both full of good info.

Went to curry house and I embarrassed my daughter by asking the waitress if she was a student and about accommodation and getting p/t jobs. Turned out she's doing almost the same course as the one my daughter is thinking of applying for.

To address @Deportivo Seagull 's comments, I was listening to a R4 programme last Monday about The 93 percent Club dedicated to giving state school students the equal chances as private school students - networking skills, introductions to major employers etc. Sounded great.

 

[Gwylan]

From what I can gather from my two is that the state school kids seem much more engaged and determined to do well whereas the private school kids think it’s more of a laugh. A number seem to expect to fail a year and still get help from mummy and daddy.

I know I was at uni a long time ago but there were three private school kids in our block: two of them dropped out in the first year.

Good to see things haven't changed

 

[clapham_gull]

I know I was at uni a long time ago but there were three private school kids in our block: two of them dropped out in the first year.

Good to see things haven't changed

I did a Masters in Computer Science in my 40s.

The three secondary school IT teachers all dropped out in the first year too.

 

[Chicken Run]

I did a Masters in Computer Science in my 40s.

The three secondary school IT teachers all dropped out in the first year too.

My computer teacher at Secondary School was Mr Bender, which in the early 80’s was rather unfortunate, thankfully we have all grown up now and don’t find that at all amusing nowadays..

 

[South Stand Bonfire]

Slightly off topic, there seems to be a trend of some students now considering apprenticeships rather than universities. My daughter’s friend got top marks for her A levels but is doing a law apprenticeship with a top 10 firm. I read recently that there was a 28% Uni dropout in the first year and my daughter now in he gap (doss) year is seriously considering this option for paramedic science. Has any else’s children considered this route?

 

[BN9 BHA]

My computer teacher at Secondary School was Mr Bender, which in the early 80’s was rather unfortunate, thankfully we have all grown up now and don’t find that at all amusing nowadays..

Did you go to Fawcett?

 

[BrightonCottager]

Slightly off topic, there seems to be a trend of some students now considering apprenticeships rather than universities. My daughter’s friend got top marks for her A levels but is doing a law apprenticeship with a top 10 firm. I read recently that there was a 28% Uni dropout in the first year and my daughter now in he gap (doss) year is seriously considering this option for paramedic science. Has any else’s children considered this route?

All universities now have to record the dropout rate and what proportion of graduates get skilled jobs / go on to study more. If the numbers go above / below certain thresholds the Office for Students can stop Universities recruiting to the course. Apprenticeships are an excellent deal for employers and students IF they want to work and study at the same time.

 

[Chicken Run]

Did you go to Fawcett?

 

[Seagull27]

I'd echo others that it's important to explore the city/town as much as the uni. But ultimately, let them decide and don't try to sway their choice too much. Wherever they go, they'll almost certainly have a brilliant time and think their uni was the best choice.

For what it's worth, I studied at Bristol and am still here 15 years later, wouldn't live anywhere else.

I helped out with some open days as a postgrad. The department's head of admissions told me that, for all the money spent on open days, the main factor that affected the number of applications each year was the weather on the open day.

 

[Elbow750]

1. Make sure you see at least three Universities (even if one of those is Sussex / Brighton) and visit at least one city and one campus. Your kids will know after seeing 3 different. I've not been, but heard loads of good things about Leeds.

2. Ask if they have to clear their Hall of Residence rooms at Xmas and Easter? Two of mine kids had to do this at Cambridge, it was a bit of a pain, but see 3 below.

3. How far away do you want to be? One of my mates had kids at Aberdeen. Lovely but so far to travel to visit/ drop off Likewise Plymouth, Durham etc. a really lon way away. All of my three were within 2 hours drive, which was really handy .

4. All of my kids and their friends had a great time at Uni. Once they were there and made friends, I suspect they would have enjoyed it anywhere!

5. Check Martin Lewis for the latest on tuition fees and Student loans. Its rubbish to load so much debt onto the next generation, but Martin will guide you through the best way.

6. I paid for all my kids food, basic clothes and books. They worked before and during holidays to pay for booze and socializing. This worked very well.

 

[Gwylan]

Slightly off topic, there seems to be a trend of some students now considering apprenticeships rather than universities.

My son is aiming to go down this route. He's looking to do some sort of job in IT and has no intention of going to uni. He was horrified once he discovered that you had to pay to go to uni

 

[BN9 BHA]

He was a maths teacher when I was there, he was one of the decent teachers.

 

[BrightonCottager]

Report from Leeds University. We
1 were really impressed with the campus which is on the edge of the city centre. A mixture of different age buildings and a state of the art sports centre.

2 looked at 3 different university accommodations from £140-£180 / week. That includes all bills, WiFi, off peak gym membership....All year1-3 students guaranteed a place in University accommodation if they want it.

3 went to a talk, drop-in and taster lecture for daughter's course. Excellent quality and overseas study and development options (any option available at the University) are possible.

4 it was sunny but cold (see @Seagull27 's comment). My daughter's going to compare climate year round. EDIT: she also noticed that she couldn't smell the sea!

5 Leeds City Centre is rammed with all the usual chains plus some swanky bits and an excellent market.

 

[Chicken Run]

Report from Leeds University. We
1 were really impressed with the campus which is on the edge of the city centre. A mixture of different age buildings and a state of the art sports centre.

2 looked at 3 different university accommodations from £140-£180 / week. That includes all bills, WiFi, off peak gym membership....All year1-3 students guaranteed a place in University accommodation if they want it.

3 went to a talk, drop-in and taster lecture for daughter's course. Excellent quality and overseas study and development options (any option available at the University) are possible.

4 it was sunny but cold (see @Seagull27 's comment). My daughter's going to compare climate year round. EDIT: she also noticed that she couldn't smell the sea!

5 Leeds City Centre is rammed with all the usual chains plus some swanky bits and an excellent market.View attachment 168070View attachment 168071
View attachment 168069

My daughter is currently at Devonshire Halls, which she really likes

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

From my experience (one just graduated and one in 2nd year) don‘t ask any questions - you’ll just embarrass your child. Our son wouldn’t take us to most visits after my Mrs started asking questions. With my daughter we didn’t go to any visits - she went with her friends.

They have to feel they like the university, the accommodation and the city as they have to live there not you. The questions you may want to know (you can get from internet) Such as employment chances (what percentage get job in the industry / profession 6months after graduation), is specialisation(s) in 3rd / 4th year in fields your child wants to move into, is it a Russell Group University (this does make a difference to recruiters), where does the degree sit in league tables, if it requires industry placement - do they do it or is it on your child to find it. You / your child is going to get £50k+ debt so has to add value.

I did none of this when choosing mine!! choice for me was whether I wanted to live in Glasgow or Edinburgh, which university was secondary choice

When our older daughter was looking - this is 20 years ago - at Cardiff for European Studies they separated the parents off and took them away and did the parents things - Cardiff was the cheapest place in the UK for student accommodation etc - and did what really mattered with the students, taking them seriously.
Ellie never wanted to go anywhere else after that. She loved Cardiff, as did we, and she is still in Wales, now loving working at the Welsh Parliament - the Senedd.

edit - the main point of this being the Uni took the students the most seriously, not the parents.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Report from Leeds University. We
1 were really impressed with the campus which is on the edge of the city centre. A mixture of different age buildings and a state of the art sports centre.

2 looked at 3 different university accommodations from £140-£180 / week. That includes all bills, WiFi, off peak gym membership....All year1-3 students guaranteed a place in University accommodation if they want it.

3 went to a talk, drop-in and taster lecture for daughter's course. Excellent quality and overseas study and development options (any option available at the University) are possible.

4 it was sunny but cold (see @Seagull27 's comment). My daughter's going to compare climate year round. EDIT: she also noticed that she couldn't smell the sea!

5 Leeds City Centre is rammed with all the usual chains plus some swanky bits and an excellent market.View attachment 168070View attachment 168071
View attachment 168069

There are very few better Students’ Unions than Leeds SU. Probably none.

Worth checking out what they do:

Leeds University Union

We’re your students’ union, here to help you love your time at Leeds

www.luu.org.uk