University open days

This week, big daughter and I have been visiting universities.  It’s exciting and a little bit sad at the same time as I know that when she goes next year, that’s the first of my babies flying the nest.

We’ve been to three universities so far, with another few to visit so that big daughter is able to make her application to five of them in January.  It’s been an interesting experience for a variety of reasons, not least as it is an achievement in sales and marketing for each of the universities that we’ve visited.  Students are their lifeblood, after all, and the money that they bring is essential to keeping their resources and teaching current, and providing places where students want to live and study.

I can’t even begin to guess how much money has been spent on prospectuses, course guides and information leaflets.  We’ve been given free pens, packets of coloured stickers, notebooks and – most surprisingly – a frisbee.

We’ve spoken to countless people about courses, accommodation, finance, international study options and what it’s like to actually study at the university we were visiting.  No question has been left unanswered.

University buildings themselves are showcases of modern architecture.  One brand new building we saw cost over £100 million pounds to build.  £100 million pounds!  That’s an unbelievable amount of money, and it’s invested in educating the world’s future influencers in the best possible environment.  No wonder no expense is spared to encourage students to choose a university; such an investment cannot be allowed to go to waste.

We saw universities in cities and in a more rural setting.  We saw faculty buildings from the newly built to the newly refurbished to the untouched for many years.  We marvelled at the amount of technology involved in studying these days.

We dodged traffic and pedestrians on bustling streets, and strolled by canals between campus buildings.

It’s certainly been an eye-opener.  Big daughter is slightly closer to choosing the order of her applications, but we’ll need to wait until later in the year now to finish off our visits – and the next few visits might throw her list completely!

I’ve been a bit short on knitting time just recently with one thing and another, but managed to get a couple of rows in whilst waiting to pick big daughter up from college ready for our university visit today.  I’m just starting the heel on my husband’s sock, and am glad to be changing the colour!

It’s been great to spend so much time with big daughter and listen to her start making decisions that are going to have such an impact on the rest of her life.  It is a strong reminder that she is growing up and is starting to become an independent young woman rather than a child.  But I’m glad that she’s not too independent just yet.

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13 Responses

  1. Run Home To Crochet says:

    That times comes when they fly the nest – I hope she chooses one that isn't too far from you and can therefore visit often!! Joy xx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Small daughter has already packed her suitcase so she's definitely planning to visit, wherever big daughter goes! xx

  2. Christina says:

    How exiting! One sentence in your post really stands out for me: students are their lifeblood after all. I have worked in academia all my life and unfortunately my experience is that universities are rated by their research rather by their teaching and teaching is often seen as second best by those who are under pressure to raise yet more research funding. It is a shame and shameful, too. I always loved the teaching aspect most. I am glad you had such a positive experience and hopefully your daughter will get her first choice! Keeping my fingers crossed. Have a lovely weekend. xx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      That's really interesting, Christina, as we didn't get that impression at all – which might just be excellent marketing! Only time will tell! xx

  3. Angel Jem says:

    Am living this experience with you, as my eldest started looking for a university as well! I can't believe the time has flown that quickly.

    • Winwick Mum says:

      It's quite scary isn't it – especially as I am sure that I'm not old enough to have a daughter going to university! 🙂 xx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      It's quite scary isn't it – especially as I am sure that I'm not old enough to have a daughter going to university! 🙂 xx

  4. Amy at love made my home says:

    How exciting!!!! I wonder why the Frisbee though!! I hope that your daughter doesn't find making a choice overwhelming and most of all that she will be very happy! xx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Thank you! We wondered about the frisbee too – but if nothing else, the dog will like it! xx

  5. eclectichomelife says:

    Bitter sweet indeed. We will be following on this path a year behind you. Hope she achieves the AS levels she needs this summer and best if luck in choosing a university.

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Thank you! Hope your daughter has survived her GCSEs and is looking forward to starting her AS levels! xx

  6. Penny says:

    Gosh what a big step! I can imagine your mixed feelings, yet such an exciting time too, hope your daughter chooses the place she feels most comfortable and welcome X

    • Winwick Mum says:

      I think that's what it's going to come down to, Penny, as it appears that the course she wants to do will be the same anywhere as it's a society accredited one. It does make life a bit easier to just have to choose the environment! xx

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