Expert Advice Needed - York Uni

[Arch]

Just one word of caution from me - I lived on campus a few years ago, and York did have a habit of attempting social engineering by putting one older student in a flat full of 18 year olds. Some people seemed to do really well with that, but it drove others mad - there was always an accomodation request form though, so your daughter can just put on that if she wants to be with other mature(ish) students.

There's plenty of mature students at York, maybe they're just a little more discreet. That being said, I think I know Arch.

Oh? Do tell more! Come on, give me a clue....

On the flat note - there were 11 of us (it was a two floor flat over a shop) - I think maybe 50/50 mature/kids, perhaps slightly more matures. In the end three of us moved out, because of various incidents involving the younger element, but ring-led by someone older (not as old as us though). That said, there was a much more mature guy who was also a rather creepy alcoholic... (hopes this isn't Guthrum!)

To their credit, the Uni rehoused us, on the spot, when we went to them with our concerns, in a house designed for 7 that was sitting empty, and we three had it to ourselves for the rest of that year.

 

[chap]

No, Globalti, NOT a Nigerian.

A proud Rhodesian, sadly our country was sold down the river by Mrs T and is now that hellhole Zimbabwe.

Pesky upstarts, anyone would think they had a right to be there.

Most universities have a society for mature students, they will usually be able to provide opportunities for socialising, as well as advise, and provide support more appropriate to the more mature individual - as opposed to the usual issuettes of misplaced homesickness, downsizing, and adjusting to reality

All the best to her.

 

[Arch]

Actually, at York they tried to start/restart a society for mature students, and it didn't take off so well. My fellow course mates and I felt that we were better just fitting in with the Archeaology society for social stuff, and a lot of the mature student society stuff seemed geared to the problems of people who had families, not living on campus etc, which didn't apply to many of us.

In the end I found that there are 'mature' people among the 18 year olds, and childish people among the mature students, and I just slotted in with those I got on with - and that was at the age of 30, so a younger person should find it easier.... In any large group, you find your peers.

 

[Guthrum]

Mature, creepy, and alcoholic don't normally describe me, so I think I'm safe. I was an archaeology undergraduate 2001-4, and putting a remembered face with the 'Polite' Hi-vis I've spotted a few times in York... I arrived on this forum and things seemed to come together.

I agree about age not mattering - I assume this is as true in all subjects as it seemed in archaeology.

 

[Arch]

Mature, creepy, and alcoholic don't normally describe me, so I think I'm safe. I was an archaeology undergraduate 2001-4, and putting a remembered face with the 'Polite' Hi-vis I've spotted a few times in York... I arrived on this forum and things seemed to come together.

I agree about age not mattering - I assume this is as true in all subjects as it seemed in archaeology.

No, if you're a 2001-4 grad, its not you. He was also a raving homosexual - not camp, but liked to talk about being homosexual a lot. Although with no evidence of ever having an actual boyfriend. The being gay wasn't an issue at all, but the constant heavy-but-veiled references to it got a bit wearing... Also, he had a habit of coming in whenever a bunch of us gathered in one bedroom to chat, shutting the door and sitting down with his back to it. Made one feel kind of trapped...

I should say, for the benefit of any prospective students - he was an exception...

You still in York, Guthrum? If you ever spot me again, say hello!

 

[CharlesF]

All the advice is very encouraging, I have forwarded it on and my daughter has a much more balanced view.

No mention of "Rhodesia was Super"

 

[chap]

Why did Globalti have to bring unsolicited comments about colonial politics and muslims into this thread about student residency for mature students in York Uni?

Why doesn't he post about this kind of stuff on P&L and debate the issues there openly without any danger of the thread being closed down, with the big girls and boys?

Cafe is about fluff and stuff.

I want to comment on Nigerian / Rhodesian (as was) / Zimbabwean politics / theology of Muslim mosques and the opinions of Pakistani people thereof etc I'd go to P&L.

We all know full well if those issues are debated here the thread gets shut down or moved.

For me it's like going into a pub for a quite pint with some mates, and an old bloke starts talking very loudly in the corner about colonials, africans and religion etc...

I reckon Globalti still lives in pre-Suez times.

The best thing is to just see these people for what they are, at best decaying jokes of nature. Anyone can be a big man in a country where society perceives one through no merit of their own to be a living embodiment of progress. Here, they can only prattle on nostalgically about the good old days from the squalor of their high-rised tenements.

Everybody needs to feel special, just some more than others (usually those with little behind them other than a vague, and often superficial link, to the selective achievements of others).

In many things Thatcher got it wrong, however in other instances she certainly hit the nail right on the head. Make something of yourself, only fools seek solace through fallacious sentiments.

Happy cycling.