This time tomorrow my life will have changed for ever. We are taking our youngest son James to university – and he can’t get there quick enough, eager to experience student life, especially with Freshers’ Week and all its parties.
I am immensely thankful that James is starting university this year before the trebling of tuition fees because he said there was no way he would want to go if he had to end up with a massive and unpredictable debt.
I do appreciate that debt is a necessity for students. It caused me much concern at first as I considered it a parent’s duty to provide their child with an education. Our eldest son David is largely self-financing and is now in his final year at university; fortunately for him, his turned has turned out to be a great investment. Not only did he meet a lovely girlfriend in his first year and they are real soul mates, but has already been offered a job when he leaves.
He spent last year, the third year of his Economics and Marketing course, with Marks & Spencer, one of the most sought after business placements in the country. There were 9,000 applicants for 40 posts and after three rounds of interviews, David was offered one of them. He spent a year at their Norwich store, which he is visiting today for their grand re-opening after an extensive refurbishment, and has been recommended to join their Graduate Management Scheme “due to the talent you have displayed and the performance you have delivered.”
That is such a real confidence booster for a young man embarking on his career, and I wish all young people could have the same opportunity. James is applying for a similar industry-based scheme in his third year having seen the rewards it can reap. A bonus for James is that he can take his golf clubs with him too as his uni has a golf team. I don’t see him being short of friends as a passion for sport is a great way of meeting other like minded people.
In some ways I am looking forward to rattling away in my empty nest, no longer complaining about the way the boys dump their shoes in the hallway and being forced to watch football on TV three times a night. It’s their lovely smiles I will miss most, and hearing my favourite word, mum….
Well done David! I think it’s a bit different for me as my boy is only 11 yrs old but as you say he was ready for this step, as James is ready for his new challenge. With such a loving support from home I’m sure he will make the best of his opportunities. I wish him all the best in his new life, and hugs to you, Ellee x
Pip, we are almost in the same boat. Life is one big adventure for our lads now. I hope they enjoy it.
Good luck to them both you must be so proud of them 🙂 I am sure they will both be back visiting you often.
I hope you enjoy your new found freedom.
Mixed emotions.
Don’t you wish they wouldn’t grow up ?
Well done and good luck.
Bravo to the boys! (You could get a puppy?)
Our eldest is in the Upper 6th now so there is no way we can avoid the hike in tuition fees he will experience applying to start University next year. It has meant that he won’t take a gap year either as he does not want to spend any of his hard earned money (John Lewis) or delay finishing his degree and starting work to pay it back. It is quite a commitment but still will be worth it. Good luck to all of them at all stages of their education.
What a lovely post Ellee. You must be so proud of the boys – they are a real credit to you and Stephen.
I’m incredibly proud of David and I know he has exciting future ahead. I look forward to supporting him through his final year and beyond.
Likewise James has got so many exciting times to come and he will have the most wonderful years of his life. Wouldn’t it be lovely if he too met his soul mate, just as I met David…
Thanks Fiona, I do feel proud of them both. Stephen and I look forward to visiting you in Hull soon. Have a wonderful weekend.
Janet, he sounds a very responsible young man. I wish him every success.
Kevin, when you put a lot into parenting, as you and your wife do, and this gives you a lot of pleasure, then you do have mixed emotions, but mainly a mixture of pride and happiness, and the realisation that life moves on, and our kids hopefully have a good future ahead of them and will remember the values we gave them.
Amen to that.
It’s a big event for parents as well as offsprings
Technically, I suppose, Long Suffering Spouse and I are also empty nesters, having taking our Youngest Son off to college last month. But we were up to visit him Saturday… he plays baseball, not golf… and his next older sister was over at the house Friday… and Sunday… because her birthday is tomorrow. And Middle Son still gets his mail at our house (we’re close by his office) so he drops in from time to time… usually at mealtime. If you’re anything like my poor wife, this transition has kind of taken you a little by surprise. But I’m sure it’s going to be fine. They sound like fine boys.
I wish all mine were at Uni….