Hi from Plymouth

Lots of environmental science up there whitewave

Hello, I live in Dorset but lived in Plymouth in the early 70's when my DH was stationed there in the Royal Marines. Love the Hoe and Barbican and we do still visit.
We lived both near the Hoe and on Mutley Plain. Happy memories.

rose he spent so much time doing everything but work that when the finals were looming upon him he panicked somewhat and spent night and day revising drinking coffee and coke by the bucketful. The upshot was that I had a sad little voice on the phone one day saying that he had been in hospital as there was a question over whether there was problems with his heart!!!!

Silly b-r. He stopped taking all the stimulants and hey presto! Kids eh!!

Hello Babs I live in the Tamar Valley but at the moment I am in California visiting DS1 and family. DS2 and GF live in Plymouth. We have been in the area since the early 1970s (DH was in the Navy).

whitewave I worked at the University for most of my working life, and your son's pattern of study is pretty common . First years: "oh well, plenty of time, let's party", 2nd years: "still loads of time, let's party", 3rd years: "hmm, should start learning this stuff I suppose. If I work all day, I can still party all night until the last couple of months..." Last couple of months: "sh1t!!!!!!!"

Exactly - but he had a good time I think and made some friends with whom he is still in touch after 15 years.

Though to be fair, your son was clearly spending his time on healthier pursuits, cycling over Dartmoor

Well that is what he admitted to

University is such a great character builder and people do tend to form very lasting friendships. It was something I regret not doing (university, that is, not making friends ). Working there did not in any way compensate for not having ever been a university undergrad (or indeed a grad!)

We seem to be cross posting, haha. Re your last comment at 16.35 - if the information he withheld was that he was cycling off the hangover, then he was head and shoulders above the ones that overslept and stumbled into lectures looking like death warmed up . And he got through it and came out the other side, no doubt a better person for it.

Yes ash I do agree. His sister, chose not to attend university in the conventional sense. Her employer sponsored her degree which she did part time whilst working, and her experience was very different to my son's.

My DD was also asked if she would consider a PHd which she turned down - always surprised by ones children!

He went on to do a Masters at Brighton. Thought at one stage he was going to be a permanent student as he toyed with the idea of a PHd but got a job that he adores so thought better of it.

DS2's university career - in Glasgow, so four years - sounds much like most other undergraduates'. He spent a lot of time on hockey, clubbing, beer and spending all his money - and mine. But by finals year, he had a wonderful girlfriend who is still with him after 21 years and two lovely sons. And he got a first.

Hi Babs,

I've just joined, I'm from Plymouth

Hi everyone I've just joined, I live in Plymouth.

Hello ciao and welcome to gransnet. I've only been here a couple of weeks myself - and I'm also from Plymouth

I saw earlier, Ash Tree, you said you hadn't been to university. I hadn't after school but I have been doing courses with the Open University - finished about a year ago. I started with an Openings course to try to keep my brain ticking over!! I enjoyed it so much I got addicted and carried on from there, never too late!

Babs, Ciao and AshTree and anybody else I missed who lives in Plymouth now, hello from the (rather low-key) Plymouth GransnetLocal Editor!
Did you know there was one??!
I sometimes feel I'm putting out information in the wilderness because <woe> I haven't had chance to organise a meet-up yet. July or August certainly, when I've actually moved in.
I do hope to see you then but I'd really appreciate some feedback too!

My son is at university in Plymouth and is doing an engineering degree. I suspect that the type of degree students are doing may well influence their ability to party etc. My son was told from day one that the workload was going to be heavier than that of their friends on other courses and that they would find it difficult to achieve well AND party and that has been the case; there are regular class tests, lots of coursework and rigorous end of year exams. I am very impressed with the university overall and the quality of teaching is very good.

I remember that about engineering students, grannya - they did seem to be cut from a different mould . I seem to remember their semesters were rather longer than many other courses as well, but that might be me going back a long time. May be different now. I'm glad your son is doing well there. I worked there for many years, from way back when it was a polytechnic, and I watched it grow and improve so much. It's unrecognisable now as compared to the late 70's - I think when I started working there in 1979 there were about 2000 students. I don't know the figure now, but imagine it's at least 20 times that number!

Having been to many university open days we found Plymouth was the most impressive by far. It was the only one we went to where every single member of the faculty was present and engaged and the staff and students alike were genuinely enthusiastic. My son is excelling there; partly because he's very committed and has a good work ethic, but also because the teaching is very good and he feels encouraged by the commitment of the tutors. The workload is very heavy, but that actually suits my son who is more likely to be taking a nap in his spare time than going out on the town. (The latter information came from his girlfriend who is staying with me for the next five weeks as she has a placement in the local school. )

I live just outside Plymouth and have been here for nearly forty years. I think the expansion of the university has improved the city greatly, as there are ,of course, so many more young adults about.

ga my son did an environmental science degree at Plymouth and went on to do a Masters at Sussex. He did enjoy Plymouth, and like your son excelled. The teaching seems to be of a good standard, and he had no trouble finding employment - with the Environment Agency in which he is extremely happy and very committed, and also like your son I am astounded at his work ethic - remembering what he was like at home!

Brahaspatimda - please understand that what I'm saying is not directed at you personally.

The problem I have with the whole "local editor" thing, as I have said since the concept was started, is that most local editors are people I / we don't know (in the virtual sense) who, with one or two notable exceptions, have never joined in the forums, have no recognisable voice, and yet suddenly pop up in a random and hope to be welcomed.

It seems to me that there is some aspect of PR that GNHQ hasn't taught them. Like "Identify, and engage with your target audience or market".

Nevertheless, good luck to you, from North Devon.

Thanks, Ariadne, message understand and no offence taken. I'll try and look up what you've posted on this previously. I rarely watch my own forum post threads but I assure you that, between jobs, I am occasionally out there!

Actually I wasn't looking for a welcome per se , sorry if that's how it sounded. More for some indication of whether or not the local site is/could be useful. Or not! Maybe I was also wondering if meet-ups would in fact be welcomed by others?

FYI, we aren't in fact 'taught' a lot tho' there are lists ... My first question before joining up was 'How many Gransnetters are there in the immediate region?' As you say, to engage with! But nobody knows and it seems to be a circular problem until there's a readership. You see my dilemma?!

Thanks for the luck wishes. Seems I might need them.