Should i stay in student accommodation at 17?
I have a hard choice to make in January. I've basically been offered a place at a college that is at the other side of Scotland form me and is a 4hr drive away from home.by the time I would be going away to uni I'll only be 17 (although I'll be 18 3 months into the course) I'm just worried that I'll be too young or not mature enough to stay on my own so far away from home. although I've visited this uni and it's amazing and the support structure in place is phenomenal. I'm just worried ill be left out/make no friends the first few months and if I'll enjoy it cause I'm only 17 AND the homesickness thing. so if anyone has/is in this situation can you please give me tips or advice cause I'm conflicted and confused
How come you'e going to uni when you are 17? Just wondering.
As for living in accomodation at 17, it really depends on you as a person. Have you ever lived away before? Have you ever been away from home (on holiday/school trip without parents...) for more than a week? 2 weeks? A month? etc.
Living in uni halls is a BIG change from home. Living without parents is one thing. Having to take care of yourself is another. I think it's great that you want to do it, even if you are conflicted at the moment.
As for making friends etc, there won't be any problems making friends. HOWEVER. As you are under 18, you won't be allowed to buy alcohol or drink it. So this could have an effect on your freshers week. Well, unless you get a fake ID (which I don't reccomend as bouncers see RIGHT through them, no matter how good they are).
You will settle in quickly. Because you are younger than most people, if not everyone, at uni, people will typically take the mick out of you but this will just be banter. Fun and harmless banter. But this is how you build friendships. So if you look at it this way, being younger may be to your adantage lol.
As for homesickness, there's not really much you can do about it. Everyone gets homesick, no matter what age you are. I'm 21. I've been away from home for long periods of time before. I'm used to being away from my parents. I still get homesick. However, there are people that are 18 that have never been away from their parents for more than 3 days and they've yet to get homesick. So it really depends. I've only been homesick once. The longer you are away, the easier it becomes. Honestly. You soon get into the swing of things, get a routine, get a social life, get immersed in your course etc. At the end of the day, if you get homesick, you get homesick. You can ring home, you can skype. If you are that desperately homesick you can go home. I don't really reccomend it as it is good to break through that barrier but if you need it, you can. 4 hours isn't that far. It really isn't .
Good luck
As for living in accomodation at 17, it really depends on you as a person. Have you ever lived away before? Have you ever been away from home (on holiday/school trip without parents...) for more than a week? 2 weeks? A month? etc.
Living in uni halls is a BIG change from home. Living without parents is one thing. Having to take care of yourself is another. I think it's great that you want to do it, even if you are conflicted at the moment.
As for making friends etc, there won't be any problems making friends. HOWEVER. As you are under 18, you won't be allowed to buy alcohol or drink it. So this could have an effect on your freshers week. Well, unless you get a fake ID (which I don't reccomend as bouncers see RIGHT through them, no matter how good they are).
You will settle in quickly. Because you are younger than most people, if not everyone, at uni, people will typically take the mick out of you but this will just be banter. Fun and harmless banter. But this is how you build friendships. So if you look at it this way, being younger may be to your adantage lol.
As for homesickness, there's not really much you can do about it. Everyone gets homesick, no matter what age you are. I'm 21. I've been away from home for long periods of time before. I'm used to being away from my parents. I still get homesick. However, there are people that are 18 that have never been away from their parents for more than 3 days and they've yet to get homesick. So it really depends. I've only been homesick once. The longer you are away, the easier it becomes. Honestly. You soon get into the swing of things, get a routine, get a social life, get immersed in your course etc. At the end of the day, if you get homesick, you get homesick. You can ring home, you can skype. If you are that desperately homesick you can go home. I don't really reccomend it as it is good to break through that barrier but if you need it, you can. 4 hours isn't that far. It really isn't .
Good luck
Heya! I'll be going to uni in Scotland too, and will also be 17. I believe it's not uncommon - according to the University of Glasgow website, about one in five freshers is underage during freshers' week (https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/planning/qv/aoe/ae1617/). I presume this will be similar for other Scottish unis.
I do feel you on the immaturity though, the longest I've been away from my parents was five days, and even then there were other adults with me. I just see it as a leap you've got to take, just throw yourself in without trying to worry too much. It seems that, besides legal drinking, the difference between 17 and 18 isn't that large.
What I'm going to do is practise being an adult, ie cooking once a week, doing my own washing, making my own dentist appointments, and going places on my own. So far I haven't come any further than making pasta with tomato sauce and visiting a nearby city for Christmas shopping, but at least I'm trying.
If you're afraid of being homesick though, maybe you can try and get away from your parents for a while. Consider going on a trip, doesn't have to be far, with friends during the holidays, or something like that. Also, I think most students do get homesick at some point in university, so don't worry about it too much now. There'll always be someone to talk to and you can always decide to spend a weekend at home with your parents.
Hope this helps
I do feel you on the immaturity though, the longest I've been away from my parents was five days, and even then there were other adults with me. I just see it as a leap you've got to take, just throw yourself in without trying to worry too much. It seems that, besides legal drinking, the difference between 17 and 18 isn't that large.
What I'm going to do is practise being an adult, ie cooking once a week, doing my own washing, making my own dentist appointments, and going places on my own. So far I haven't come any further than making pasta with tomato sauce and visiting a nearby city for Christmas shopping, but at least I'm trying.
If you're afraid of being homesick though, maybe you can try and get away from your parents for a while. Consider going on a trip, doesn't have to be far, with friends during the holidays, or something like that. Also, I think most students do get homesick at some point in university, so don't worry about it too much now. There'll always be someone to talk to and you can always decide to spend a weekend at home with your parents.
Hope this helps
Original post by Hedwig2189
How come you'e going to uni when you are 17? Just wondering.
As for living in accomodation at 17, it really depends on you as a person. Have you ever lived away before? Have you ever been away from home (on holiday/school trip without parents...) for more than a week? 2 weeks? A month? etc.
Living in uni halls is a BIG change from home. Living without parents is one thing. Having to take care of yourself is another. I think it's great that you want to do it, even if you are conflicted at the moment.
As for making friends etc, there won't be any problems making friends. HOWEVER. As you are under 18, you won't be allowed to buy alcohol or drink it. So this could have an effect on your freshers week. Well, unless you get a fake ID (which I don't reccomend as bouncers see RIGHT through them, no matter how good they are).
You will settle in quickly. Because you are younger than most people, if not everyone, at uni, people will typically take the mick out of you but this will just be banter. Fun and harmless banter. But this is how you build friendships. So if you look at it this way, being younger may be to your adantage lol.
As for homesickness, there's not really much you can do about it. Everyone gets homesick, no matter what age you are. I'm 21. I've been away from home for long periods of time before. I'm used to being away from my parents. I still get homesick. However, there are people that are 18 that have never been away from their parents for more than 3 days and they've yet to get homesick. So it really depends. I've only been homesick once. The longer you are away, the easier it becomes. Honestly. You soon get into the swing of things, get a routine, get a social life, get immersed in your course etc. At the end of the day, if you get homesick, you get homesick. You can ring home, you can skype. If you are that desperately homesick you can go home. I don't really reccomend it as it is good to break through that barrier but if you need it, you can. 4 hours isn't that far. It really isn't .
Good luck
As for living in accomodation at 17, it really depends on you as a person. Have you ever lived away before? Have you ever been away from home (on holiday/school trip without parents...) for more than a week? 2 weeks? A month? etc.
Living in uni halls is a BIG change from home. Living without parents is one thing. Having to take care of yourself is another. I think it's great that you want to do it, even if you are conflicted at the moment.
As for making friends etc, there won't be any problems making friends. HOWEVER. As you are under 18, you won't be allowed to buy alcohol or drink it. So this could have an effect on your freshers week. Well, unless you get a fake ID (which I don't reccomend as bouncers see RIGHT through them, no matter how good they are).
You will settle in quickly. Because you are younger than most people, if not everyone, at uni, people will typically take the mick out of you but this will just be banter. Fun and harmless banter. But this is how you build friendships. So if you look at it this way, being younger may be to your adantage lol.
As for homesickness, there's not really much you can do about it. Everyone gets homesick, no matter what age you are. I'm 21. I've been away from home for long periods of time before. I'm used to being away from my parents. I still get homesick. However, there are people that are 18 that have never been away from their parents for more than 3 days and they've yet to get homesick. So it really depends. I've only been homesick once. The longer you are away, the easier it becomes. Honestly. You soon get into the swing of things, get a routine, get a social life, get immersed in your course etc. At the end of the day, if you get homesick, you get homesick. You can ring home, you can skype. If you are that desperately homesick you can go home. I don't really reccomend it as it is good to break through that barrier but if you need it, you can. 4 hours isn't that far. It really isn't .
Good luck
I'm going to uni at 17 simply because I want to, like unwanted to go last year but my parents stopped me but this year I feel like it would be the right step because no one my age knows what they want to do and k know exactly what I want to do and I even have a 10 year plan,not many 17y.o do. my dad is teaching me the basics of living alone and stuff but the main thing for me is the not being able to go out with the olders during Freshers as that's how you make the most of your friends but I suppose it's only 3 months but thanks for the reassurance, although I'm still conflicted it is helping me
Original post by hysterria
Heya! I'll be going to uni in Scotland too, and will also be 17. I believe it's not uncommon - according to the University of Glasgow website, about one in five freshers is underage during freshers' week (https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/planning/qv/aoe/ae1617/). I presume this will be similar for other Scottish unis.
I do feel you on the immaturity though, the longest I've been away from my parents was five days, and even then there were other adults with me. I just see it as a leap you've got to take, just throw yourself in without trying to worry too much. It seems that, besides legal drinking, the difference between 17 and 18 isn't that large.
What I'm going to do is practise being an adult, ie cooking once a week, doing my own washing, making my own dentist appointments, and going places on my own. So far I haven't come any further than making pasta with tomato sauce and visiting a nearby city for Christmas shopping, but at least I'm trying.
If you're afraid of being homesick though, maybe you can try and get away from your parents for a while. Consider going on a trip, doesn't have to be far, with friends during the holidays, or something like that. Also, I think most students do get homesick at some point in university, so don't worry about it too much now. There'll always be someone to talk to and you can always decide to spend a weekend at home with your parents.
Hope this helps
I do feel you on the immaturity though, the longest I've been away from my parents was five days, and even then there were other adults with me. I just see it as a leap you've got to take, just throw yourself in without trying to worry too much. It seems that, besides legal drinking, the difference between 17 and 18 isn't that large.
What I'm going to do is practise being an adult, ie cooking once a week, doing my own washing, making my own dentist appointments, and going places on my own. So far I haven't come any further than making pasta with tomato sauce and visiting a nearby city for Christmas shopping, but at least I'm trying.
If you're afraid of being homesick though, maybe you can try and get away from your parents for a while. Consider going on a trip, doesn't have to be far, with friends during the holidays, or something like that. Also, I think most students do get homesick at some point in university, so don't worry about it too much now. There'll always be someone to talk to and you can always decide to spend a weekend at home with your parents.
Hope this helps
I'm glad someone is in the same position as me. I just hope there is more 17 year olds in the accommodation with me as when I went to the uni for an open day I got shown about and one of the women that work for the accommodation said my course (acting and performance) take up half of the students in the halls so I'm hoping that maybe they'll be someone like me too. I'm planning a trip over new year's (I've done this before) so I might just go away for longer to see if it will teach me more about budgeting
Thank you for answering
Original post by Nevaan
I'm going to uni at 17 simply because I want to, like unwanted to go last year but my parents stopped me but this year I feel like it would be the right step because no one my age knows what they want to do and k know exactly what I want to do and I even have a 10 year plan,not many 17y.o do. my dad is teaching me the basics of living alone and stuff but the main thing for me is the not being able to go out with the olders during Freshers as that's how you make the most of your friends but I suppose it's only 3 months but thanks for the reassurance, although I'm still conflicted it is helping me
What I meant was how come you are going to uni when you are 17 when you have to go to college for 2 years? Leave school at 16, 2 years at college (17/18) and go when you are 18? Are you going straight to uni from school? I'm confused lol
As for making friends during freshers, that isn't strictly true. You go to freshers event with friends. Don't necessarily meet people there though. You meet people from your flat, from your course, from societies etc. You meet people from your flatmates course, your flatmates friends. I have a really good friend who was a classmate of my flatmate and we only met through my flatmate and her doing a group project in the flat one day. Flatmate has actualy moved out but me and her classmate are really good friends. Through that, I've been to her flat and met her flatmates and we all go out and have fun and stuff. I didn't meet anyone during freshers. Not one. I went out with my flat twice but that was it. We mostly stayed in playing card games and board games and just generally hanging out in the flat listening to music. Get to know your flatmates. Not everyone gets on with flatmates but the vast majority do.Your flatmates bring back friends and hang out in the flat and everyone just mingles.
Original post by Hedwig2189
What I meant was how come you are going to uni when you are 17 when you have to go to college for 2 years? Leave school at 16, 2 years at college (17/18) and go when you are 18? Are you going straight to uni from school? I'm confused lol
As for making friends during freshers, that isn't strictly true. You go to freshers event with friends. Don't necessarily meet people there though. You meet people from your flat, from your course, from societies etc. You meet people from your flatmates course, your flatmates friends. I have a really good friend who was a classmate of my flatmate and we only met through my flatmate and her doing a group project in the flat one day. Flatmate has actualy moved out but me and her classmate are really good friends. Through that, I've been to her flat and met her flatmates and we all go out and have fun and stuff. I didn't meet anyone during freshers. Not one. I went out with my flat twice but that was it. We mostly stayed in playing card games and board games and just generally hanging out in the flat listening to music. Get to know your flatmates. Not everyone gets on with flatmates but the vast majority do.Your flatmates bring back friends and hang out in the flat and everyone just mingles.
As for making friends during freshers, that isn't strictly true. You go to freshers event with friends. Don't necessarily meet people there though. You meet people from your flat, from your course, from societies etc. You meet people from your flatmates course, your flatmates friends. I have a really good friend who was a classmate of my flatmate and we only met through my flatmate and her doing a group project in the flat one day. Flatmate has actualy moved out but me and her classmate are really good friends. Through that, I've been to her flat and met her flatmates and we all go out and have fun and stuff. I didn't meet anyone during freshers. Not one. I went out with my flat twice but that was it. We mostly stayed in playing card games and board games and just generally hanging out in the flat listening to music. Get to know your flatmates. Not everyone gets on with flatmates but the vast majority do.Your flatmates bring back friends and hang out in the flat and everyone just mingles.
ahh okay sorry I misunderstood what you said there. my course that I'm going to be doing is a 4 year course I left school in may this year and started college this September
I don't know how it is in Scotland... maybe there are more under 18s. I wouldn't start uni until you're 18 personally as it just makes it tough for everyone else you want to be friends with as you can't get into clubs etc. Maybe if you have a fake ID it would be OK. I think you'll cope fine with being away from home.
Most residences have an age limit of 18 years and older. However, we can find placements for 16- or 17-year-olds in some instances. You also want your parents to write that they are happy that you live alone in a residence for adults.
Original post by Nevaan
I have a hard choice to make in January. I've basically been offered a place at a college that is at the other side of Scotland form me and is a 4hr drive away from home.by the time I would be going away to uni I'll only be 17 (although I'll be 18 3 months into the course) I'm just worried that I'll be too young or not mature enough to stay on my own so far away from home. although I've visited this uni and it's amazing and the support structure in place is phenomenal. I'm just worried ill be left out/make no friends the first few months and if I'll enjoy it cause I'm only 17 AND the homesickness thing. so if anyone has/is in this situation can you please give me tips or advice cause I'm conflicted and confused
This is a great question. I started uni when I had just turned 17, so my whole first year was under 18 (I went to school/uni in Aus, where the system was different). I struggled a bit socially but I don't actually think it had anything to do with my age. Although I will say that if where you're going is the kind of place where most socialising is done in places you won't be allowed (like clubs, etc), you might get a bit of FOMO.
Tbh I think most students have to go through the learning curve of life skills (and maybe homesickness) when they move out, no matter the age. And there can be a huge difference in maturity of people, regardless of age. Seeing if you feel in yourself like it's the right decision is probably more important than comparing to others. Best of luck.Quick Reply
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