Over Half of Parents Weep when taking their Child to University

Over half (57%) of parents expect to cry when they take their children to university for the first time this month, a poll has revealed. Mums are the most likely to cry (70%), but 42% of dads also admit to being ready to weep at the university gates.

The findings from the Onepoll survey come as thousands of parents prepare to make the big drive to university with their children in the next two weeks.

Student accommodation provider Unite Students has launched a campaign called The Leap to support students – and their parents – to prepare for their new life away from home and quickly settle into their new surroundings.

In response to understanding that making the leap is a complex time for students and parents, the company has created ‘The Big Drive’ playlist – designed to help students and parents mark this poignant moment as they pack up their lives and make the journey to their new accommodation at the start of Fresher’s Week.

With nearly two thirds (63%) of students travelling at least 60 miles to their new university home – and 83% making the emotional trip with one or both parents – the playlist is packed full of songs that are perfect for the occasion, including:

• Someone Like You by Adele
• Moving on Up by M People
• Power by Little Mix

The playlist is available on Spotify and parents and students are being encouraged to add their own songs.

It’s not just parents who are feeling emotional, with over half (56%) of students starting university this month expecting to be homesick. And a separate survey shows most students feel excited (87%) about the move, closely followed by anxiety (79%).

Unite Students City Manager for London, Harriet Nathaniel said:

“The Big Drive playlist is all about helping students and parents through this emotional time. We’ve added a number of songs and asked the public to do the same. This is the perfect opportunity for students and parents to talk about how they’re feeling and how they can support each other through what can be a really exciting but also uncertain time for all involved.”

Ffion Llewellyn, a student moving to Imperial College London from Bridgend in Wales said,

“I’m so excited to move to university. It’s quite scary moving to a big city where I don’t know anyone, but I can’t wait to get started.

“It’s the first time I’ve lived away from my parents, so I know I’m going to be sad when they drop me off. I’m sure the drive to university is going to be an emotional one. I’m moving quite a long way away, so I won’t be able to just pop over for a cup of tea.”

Unite Students is the UK’s largest student accommodation provider, providing 50,000 homes for students across the country. The Leap report, which provides tips and guidance to students and parents from a range of experts – including existing students – is available on the Unite Students website.

Follow and add your songs to The Big Drive playlist here