I go to uni with my Dad

“Dad?” I ask the man washing his hands next to me in the Student Union toilet.

Yes, it was my father. He wasn’t lost – he studies with me at Trent.

Just uni mates xx

When I tell friends or strangers I have just met that my dad goes to the same uni as me they just think I’m lying for shock factor, like when girls drink for “never have I ever done anal”.

I am not lying.

He’s a 43-year-old third year studying Social Work and unlike most students he’s buzzing for the world of work after he graduates – probably with better grades than me.

ID please mate

I don’t see him everyday since he doesn’t really spend time on campus besides going to his lectures or working in the library, but when I do he usually takes me for food courtesy of his student loan.

So cheers Dad – and student finance

Whereas I’ve never made a full week of lectures, my dad is a model student.

Not to mention that my age he got a Gulf Medal with Clasp for seven days continuous service in the War, the youth of today right?

I’ll just stick to the Trent Army thanks.

Over summer him and my step mum had a baby girl together and she’s probably more of an acceptable reason to be up at 3am than me calling him after a messy night at the SU.

…And she’s probably the favourite child for a while after that mistake.

He’s never been to Ocean, or out with me so things don’t get too weird.

Except for the time we went to Wetherspoon’s and he started trying to down his pint because my friends walked past.

The whole thing’s just your typical student-father situation. Although he did try and book tour this year, and frequently asks if the dance society is “in need of a dad dancing choreographer”.

No they are not but thanks for asking. Again.

Once I even saw him on my way to pre drinks when I was dressed in nothing but leggings and blue body paint – I did not say hello.

Thankfully I wasn’t in town to see him take on Nottingham dressed as a woman for his birthday bar crawl.

Nobody’s ever given me too much grief at uni for having my dad there – although Dad has the habit of saying “If there’s any bother I’ll come and sort it out. I’ll probably bring my mates as well”.

Safe.

Dad thinks the whole thing is brill and says he’s proud of me now he “knows how stressful university life can be” since he’s experienced it for himself.

He said: “I worry about his drinking, but I was just the same at my age. In fact I was probably worse.”

A true Trent student.

It’s nice to know he’s around so I can just drop him a text and I can meet him, and I’ll miss him next year.

The only thing is he’s more excited about than his graduation is coming to mine.