INTRODUCTION: THE TRUTH ABOUT EMPTY NESTERS “It was a strange experience dropping Anwen off - I felt a combination of emotions - excitement, curiosity, fear, sadness, worry and dread. I cried a little on the way home. Back at home and going into her empty bedroom - I felt a sense of real loss... of emptiness. There is a loneliness without her in the house.” Angharad, from Swansea who dropped her daughter of at UWE Bristol in September 2025 Just remember, you are not alone. In fact, a poll of 1,000 parents of first-time university students revealed: While this heightened sense of loss might feel overwhelming as a parent or guardian, rest assured it’s very common to feel this way. At Unite Students, we know those first few weeks after your young person has flown the nest can be hard. As the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, we’ve teamed up with Dr Dominique Thompson - an award-winning former GP, young people’s mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator - to offer help and support to those struggling to cope without their young person living at home. Research has shown that Empty Nest Syndrome is hitting parents hard, with 83% agreeing that dropping their child off at university this autumn caused them extreme grief. 25% 17% 23% 29% Feel like a part of them is missing Fear what the future holds for themselves Wish they’d spent more time with their child before they went to university Are arguing with their other half more, and worry their relationship will break down “I am so happy she is pursuing her dream of becoming an architect, but she’s left a big hole in our lives. I can’t help feeling very sad that I won’t see her as much. I keep telling myself - this is her life, her time to grow up and just have a great time. I am already looking forward to seeing her again. I haven’t ruled out driving up to Reading just to take her out to lunch!” Steven, a father of two who dropped his youngest child, Martha, off at Reading university this year