To want my son to go to a higher achieving Uni?

Not really. Schools have sets for different abilities and different papers in some cases like foundation vs higher or BTEC vs A levels.

Exactly Misslife I think those pushy mothers will get a shock - gen z are turning away from that path - a family member retiring as a partner couldn’t get any of the young lawyers to step up they didn’t want to be tied down /work that hard or have the responsibility. Such a narrow view - the world has moved on anyway

Well said @MidlifeWhatNow. It is usually said by very privileged privately educated posters who have had their DC privately educated and who have very little idea about the world outside their exclusive bubbles.

Some young people go to their nearest university because they can't afford to go away or they have caring commitments. Some stay near home for health reasons, some aren't ready to leave home or have other reasons to stay. Yet these same posters write them off for not being aspirational.

I often read threads on here and other forums from parents who are struggling financially, and who are asking which are the expensive university cities to avoid. Whereupon they get told that cost shouldn't put them off. How tone deaf is that?

@Namingchangeagain

Get him to try SaySomethinginWelsh - it's a fantastic app and will get him speaking conversational Welsh in no time. Pob lwc!

It's just a treadmill of 'best school, best grades, best uni, best course, first, grad scheme, six-figure salary In The City'. I mean, fine if that's genuinely what they want but god forbid any deviation from the well-trodden path. Its so depressing to read this stuff over and over again

Yes well said. I work in a university careers service and honestly, we see more students rejecting that path these days than want to tread it!

It's such a weirdly blinkered view of the world. Every time one of these threads comes up there's an influx of posters saying 'Well if your dc wants a job with a Magic Circle / big 4 firm they'll need a first from blahblahblah and anywhere else means their life is OVER'. As if these are the only possible options for smart kids.

It's just a treadmill of 'best school, best grades, best uni, best course, first, grad scheme, six-figure salary In The City'. I mean, fine if that's genuinely what they want but god forbid any deviation from the well-trodden path. Its so depressing to read this stuff over and over again.

If I had my time again and the choice between an elite university and Aberystwyth I would give Aberystwyth a go. I have experience of the top tier and they just felt far too pleased with themselves.

Newsflash - many, many intelligent, capable, motivated people couldn't imagine anything worse than 'working in the City'.

That's pretty much what DD said. She would hate a boring office job.

🤣🤣🤣

Oh, honestly, give over. Because only the best of the best choose...Leeds? I mean, no criticism of Leeds whatsoever - it's a great university - but I'm not aware of its propensity to turn out Masters of the Universe.

And yy to the poster who is baffled by the 'well Aber is a bad choice for City careers' bullshit that abounds on this thread. So what? Newsflash - many, many intelligent, capable, motivated people couldn't imagine anything worse than 'working in the City'.

Jesus, what is your problem with Swansea and Aber? I grew up near Aber in mid wales & it’s a fab Uni, fab place to live. Very outdoorsy, surf etc. Swansea city isn’t so nice but close to Mumbles, Gower- lovely beaches etc. This Russell group snobbery does my head in- as someone said- Bristol has had terrible issues and Durham is full of public schools kids.

I went to a Welsh Uni and loved it (as I am Welsh) - get over yourself! Small communities with highly regarded teaching are great.

Who on earth told you that?

A mumsnetter on a university thread.

You’re not at work now and you’re the one who’s being unnecessarily aggressive.

Sorry, went to bed! I saw you found the synopsis - and your other posts. Looks like your son has his head screwed on very well indeed! Hope he has a ball there and enjoy the book 😄

@Namingchangeagain Such a nice outcome-you must feel pretty proud of your son!
On your visits, take a little trip to Aberaeron and treat him to a meal at The Harbourmaster. Beautiful coastal town and lovely hotel/restaurant.

Just seen he’s doing basic Welsh - the university offered a free course when I was there ten years ago and I recommend it.

Aberystwyth is a wonderful university for many reasons. It is also a very old university The required grades may be lower than some because it is so remote and they want to encourage students to apply They also offer valuable scholarships

Op dd3 is currently at Aberystwyth doing a foundation year. Her intention was to move to a different uni after. She is staying loves it. Loves the life style loves the course (STEM) has tutor's who has time to explain extra if she needs. Tutors who support her dyslexia. And accidentally climbed a mountain one weekend.

Says she wants to do her Masters there.
She is the youngest of my 4 and Compares to the other 3 has by far the best experience of university (though shall be noted is also the one least affected by covid)

Her friend from primary went to a RG as her mother insisted. She hates her course feels isolated. Loathes her Tutors and is studying something she won't use. Whe she met up with another friend she expresses she wished she had been able to go against her mothers wishes.

Mum will wrinkle her nose on hearing dd3 is at Aberystwyth however my dd will look back on her uni days with good memories. She will likely use her degree or at least intends to. And is enjoying learning. To me this is far more important than a RG uni.

On a side note she is also managing just on her student loan. None of her siblings managed that. As more expensive universities.

Oh well said! It really gets my goat the way some people on here talk as if anyone who doesn't get a full set of 9s at GCSE and all A or A* at A level is stupid.
For starters, it could only be a mark or two that divides an A from a B. Someone with 3 Bs could theoretically at least only have scored 3 marks less in their A levels than someone who has 3 As, but to read some of the comments on here the 3 A student shouldn't have to sit in the same lecture theatre as the 3 B student in case they het contaminated. Being a bit under the weather, sleeping badly, a personal crisis, panicking about the exam, misreading a question, bad luck with the topics that come up - multiple things could make the difference of a small number of marks which alters the grades. It doesn't necessarily mean that the student with the Bs is vastly different to the one with As.
And exams aren't an infallible indicator of intelligence or ability to learn anyway. My DH has pretty mediocre A levels. I'm one of those As for everything types. There isn't a significant difference in our intelligence. I applied myself far better at that age for sure, and I'm good at passing exams. I always have been. I'm reasonably bright of course - not all my results are just down to good exam technique, but it does make a difference. I have a near photographic shortish term memory too, which comes in handy for exams. But I am not some kind of near genius and I certainly didn't marry a half wit, but based on our A level results I am sure that is what quite a few posters here would think. DH has gone on to be recognised as an international expert in his field actually whereas I was a pretty bog standard hospital Consultant!

Barely head of the uni? This shows your lack of general knowledge or that you're a snob.

Another 90’s Aber graduate here just to share the love. It really is a fabulous place to live. Your son will have an amazing time. Congratulations.

So many posters saying they attended in the 90’s. A few of us must have danced together in the Bay / Bear / Glen.

Happy days.

I couldn't agree with you more @Namingchangeagain
DD's first class STEM degree is apparently "not worth the paper it is written on" because it isn't from a top 10 university 😕
And she wants to do a healthcare related masters (currently working and taking a gap from education).

"What is Malcolm Gladwell's main point of the book?
Gladwell shows us that the traditional narrative of success – passion + talent + skill = success – is flawed. While these elements help drive success, success also stems from the circumstances in which a person is raised and lives."