Thread 19 - Corona Cohort, Enrolling on Year 13, hopefully NOT unlucky for some

The thing that wound me up was his use of "do you know what you're getting yourself in for".
Letting yourself in for! (Or getting yourself into.)

I thought lots of the examples were useful and he did come across as trying to help people not make common mistakes. Tbf he does say at the beginning that his will be a particularly academic slant and not to use it as your only resource. (But looks like this was organised by Seren which is a programme for very bright kids in Wales so makes sense to be more academic and less vocational I guess.) I don't think he's saying you have to be an anorak to be worthy, just that they are looking for people who are right for their very academic courses, so being a non anorak is not in itself an advantage. If you can relate your other attributes to the course, then it will help.

I liked what he said also about being aware that extra and super curricular opportunities are not open to everyone - not just work experience but sport and music provision is not the same everywhere either as they often cost money.

I've just watched the killer PS video and found myself getting a bit wound up by it! Yes, there are some interesting points, but I don't like the obsessive academic message it gives out and the Oxford tutor's complete dismissal of extra curricular activities.

It's no wonder that Oxbridge graduates are becoming less popular with many employers. The real world wants rounded people who can combine work and play. And someone who was head girl will be an asset in any work place. It's really sad that he's saying that you need to be a total academic anorak to be worthy of a place at any RG university. I know full well that when you emerge from university, employers are very interested in the extra curricular stuff you've done as it shows you can hold positions of responsibilities in clubs/societies, manage your time, get on with people and enjoy yourself at the same time. I would be so sad for my kids if all they did was work while they were at uni!

Am watching the killer thing now. Interestingly, DS wouldn't change soem words because 'it didn't sound like him' so that was a good thing. Id wonder how all of the suggestions the chap comes up with have ever fitted in a 4000 character statement.

I liek the video though : helpful examples.

I think what DS has written about the books he has read may be a bit superficial... he is unusual amongst his peers/your averagely schooled student in reading widely and perhaps we haven't thought about the fact that that isn't (to Oxbridge) impressive in and of itself (even though I think it is!)

Thanks monkey

Killer PS

I suggested to Ds about watching the killer PS film. He says he doesn't need to 🤷‍♀️ I've already said he will just get on with it without asking for my help. I don't think he will even show us.

I read soem ridiculous PSs today for Oxbridge wannabes. So overreaching. Swallowed thesauruses! Why can't they just be clear??

Have you got a link to this video?

Just watched the killer ps video and think it's good. Definitely some useful things to bear in mind when I have a look at DS's first draft tomorrow.

Oh think I’ve found it. This year’s guide says you need to submit and then you can download a pdf for checking. Will try that

UCAS form quick query - school have asked for a printed copy for checking. Does anyone know how to do this? I googled and it says do View All and then print but we can't find View all. Stressful...

@zebra DS had one day of raised temperature at the beginning of this week and then back to normal. I still believe he has a cold AND covid and that might be why it's taking him so long to shake off the cold symptoms. I hope your DD comes back negative and feels better very soon.

We have taken her. She sounds like she has the same symptoms as your boy @JustHereWithMyPopcorn. But they have changed from day to day. She felt hot, but had no temp and only started coughing yesterday.
Hope it isn’t COVID, we aren’t generally given to fabricating illness, but I know we will all be waiting for the axe to fall...

Hope zebra dd ok.

Ds1 back today. Ds2 not because of confirmed food poisoning. He's calm because he said it was very calm, very relaxed, huge assembly.
He handed in EPQ today and PS is done. It's already been reviewed once by HoY, and he's finished working on it and is happy.

I think his next big thing is exams just before October 1/2 term.

DD was never due a prom at end of Y11 as they only do them at end of Yr 13 at her school.

Good to know it could be used for balls at uni. I'm so gutted it's never been worn.

Keep the dress for uni balls.
Still a lot of them on these days. Dd1 has worn hers several times.

DS still has a wedding suit from age 15 he will probably still fit into at his own wedding!

DS already had a tux as he played in orchestras which white them. Don't think it will fit any more after all his body building. DS1 can have the sharp suit and spare tux! A lot of people but and sell clothes on line, so that is an option if style no longer satisfactory.

EX's dress is hanging on the back of my bedroom door.
Thankfully, we found one in the sale and it's a classic style, so will work for other occasions.

Totally different question, but for those of you with girls who bought a prom dress for and if GCSEs, what have you done with it?

Thanks Monkey I am getting slightly more concerned I have to say. I've told him to try and sleep during the day if he can. His form/eng teacher emailed him a really nice message and asked what he can do to help which was lovely. He's doing a bit of reading in bed so hopefully not to stressful.

Just, sorry to hear your DS has it so badly, we hear about so many asymptomatic cases that it is easy to be complacent. Hope he shakes it off soon, and that he does not overdo it and make it last longer.