Continuing Year 13: January 2016

Aaagh, injection rules!

I wanted ds to have a flu jab last winter for various reasons, and the doctor's surgery refused as he didn't meet the requirements, so I went to the chemist who said he couldn't have one there as he was under 18. I offered to pay the GP but the receptionist wasn't having it.

(In the end Boots came up trumps after they'd rung someone "high up" who gave approval.)

I got a phone call today to say DS could have it as I'd requested it. So DS is ok. I hope no-one else accepts being told no by the receptionist!

It's given me something to think about other than revision and A levels.

Yes dd had hers in y10 this year with her dtpa booster but the current y13s won't have it as routine , as the schedule changed in the meantime , so they need a catch up. It didn't seem to be an issue when I asked surgery a few weeks ago , I just have to book it.

My 15 year old (Y11) DD has had hers through school.

I don't want him to have it til after exams anyway, I was just asking about.

Physics here too.

DS is having his meningitis jab tomorrow. I rung the surgery and booked him in and they were happy to do that, but don't seem to be calling his year in, you only get it if you request it. Yet a friend's 15 year old was called in for it.

I am a bit alarmed that so many have a few days feeling grim after the jab. DS can't afford to have two days off revision! We are in the throes of a major physics panic here . . . .

I know.

I said all that to the receptionist, while saying I knew it wasn't her fault. She is raising a query, but I think it was to get rid of me. I'll wait a week and email the practice manager.

I'm wondering if she's confused between Y13 and Fresher's catch up, but I ended up doubting myself.

I moved to this surgery because the last one wouldn't give me the Hep B I needed for work, which is a different thread, but contributed to irateness.

Our surgery has agreed to do DD's. Seems silly to wait until you get to uni if the vaccine takes two weeks to be effective. And I doubt fixing a date for the vaccination would be top of many DCs agendas!

They are most at risk in the first few weeks of uni according to the NHS own website. It's not universities requesting the jabs it's part of the UK government vaccination schedule.
You ideally need to have the vaccine at least two weeks before you start university, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time
Link
I think you should insist.

Just back from the GP with younger DC and asked receptionist about the meningitis jab for DS1.

She said they've been told to only do students registering for local uni, and that DS1 should register with surgery on arrival at uni and get it then.

She then told me it was because unis were requesting students had the jab. And that it was to encourage DC to register at doctors.

I'vE queried it (possibly a bit irately) and shes asking the nurses.

Anyone else have this?

PM'ed you Bethan, in a moment of paranoia!

what other subjects is your DS doing BethanKate (besides Maths & FM)?

I'm hoping four days off revision hasn't hurt. Has just done FP2 paper though & says will do some STEP. Next exam not until 8th.

[Atia] where's your DD going on her trip?

dunlurking, liberal arts sounds amazing! Yes, my DS is going to do maths, it's where his talents lie. It would be nice if he made some arts and humanities friends, though. I'm sure they'd be more fun.

DS1 is off in Birmingham today at the Slamdunk festival at the NEC. I think one day off revision isn't going to hurt.

He's never had paid work as yet, but has a summer job lined up doing some software. So his summer won't be exciting, but financially beneficial at least.

Dd is having her last day at work tomorrow. She has a couple of shifts holiday owing which she's taking this week to go away for a few days, and she doesn't want to work during her exams. And then she's away for basically the whole of July (which means she misses her prom, but her trip is going to be amazing).

Ds keeps being called in to work at the village shop - his w/e and holiday job. As his next exam isn't until the 8th he's struggling to focus on revision maths past papers

Ellen my ds isn't going for a Maths degree. Is yours? He couldn't make up his mind between History or Drama so is doing Liberal Arts, which allows him to try both in his first year and then chose one to major in for subsequent years. It should have a year abroad and an internship as well, hopefully.

Leavers' service last night. A day off revision today it seems!

Have been dipping in and out sporadically here but haven't written for ages. Dd doesn't start her exams for a couple of weeks. She has an unconditional offer which is looking like an excellent decision at this point - she's doing loads of revision and getting quite stressy, but I fear it would be much worse with grades to aim for! I just asked her if she was having a day off today, and got my head bitten off ...

Well DS1 finished school today. Leavers Assembly and Hog Roast weds. Group of teens currently having BBQ at our house. He was at Toddlers Group with some of them, doesn't seem five minutes

Secret Warwick is his firm choice (Maths). Bristol is insurance but they won't let him apply for accommodation in advance - similar attitude to Exeter.

Had last ever lesson yesterday - Maths with pizza. Today had Leavers Assembly & then the school laid on a hog roast which was good of them (though he had a veggie burger as doesn't eat hogs).

Head of Maths was chatting to DH who works part time at school, saying how hard working & motivated DS has been & how he helps the others in the class & they'll miss him. Really nice of her to say that.

Woah, spooky Dunlurking. What subject? I might have a quick stalk of your posts! Cross fingers both get Warwick as accommodation looks a lot cheaper there. DS will have to take a tent to Exeter, just in case.

Thanks Secrets. Ellen I've just checked as Exeter is ds's insurance as well and they say apply as soon as your clearing or insurance place is confirmed by the university. In other words not until the firm has turned them down and then Exeter have accepted them. So we just need to get our dses to focus on Warwick for the moment! Hope your ds makes Warwick anyway

I think you are right about Exeter Ellen, they only guarantee accommodation to firms. It makes it that bit more stressful if they miss their offer. I guess it all depends how much accommodation each uni has. DS's first and second choices both guarantee a room to all first years not just firms.

I didn't think Exeter allowed insurance choices to apply for accommodation. I must check, or get DS1 to check. I reckon DS is more likely to end up there than Warwick, if I'm perfectly honest.

Dunlurking do they apply for insurance accommodation.
They don't have to.
I'd weigh up the likelihood of ending up at insurance uni. In DS1's case it was very high - his first choice required grade 1 in STEP 2 and 3. It was always a gamble and it seemed sensible to apply for accommodation at insurance.
Each university accommodation website will show their priority of allocations. Usually something along the lines of Firms, followed by Insurances followed by late applications and last of all clearance or adjustments.
I don't think DS2 will end up at his insurance but it costs nothing to apply.