Continuing Year 13: January 2016

There really isn't any hurry to sort out student finance or accommodation. Lots of students won't even make their choices until the deadline.
remembers DS1 pushing the button at 11th hour

Student loan web site is pretty straightforward, of course most loans don't even cover the rent let alone living costs but that's a whole other topic!
Lots of threads in HE about that 2 years ago when we did all this first time round.

Well, it wasn't working today because I checked. Just said 'you can't do this yet. Spring. That's when' (I'm paraphrasing here obviously).

I am very motivated to get it done as soon as poss now we have signed the contract for DD1's room. Not that student finance will cover it all. Sigh.

OK. DS told me school had told him it was and to get going ASAP. One less thing to do at half term!

Student Finance for next year isn't open yet. 'Spring' apparently.

The hall of residence opened booking today, and you are only guaranteed a room if you've booked and paid deposit within a couple of weeks. And she was very clear what sort of room she wanted and it's not like there's any immediately apparent alternative so I just got it done as soon as she texted me. Obviously the situation is slightly different because of her offer - it's not like she isn't going to achieve it, you know?

That's scary Uhtred

DS1s firm and a insurance don't register until May/June although I've told him to be thinking about his accommodation choices.

We are going to get to grips with the finance form at half term

Signed the contract and paid the deposit for DD1's hall of residence this afternoon. Shit's getting REAL.

Soon be time for them to make their final choices! Quite scary really.

And Good Luck to those still waiting to hear.

Thank you for nice comments Bucking & Needmoresleep.

Don't think I worded it very well it was DS who was sick & missed mock results, wonder if he'll remember to go to office & pick them up.

One of his friends is still waiting to hear from Warwick (for economics).

Thanks Squirrels, the offer departmental visits are in February half term for 3 of his offers, but goodness knows when Durham's is. He's been offered Oxford which is where he wants to go, and he thinks he knows which his reserve will be but he can't accept any of them, even Oxford, until Durham's comes in unless he withdraws from Durham now, which he doesn't really want to do. It's just a bit frustrating really, but that's all.

mygrandchildrenrock Durham can be very, very late in making offers. The deadline to accept is not until 4th May and can be later if offers are late. Early acceptance is no advantage and I would caution against it anyway as circumstances can change in 3 / 4 months. When DS1 applied 2 years ago he got his Durham offer straight away and his friend (same subject) didn't get her Durham offer until the end of April, too late even to do the offer visits (they both turned it down).

DS has only just got his 5th offer (York). He has narrowed it down to 3 and is going to the offer days.

Dunlurking - it's DD2 who is auditioning for YMT:UK. DD1 has been in NYRO since Y7 but isn't auditioning this year - they are going to Germany, it will be double dear and exactly when we have our family holiday (because we have not only A level results but GCSE ones too). So I suggested this year might be one to miss. She's actually quite pissed off but she gets that it's too expensive this year.

We're still waiting to here from Durham and can't accpet or reject any offers until then.

Spellings - fringe and friends. Sorry!

So many poignant thoughts about our 18/soontobe18 year olds about to leave us.

For me the year 13 parents evening this week was tough - last one and all that. I nearly cried when his year 7 form tutor, who has been his History teacher every year except one, said he possessed an "ideal analytical historical mind" in nearly exactly the same words as at his year 7 parents evening. She hadn't realised she had being saying that every year. At least he will be majoring in History at a good RG uni as her reward! Maybe those year 7 words seeded his future. (Although actually the kids don't go round with the parents at year 7 evenings so he didn't hear them). Or was she forecasting it? Does she have second sight? Who knows.

On a different note - to Bucking and Uhtred really. Have you noticed any change in desire to do YMT etc? Ds was at Edinburgh Frigne with YMT last summer, and won't even audition this year - he wants to go on holiday with his friends and it "would muck up his summer"....... As he's decided against auditioning for Drama school, and probably against majoring in Drama in his degree it's fine but it represents a huge change in his priorities. Maybe that's an emotional response to leaving school as well - making the most of time left with his freinds before they scatter to UK wide unis.

oh good luck with those results Bethan - and here's hoping your DH gets work soon. Plus, get well!

Would love to take DS to Berlin for his birthday as he wants but finding the money a bit of a major issue as DH made redundant a couple of years ago. We'll see.

Off sick today so missing mock results ceremony & won't find out until Monday.

Leeds, I chose them for her and am now panicking in case they are not as well liked as they should be!

Bethan - sounds like an enterprising young man! Berlin is fab.

Raspberry, love the trombone present - hard to wrap, I imagine?

Uhtred I'm guessing your DCs will always go to shows with you, if you're paying its lovely to have a strong shared interest. DD is staying in UK, good god I couldn't imagine facing up to her going abroad, you're made of tough stuff to contemplate it - and "Carrying an injury" sounds like a technical lovey term.

Knickers, I was braced to address the 'first choice/reserve' issue with DS in full parental mode, last night, and was amazed (and delighted) to find he was fully aware - but is waiting for Edinburgh to offer or not which i fear is likelyas this would be his first choice.

Actually there has been one saddening moment this week - she reckons she won't do destination Star Trek this year because it's only a couple of weeks after her course starts and she doesn't want me to end up out of pocket if she finds she can't go (as has happened with walker stalker and DD2 due to a clash with the dance festival over half term - to be fair I knew that was a risk when I got the tickets, it was always clear what DD2's choice would be if she had to make one). It's fine, I won't go either if DD1 doesn't want to go, I can live without it and it wouldn't be the same without her (she's more into trek than I am) but still...it's sad. At least she's sad about it too, this isn't a 'I'm not doing that stuff with you any more mum' moment. But still. I don't like change...

We had options evening for DD2 last night. She's not even 12.5 yet! Ah well. Her options will be almost identical to DD1 and DS - history and music being the common thread between the 3 of them. DD2 will be selecting drama as her first choice though. DS has just submitted his sixth form college application. That should be straightforward. I bloody hope so anyway. DD1 is summer born, we won't be doing anything on her actual birthday because exams but there are a whole slew of shows and shit coming up in the next few weeks and we are also keeping our powder dry for when the London run of Hamilton is announced too (and the Sting/Peter Gabriel tour will go on sale soon too). It's always show/concert tickets for presents in this house - the only way the kids can get to see stuff, because most things involve expensive train tickets and at least one night in a hotel). No reason to change that for her 18th. She's already informed me that she will do me the favour of continuing to do all shows etc with me and DD2 after she's gone off to the RCM.

Bucking - brilliant news about the recall and good luck for RADA. Is your DD doing NYMT or NYT auditions this year? DD2 has her YMT:UK audition next weekend but she's carrying an injury so no high expectations there.

That is a lovely present, raspberry.

DS1 had driving lessons last year, which he was told were in advance of his 18th.b However, despite reaching Grade 8 trombone last year, he has only now decided he would like his own trombone rather than the school hired one. So we are helping substantially with that (kind of knew it would happen).

DD pretty certain of her options, all different to DS1, so at least it will be a bit different atcparents evenings!

Hello - can I join in? Dd is taking A levels this year but will be taking a gap year and applying to uni once she has her results. Ds is in his final year at uni and is also planning a gap year. It is quite likely that for a few months at least we will be a family of 4 living together once more in the autumn - not sure I will see much of my car...!