Starting year 13 2016

Really nice visit to Leeds yesterday. Lots of good info on how they help transitioning students and lots of support if they find it a bit overwhelming in the early days.

Came across as very supportive.

Glad you all enjoyed RH Juggling.

It's half term here. DD is in holiday mode and still in bed

She has booked to go on an applicant day at Southampton in March. Still hasn't heard from Bristol. Those are her 2 top choices.

We had a great day at Royal Holloway on Saturday. DD came out buzzing from the practical where from what I gather they'd been teasing some fighting fish with little model fish and mirrors, and noting and comparing reactions. She also enjoyed the tutorial style "go round". Was lovely to be there again with both DM and DD, and we met so many friendly and helpful students.

First of our applicant days. Looking forward to the others coming up over next few weeks - so hopefully we're in a place to make some decisions.

That must be a relief, HSMM.

Last interview done and dusted - long day, they had to leave at 6am. 'A bit disorganised but pleasant.' Whew. Halfterm!

That is excellent news HSM!

Fab news HSM - what course has she applied for?

Ono - given he has reasons to prefer the unconditional anyway, they'd probably prefer honesty - if they're trying to work out how many more offers to make based on their guess at whether they'll be first/reserve/nowhere, its better all round.

Good news HSMM

Just checked student finance but it still isn't open for 2017/18. DS had a nice personalised email from Leeds saying they'd reviewed his application, they were interested in what he'd done for his EPQ and they hoped he'd consider them (they'd obviously read his PS as they had mentioned bits of it, I was quite impressed with them). He replied cheekily saying he'd had an unconditional from Birmingham and he'd consider them if they gave him an unconditional too! Oh to be young and cocky!

Leeds next week; still undecided whether he's going by train or I'm driving. If he goes by train I have to drive 40 miles to the station and then do the journey again at the end of the day to collect him, so probably more practical to drive him there.

Glad you found us, juggling - that all sounds good. Applicant/interview days can be quite a fun trip (from what I hear back from DD and DH). She's got her last one tomorrow, Nottingham - assuming the weather forecast isn't too bad, apparently there may be heavy snow.

Hey, I finally found you all!

Lost you for a bit and missed you - have just chased you up through all our threads starting with an end of GCSE's one! That seems quite a long time ago now!

How's everyone doing? We've got some Uni applicant days to look forward to including a mini trip with an overnight in Swansea at half-term, so almost seems like a holiday! Going with friends too as DD's friend also has offer from them

Royal Holloway tomorrow with DM, and then Sheffield (re-visit) and finally Reading. We hope we'll then be able to make a decision on firm and insurance. Then accommodation and finance to do too. DD's school has a Uni finance week coming up so hoping that will help us get organised with it all.

She was out of bed earlier than me this morning. I work pt from home, most of my team is in California, I'm going to have to be careful my day doesn't shift too far to aligning with theirs when DD's gone! (DH can do weird hours too)

Woo hoo, HSM! That's great!

And phew, Errol!

I think I'm a lark, although I don't jump out of bed with glee in the morning. DD is most definitely an owl. But then so was I at her age!

DDs mocks done, but other subjects have some exams tomorrow so she has the morning off, hurray - I'm an owl not a lark, the good thing about empty nest for me will be the end of the tyranny of the 6:25 alarm.

Hi all. Just been reading through to catch up on all the goings on. I see our darling offspring are still causing us endless worry

Empty nest? Can't wait! The house will stay tidy and there will be food left in the fridge for starters.

DS submitted his form fine. We've been to visit 4 out of his 5 choices and he's narrowed it down to 3 now. Two want to interview before they send offers so we are having to wait and get through all that first.

In the meantime, he has mocks after half term which seems quite sensible but learning to drive is taking forever!

Snap Ono am also hormonal at 52 and I think I'm SAD ( seasonal affective disorder).My Mum gets this badly and i've become slug-like this winter!
DD has parents evening this week - will be interesting to see what they say.I don't think she's working as hard as before ,but if I say that to her she stomps off in a huff.She did ok in her mocks with an A in her Epq but I still want the wind put up her sails as this year so much is dependent on the end of course exams.
Thank you for the Meningitis reminder .I wasn't aware of this latest vaccine

No EPQ or boyfriend thank goodness. Not sure which would be the most trouble.

Ono, think Dd would benefit from a boot up the arse. Seriously, we've had words again today ( by text). She is staying at school to help someone else with their Epq. I told her she she concentrate on her own work. I actually think that she's gone to see her boyfriend as she didn't see him at the weekend. I can only say that here. Sorry to rant.