New Batch of Year 13 parents this way!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Hopefully this thread will appear on TIO! No need to use it til our old thread is done, but at least we have it for when we are ready.

back on Tuesday here. Unlike his elder db DS2 has no clear view on what (and why) he wants to study or where - some outline ideas but nothing concrete. He needs to decide whether he wants to put in the necessary level of effort over the next 8/9 months - scarily that is all it is until A2 exams get underway [gulp]. Certainly more than capable but needs the sustained and planned effort to go with it. Consciously starting to think about applying in the next cycle with his results. Interesting times ahead, but at least no PS to worry about for some time.

Thanks catslife- I'll check that out.

We had an 18th b'day and grandma had a stroke!!! Puts PS work into perspective. DG is okay though - just lots of tests now and help to recover.

Just as my last flies the nest next year, my duties as an ageing DD take on new proportions!
Back to school Wednesday here, then the hard work begins and probably the highly strung nerves at times.

Also have to keep my job ticking along - reaching targets etc.

It's a balancing act being a mother!

Another update - Bristol Parkway station is closed (replacement bus service in place) so using this option instead of Temple Meads may not help.

Thanks catslife, I had looked at that as an option but this means going to pathway first and then templemeads, I'm not sure which part is bus though and how badly the route will be effected.
I'm thinking going stupidly early and getting the first bus from cribbs is looking like the best option but with ds1 booked on a talk at 945 it's going to be tight for time. The bus leaves at 0830 and they've said to leave an hour for travel. It doesn't leave much time to register and find our way.

It doesn't seem as well thought through as some of the others we have been to.
Either that or I'll need to drive into Bristol- also not a prospect to fill me with joy!
I'm sure it will all be good when we get there.

Our ticket is for Temple Meads, plus we have booked a hotel near the station. Will get the shuttle bus to the uni in the morning.

The shuttle bus service early on a Saturday morning should be fine Lonicera. In the rush hour, it may be quicker to walk back to TM or hire a taxi!
Parking at Cribbs is a good plan drummer. From there the best buses for the university are the no. 1 (slightly quicker and goes through slightly better areas) or the no. 2 (a bit slower and goes through some less desirable areas). There are buses approx every 10 mins. For the uni you can either get off by the BBC building on Whiteladies Road or on Queens road by the Sainsbury's local (next stop after BBC).
The other alternative would be to use the Park and Ride at Avonmouth and then get off at the Hippodrome and walk up the hill (Park street) to the university.

What a horrid day Voilets. I hope that Grandma makes a swift and full recovery. It does seem to be the way doesn't it that as you start to take a step back from one generation, the next generation starts to need increasing help. Some people have to juggle both at the same time and that must be so hard.

How very unfortunate voilet that the 2 events happened the same day. Hope it doesn't affect how your dd felt about her party as strokes are so unpredictable that it could have happened at any time.
At the other end of the age scale, I became an aunt (again) over the summer as my SIL gave birth to her and DBs 5th Child !

Voilets sorry to hear about DG, I hope she is recovering well, and that your DD is enjoying life as an adult!
I feel as if dd has only just turned 17 so can't get my head around her friends starting to turn 18 now.

DD has changed her mind (again) about open days. We'd booked to go to Bristol, Newcastle and Durham but she says she's 100% sure now, based on the course details, which 5 she wants to apply to, so is back to waiting to see where she gets offers from before visiting.
It means we suddenly have free weekends instead of being booked solid for the whole of September, which I'm happy about, but I can't help thinking she might end up regretting not having a look around pre application.

Driving test is booked but she won't say when for. I know it's approx 8 weeks wait around here though, so my guess is half term!

Are some students applying to universities they haven't even looked at then?

Hesmylobster ensure your DD takes loads of insect repellent on her DofE expedition. DD has come home with her face and eyes all swollen from midge bites. Antihistamines are barely touching it .

Good news also was that due to wet weather there were more last minute route changes, and there was no wild camping necessary!

Voilets - hope DG is on the road to recovery. My cousin had a stroke two months ago - it's slow going but he is improving each day. He's only 46. Life is pants sometimes.

Any lovely MN's have words of advice re Leicester? DS booked in for open day next Friday....I haven't been there in about 25 years.....

Ouch Inchy that sounds horrible! Poor her, I hope it gets better soon. Will add insect repellent to the pile!

Lonicera DD is applying to do quite a niche version of a niche course which is only available at a handful of universities so the selection was pretty much made for her!

Star Leicester is our closest city, so I can help with logistics/geographical stuff but I dont know the university particularly well.

:( Inchy that that sounds awful.

thank you for kind comments. Yes, we' ve all survived it and DG is making progress.

Sorry to hear about your DD inchy. Very uncomfortable.

Re : UCAS choices. Have seen 4 of 5. Saw 2 for DS and 2 more on applicant days. Course matters most. But of course as you narrow it down a visit is good idea. DS hated environment of one uni he saw on applicant day.

violet I am sorry to hear that, you just have to keep on keeping on.

Lonicera I know some students who are not planning on visiting anywhere until they have an offer. They've looked at the course details, taken the virtual tour and plan on visiting when they know that there is a real chance of them going there.

Violets, I'm glad dg is on the mend.

Thanks for the info catslife.
We have spent the day preparing to go back to school, ds1 is driving the route to school tomorrow at his usual time to cope with the traffic when he has no time restraints. Hrs hoping to sort out his parking permit while he's there.

Lonicera - we are in China and have not visited any universities. We did the virtual tours, made a list of what was important to Ds, looked at league tables for courses, student satisfaction etc and made selections from there. This process ruled out LSE and his 2 favourites are Leeds and Warwick. I used to live in leamington Spa so know the area and Leeds looks amazing, but never been there. Ds has never lived in the UK so it's going to be a big change for him. Was impressed with Leeds as international students are guaranteed 3 years in halls. Not sure he will need that, but it's nice to have a back up plan when your parents are 5000 miles away.

LDG is this the first time your ds has driven to school?

This morning came far far too early. Did not enjoy the 6:15am alarm, especially as I forgot how to sleep last night. Meetings all morning. ugh.

Drinks coffee, looks at child eating breakfast at 9.16.

No, we're not back yet.

Gosh Shanghai It will be such a culture shock for your DS if he has never lived in the UK. Not to mention the weather!

Yes, he doesnt go back until tomorrow but dh thought it would be good for him to drive the route, at the time and in the traffic he will be driving in when there was no worry about time.
He sorted out his parking permission while he was there so it's one less thing for him to worry about tomorrow.

dd has her new timetable. Just two frees again. She also got her A level predictions which are more than what she needs, so that's good news :)

So good he can get himself there now LDG :)