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.

How amazing was Kruger Ursula? What did you see?

Congrats MrsAD you successfully raised an adult!

dd isn’t managing to have much of a half term so far, she worked ridiculously hard yesterday on her EPQ and some maths that she had to do. Tired to the point of teariness. She’s normally pretty robust but she seems really run down I really hope she manages to get a break this week, next term looks quite scary in terms of high stress.

Porcupines! I saw 3 porcupines!!!

More Lion than you could shake a stick, hyena cubs running all over the place, Elephants round every corner plus 3 swimming in a dam, 9 Rhino but those sightings cannot be reported due to poaching . Only dd big 5d as she saw a leopard deep in the bush whilst I was driving.

Oh and a cheetah chasing wildebeest who then turned the tables and chased it up a tree.

Oh and a young elephant playing with a stick, then spitting into its trunk and squirting itself to cool down.

Am I boring you yet ?

Sorry your dd is struggling. Can't she take a break?

Not boring! That sounds so cool! I’d love to see a porcupine. The cheetah chase sounds amazing.

She really needs a break but I know if I try and enforce one it will just end in meltdown. It’s a consequence of the extra stuff she’s signed up to do. I did warn her....

Ursula that sounds amazing. I'm definitely not bored or envious!

Oybbk- I've taken some time off this week and the dc were told we are having family time. Yesterday we played monopoly and game of life, today so far has been cards and yahtzee. Ds1 &2 have now taken themselves off to watch Thor- I think to escape.
This seems to have given him space to relax a little and put the work to one side.
Tomorrow they can all start back with the schoolwork.

That sounds like a really good idea LDR.

We are away in Europe for a few days - planned especially so DD takes 3 and a half days break. We have BF with us. She felt nervous about leaving the work. New tasks set by teachers so oxbridge group have something fresh - if that goes to plan. My DD also has other school responsibilities.to be honest I'm scared of stress to come and just try to reassure.
Hope mums are having a little break too!

Dd has produced her first draft PS today and sent it to her tutor.

Relief all round.

I stopped in bed until it was light yesterday, I managed it this morning and I'm planning on repeating it again tomorrow.

Ursula, I think that starting is the hardest part. Once they've got something down they can add to it, edit it and tweak it - they have something to work with.

DS1 worked a full day (9-5) at his part-time job (tea shop). He has only ever done half days before, so a couple of his friends turned up in the afternoon to buy tea & cake and give him some moral support.

Personal statement not yet started.

DS has received his first offer...from his first choice So relieved!

yay!

Congratulations doi

That is brilliant doi, must be a really good feeling for your ds!

Thanks

Yes, he's very pleased. It also means he probably won't need to put himself through the interview at one of the other unis, as they would be likely to offer the same or higher, and would never be his first choice, so I think he's quite relieved about that. His exact words were "does that mean it won't matter if I mess the interview up?" but he was very happy when I pointed out he probably needn't do it at all.

Are the offers your dc are getting realistic and in line with those quoted in the prospectuses?

Fab news doi. DS did an interview for 2nd choice and they gave really low offers after interview. If it doesn't cost too much to get there, can be good practise. But so brill he has 1st choice.
Ursula - the 2 we have are in line with what web page has but one is unconditional if she firms which she will not so nice to have but not useful.

dd has offers that are exactly that quoted online Ursula. I was kind of hoping one of them would cut her a bit of slack, but her lowest offer so far is A* A A . She has two more to come, I know those offers will be very high,

Congratulations doi x

That's what worries me. That her 4 main choices will all be high.

And we'll done to your ds doistay

It’s a worry isn’t it Ursula. I think some subjects are more flexible in their offers though, so fingers crossed for your dd.

Oh that’s brilliant news DoIStay!
I’d echo what Voilets said - that sometimes a reduced offer is made after interview (depending on where it is/subject etc) so could be worth doing for an insurance choice?
Wonderful to have his first choice though!

DD’s offers have been exactly as stated on the website - although one has changed from the 2017 requirements from ABB to AAB. Annoyingly it’s the one she chose for her insurance place, and doesn’t feel quite as safe anymore!
Her other offer is AAA and we predict the other 3 that she hasn’t heard from yet will all want at least one star (if they make an offer at all!)
DD has been analysing TSR and it seems that for her course almost everyone gets at least one rejection, and that’s not including Oxbridge.

My DD has had two offers inline with the website and one that was lower from Bristol. She was very pleased as that takes a bit of pressure off.

Congratulations on the offers.