Class of '18 nervously waiting.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

They've left college, now we are trying not to think about a certain date.

We are in Sweden visiting DH's family and they really can't grasp that DD doesn't know where she is going in September until she has her results. Also as he has an offer for medicine it's not like if she drops a grade or 2 there will be somewhere else she can go. So I keep being asked " so what will she do if she doesn't get the grades?". What indeed?! It isn't making the wait easier!

Fortunately DD isn't with us so isn't having to answer the questions herself. Although on the "to do" list I gave her along with clean your room was think about what you want to do if you don't get the grades, as so far she hasn't been willing to talk about it!

I am very grateful that I can deal with questions from uninformed friends and family by saying that he's going to X next year. It's nice and simple and on a level that everyone can grasp. Otherwise you have to start with an explanation of offers, firm and insurance and the timetable, possibly also covering clearing and adjustment.

My mother is still adjusting to finding out that £9k is the cost of tuition and no, it doesn't include food, or accommodation or (insert here an endless list of things that are not tuition). When I went my parents had to top up the grant by something like £300 a year and things have moved on in 37 years.

Indeed. I think part of the reason I get so exercised about the whole unconditionals thing is that most of our family live in countries where unconditionals are the norm, and since most of them have also spent their careers in education, they do tend to think that it is the only way that exists. Hence they believe that DD just needs to make her mind up, it isn't that to some extent it will be made up for her. I think every conversation with both DF and FIL involves the "and has DD1 made her mind up yet" conversation. Every. Single. Conversation. I won't even start on Step-MIL, who adores DD and is convinced we are somehow preventing her from making the decision. Families!

Hardwick That is hard because the only way to address it is to tackle the issue that they either don't listen to a word you say or don't believe you. For the three weeks we have left it's perhaps better to grit your teeth and smile.

One of the things that adds to the confusion for families unfamiliar with the British system is how many people go away to university rather than going to the local university and living at home.

That also pushes the appeal of unconditional offers as it means accommodation is sorted early on.

They also don't understand why the loan is affected by parents income when they are all adults

My SIL doesn't know her DDs grades for this year as she is now 18 and it is up to her to decide if she wants to share them with her parents or not and she has decided she doesn't want to! She still has 1 more year left at school.

It's a mystery to us all adrinkofwater!

My DS has just said it’s five weeks until he moves away. Aargh!

He’s doing a higher apprenticeship many miles away, so moving away from home. It’s all a little daunting for us all.

Is anyone doing much preparation in buying stuff etc? I’ve decided to get the basics, as he can get anything he needs from the local Ikea, Tesco Superstore, Argos, dunelm etc.

it isn’t so much that they don’t pay attention Gnome, at least not intentionally. DH had the same conversation with his DM 5 times recently about a work trip. They are all in their 80s and live fairly predictable and steady lives. The local cafe putting a table outside was recently the subject of a whole 10 minutes on the phone. “You can take your coffee outside”, and “but you don’t have to, you could sit inside”, “you can put your milk in yourself, or they will do it for you”. “I think next time, I might try one of their cakes, but only if we sit inside, I wouldn’t eat a cake outside” and on, and on, and on. I love them all to bits but we are far away, and so rely on the phone. It can mean things get missed (all a bit deaf) or just forgotten amidst all the excitement about the changes to the coffee shop.

Indeed Blostma they mean well. Usually!

That's funny blostma!

We started the Great Uni Shop today. Crockery, cutlery, that sort of thing. It mounts up rapidly! I've got a four page list of everything we think she needs, but lots of it she already has.

I think the unconditional debate is very interesting. When Ds1 was received his ccc offer he visibly relaxed. The stress seemed to go overnight and he started to take in the information easier.
He was trying hard to keep up with his friends, revising with them and exchanging information. Most of them are sitting on Oxbridge/A* offers so he was motivated to keep trying hard. My biggest concern has been getting my dc through the exams in one piece the low offer definitely worked for Ds1.
Of course we won't know for sure until results day.

We had an interesting day today. Dd was competing in a seaside town and Ds1 decided to come along to support her as it might be the last time he is able to for a while. We then spent the afternoon on the beach. It was a really lovely day.

Glad you had a lovely day. I really want to do a lot of family things this holiday, because after September, I know things will be different,

Not bought anything for taking to university yet. Waiting to find out where he is going and therefore what will be needed. Also, my parents used to run a bed and breakfast so have lots of bedding, crockery, cookware etc going spare.

Ds is back from my Dad's tonight. He came back by train as planned, bringing bike back with him. He has had a great time, swimming with his small cousins, hanging out with his grandparents and aunts and uncles. He has been staying with my parents since he was 3, but not been without us for about 3 years due to schoolwork. My dad was chuffed that he wanted to hang out with him, and said tonight he really hopes DS gets into his first choice of university as it will be easy for Dad to visit him. I'm just so thankful he has grown up into a young man who can be a real pleasure to spend time with.

That is lovely PandaG.

We too are holding back from buying things I think we all worried about jinxing the results.

Hello all of you waiting on results. I have just seen that the complete university guide website have put up a 2018 clearing search tool which also states the points needed. Might be worth looking to reassure any nervous dc

Thank you :)

That's so nice Panda!

Thanks eatyourveg and thanks too kitten and gnome I was pleased to see him home last night and had had a couple of glasses of wine, can you tell? . He can be good company though, but still slips into teenage bloody mindedness!

no, that was lovely. It's good to be proud of the fine young man you've raised.

Thank you eatyourveg

Panda, that's lovely. Ds2 was doing ncs over the last few weeks and they organised a coffee morning. Ds1 went along and invited my mum to go with him to spend time with her. They had a lovely time. Its really nice that he's spending time with his grandparents and I know they really appreciated it.

May I join you? I've lurked through the exams threads but now Results Day is approaching, I could do with the support!

DS1 has had a difficult few years and, despite my pleading/begging/threatening, only really started working very close to his exams. He needs AAB for his course - which, if he achieves it, will lead to reduced student debt and guaranteed job at the end with the course sponsor which is amazing.

DD1 did her A levels last year and DS2 does his next year which means, by the end, I will have Augusts from Hell from 2014-2019!

Welcome Hoveringhobbit

Hi hobbit. Feeling your pain with all those consecutive stressful Augusts! Is it something like accountancy your DS has applied for with the sponsorship possibilities?