Class of '18 nattering as they head in different directions.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Hope this works. On phone with dodgy signal.

Nettles - DS would recommend Geography A Level. It's not easy but he said he enjoyed the subject. It probably helped that the Geography Dept at his school were brilliant.

If your DD wants any info please let me know and I'll ask DS.

I'm reliving my university experience - sort of - because ds1 is going to the same university as a dear friend who I met when I was at a nearby university...but I am glad to say he is going to a different area of the town, and it will be with a vastly different cohort. It helps me detach and not project my own experiences, good and bad onto him. However, it is still the same town, and that does colour my feelings as he goes there for the first time...so many familiar places, the bus journeys, the street names, the architecture, the same shop fronts even. But the nice restaurant I used to eat fish soup and creme brulee in as a treat has closed down I remember the theatre so well too. Being dragged into The Merry Widow which I thought at the time was the most boring musical experience ever and I kept trying to leave at every interval.

"Does anyone recommend Geography A level? Just out of interest? was it terribly hard."

DD took it this year as her "easier" option, and she found it soul destroyingly difficult. However, she aced the NEA, getting the best marks in her year and ended up with an A overall.

The main issue was that it was a completely new spec A level, completely untried and untested, so her year were the guinea pigs. The teachers had very little guidance, and neither did the students. There were no past papers to practice on so no-one really knew what they were doing. The geography department at her school were very good with excellent teachers BTW.

The students at her school have started the NEA a lort earlier in the course than DD's year did so hopefully they will fare better. The average results for the NEA this year were 30/60.

LoniceraJaponica I'm so pleased that your DD got the geography grade that she deserved. I well remember the stress surrounding her NEA. Can you pass on a huge well done from the random geography teacher on MN. 👏🏻

Thank you Lucycat. I'm glad you posted. DD was unhappy about her human geography paper, and wasn't sure how much it was going to affect her overall marks.
How did your cohort do?

thanks, Lonicera and Starfleet.
I'm trying to sell it to her on the basis of the "trips" and incredible employment prospects. What is an NEA (I suppose I should google it )

Anyway, we will see. I know Geography is as hard as any other facilitating subject. A levels just ARE hard full stop. I've heard bad stories about Biology being much more difficult than people thought too.

I'm very relieved not to be thinking about ds's accommodation that is for sure.
Fantasy I hope something turns up. In London accommodation can be quite far from the campus. Husband went to Kings and had to live all over, and I know my nephew is sharing from people from another university entirely (but he does know them) It is just a different experience from a small university town.

NEA = non examined assessment. DD wrote about 6,000 words for hers. Her trips were 3 days in North Yorkshire in the November of year 12, and a trip to New York in the March of year 13.

Biology is about becoming familiar with the mark scheme which is really specific. The answer might be correct, but not exactly what the examiners want. Everyone complains about this. Past papers are really useful for this. DD did chemistry and biology and did loads of past papers and specimen papers for revision.

Good luck with the accommodation Fantasy

I've just placed my first ever Internet supermarket shop! Fortunately we have Ds1 address so I've booked a delivery to arrive the afternoon we take him. He doesn't know so hopefully it will be a welcome surprise. It's quite a large order as it should keep him going for a while and includes toiletries and cleaning equipment.
His costume arrived today for the first freshers event as well--it's starting to feel as though it's coming quickly.

I hope your dds accommodation is sorted quickly Fantasy.

nettle
I agree some accommodation is far away
Dd is in for her operation. She’s extremely nervous about recovery

Good luck to your DD for today Fantasy

Hope all goes well for your DD today Fantasy!!

FantasyAndHope
Hope everything goes smoothly with the procedure and the recovery.

They ask for them to be in at 7:30 and she doesn’t go down till 10:30
She had a bad reaction last time so they’ve given her anti sickness medication

Fantasy best wishes to your dd for today and for her recovery.
In my experience the anti-sickness medication really helps.

Hope the OP goes well Fantasy.

Hope the op goes well for your DD Fantasy and fingers crossed the accommodation nightmare is sorted out.

DS's Geography trips were to Manchester/Liverpool and Iceland. There were 9 of them taking it and the majority (inc DS) got an A. His NEA was also the highest in his class.

Thanks all
They booked her up to IV fluids after and she isn’t as spaced out as she was
Still unwell but not as unwell which is better

Accommodation have replied after playing on health, snotty email and tweets and she will be made an offer this week which is positive
star
Dd went to Iceland and loved it and wants to go again it is a beautiful place

That is great news Fantasy.

Glad to hear she is out of op and not too spaced out Fantasy.

Successful bit of adulting here this afternoon. DS actually phoned to make a gp appointment, and has decided which bank account he wants - but is waiting to check with DH before opening the account. Feels good he is making his own decisions, but glad he still wants our advice!

He is cooking every night this week,.in order to widen his repertoire of 1 or 2 pan meals. Better make mistakes with ingredients when mum is paying, rather than when he is!!

Good news Fantasy. Here's to a speedy recovery.

For you and your DD fantasy

Hope your DD recovers quickly Fantasy

Happy for your dd Fantasy. Hope she recovers quickly.

Speedy recovery to your DD Fantasy.

I'm not posting on the other thread (I think there is one entirely dedicated to this). I have bought DS a clothes airer. I know you're all very impressed.

I have spotted a GCSE 2019 thread for those of us with younger DCs. I have lurked but they seem a bit competitive about grades and activities. Need some of my friends from here to join!!