GCSE '18s (20) - half term beckons!

[mmmz]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3355907-gcse-18s-19-new-beginnings

Lovely to see you back sost. Hope you are feeling better.

For applicants to Oxbridge, medicine or veterinary science, some of the autumn open days are too late, so they need to fit their visits into June/July and September. Some universities only hold a couple of open days, and some of these clash.

Many universities run offer-holder days to help prospective students decide which of their offers to choose, but DS2 wants to visit those on his shortlist to help him decide which five to apply to in the first place.

Thanks for all that info about Warwick and Halls! DS didn't like Rootes, it felt too much like a party place, and that's not him at all! But really good point about the dangers of limiting yourself to only 3 or 4 flatmates.

Alexander your children sound like they're really happy to be home together how nice (if they're like mine it might not last of course!) I hope you all have lovely week together.

Sost nice to hear from you too and fingers crossed for continued health improvements. Your Art Deco decorations sound wonderful: I am also a big fan!

I've just had a weekend away in Yorkshire with DH and DS2, which was gorgeous, especially with the amazing weather. DS1 was home alone for the first time and nothing went wrong  He did some work, had a long bike ride and lunch with his granny and seemed pleased to see me this evening and we went for a swim together. Tomorrow it's back to work for me.

Hello all. It's been a busy few weeks and I've drifted away, but it's good to hear what you're all up to. Welcome back Sostenuto and I hope you continue to mend. Nice to hear about boarding sons and daughters being back home to roost - it must be very quiet while they're away.

So - question - DD1 and I are going to the Physics taster day at KCL tomorrow. We have two tickets, as there were tickets for parents as well as for students. But if I go in with her, will she be the only student with a mother in tow?! I'm pretty sure she will want me to stick around, but I have no idea what the expectation is. Potentially I could of course go shopping ...!

If tickets are also available for parents, then some parents will be attending. There might be specific talks for parents, or you might be able to tag along to the talks she attends.

Is it at the Strand Campus?

If there's a sung service in the chapel, it's worth going along to hear the choir unashamedly biased

If she is happy for you to wander off for a bit, Somerset House is next door.

Agree with thefirst. At most things we went to there was a fairly even mix of students with parents and students on their own. And some times specific talks were laid on for parents separately (just don’t be the mum asking the embarrassing questions !!!!)

I agree, you definitely won’t be the only parent! Chances are there’ll be a separate talk which won’t last as long as the bit for students so you’ll probably have time to go shopping too!

Ooh - choir?! Now you're talking!

Thank you everyone. I feel a bit more clued up now. Am also hoping that it will finish late enough to justify hanging around in town for a nice meal out together.

On Wednesdays the choir of KCL do a sung Eucharist at 1.10

Darn it. The event starts at 1:30. I guess I'd better focus on Physics on this occasion!

Sooooo - since many of you appear to be well on the way to becoming Open Day experts - what is your essential Open Day survival kit list?

So far I have - bag big enough to stuff jumpers etc in when it's too hot, water bottle for same reason, secret bag of sweets for when DD1 is flagging, sunglasses and hat for if when she gets over-stimulated, notebook and pen, cash, Oyster card, train tickets and normal handbag stuff.

Anything obvious I've forgetten that will make life easier? Neither of us are great with crowds and we'll be stressed. Although I'm hoping Physics will be well-populated with studious scientific types that won't be too manic .

I have already booked hotels (which can be cancelled up to 254 hours before with no penalty and are payable at the hotel on the night) for the night before Exeter, Bristol and Oxford Open Days for next Summer!

Off topic - DD away at MIL, I’ve been in her bedroom and fumigated. She will go up the wall when she gets home, but seriously becoming a health hazard in there. Can you stop me from feeling guilty for cleaning her pit ....

My DH is taking DS to the Politics thing on Saturday and is planning to have coffee with one chum, pre lunch drinks with another, boozy lunch with another and then get DS to roll him to the station.

Korma I can’t think of anything else you could take. Sounds like you have all the bases covered. Hope you and DD have a good day.

ShalomJackie impressive forward planning!

Kingscote I like the sound of your DH’s plans on Saturday... I’ll look out for him and your DS on the way back to the station!

I like your DH's style Kingscote!

Great plans being made 😂

Some moan about these trips but I actually enjoyed it and brings a chance to spend time with dc (even when it’s just delivering and collecting). And when they go it opens up new places to visit xx

Is anyone’s year 12 going to the Christ’s College open day tomorrow . Dropping Ds and hoping to get some shopping done !

Blimey Shalom that is organised. I don't even know know the dates of the open days let alone think of travel arrangement.

Chicken - sounds like you have a good list of stuff. I am sure I googled the taster day for tomorrow a few weeks ago and couldn't find it. DD too loves physics.

@Peaseblossom22
DS2 wants to go to the one in February, so I'd be grateful for any info or tips you can share after you've been.

Help - off to Durham in a minute, not for an open day, but it is a contender. We've never been and it's a spur of the moment trip. Where should we go?

Shalom I booked a Premier Inn in Cambridge a few weeks ago which can be cancelled on the day for their open days next July.

I'm planning to leave these open day visits until next Spring. TBH, I just don't have time to go now. Im working seven days a week at the minute. I'm envious that so many of you are able to do these trips now.

Would I be very unreasonable to make DS2 (year 10) attend the trips for DS1, so that he can narrow down the open days that we do with him to just 2 or 3?

DD is only interested in applying to universities at the opposite end of the country from us. She also has a Saturday job which limits the time off she can take. She will only and have a closer look if she has a dilemma over offers and we don't know the city already. I managed by attending one open day (2nd choice) and one interview (unconditional offer), but the logistics from Cornwall were ridiculous. DH had to adopt a similar approach from the Isle of Wight.

Agree sticker it’s not necessarily necessary to attend as many open days as some are doing (although nothing wrong in that either). A lot of narrowing down can be done on line and you get to select five so have a range to pick the final one from. DD didn’t visit the one she ended up at until offer day visit. Clearly for different people it’s easier to narrow down than others depending on course or desired location.

Whistle it may help to get some ideas taking him along but just like schools we found it useful to look at uni s with that particular child in mind. Most are not just better or worse than others just different. DD2 ruled out DD1 s top choices not because they weren’t great places but she wanted a different environment. Courses are run diffferently too and again not good or bad just different.