Thread 23 Covid Cohort Stepping Into Christmas, Tests, Mocks & Interviews

[OrangeCinnamonCocktail]

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to threads about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

Previous thread

@20newnames/ DS / Engineering
@Alsoplayspiccolo/ DD / English + Film
@AnneofCleavage/ DD / gap year? Primary Education
@BlueMarigold/ DD / Biology
@cariadambyth/ DD / History / Southampton, Bath Spa, Warwick, RHUL
@collywobble/ DS / PPE, Economics / Lancaster (AAB)
@crazycrofter/ DD / Child (?) + Mental Health Nursing
@Decorhate/ DS / Economics + Politics
@Delphigirl/ DS / Oceanography
@DoggerelBank/ DS / tbc sciencey
@ealingwestmum/ DD / Middle Eastern and European Studies
@EerilyDisembodied/ DS / History or Environmental Management
@estherfrewen/ DS / History / Birmingham (ABB), Cardiff (ABB-BBB), Warwick (AAB)
@EwwSprouts/ DS / Biology
@Fiddlersgreen/ DS / Journalism / Bournemouth (104 pts), Brighton (BCC), Cardiff (ABB)
@Fruitygal/ DD / Biology
@Hattifatteners/ DD / Vet Med
@Heifer/ DD / Biology
@Hopeful201/ DS / Medicine
@Horace123/ DS / Classics / Edinburgh 34/665
@icanbewhatiwant/ DS / History + Philosophy
@Isthisjustnormal/ DS / Comp Sci
@JustHereWithMyPopcorn/ DS / Law
@KingscoteStaff/ DD / Medicine
@Knickerthief1/ DD / Child nursing / York
@Monkey2001/ DS / Medicine
@mummabear74/ DD / Environmental Science
@mummyinbeds/ DS / Law + French Law / Birmingham (AAA), Kent (AAB)
@Nard75/ DS / Maths
@NCTDN/ DD / Liberal Arts
@Oblomov21/ DS / Accountancy / Southampton ABB
@OrangeCinnamonCocktail/ DD / Music (uni)
@PaddingtonPaddington/ DD / Music (cons)
@Piggywaspushed/ DS / Social sciences / Birmingham (AAB-ABB), York (AAB-ABB)
@ProggyMat/ DD / Classics / Bristol (BBB), Edinburgh
@SandyBayley/ DD / Medicine
@Seeline/ DD / Liberal Arts / UEA (AAB), Kent (BBB), Nottingham (AAA)
@Shimy/ DS / Business + Management / Birmingham (AAB-ABB), Loughborough
@singingstones/ DS / Neuroscience
@Volterra/ DS / Maths
@whatsnext2/ DD / English joint hons
@Wheresthebeach/ DD / gap year? Marine Biology / Southampton, Portsmouth
@whoamitojudge/ DD / RyanAir cabin crew training
@Zebracat/ DD / Liberal Arts or Anthropology
@ZittiEBuoni/ DD / tbc applying next year

Sorry that was to @mummyinbeds

@shimy and @Alsoplayspiccolo you know this means I am going to waste endless hours watching those YouTube videos now, don’t you?! 😄

@fruitygal so glad your DD seems to have things sorted and amazing news about your DS you must be so proud of him.

@singingstones I can’t believe they are still messing about like this, like things aren’t stressful enough. I hope he gets the grades soon and gets that form sent in.

Have you all the news this morning about the new variant in Africa? I don’t even want to think about going through lockdowns again and missed exams. ☹️

It’s just so depressing JustHere. DD planned her whole inter-rail summer trip last night. I told her to look at the news at 05.00 this morning, resulted in an even more silent car journey than usual…

OK gang here's an update. As always, apologies for mistakes or for missing info. Bold = offer. Non bold = application and waiting to hear. I have got rid of any rejections in the spirit of Ariana Grande's "thank u, next", but can reinstate if people want that included.

@20newnames/ DS / Engineering / Bath, Durham, Lincoln (BBB)
@Alsoplayspiccolo/ DD / English + Film
@AnneofCleavage/ DD / gap year? Primary Education
@BlueMarigold/ DD / Biology
@cariadambyth/ DD / History / Southampton, Bath Spa, Warwick, RHUL
@collywobble/ DS / PPE, Economics / Lancaster (ABB), Loughborough (AAB)
@crazycrofter/ DD / Psychology
@Decorhate/ DS / Economics + Politics / Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Southampton
@Delphigirl/ DS / Oceanography / Southampton, Cardiff, Plymouth, Dalhousie
@DoggerelBank/ DS / Biotechnology
@ealingwestmum/ DD / Middle Eastern and European Studies / Cambridge, Durham, Manchester (ABBM2), Bristol (ABBM2), Leeds (ABM2)
@estherfrewen/ DS / History / Cambridge, Birmingham (ABB), Cardiff (ABB-BBB), Warwick (AAB), Lancaster (AAB-ABB)
@EwwSprouts/ DS / Biology
@ExcessivelyDisorganised/ DS / History or Environmental Management
@Fiddlersgreen/ DS / Journalism / Bournemouth (104 pts), Brighton (BCC), Cardiff (ABB)
@Fruitygal/ DD / Biology / Durham, York, Sheffield, Lancaster, Exeter (AAB-ABB)
@Hattifatteners/ DD / Vet Med / Bristol, Liverpool, Nottingham, Edinburgh
@Heifer/ DD / Biology
@Hopeful201/ DS / Medicine
@Horace123/ DS / Classics / Edinburgh 34/665, Exeter (36), Durham
@icanbewhatiwant/ DS / History + Philosophy
@Isthisjustnormal/ DS / Comp Sci / Cambridge
@JustHereWithMyPopcorn/ DS / Law / Nottingham (AAA), Birmingham (AAA), UCL, Warwick, York
@KingscoteStaff/ DD / Medicine / Nottingham (biochem/med sci)
@Knickerthief1/ DD / Child nursing / York
@Monkey2001/ DS / Medicine / Manchester, Newcastle
@mummabear74/ DD / Environmental Science
@mummyinbeds/ DS / Law + French Law / Birmingham (AAA), Kent (AAB)
@Nard75/ DS / Maths
@NCTDN/ DD / Liberal Arts
@Oblomov21/ DS / Accountancy / Southampton (ABB), Durham, QMUL, Reading, Nottingham
@OrangeCinnamonCocktail/ DD / Music (uni)
@PaddingtonPaddington/ DD / Music / Leeds Conservatoire, RWCMD
@Piggywaspushed/ DS / Social sciences / Birmingham (AAB-ABB), York (AAB-ABB), Cambridge, Sheffield, Bath
@ProggyMat/ DD / Classics / Bristol (BBB), Edinburgh, Exeter (AAA), Oxford
@SandyBayley/ DD / Medicine / Oxford, Newcastle
@Seeline/ DD / Liberal Arts / UEA (AAB), Kent (BBB), Nottingham (AAA), Exeter (AAA), Birmingham
@Shimy/ DS / Business + Management / Birmingham (AAB-ABB), Loughborough, Warwick
@singingstones/ DS / Neuroscience
@Volterra/ DS / Maths / Bath (AstarAA), Exeter
@whatsnext2/ DD / English joint hons
@Wheresthebeach/ DD / gap year? Marine Biology / Southampton, Portsmouth, Swansea, Plymouth, Liverpool
@whoamitojudge/ DD / RyanAir cabin crew training under way!
@Zebracat/ DD / Liberal Arts or Anthropology
@ZittiEBuoni/ DD / tbc applying next year

Thanks @singingstones, dd’s final offer arrived last week, straight History at Warwick. They’ve offered AAA, which this week seems a bit of a stretch!!
Congratulations to all the offer holders and hugs to those having a tricky or stressful time at the moment. I’m currently awaiting the results of my PCR test so feeling a bit sorry for myself.
I find it amazing how much time I spend thinking about you lovely lot and your families on this thread and wishing you well.

Amazing job again Singingstones. Thank you.

Must be such a relief to have all decisions in cariadambyth. Fingers crossed on a negative PCR result.

Thanks @Fruitygal. We got ds diagnosed with adhd via the NHS but dd is unlikely to have a diagnosis like dyslexia/adhd/dyspraxia etc, she’s literally just slow (as well as struggling with anxiety). School did say they could test her for slow hand writing/processing/reading but they’ve not done anything. I’m not sure if those types of tests are available privately? Otherwise she’ll just have to try to go faster and we need to make sure she’s got a good insurance offer.

Although if we have another lockdown (noooo!) I guess they might not need to formally register her for extra time! Great news on Warwick offer @cariadambyth!

Thanks, it’s been quite a boost for her to receive all her offers, she’s rather lacking in self esteem and has lovely, but incredibly clever friends which can be a bit tough sometimes. With all the gloomy Covid news I’m wondering what exams might look like this year. We are considering putting RH as her first choice (3Bs) and either Warwick or Southampton (AAB) as her second. I’m just trying to take the pressure off her as much as I can. She doesn’t seem to want a job where an RG uni is a deciding factor eg law or accountancy so I wonder how important that is for her. Her school tend to push for RG but, as I said to her, that’s only so they can show off about it. Does this seem a sensible idea or a silly one? This is my first time navigating year 13 so would really value your opinions.

Stirling work, singing!
Hope you’re ok, cariad - fingers crossed for your PCR, although I’m guessing you got a positive LFT?

I’ve sent an email to DD’s geography teacher this morning, asking for clarity on her predicted grade (B), as DD is worried she’s not near that and would like to know, so that she can adjust her choices as necessary.

Thanks @singingstones. That list must have taken ages!! DS is also waiting to hear from Warwick. Unfortunately we don’t expect to hear from Bath, Durham and Warwick until Spring!

I have emailed the head of sixth form asking for a meeting but not elaborating, in the hope that she will go and ask his tutor what's going on and that will encourage her to sort it out.

Hopefully a combo of that and if DS can bring himself to fight his corner with the UCAS coordinator today might produce some results. If not I am making a list of my grievances ready for talking to the head of sixth form, which is actually quite cathartic! I have been avoiding her because DS says she is (apologies) "completely mad" but needs must. She might be mad but she's Useless Tutor's boss (? is that how it works) so is our next port of call.

I think you’ve done the right thing Singing. Hope you get a response back. Today.

@ealingwestmum

I think you’ve done the right thing Singing. Hope you get a response back. Today.

The good news is I have had a response already. The bad news is it's from the other Y13 year tutor, saying HoSF is "not in school at present". He is offering a phone call so I will take that and see if he can help. Have never met him so no idea whether he's more or less useless than Useless Tutor, but will give it a go.

@crazycrofter they can test for this type of thing at school - DDs friend had a school based test yesterday with a trained assessor. It takes about 1 hr instead of 3-4 hrs that would be a full assessment. What I also would say is dyslexia comes in many forms and slow processing speed and writing speed can be traits. My DCs are totally different in their presentation

I’ve actually had 2 negative LFTs but have a nasty cough and cold so my Head decided I should stay off and get tested. I think she felt that me coughing over children on the school gate wasn’t a good look 😂

Thank you for the updated list @singingstones

Thank you @singingstones for the fab updated list.

Well done on driving test pass and offers. This thread is moving fast.

@crazycrofter DD had a test at school with the SENDCO which identified slow processing and extra time (this was before her ADHD diagnosis).

Since the start of sixth form DD had been using coloured pens to structure her essays and it has really helped her. Great news is that the SENDCO has confirmed she has checked with the exam boards and she can use them in exams too.

Off to look at the YouTube videos…

Thank you all for your advice. I am emailing universities regarding interview dates / format today at least it feels like I'm doing something toward the issue. Latest news is her reference was sent back to the Tutor to amend (no idea what/why)

I've drafted a new thread post but we need a title
...we didn't quite make it to December on this one!

Any ideas?

Dare I mention..The New /Ni /Nuu variant? My logic told me it would be called 'Epsilon' but everyone seems to be going with the former!

What are our recurring themes lately? Offers, driving tests, Ucas frustration, job interviews, training?

Thanks, @singingstones. Your list is fab! DS's near-final choice of unis is:
Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol
No 'bad day' options in there, in the hope that challenging offers and no back up will inspire focus and hard work. I think that's the right psychology for him, and he agrees, but time will tell whether he even gets any offers ...

Orange my idea was Advent themed for those waiting for offers and interviews "O Come O Come Emmanuel (and Selwyn and Warwick and Bath and the rest)"
Might be a bit long

Love that idea for a thread title, singing.

Well our application is finally in! Now I can officially join in!

DS, Mechanical Engineering

Pls send good vibes for my convo with the year tutor which is in 5 mins. I have 3 pages of A4 to get through, the poor guy

Apparently the teacher who needs to check over and send the application is off sick

Thank you @singingstones for the great list. Hope to join in soon when DS has submitted application.