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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

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Original poster

Thread 25 - Covid Cohort - Christmas Trees, No Omicron Please!

989 replies

OrangeCinnamonCocktail · 12/12/2021 17:15

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 posts 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 goodwill continues.

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.

Orange Cinnamon (Head Monitor )
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Thread 25 - Covid Cohort - Christmas Trees, No Omicron Please!

OP posts:

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Original poster

OrangeCinnamonCocktail · 13/12/2021 15:41

Aww @anneofcleavage. Yes something very life-affirming about performances now.

Got to have a bit of Ella at Christmas 🎄

OP posts:

Original poster

OrangeCinnamonCocktail · 13/12/2021 15:47

This was my appointment @wheresthebeach. It is actually 10 miles away but as is near work I didn't mind. There was nothing in my local area...kept trying! The city I work in has a slightly older demographic so they are probably at a different stage with their boosters.

OP posts:

ealingwestmum · 13/12/2021 15:51

I hope nothing details tomorrow for you either Anne. DD had her concerts 2 weeks ago thankfully before the rise in rates. It was emotional, having a full theatre, parents of years 7 & 8 who’d never attended one before, with Y13s on run-off. The best thing was seeing DD play sax in one of the ensembles which she’d picked up in Y11, we never thought she’d ever make it to Band and she looked equally happy to be playing jazz as she’s always been with classical.

Hope those not doing music at HE will still find music making groups to hang out with.

ealingwestmum · 13/12/2021 15:52

De-rails 🙄

Wheresthebeach · 13/12/2021 16:22

@ealingwestmum - Sounds lovely. We were hoping to enjoy the school Christmas concert this year, but lots of restrictions and masks have been put in place. Makes sense, but it does change the atmosphere (oh and we aren't allowed to sing...)

ExquisitelyDecorated · 13/12/2021 16:30

Fingers crossed for you too @AnneOfCleavage. My DD is not a serious musician but she is in her school choir and they had their carol services with parents a couple of weeks ago, it was lovely and may be the last time I see her in choir if she decides on college not 6th form for y12.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 13/12/2021 16:45

Fingers crossed @OrangeCinnamonCocktail

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 13/12/2021 16:46

and for your DD too @AnneOfCleavage

Alsoplayspiccolo · 13/12/2021 16:47

Everything crossed, Orange - that sounds like a performance not to be missed!

Thanks to the way Wales is handling the boosters, I was invited to have mine on Friday - very glad not to have to hustle for it.
Good luck to everyone trying to get one. 🤞🏻

EwwSprouts · 13/12/2021 16:56

Lovely to hear of all the concerts and performances. Everything crossed they all go ahead and all the DC shine.

Shimy · 13/12/2021 17:03

@OrangeCinnamonCocktail Thanks for the shiny new thread, though it's 2 pages in, never too late and that.

'Ella F' phew! that's a tough act, so your DD must be an amaaazing singer. I wish her all the best and pray it all goes ahead as planned.

I see there's an ongoing discussion about working hrs?? i used to work full time, then after ds2 went down to 3 days. It was sheer hell, basically 5/6 days work crammed into 3. I then went back up to 4 because by then I was starting to have awful anxiety every Sunday night plus I was experiencing aching all over. 4 days still didn't help, the workload was just unmanageable, 6 months project crammed into 6 weeks! with other projects running concurrently. I stopped work in the end due to my fixed term contract not being renewed. I was gutted at the time, but now so thankful because taking my foot off the peddle revealed an Tsunami of undiagnosed illnesses affecting me and the dc that were slowly simmering underneath whilst I had been rushing around with work. I think i'd have just woken up one day to find I couldn't move and puking blood. I also noticed ds1 had developed a tic (the beginning of many more!). It's been a long painful journey. Thankfully we can live on one salary which I know many can't afford. Life is tough for many, very tough.

I'm quite jealous of all those working full time with healthy families. The loss of the independence working brings as well as the career achievement. I work voluntarily though when I can and also run a charity that I set up.

singingstones · 13/12/2021 18:43

It's interesting to hear of such a variety of working patterns and their pros and cons. I have gone from being employed by a big organisation for donkeys years to being freelance, with nothing to do at some points and absolutely run off my feet at others.

Oblomov21 · 13/12/2021 18:55

I love hearing about other peoples working patterns aswell.

I'm about to change my working hours in January. Not for the better.
I worked 9-3, 3 days a week for 18+ years, since Ds1. My job of the last 10 years then went down to 2 days in recession. After a while it became embarrassing - I can't work only two days this is ridiculous so I took another 2nd accounts job for 2 days.

I worked 4 days for the last 18 months. This was perfect and I decided I will never work full time again, not that I have worked ft for 2 decades!

But now 2nd job, for 2 days want me for 4. At a salary I just couldn't refuse.
So I've asked old job to drop down to 1 long day, and I'll make up the rest of the hours at the weekend?

I'll be doing 5 full days plus 1/2 a day. My friends and mum are concerned. This is not sustainable for a diabetic. But my old job might not survive another imminent covid lockdown. But I intend to somehow get back to my ideal of 4 days, asap.

icanbewhatiwant · 13/12/2021 19:51

I'm worn out after my first long working day! I got up at 6am and have just sat down. Though there is ironing to do and packed lunches, but I can't be bothered. Hats off to all of you that do these hours daily. I am glad it's only a 10 min drive to work, that makes it easier.

Came home to DH laying on the sofa as he's hurt his back. He's coughing a lot (always does with a cold!) so I shall sleep in ds1's room again. Ds1 messaged me lunchtime telling me how ill he is still. Not quite sure what I'm meant to do. The gp refused to see him. His covid test finally came this eve 6 days later. Negative. I thought it would be. I suggested he call the gp in the morning if he really isn't better. Maybe he just needs to man up. I can't tell when he's not home.

I daren't ask ds2 if his ucas application has been sent. He won't tell me anything or do anything I ask. He bought himself clothes from ASOS a week ago. Most don't fit. They just lay on his bedroom floor. I've asked so many times for him to sort it out and get it ready to return. He tells me he's too busy. I give up...He can just lose his money. I also ordered trousers from next that came today, I asked him to try on so that I can return them tomorrow (as I'm going away for a few days) Again...he's too busy doing school work. I shall pack them up and send back tomorrow, he makes me cross when everything has to be done in his time. There are several other things he needs to do but won't.

I expect he will tell me if he gets any university offers. But that is all I'm going to get.

SandyBayley · 13/12/2021 19:56

Not been on for a while as the Oxbridge and Medics threads keep me busy! DD has her 2nd Oxford Medicine interview today, seemed to go well. Now we wait until 11 January.

She also has a Newcastle. Interview booked for 21 January. She delayed it a bit so she can focus on mocks (5-12 January) first. Still waiting to hear if she has interviews at Leeds and Bristol. She's been in a good mood as for every interview the chances of actually going to medical school increase. While the application process is arduous if you get an offer it's likely to be achievable so the pressure eases off a bit.

icanbewhatiwant · 13/12/2021 19:59

Yes...its interesting to see other people's hours. I have always said I will never work full time again. Especially as DH is retired. I am only contracted for 3 shifts of 4 hours a week. But the last 2 weeks I've worked everyday apart from Tuesday and Sunday. Some days 4 hours, others 6 or 8. But they will reduce down after Christmas. I'm not so keen on 4 hour shifts 3 or 4 days a week. I think I'd rather do 2 shifts of 8 hours and be off 5 days. Not so keen on working Saturdays and Sunday's either. I have started at 7am and the last shift finishes 10pm. My latest has been 6pm thankfully. That's late enough.

Heifer · 13/12/2021 20:02

DD just got her 2nd offer - this one from Nottingham AAB (first choice) so pleased for her and puts my mind at rest re telling her it was ok to take Psychology instead of Chemistry or Maths A Level as she would get a higher grade. Phew. I can relax now. It's up to her to get the grades. If she does she can go to her current 1st choice, if she has a bad day she should be able to go to her insurance. She is still keen on looking at Loughborough and if she gets an offer we will go and visit and see.

@Oblomov21 thanks for the recipe - have you actually made it yet?
@OrangeCinnamonCocktail & @AnneOfCleavage fingers and toes crossed for your DDs.

Any more interviews coming up?

Any more offers today?

Heifer · 13/12/2021 20:02

@Oblomov21 thanks for the recipe - have you actually made it yet?
@OrangeCinnamonCocktail & @AnneOfCleavage fingers and toes crossed for your DDs.

Any more interviews coming up?

Any more offers today?

Oblomov21 · 13/12/2021 20:06

No Heifer. But I'm planning a trial run this week.

Oblomov21 · 13/12/2021 20:16

Heifer Tart-Link

ealingwestmum · 13/12/2021 20:18

Well done to your DD on the 2nd offer Heifer

crazycrofter · 13/12/2021 20:36

Great news about the Nottingham offer @heifer and glad things are looking positive for your dd @SandyBayley. Medicine is one of those courses where you don’t necessarily expect more than one offer isn’t it?

Dd is in the strange position of not having a favourite uni at all, not even any slight preferences. However her best mate’s top two are Bristol and Leeds, so she’s warming towards Bath and York as they’d be able to pop on the train to see each other!

SandyBayley · 13/12/2021 20:53

That's right @crazycrofter - with medicine one offer is all you need. It's not really about picking and choosing. DD would be happy with any of the four - and there only are four choices for medical applicants. It's all a bit weird tbh.

EwwSprouts · 13/12/2021 20:55

@Heifer Congratulations on the Notts offer! Did your DD get to an open day there? DS liked the campus but we visited in the summer so didn't actually go into any buildings or see accommodation.

EwwSprouts · 13/12/2021 21:07

@SandyBayley Lovely to hear another of our collective DC is progressing well with Oxford and medicine.

Please stop with the tartes. I've had to open a packet of biscuits.

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