Thread 35 - Covid Cohort from GCSE 2020 'What They Did on Their Summer Holidays'

[OrangeCinnamonCroissant]

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. It's all relative!
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 continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will find a thread within the Further Ed board.
Possibly a move to Parent of Adult Children Board in future? Post Results?

Previous Thread

Thanks @Shimy

That new Birmingham approach to accommodation sounds a bit stressful! You’ll have to get on it as soon as results are out. I wonder why they’ve gone for that approach? It’s kind of like what Nottingham did back in April but we only chose hall and type of room, not house mates too!

I thought that. It's the same as some unis do , but not on results day. Sheffield and NTU both do this. DS was a bit shoulder shrug about it. He hadn't chosen Birmingham because of a convoluted system so just assumed he'd be with any old people. He didn't tell me about it. I found out.

Could certainly do without having to be glued to a screen on Results Day!

He reckons if he puts down he plays a brass instrument, no one will want to be with him!

Hmmm I suppose it does allow people who go to the same uni as friends, to choose to share a flat with them! Dd has a friend from her old school in her hall but that wasn’t orchestrated. She says it will be quite nice to go to meals together at first though.

To be honest, after a few things I have heard about eg Bristol, that was exactly what put me off!

What, the thought of cliques of people who already know each other?

Yes, that exactly!

Definitely happens at NTU. And party people cliques too.

Wonder why Birmingham have changed their system?

Also, I assumed they would still be told what to pick form within their first provisional choices? Or not...?

Where did you see it btw also?

Perhaps they’ve had a lot of trouble with ‘mismatched’ flatmates in recent years? Hopefully it won’t make too much difference to your ds. Most people go to uni wanting to make new friends.

Ds1 wasn't really mis matched in his first year, but he didn't form any good friendships, he was with 2 other lads and 9 girls. One girl he got on quite well with, but not the others really, one of the lads was from India and spent all his spare time with others from India and the other lad ds did try to get on with, but all the lad wanted to do was stay in his room gaming. So I expect Ds would have liked to be put with like minded people. But it is nice to go in not knowing each other too.

Sorry to hear of all Brum accommodation stuff and AQA.

Feels dull and boring to me atm.

Ds1 seems to be obsessed with trying to save enough money for year 1, and is working constantly. He's got skydive booked, but no travelling, which makes me sad. Whilst admirable I've told him I'm concerned that he still hasn't grasped that as I've told him before this is the last 'free' summer and needs to be viewed so.

@Oblomov22 DD1 worked hard in this holiday but she was very glad and soon spent it. I don’t think it’s their last free summer at all. DD2 in the other hand is struggling get shifts at the pub. Zero hrs contracts are awful.

I only made one friend in halls (in a flat of 6, self catered so never met anyone from other flats, the TV room (yes I'm that old) was a bit of a tumbleweed zone apart from on movie nights. One flatmate permanently stoned, one so far up her own arse etc, one Iranian and only mixed with Arab community, one from Hong Kong only mixed with HK community. So that left one and she was a 3rd year, which was good in that I slotted into her friendship group but bad because they then left at the end of my first year. I am still in touch with her though.

It was on the FB official group for parents of UB students, Piggy - apparently, all students have had an email but they wanted to make sure parents were aware too. Just as well, as DD hasn’t looked at the email!!

Unless I see those posts straight away, those seem to vanish . DS has forwarded the email. It's unclear, but does seem to suggest they will be picking rooms from some kind of potential allocated accommodation.

Something else to look forward to post results day @Alsoplayspiccolo and @Piggywaspushed ! I suppose during covid who was in a flat with you became extremely important?!

Dd knows her block and site but not room number for Southampton. They get allocated actual room no after results day...new system this year where they have released rooms in two weekly waves, so you put your choices in and know within two weeks what you've been allocated(also insurance) . Seems to be working so far but over 90% get one of top two choices at Southampton anyhow.

Dd has got her nose pierced and third earring hole thingies and a tattoo today, so has been quite busy it seems .

Also AQA ...what on earth is going on with them this year?! Sorry but distrustful of anything they say , leadership seems to be lacking by all accounts !.

I think all isn't well in all the exam boards , to be honest!

Oh cripes @Piggywaspushed !

For those not averse to buying uni stuff prior to results day Tesco are doing the £4 bath sheets clubcard deal good to add to the weekly shop. Available in Aqua and Dark Grey. I've got the dark grey at home ..quite nice might send Dd off with the old and buy newer.

That’s a mega triple dose of body stuff Orange! I have stopped long ago any negative opinions on their need for individual expression :)

Trying not to think about any results or accommodation type stuff, other than I am thankful DD is relatively on the ball with her email and actions needed. One of her travel companions now has to find accommodation at Oxford on his return, having missed all the deadlines for securing a room. Having lost his wallet and a set of AirBnB keys in the last week, it makes me wince of the future him operating on any one of us, which is where his career is destined, if he eventually gets his act together!

I am almost feeling relieved that DS doesn't have an offer with all this accommodation stress! When the DC are dealing with exam results, whether good or bad, it seems harsh to have to sort out accommodation when many will be lost in emotions!

@OrangeCinnamonCroissant I am afraid I shuddered at your news of piercings and tattoos! I hope the tattoo was small and well done and she doesn't get addicted to it! What and where was it?

DD already has 4 ear piercings. She keeps mentiong a nose piercing - I just keep quiet. Her only personalisation since finishing school is dying her hair blue - I can live with that 😁

Accommodation wise she has put in her 7 choices. I think UEA start allocating the Monday after results, so even longer to wait...

DD has only recently had her ‘second’ ear piercings.DD1 has about 4 in each and her nose pierced. I wasn’t happy about the nose at the time as she was 16 and got it done without mentioning it first but it’s actually ok and temporary. I don’t like tattoos personally but it’s her body and as far as I know she’s not keen either.

@Seeline ds1 was at UEA. He was given one of his last choices which he wasn't happy about. But that year there were lots of unconditional offers, unconditional get accommodation before results. A lot of them seemed to have my sons first choices. I don't think they give many unconditional offers so maybe it is done more fairly now.