Thread 38 Covid Cohort, After Results Day

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

ALL our children are heroes of their own stories, they have thrived through a once in a century catastrophe and they will succeed

This is a support thread for our young adults post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting, and their results (life updates for those who went into work or have had results earlier). 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 Sept?

Previous thread

www.mumsnet.com/talk/further_education/4613457-thread-37-covid-cohort-2020-results-thread-heroes-of-their-own-stories

Good on you Mango, enjoy!

Woo hoo, go @mango0 ! Well done, now the hard work begins!

Delphigirl, hope your boy has arrived safely and all is good with his roomies and college. Lots of DD’s friends heading off to US this week or already there, few wobbles but mainly those in areas not quite as sunny as California (The Wire, anyone?)

If I don’t get to post next 2 days, all the best to those on here awaiting GCSE results on Thursday. There are lots of you!

Ahhh thanks Ealing! He just called me from Target shopping for his room 🤣💕. Sounds super happy and excited, I’m so delighted.

HURRAH TO MINIZEB, I’m so pleased that got sorted. Xx

Great news @Zebracat - I don’t have much time for my MP generally but people say he’s good at getting things sorted for individuals. I write to him several times a year about various things and the one thing I will say is that he always replies with personal, well thought out responses, even if he still votes the opposite way to what I would have wanted.

I’m so pleased things are finally sorted for your DD too @cheninblanc that sounds like a really good plan.

@Delphigirl glad your DS has arrived safely.

We go through Ikea phases. I lived fairly close to the Wembley one in the late 80s/early 90s and when I bought my first house couldn’t get enough of the place. Then we moved away to Hampshire and it was too far and I had Ikea fatigue. We went occasionally once the one in Southampton opened but that was a bit of a slog to get to as well, now Reading has one its much easier, still 45 mins drive but very straightforward and we go quite often.

There is a 10% voucher code for Ikea till Monday www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/ikea-moneysaving-tips/#code

Great to see such much going on!
@cheninblanc - really glad all sorted!
@DoggerelBank I am in Manchester and son's school in Hulme. Know it well. It is totally fine. The whole area is busy - across Oxford Road through to the MRI and along to Rusholme and the famous curry mile (though tbh better curries to be had elsewhere!). Since all the redevelopment it is really grand. Of course, like any area of cities, it has edgy moments: would avoid Whitworth park at night, for example, but it really should not pose any problems.

Both universities have redeveloped massively over the year, adding to the zing! There are fab, safe cycle lanes in the area. The MRI is swanky. Salford Royal also grand.

@tryingmybest13 Thank you so much! That makes me feel a lot better.
@cheninblanc Well done to your DD. Sounds as though she's found a great alternative. The only person I know who went to Falmouth gave up after a term and has done really well on her alternative path.

No IKEA for us - single bed, so just taking bedding he already has, and our 'Fill a bag for a fiver' days at the local charity warehouse have sorted the rest. The DDs have come back with virtually nothing in terms of kitchen stuff after 3 years of sharing kitchens and moving houses and breakages, so not worth spending much on it. And I remember from my own days years ago, went to uni with new stuff that I was a bit precious about, and pans ruined by an idiot within a month (still good friends with that particular idiot - he has other strengths!). Easier if you've got stuff you're not going to be precious about!

@DoggerelBank dont forget he’ll need a duvet when he comes home to visit.

@Zebracat, I am so pleased. These loopholes cause so much damage! Campaign away, Your'll be brilliant.

@cheninblanc, I am so pleased too. Isnt life ironic, after all your grief, and then the primark day shift offer.

No ikea trip here or anything really @Isthisjustnormal. We aren't doing any planning or buying atm. He's got most stuff - I just can't see what ds needs, other than a doorstop. But he's quite minimal.

Interesting to read Takeittotheboss re Nottingham Rutland. We still haven't heard back re if ds can have Thursday moving in day.

@icanbewhatiwant I adore reading all the dynamics between your 3. I chuckle at every single one of your posts. Like you I'm going to be left with a year 9'er. I think it will be wierd for ds2 to now be an only child, when ds1 leaves for Nottingham.

Love that Mango is starting her Uni pre dd!

Ds1 is climbing Snowdonia today. ⛰ Was the 2nd part of his celebration, after parachute 🪂 jump. Still makes me sad he hadn't gone travelling, but hey! I myself am off to Tallinn next weekend with my mum.

Really feel for those having to do GCSE results in the same year! Good luck to you all.

@Oblomov22 we climed Snowden this time last year and DH took us up via the tricky route- was proper 4 limb climbing!! Was a great feeling to make it to the summit, though weather was wicked at the summit.

Climbed

Brilliant news @cheninblanc and @Zebracat - must be massive relief.

I love ikea but sadly no trip needed. We have loads of bedding and DS not bothered about anything new. He did get some pans and kitchen stuff for Christmas but it sounds as though everything provided. It just says bring a mug and bedding on info so far! He has picked accommodation band preferences. Not bothered about en suite so just picked mid range. Accommodation is all quirky so will see what he gets. Has Yorkshire freshers online meet-up early September but there is a college freshers group chat which is really active and he has found 2 more on that who are history too so they have a sub group which is a relief as he is really not very sociable at home. Never been to a pub or party although always invited. Just doesn’t like going out! I am worried about how he will get on….

Mine's only very quietly sociable @craggyrat he doesn't use social media just whatsapp and has never been to a club or even to pubs much other than with us or his hockey team. No proper parties either, all his friends are also autistic or similar and tend to still do things like take a few friends go-karting for their birthday if they do anything at all. He goes swimming and to Subway with a friend sometimes and that's about it. So I'm a bit concerned too.

Great to hear the positive updates from @cheninblanc and @Zebracat

Ds has departed for Reading festival already. He is very uninterested in uni shopping. Or the whole process tbh. Maybe when he gets back he will be more excited. Perhaps he is still a bit down about not getting his first choice.

I had to collect something from a Sainsburys yesterday & spotted a nice Habitat duvet set much reduced. Have decided to get a double duvet even though he has a single bed, as it will do for subsequent years.

They sound really similar @EquallyDivided. DS is happy there is a basketball court near his room so will no doubt be on that and he plans to swim again. There is a sports freshers fair so hoping he might join a few clubs. Hopefully they both meet like minded friends

So pleased to hear good news @cheninblanc and @Zebracat and congratulations on the MSc @mango0 .
@Delphigirl glad your DS has arrived.

Great news @cheninblanc, @mango0 and @Zebracat

@Oblomov22 Snowden is on my bucket list.

Mine's the same. And my older one was too (no ASD just home bodies and in the case of DS1 social anxiety). As a heads up, DS1 found freshers' week very tough and wanted to drop out. I needed to tough that out. I think unis could tone down all the stuff about mad clubbing and wild excess - it's intimidating to lots of young people. Birmingham seems to perhaps have a more friendly and inclusive tone and a wider range of gentle stuff going on and seems to have some departmental induction too. He doesn't seem very interested in tracking down flatmates- on the logic that he can't change them anyway.

I am a bit worried about DS: he's gone quite quiet about the whole thing. Possibly feeling overwhelmed. The only place (other than school!) he ahs been by himself was the bus into town to go to a job interview. Been to a pub without parents once. Not been to any traditional parties. I am going to gently encourage him to sign up to clubs asap. I am glad he has the meal plan at Birmingham because it means he will have to leave his room! If he joins a Brass band, he'll meet people and musical people are usually nice! He also heard about a club that watch football matches together and visit grounds so hopefully that exists.

Tbh all of the above is why I tried to steer him towards college based universities but he made his own decision and hopefully he'll love the course.

My DD is anxious about starting too. She’s fairly quiet but likes to go out with friends to pubs and small clubs, will enjoy a drink and a dance but she’s not hardcore by any means. It’s the new city, new people and not coming home that’s overwhelming and as we didn’t go to uni we can’t really relate. DD1 was so determined and wanted it so much, it was easier for us.

@Piggywaspushed - that's really interesting. Your DS2 sounds very like my DS. I just can't picture him yet as living a university life. We picked Lancaster as back up because of the whole college thing. I think if he gets through the first 10 week term he should be okay.... that's what I'm telling myself! Brass band sounds a great way to meet people. DS thought he might go and watch local football as well

DD’s cousin is very chatty and confident but doesn’t like to drink much and she is worried about that. DD1 says everyone clings together in Fresher’s week because they all feel the same so just smile and say yes to everything(most things 😉)

My DD is quiet and prefers hillwalking and birdwatching to socialising. Joining group chats has been a real relief to her; she is already in touch with four people from her course and two people from her house, and they have plans to meet up and go to Freshers Fair together etc. She was really worried that she would be the first person to turn up (arrivals spread over five days) but has found that she won't be.

If the uni/college has a facebook page for incoming students I would highly recommend encouraging shy DC to check it out. (My DD had to create a facebook account for that purpose, fb is for us old folk!)

Yes @PhotoDad Dd doesn’t have FB. Glad she’s feeling relieved. Will get DD to do that once her accommodation is known.