Year 13 -2025/26 - Support, discussion and looking after each other - thread 2 - exam time

[SilverBlue4]

Here we go

I was a very late addition to this thread, though had been following it for a while. I joined it because the kindness and support shown by everyone is just lovely. A fledglings thread sounds great.

DS is currently at the airport with two friends. Barcelona for the next few days, here they come! He’s utterly exhausted and needs the break before he comes back and performs 7 times in two different productions and then goes off to uni!

DC has applied for some zero hours roles at museums/cultural events spaces - know they can be hard to get but they have got some really good paid/voluntary art/museum experience that not many peers will have.

Thanks for asking - yes, she had a good results morning with Astar Astar A, followed by a less good afternoon as she argued with the French consulate about her student visa application. They were insistent she could only enter France the day before lectures started, which would mean missing the whole of welcome/induction week. In the end she’s got herself a visa commencing on Sunday 23rd August, ahead of induction etc on Monday 24th - so that works OK but puts paid to our plans of having family time and/or shopping time down there next week. Oh well.

She was pleased with her French A level mark of something like 96 per cent, so will now get some real use out of it!

DD has registered with the university and agreed to the accommodation offer so it is all official. She got one of her 5 accommodation options that she listed so that is a relief. Just need to make our travel and shopping plans now.

@HighburyHope well done to your DD - such a big life change coming up and quite soon!!

There is a little bit of 'what if' from DS at the moment. What if I actually prepared properly for TMUA, and got a good score then my grades would mean he would have got into Warwick..and what if I actually did some revision for those later FM papers...
(Considering the lack of work I am amazed at his grades!!)

But to be honest I've been saying to him if you weren't willing to put the effort in then I'm not sure Warwick for a maths based degree is the place for him. He would need to change his whole personality to someone that lives and breathes maths.

However, now that he is off to Loughborough he has decided that he is going to become an Olympian!!

Accommodation portal opens next week. But the spending has already started on new clothes etc. It is going to be a very expensive few months.

New Fledglings thread here (hope the link works), please come and join! https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/5567080-fledglings-2026-support-discussion-and-looking-after-each-other?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

I've been thinking of all of you on here the past few days, with special thoughts for you@Ventress and your ds. I haven't managed to find all of you on the results thread yet, but I hope things have turned out well Sorry I dipped out for a couple of days at the crucial point, we've had a horrible roller coaster couple of days but it has worked out well for DD in the end. . DD is going to take a gap year, but I'd love to follow the fledglings thread anyway if that's ok? -a brilliant idea - though I was a latecomer, I'd really value staying part of this incredibly supportive group.

@Katymaus, sorry to hear the last few days were difficult, glad things have worked out in the end.

And of course, please come and join us on the fledglings thread, would love to follow your DD’s gap year adventures!

Just realise that I did post somewhere, probably on the results thread. DD missed out on firm by 4 marks, devastated. Trying to remark, but this being FM, chances of finding marks like that is not easy.
I have read threads here and there, I thought I am okay for her insurance choice, but I feel really sad for her, she was shocked and sad.
I think we both are still trying to process, even though I didn’t say anything, other than it’s okay!
insurance is 2/3 rd for her chosen subject, but then I don’t know how else things would work, with the predicted grades and you need an insurance much lower than the firm. :( also I think DD was the only person who didn’t get the firm on results day in her group, which is not really helpful.
looks like many of you are going Warwick/durham. Trying to process the whole thing, I thought weekend would help, but we did have guests and everyone acted normal. But I can’t even sleep now!

@Newlease my DS in a similar boat. Didn't get into his firm (Warwick) due to missing a grade in FM as well. Despite getting higher than requested in another subject. So solidarity.

What is her insurance? My DS moved on pretty quickly but I think is frustrated with himself as he could have worked harder, particularly in the later exams as he gave up a bit towards the end.

Also the grades he did get are probably at the top end for his insurance - but I'm hoping that means he will start off in a strong position.

Once plans are underway I hope the disappointment will wear off.

@Newlease ah that is sad your DD just missed her firm but great she has her insurance. I totally get the feeling of being upset that your DD is disappointed and sad about her (still amazing) performance that you can't make better for her. It will get better with time and I think they just need time to accept/process unexpected news.

Although my DD luckily hasn't had to face this just now I know managing her own feelings about herself would be the hardest part. Stay strong as we all know it will turn out great in the end, it is just getting there that can be bumpy ❤.

thank you for your kind words @AuntyBulgaria and @bluefineliner
I thought she will move on and start taking about shopping for uni, instead we talk about taking ESAT again. I am not 100% sure if it’s a good idea, but supporting her as much as possible. losing an year, adding more debt to already big one, job market all comes to my mind, but I think she just was aiming high and not able to come to terms with the result
Scripts are not sent for remark, school is only doing it on TUE no idea why, others I could see are waiting the results.

Forgot to ask you this, is your DD looking for remark at all? I have read somewhere that he is excited to go to Loughborough (right?) so probably not looking!
the stuff DD loosing marks is very very silly now that I got to see the papers! I know everyone is moving on, but just wanted to say we just sent three FM papers to remark, third one she don’t have much hope, I thought we may as well do. Clutching straws here!
I was also going through @Ventress’s recipe thread, thinking of you and DS x

@Newlease no he isn't looking for a review of FM. He discounted that pretty quickly (yes he is off to Loughborough). I also don't think he is near enough to the (very, very high) grade boundary to make that worthwhile he was about 6 marks off.

I am the one thinking to myself whether he should take a gap year and retake TMUA and apply with grades in hand. As he really didn't do enough prep for that as he didn't know anything about it or what to expect. But he is not interested in that. He is embracing the sport opportunities and will now probably try to get a 3rd year placement which was not available at Warwick.

These 90% plus grade boundaries are problematic and the most minor of mistakes make the difference between going to your chosen uni or not.

I am keeping everything crossed that your DD gets the few marks she needs. Once the outcome is known it will make it much easier to know and accept the result.

Waiting on a review of marking here...it is an awful limbo land., as all preparations have been suspended, even though, realistically, wherever he goes he'll need a bag, new shoes, etc etc. It's like we can't plan and imagine again until the place is sorted!

@rhabarbarmarmelade yes we’re in the same situation here. It’s hard to be enthusiastic about anything until it’s all settled.

How long should the reviews take @JustHereWithMyPopcorn and @rhabarbarmarmelade . I can imagine the wait is taking the shine off what should be an exciting time xx

Ours came back late yesterday. 4 more marks, raised a grade. Seems firm is on - but accomodation may be tricky!

@rhabarbarmarmelade hooray! What was the firm?

It can take up to 15 days apparently. I really hope it doesn’t though.

@rhabarbarmarmelade Great news about the upgrade.

@AuntyBulgaria Heard loads of good things about Loughborough lots of older kids from DD clubs go there.

DS geography said she thoight no point putting in after seeing paper still waiting to hear from accounts
He had an interview for shop work told he would find out next week.

St A.

@rhabarbarmarmelade fingers crossed there is some accommodation left. I don't know how well supplied they are.

My DS has his accommodation for Loughborough now sorted. I was impressed with the speed at which they did it. Applied on 18th told on 19th. He didn't get his first choice but he has got a really central hall close to everything. It's just on the older side with shared bathroom rooms. Saves me money! Quite a few also stay in halls in second year so they must have enough rooms to go round which is a real selling point if anyone is considering L'boro as an insurance choice.