University offers for 2017 start (Part 2)

[EnormousTiger]

Continuation of the original thread which is now on to 40 page maximum.
Original thread (part 1) here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2759621-Uni-offers-for-2017-start?

Most offers now received. My twins have had offers from their 4 and are currently deciding which will be firm and which insurance. One twin
( possibly two of them) is going to an offer holders' day coming up at Bristol next month with his friends from school.

Yes dd more excited about voting than anything else! Was happy with Psychology though.

DD had maths FP 2 today - reckoned it went well.

She normally has a long bus journey, the school is a bit over 20 miles away. Once the bus was delayed 3 hours because the road was blocked because a cow had died on it. So, DH is driving her with a huge margin and he's familiarised himself with alternate back roads, and I'm on standby with the my car. (Fortunately I work from home)

although tomorrow is their all important first day of voting!
Mine dutifully voted in the recent council elections. She was bemused by how low tech and laid back it was.

Dd is gutted at being a summer baby and missing the vote. Her friend confirmed that psychology was "alright"

Very sadly and suddenly dh died today. While we are all in shock, DS is just getting going with his A levels and has Step one tomorrow. He plans to sit the exam although it isn't essential.

Shit timing and I know it will have a serious impact - we are a close family. Not sure how to support DS best? Not really sure why I am posting really. I guess I want to know it will be ok but I know no one can say that for us.

so sorry to hear that Pericat. That's so tough. Maybe having exams to focus on will help your DS through this difficult time.
x

I'm so very sorry to hear that Pericat.
I hope you have lots of RL support.

There is nothing wrong with your DS carrying on with his exams - as long as he knows he doesn't have to. IYSWIM

I am pleased ds is sitting the exam later today. It would be worse if this also stopped ds going to uni in September. Not what dh would have wanted.

So sorry Pericat. Do make sure college let the exam board know. Sitting his exams may help your son get through this

peri, I am so very sorry but it is good your son wants to continue with exams (I bet his father would have wanted that too). I think it helps a lot of people after a death to continue as normal.

Do tell the school. During the AS exams last year the twins' last grandparent died (luckily the funeral was at the half term) and the school did submit a request for consideration or whatever it is called. I don't think it makes a massive difference to marks (2%? depending on who dies) but it is still worth doing.

We didn't have local elections here so today is the first time they vote. They are going with their big brother mid morning as I am out at work. I'm going to at just after 7am.

peri. Thinking of you all.

Yes very many sympathies indeed from me too.

As another poster said, the exams may well help your DS get through this initial surreal period. But don't just tell the school, do be absolutely sure to contact the university too, since the adjustment of marks is limited.

peri So sorry to hear about your dh.

Keep coming back on here for support and advice.

Peri, how awful, and my very best wishes to you all.

I hope the remaining exams go well.

Do tell the University, and, early days, but don't rule out a gap year if he needs time to process.

Sorry to hear about your dh peri

I admire your ds for continuing with his exams. Good luck to him!

Truly sorry to read your post Peri. It's important that your DS continues with exams if that's what he wants. The normality is v important but ensure school let the exam boards and prospective university know. Deferred entry is a strong factor to bear in mind. Thinking of you all and especially you at such a difficult time.

pericat - I'm so sorry. Best wishes to your brave DS. Do you have support yourself?

Oh yes, definitely tell the university too. Someone mentioned earlier about mitigating circumstances, resulting in possible lower grades.

I'm so sorry pericat, thinking of you all.

Nothing to add to other good advice given except maybe to take things a day at a time, talk with DS about what he wants to do, and accept all the support offered.

Thank you all for your kind messages. The school are contacting the exam boards and chosen universities and ds wants to do his exams. I have said to him not to worry and a gap year may be a good option. But ds is focused on going to uni this year.

The future looks very bleak without dh so I can only take things one day at a time. Friends and relatives have been fantastic and I will try and accept help ( I am usually very independent and prefer to help others).

If you have already applied for student finance, you can let them know your circumstances have changed, but there is no rush to do that. ❤️

peri, I can imagine it all feels dreadful. If you son wants to carry on to university that might well be best for him actually (unless he wants a gap year). It probably makes it harder for you as you won't even have him around in the Autumn but sounds for the best. Do accept help where you can. It must be a very difficult time.

It puts everything else into perspective, election, A levels etc..... One of mine keeps coming in to chat and going on and on about Corbyn. I'm glad they are both so political and interested but I am utterly out numbered at home living with 3 Corbynite sons. I suppose at least we're all practising debating on an hourly basis.

Ahhhh! Poor old ds has hideous hay fever and exams start tomorrow. Anyone else's dc suffering? Think he avoided it for gcse and a s levels

Oh good grief, just read last few pp and seen peri's post. Puts hay fever in perspective. So sorry peri.

Tobee - hayfever in exam season is no joke. DH used to suffer badly - he finds a combination of otrivine nasal spray and Opticrom eye drops works well without drowsiness (the only hayfever relief when he was exam age was sleep-inducing piriton). But just today one of the questions in the back of New Scientist was asking why allergy-ridden singers weren't sneezing at all during a performance - the answer is adrenaline, which counters the histamine response. So it may be that a dose of exam nerves will actually be helpful to your DS.