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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

It's August ..... the countdown begins

556 replies

doglover · 01/08/2017 15:53

How's everyone feeling? My dd was pretty much able to forget about results during July but said in a very quiet voice this morning, "I'll find out this month where I'm going."

Is anyone doing anything yet in preparation for 17th? Should we be doing anything yet in preparation for 17th?!

OP posts:
lazycrazyhazy · 17/08/2017 20:12

Sorry for punctuation and general rubbish!

Trying to reply to PP who said DC was "unusually" going to city with 2 unis to give my experience with 5 DC who went to 5 cities as undergrads. 4 Cities with 2+ universities - students mix in smaller cities. London not a lot in DC's experience. Cambridge not much. Bright / Arty / musical / sporty (insert other group) people find each other in a small city's pool. There are lots of other vibrant cities with 2+ unis I have no experience of via DC e.g. Southampton, Bath, Cardiff, Newcastle, Brighton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Coventry / Warwick, Liverpool etc

Tired tonight hope that's useful now! Glad it's all behind me now TBH!

lazycrazyhazy · 17/08/2017 20:26

I'd agree user95 except I'd never heard of it until my DC said it was a thing. He was doing a vocational degree at the ex Poly which happened to be very highly rated. He moved with his Tutor for PG and then again for Masters to a top 10 but it really didn't matter. DD who sings lived being at Uni of Leeds where they got to know the musicians from the music schools (trad and Mod) and Met.

Maybe it's atypical but I know one very bright, extremely witty, gregarious lad who accepted a clearing offer (having played far too hard in 6th form) at a much less rated Uni than his potential and wasn't stimulated by his peers or course though he stuck it out and got a good degree and has done fine since. He compared notes at the time with my DC who loved her course at RG uni. made friends for life, and felt everyone was bright and stimulating to her. It's important you find kindred spirits.

user9512736123 · 17/08/2017 20:32

He compared notes at the time with my DC who loved her course at RG uni. made friends for life, and felt everyone was bright and stimulating to her. It's important you find kindred spirits.

Yes, that's very important.

Lucysky2017 · 17/08/2017 20:54

It is an issue at some lower grade places - first of all they have massive drop o ut rates compared to better places and secondly the other people might not gel with you. London Met etc particularly if everyone has very low A level grades. It obviously has an impact on the student body and people there and atmosphere.

Travelledtheworld · 17/08/2017 21:06

Phew well clearing worked quite well and DD had several calls from universities offering her a place to do politics. I think we now have 5 days to confirm an offer?
So she felt better after that as it forced her to have conversations with very sympathetic admissions officers, and assess why she wanted to do the subject. A quick trip to Liverpool over the weekend to scope it out and hopefully that's the one she will go for.

Hugs and wine to everyone else who has had a stressful day. And good luck with your DCs choices.

cowgirlsareforever · 17/08/2017 21:13

That is absolutely wonderful news Travelled. I hope that your dd loves Liverpool. Keep us posted.

Travelledtheworld · 17/08/2017 21:18

Ah thanks Cowgirls Smile

user9512736123 · 17/08/2017 21:33

That's good then Travelled
Fingers crossed for anybody with uncertainty still.

hellsbells99 · 17/08/2017 21:37

Travelled well done to your DD. I have a DD at Liverpool who has just had a great first year. Loves the uni and the City. She originally went to uni elsewhere but dropped out as she hated the course.

hellsbells99 · 17/08/2017 21:38

Well done to everyone's DCs on their results today.

Auntpetunia2015 · 17/08/2017 21:40

Well as a scouser...I will safely say she will absolutely love Liverpool !Grin it's gonna be busy this weekend as we've got the clipper boats in for round the world rAce.

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 21:42

Travelled , I'm made up for you as they say in Liverpool. My sons friends son was offered his desired politics course in clearing at Hull and Hallam I'm thrilled for him.

Whatever happens , the thing that broke me was hearing my DS on the phone to Hallam, he spoke to clearing and then the dept head, he was so articulate , respectful, engaged and polite , and kept saying thanks. I felt so so proud of him. He'd a few kicks in the teeth at this point plus all his pals plus girlfriends have got,what they needed, so his resilience really brought a lump to my throat!

Forgive me , he's my PFB and only child 😢

cowgirlsareforever · 17/08/2017 21:44

Bless him TheMightyMing . What course is you DS hoping to do?

hellsbells99 · 17/08/2017 21:50

MightyMing - one of DD2's friends is at Hallam. She has just finished her first year and loves it. Great nightlife and a cheap City for accommodation after the first year. You can be very proud of your DS for picking himself up.

latedecember1963 · 17/08/2017 22:12

Ah, mightyming, your post has brought a lump to my throat. Your DS sounds lovely. The social skills you describe will serve him well in life. I hope he is very happy at Hallum.

user9512736123 · 17/08/2017 22:53

Your Ds will enjoy going to the Leadmill if he goes to Hallam. Somebody I know went to Hallam and they have just finished their masters.

crunched · 17/08/2017 22:56

tobee turn down Kent at your peril ... why do you think they are not in clearing.

TheMightyMing · 17/08/2017 23:17

You lovely nest of vipers you 😂😂 where would I be without the 'so called' of mumsnet?

He's got a place on the human geography BA course which was was his choice more or less anyway.

I haven't mentioned before but DS went out of area to a v selective boys grammar and has more than held his own throughout - great GCSEs etc, so you can imagine his less than stellar results today stuck out amongst a sea of a * and a's which made it doubly hard! 😢

He's due in v shortly from his night out , sounds cheerful enough.

Thanks again - any words of wisdom on my remark questions v welcome xx

GrimDamnFanjo · 18/08/2017 00:46

@Travelledtheworld she will be joining my DD on the Politics course. Liverpool was her reserve but we have visited last year and loved the atmosphere. The course also offers study abroad opps. They may end up as pals!

tobee · 18/08/2017 03:05

crunched he hasn't! He just filled in his accommodation application at Kent! Smile

Whoops, more like 9 hours ago now! I feel jet lagged Grin

Travelledtheworld · 18/08/2017 05:24

Grim that's great !
But do you want to blow your cover ???

Doobydoo · 18/08/2017 06:47

Congrats to all and for weathering the storm. Mighty your son sounds lovely. I have heard good things re Hallam. Ds got in to his firm.He is cross re one of his results but it is a new chapter and time to move on isn't it? I am so excited for him and nervous.He will be 18 29th Aug it just seems so young.Some of his mates are nearly a year older.Congrats againSmile

cowgirlsareforever · 18/08/2017 07:03

He sounds like a brilliant lad TheMightyMing and experiences like this can really be the making of people. If he's really unhappy with Hallam (though I would echo others who say that Sheffield is a great city) has he considered resitting or looking at a different course? There are also courses still available through clearing. I'd tell him to look at Lancaster, Glasgow and again, Liverpool.

cowgirlsareforever · 18/08/2017 07:14

Hull and Swansea also have places in clearing for Human Geography. I know his head must be all over the place but it's worth phoning those places today. He could always ask for Hallam to release him if he'd be happier elsewhere.

JoelyB · 18/08/2017 07:15

Well done to everyone who weathered the storm of clearing. We had some further complications last night as after DDs Firm rejected her, Insurance had to release her, so that Firm (slightly different course) could be added through clearing. Totally exhausting day, but we're getting there.
Out of interest, did anyone else have a problem with Edexcel English Lit? We thought her result must ne an error, but Cardiff told her they'd had a lot of issues.

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