Oxbridge applicants 2018 part 3

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Looks like we need a new thread.

Also useful for cycling to sports fields though and in Oxford at least tutorials can be all over the place, depending on subject.

Best me to it, goodbye! Sports fields are all over the place, and as you say, you might find some of your tutorials happening in a different college. Plus you might just want to cycle up to the Trout to scope out the peacocks over a pint.

Peaseblossom22

Thank you so much for letting us know about the PaigeY vlog - it's been really helpful. The practical information is great (what to bring, what not to bring) but also it's really helped me to visualise what DS's day to day life might be like. She does Natsci too - but the earth sciences side.

PaigeY bought a second hand bike from a shop in Cambridge which meant it was serviced and had a bit of a package with lights/helmet what have you. That would save us trying to take a bike down (no roofrack or bike rack and really it would cost us more to got those items than it would a second hand bike). So that looks like a plan.

just a quick one and this is by the by

Read an article in the Times about meningitis vaccines - in particular Meningitis ACWY vaccine. It's advised for all young 18-25s. I have booked DS in - he is grumpy - but his uncle died of meningitis and I do think this is important. All the best Sx

Good call, DD had hers before she went. You might want to make sure they're up to date on all their boosters for tetanus etc before they go too.

I've not checked the list mentioned on what to bring, but this reminds me that, just like when they start school, they're liable to catch a cold during Freshers ... make sure they have cough sweets, ibuprofen etc

Glad it helped thesearepearls I can’t remember how we discovered her but it’s the normality of her life which is reassuring I think amidst the misconceptions about Cambridge .

Hi Everyone. Just discovered this thread - my ds has a place confirmed in St Catz - which colleges are your dcs heading to? On the vaccinations, in the pack we had to register with college doctor then return the email receipt. On that receipt it says they need to get the meningitis ones before they go if possible, or if not, they will arrange for them to get these when they arrive. I too have been madly shopping for 'stuff' and feeling excited and sad in equal measure at the thought of his imminent departure (only child)

Is the meningitis vaccination they had in year 11 enough?

No Hubble absolutely not and don't take any excuse from your GP if the surgery says they've run out of vaccine etc.

Hubble was it the ACWY that they had? Only one dose is required, so if you are certain that's the one they had they are covered.

Please check MMR status. There is a worrying outbreak of measles continuing and if they didn't have full MMR coverage when young it's essential they have it now.

Yes it was ACWY so we are good.

Hi wannabe, my DD is going to Exeter College to do Classics.
What is your DS studying?

I've booked her in for jabs and boosters before she goes.

She's been invited to go for an extra week the week before freshers week. Has anybody else's dc been asked?

dd is up to date with jabs, but will need her flu jab shortly after she arrives.

Do you think she will go Lobster? dd has been invited to an evening event miles away. She's decided not to go. Also been sent a maths work book that looks as though it's designed to make sure that everyone is on the same page with maths knowledge. It's not at all difficult, just looks a little time consuming.

She's been invited to go for an extra week the week before freshers week

Some of these pre-freshers events are course and college specific. DDs college had one for her course. The international students get an extra intro too, including exciting tours of banks and supermarkets.

More room to park for unloading, easier to find somewhere to stay yourself if you're coming a long way, if they can get in before the rush!

It does sound much easier to get there early. I hate logistics of where, when to drop off even on holiday with a single suitcase!

*Lobster^ can I please ask what jabs and boosters you are getting??

@lobster he's doing German & French no invite for pre freshers week, but we have been told that we can arrive 30/9 or 1/10 instead of 2/10 if that suits better (coming from N Ireland) but it's extra £21 per extra night but probably worth it to avoid the drop off chaos!! Want whole day there if poss to sort gown & bike & groceries!!

Oh ok if he had that in Y11 Hubble (haven't come across that before - perhaps it's the new for this cohort, following avoidable tragedies). My most recent uni starters have only had that one, no others, nor flu jabs but neither of those have any indications for that eg asthma.

Thanks goodbye.

Hubble DD is having the ACWY meningitis plus boosters for tetanus etc (our county do these at 18 whereas I think others do them at 16?)

The pre-week is at a different college, so she wouldn't be able to move in early unfortunately. I think it is course specific from what she said, will get her to forward the email to me so I can see exactly what info she's been given.
It would mean her going on 23rd with minimal luggage, then DH or I or both driving the bulk of her stuff down the following week.
I think she wants to do it. It just means she has even less time to get organised!
(She's away on work experience this week and most of next, then going on holiday for a week - so time seems to be running out already!)

After being in limbo for so long it feels like we have been propelled into another world where everything happens at break neck speed.. So many forms to fill in!

Okay would you all mind vetting my list? Let me know if there is anything I have missed and should include:-

Bike (and bike paraphernalia)
Gown

Bedding, towels and laundry

• Mattress protector
• Fitted sheet x2
• Pillows x2
• Duvet
• Duvet cover and pillowslips x2
• Towels x2
• Bathmat x2
• Teatowels x2
• Ironing blanket (can't be bothered with an ironing board)
• Iron
• Laundry basket or equivalent
• Clothes airer
• Eiderdown/throw/bedspread thingy
• Small rug (prob unnecessary but DS said he'd love one)

Kitchen stuff

• Knives forks spoons
• Frying pan
• Saucepan
• Slotted spoon and fishslice
• Sieve
• Dishes. bowls. plates (2 of each)
• Salt and pepper grinder
• Cafetiere

The room comes with a kettle but not a toaster - there's no toaster in the kitchenette and no grill. Not sure if a toaster will be allowed? I have a toaster dilemma.

• something called a remoska - I don't know what this is but it permits some form of cooking

Sundry

• A couple of framed photos (the dog and DS's GF)
• A very basic first aid kit (ibuprofen, antihistamines and plasters)
• What about a TV? DS never watches the one in his room - is it worth the pain? Does it mean a TV licence?
• A bit of kitchen cleaning stuff (washing up liquid and cloths)

Clothes and toiletries

What have I forgotten?

Some possible pruning: The college laundry room may well have iron and board, something he can check with his 'parents' (I'm assuming all the colleges do that?). DD didn't want an airer, reckoned (correctly, I think) there wouldn't really be room so she'd rather just pay for tumbledrying. I'm not convinced the remoska is really a good idea... maybe leave that till he's been there a term, he can always get more cooking stuff for Xmas once he's got more idea what it's really like. No TV - surely they just watch stuff on laptops and tablets? You need to check up on tv licenses, there's some complicated rules to do with whether the device is plugged into the mains and whether they use iPlayer IIRC.

Additions (not a comprehensive list!) - extension lead. Maybe a usb charging hub if they have lots of devices. Plastic storage boxes - some big enough for bread etc, small for fridge (check how much fridge space they have, may not be much).

Coffee, teabags and naice biscuits for making new friends quickly! oh, oversight I'm sure, you didn't mention mugs and glasses.

Corkscrew!

Here's the rules on tv licensing, unless you're explicitly told otherwise by the college:

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1?WT.mc_id=r107&x=0

The 'internal batteries' thing is because the rules derive from people having portable TVs in caravans.