Oxbridge applicants 2018 part 3

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Looks like we need a new thread.

Do you think it is normal to feel sad and tearful and not know why?

Hope you’re ok Hubble

Something I forgot in my post above - if your DC is cycling, get a really really good bike lock. Ideally a solid D frame one. Bike thieves in Oxbridge are totally shameless - bring huge great tools and white vans to clear up any stray bikes nor sufficiently secured!

DD entered the accommodation ballit yesterday so reality is now dawning. She's said she'd like a new duvet cover and has a box of DS's stuff containing crockery etc. With DS I worked on the basis that the shops weren't far away and he could get anything he needed very easily. They do sell pots and throws and chargers in Oxford and Cambridge.

DD evidently needs a black suit for under the gown and her moving in day has been confirmed as a day earlier than anticipated from info on the website. Changed hotel booking v easily and just an extra £11. Glad I had booked it in Jan.

They do sell pots and throws and chargers in Oxford and Cambridge

They do, although according to DD the sort of shops she'd want to go to for bed linen (her 2nd year house has a double bed so she needs to get some) aren't too convenient if you're on foot or bike from her college. And of course, they (or you) can order stuff online and have it delivered.

Cambridge market is good for throws, cushions etc if they want to make it cosier.

Got DS a black jacket from Topman for £6.40 instead of £65 and a single duvet cover set from Primark for £5.

DS just received his reading list which is a tome in itself!

I've just ordered some books that DS picked out from his reading list

It's all getting very real now.

DS only got home last weekend and I had suggested to him that it might be a good idea to get a job for the last month before going to university

DS comically said "I don't think I want to be worked in my last month of freedom". And given that he has consistently worked so tremendously hard for the last 7 years (to the extent I worried) do you think I am being unreasonable to let him just laze around, enjoy his friends/GF for this last month?

I'm such a patsy really. I spent my last month before university delivering telephone directories. It was a totally rubbish job and do you know how heavy telephone directories are? Awful. I should make him do that shouldn't I?

A month of freedom will do him good.

And Hubble

I stoutly maintain that I will be glad to see the back of DS. DS is the younger of my two DCs. Glad to be rid of the everlasting laundry, the messy friends, the constant midnight chats about concepts I don't even begin to understand ...

I'll miss him like buggery. I know that I will cry. It's just what we all have to do. In a kind of touching moment DD announced that she was staying at home on the weekend of 29th September. I asked her why, because her term begins round about then. She said "You'll be in bits. and I want to be with you" Kind of sweet. She's a nice kid.

My youngest too Thesearepearls. What a lovely DD you have!

Oh pearls. I'm going to miss mine like buggery too. Today dd got her GCSE results this morning, then after I'd taken her out for a late breakfast I went to help a friend move in to her new house. Her DH had to work today, so she was on her own with the delivery men. DS asked if he would be useful, gathered up a bag of tools, and came and spent about 7 hours shifting boxes, filling cupboards, putting furniture together and generally being really useful. His attitude, spending the day with 3 middle aged women (another good friend of ours came to help too) made me so pleased, I'm.going to miss him so much.

I think a lot of us on here are going to need to support each other through the 'letting go' phase of this journey.

Ah stop it!!! at least the terms are short!! (At least that's what I'm trying to tell myself!!) DS got reading lists for both French & German but got him a kindle for his birthday & dgrandparents got Amazon vouchers so he's managed to get most electronically & the rest second hand.... well worth it plus no huge bag of books to lug about!

No suit jacket required under gown in sub fusc - just white shirt, black skirt, tights, black shoes, and that silly tie thing.

Or black trousers for my DS DeusEx. .

Just joking - I know you were meaning for your DD!

Suit in dry cleaners after suffering 2 formals this year... (tick!), spotted white tac in the local shop so got that (tick!) big pack of pocket packs of tissues (not sure if for him or me yet) (tick?) next to book ferry.......

....also found bike helmet (I'm assuming that wearing one is mandatory?) but still searching for the very good lock I bought when I got my bike on a 'cycle to work scheme' then bunged in the shed (bike and lock) and good resolutions went out the window!!

also found bike helmet (I'm assuming that wearing one is mandatory?)

DD has a bright yellow one which - having been shown accident statistics by DH - she wears religiously. But apparently a lot don't, especially the lads. There's a difference between intelligence and sense, unfortunately.

Still no communication from Durham.........

errol my ds has hardly ridden a bike in years so currently is saying he'll definitely wear it (silver grey and not too conspicuous!) but just hope he sticks to it - really should be illegal not to!!

Stepmum hopefully they will come soon. Just a matter of sorting out acceptances etc. and then the ball will start rolling. Bet you can't wait to get started on everything! My DS's reading list came yesterday and so did the realisation that his summer holiday is over! Tell your DS to enjoy the lull which I am sure will be short-lived.

notquitegrownup2. We are in the same boat, we haven’t had a university contract yet. We’ve filled in the university card form which has been sent off, it says in our pack that this starts the registration process which makes me think the university contract will follow once the college registration is done, if that makes sense? Not too worried at the moment as we’ve still got a few weeks to go (gulp!), can you tell I’m trying not to think about it?!

Thank you Bakeandyarn - yes, that makes sense.

It's good to have somewhere to bounce these ideas around. I have a horrible feeling that DS is going to be a stereotype Oxford Don and not have a clue about anything useful. I'm trying not to double check everything for him, but can't help thinking he's going to forget something vital!

My DS’s friend’s mum always says they are so bright there’s no room for much common sense. I think DS will be ok, but I’m worried about the things like washing and ironing! He keeps telling me it will be fine because everyone is in the same boat and they can help each other but he’s still my baby!