Oxbridge applicants 2018 part 3

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Looks like we need a new thread.

:( that's rubbish. Your poor ds.

Sorry to hear that Champagne, dreadful timing, your poor DS

I don't know why but feeling really low at the moment. Does anybody else feel like this and if so do you think it might be accumulated stress??

It could be.
We've had months of stress, anxiety and activity. The application process was all consuming with all the stuff to do and stuff to think and worry about. Ticking off one job then moving onto the next. Crossing one bridge then immediately planning how to get across the next one.
I feel a bit like we're in the eye of the storm - things seem calm and peaceful, DD is organised and appears to be in control of revision etc. There's nothing for us to do now but wait.
But I feel a little bit like I'm holding my breath, and exams starting will be the next set of bridges to find a way to cross.

Also Champagne if you are helping your ds with his heartbreak and getting over his relationship ending, that could also be having an impact on you.
Make sure you're taking care of yourself as well as him.

Thank you Lobster. I think the impact of his heartbreak has been very poor revision and that is a concern. Trying to stay positive for him but am worried. Things feel a bit bleak at the moment. :(

Going to visit Oxford tomorrow to remind him what it is all about!

Also worried about DS going back to college where ex-girlfriend is in one of his classes.

best wishes to you and your DS champagne. The timing of the break-up is really hard but not uncommon I suppose in time leading up to big changes. I hope he gets to see the bigger picture of life has its ups and downs but so difficult when they are young. Very hurtful time for him I imagine.

I'm leaving DD to it - harder said than done, have been so involved with my 2 all the way along but think for my DD's stress, she needs to make her own decisions about study and relaxation. I'm trying to have a what will be, will be attitude which hopefully DD will pick up on.

Truth is , so much effort has taken place for our DC to get this far, it feels a shame if they miss at last hurdle but I just have to trust that life works out in the end. And here DD seems to have a good work and play ethic - however, big stress usually comes out in DD after exams when she lets go of pressure so I'm doing all I can to keep house calm and avoiding annoying her - which seems to be hard. Mum's say the silliest things it seems to teenage girls

I really hope your house picks up soon champagne - it's a tough trek this!

aww Champagne :( it must be a worry, but I bet things will be longer term. A painful time for him. A trip to Oxford is a great idea tomorrow. What's the plan?

It is a weird sort of pause before the action at the moment. dd is very focused on her exams which is great, but she has a massive gaping hole in what to do over the summer. I don't think she can see beyond the end of June at the moment.

Thanks everyone. Had lovely trip to Oxford despite unseasonably cold weather. Had a nice lunch, took photos of college and bought things at University shop. Hope the impending exams will focus him in the right way now. If things go well I want to return to Oxford on Aug 17th for celebration!!

What a lovely idea! Really smart thing to do to take him back there - hopefully will re-energise and focus him back on studies. There is time I think for them to get to that standard.

I also hoped DD wanted to look at Cambridge again post-results. Pressure off and time to mooch around such a lovely city.

It sounds like a lovely day :) If dd does well enough in her exams then we will probably do a pre start visit, it will help with her confidence (and I'd quite like to see her college!)

So last stint at college/school!! I'm trying to remain calm despite the fact that DS managed to leave 3 essays to be done for tomorrow until TODAY!! We are only 11/2 down. I know he is a boy but this is getting silly.

I thought that - last term !

My small experience of boys champagne is they tend to be last minute at that age. Frustrating and worrying for mums in equal measure though!

alittlechampagne - he's just practising for university, I remember pulling all nighters

It's a little scary isn't it - this last term lark.

Yes kitten but does he have to practise so hard??

Met a student at a school event today who has just started at Cambridge. She is severely dyslexic which has needed a lot of support but has done amazingly well academically despite the odds.

I asked her how is the pressure and she said it's a bit full on to start with but you find your way and there are so many social activities to do - no down time for her - work or partying and she said she was at the party college! whatever that is!

It reassured me to see a girl I taught, and knew her struggles, be happy.

That's lovely Voilets and reassuring too :)

If anyone needs STEP the deadline for standard entries is 5pm tomorrow (Friday 27th April)! Entries will be accepted until 5pm on the 11th May, but late fees will be charged after tomorrows deadline.

Hope all the revision is going well!

Thanks Pallando :)
I think revision is going well. That STEP day was really helpful!

That's great to hear OYBBK! They felt like really good days from our side, nice to know they were helpful as well :-)

DD has received a reading list - anyone else?
I think it was a little bit overwhelming for a minute (it's loooong!) but I categorically told her she was not to even think about that until exams are finished. (Particularly as it's a brand new subject that she isn't doing an A level in!)
I think her natural impulse was to get started immediately, and she was trying to figure out where she could possibly steal the time from!

Hope revision is going well for everyone. DD's first exam is May 14th, so just over 2 weeks to go.

dd has an exam that week too. I think revision is going ok. It's hard to tell really. I don't know if she will get a reading list or not.