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Higher education

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

Original poster

Oxbridge applicants 2018 part 3

991 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/03/2018 13:43

Looks like we need a new thread.

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Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 26/09/2018 22:47

No :( It does include travel at both ends though. I'd best take plenty of tissues Wink

Crepes might be a nice idea. They are like flat cakes.

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cathyandclare · 26/09/2018 22:47

OYBBK, who the Fitzwilliams recommendation, excellent cakes, afternoon teas and brunches.

cathyandclare · 26/09/2018 22:48

Terrible typing! I mean I echo the Fitzbillies recommendation- my cake appreciation is better than my spelling!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 26/09/2018 22:57

Fitzbillies it is! I reckon a chelsea bun and a hot choc sounds just the ticket!

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OhTheRoses · 26/09/2018 23:15

We leave lunchtime tomorrow. Dd moves in on Friday. When she interviewed oybbk I bunkered into Waterstones. I don't remember cake shops per se but there was a very nice sweet shop. Are you staying over? I will probably be at a loose end by Friday lunchtime.

Have neglected dd terribly this week due to work. Nothing packed yet. Wondering what to forget. Expect to be runner and shopper for the next few days.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 27/09/2018 06:12

Good luck on your travels today Roses! I'm not staying over, just going to do it all on Saturday. If I'm at a loose end on Saturday afternoon I'll send up a smoke signal on here :)

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PandaG · 27/09/2018 06:49

Definitely Fitzbillies! When DH was at Cambridge we couldn't afford to eat there, we very occasionally shared a take-out cake for a special occasion. When we took DS for open day we treated ourselves to tea and cake eat in!

We also go Saturday. I too want to take DS for a food shop, and help him get his room straight. Not that he can't do it himself, he is perfectly capable, but that I want to be able to picture him all set up for my sake, as well as knowing he is ready to go with all the matriculation stuff! He hasn't packed much at all yet, and we want to pack the car tomorrow night so we are ready to at crack of sparrows on Saturday! I'm still trying to finish the Tom Baker Dr Who scarf I am knitting for him!!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 27/09/2018 08:42

I have had to give dd the option of taking half a blanket or waiting for a whole one Grin I have a meeting this morning and was frantically crocheting it on the train surrounded by school kids, desperately trying to make sure my ball of wool didn't roll down the aisle.

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YippeeTeenager · 28/09/2018 08:47

Hope it goes well today Roses and good luck OYBBK and Panda for tomorrow, We delivered DD to Cambridge on Wednesday. The reception team couldn’t have been more friendly and welcoming so you’ll be in safe hands.

PandaG · 28/09/2018 09:39

Thanks Yippee!
Packing is now seriously underway, I'm impressed he has even made himself up a small sewing kit, I had intended to pass him some spares but he came hunting himself. I had already bought him first aid kit bits and some odd bits of stationery. He is not at all bothered by stuff to decorate his bedroom though.

Scarf is now finished, all bar the tassels, I should manage to complete those today.

I will also go and shop for him today - just a few bits, we can take a couple of points of milk and butter and cheese in a cool box to save a trip tomorrow...then at least I know I can get a cuppa when we arrive!!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/09/2018 10:03

That's a good idea Panda.

Thank you Yippee :)

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voilets · 28/09/2018 12:06

Like the idea of a cuppa after lugging all her stuff up the stairs too. Thanks for the tip.

We go tomorrow. Sense we won't stay around too long - just a help with unpacking. Think she wants to fly the nest swiftly! Grin

We may pop for tea and cake in town though if parking permits somewhere.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/09/2018 12:30

DH's favourite cafe is a coffee shop on Trumpington Street, the opposite side to the Fitzwilliam museum and a bit further out IIRC.

PandaG · 28/09/2018 16:46

I didn't think he was taking much stuff...can't believe how many boxes and bags there are. I'm choked he has packed his photo frames of himself and his cousins and sister...I didn't think he wanted anything to decorate his room.

The scarf is finished, I'm now about to start one for his soft toy with the leftover wool! Wonder if I will get that finished tonight!!

PandaG · 28/09/2018 16:49

Parents and students both get lunch provided separately in college tomorrow - we aim to be unpacked etc before lunch, then say goodbye afterwards and leave swiftly. We might go for a walk, though I bet I will want to hide in the car. So delighted for him, but oh will miss him.

Lucycat · 28/09/2018 17:23

Good luck PandaG with the move tomorrow. We will be doing the same on Sunday- soooo many books though!

OhTheRoses · 28/09/2018 19:15

It has been an incredibly full on day. 15,000 steps. DD had tea with tutor at 4pm, pre dinner reception, dinner and corridor reception ahead. She is a quiet soul.

Only hiccup was the passport. She was reminded. DH is bringing tomoz.

Her room is incredible. Huge, three armchairs, gorgeous fireplace, sharing kitchenette and bathroom with one other. Bloody amazing.

Have caught up on shopping, milk pan, kettle, etc which I'll deliver tomoz. When I was dismissed I went shoe shopping Blush. I am going to enjoy shopping in Cambridge.

Bridge of sighs is breathtaking.

I really could not have done all of this in one day and we are only 90ish miles away.

Lucycat · 28/09/2018 19:37

Sound fabulous OhTheRoses - we have move all DDs stuff downstairs to see how much of a Tetris Game it's going to be tomorrow- #extremepacking 😂

captainoftheshipwreck · 28/09/2018 19:42

Roses - Cambridge is a beautiful place to live. Try the riverside walk to Grantchester on a lovely day like today.

OhTheRoses · 28/09/2018 20:18

Very chilly now though. She will need her coat. DH arriving tomorrow now. Then we are off to a Johanssen finest for 24 hours.

Let's just hope they are all happy.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/09/2018 20:41

How exciting Roses! Your dds room sounds totally amazing.

We are all packed. It's quite minimalist as we need to be able to carry it all. I'll take the bike up next weekend. Feeling quite excited for dd as well as apprehensive about the logistics. She's achieved her dream and gets to start living it now.

If I can leave her suitcases with her rather than having to drag them back on the train I might go for that walk along the the river.

She has her timetable. Boy do mathematicians like patterns! Two lectures each day at the same time including saturday, with the same four subjects in strict rotation every two days. Plus a couple of optional lectures each week.

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OhTheRoses · 28/09/2018 21:24

All dd's bags slithered nicely under the bed oybbk.

Glad the mathematicians are organised. The Theologians are clearly relying on the power of prayer. The organisation was shamblesville.

I am shattered,

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/09/2018 21:28

Grin That's hilarious!

Have a lovely evening. What time are you heading home tomorrow?

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OhTheRoses · 28/09/2018 21:32

IDK. DH is due 11ish (with the passport). We are heading off to Bury St Edmunds by about 2ish I hope.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/09/2018 21:55

Nice :) I hope the day goes well.

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