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Higher education

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

Original poster

A Level Results Day

479 replies

3catsandadog · 30/07/2018 09:50

Hi If UCAS does not update first thing before the school opens for result is it a bad sign that the offer has been missed.
Good luck to everyone awaiting results :)

OP posts:
HellonHeels · 16/08/2018 13:08

Thanks everyone - have passed the message on.

Princecharlesfirstwife · 16/08/2018 13:15

After a disaster with DS three years ago, today has been a huge relief - DD1 got her first choice, Sheffield, with A*AB. Pretty darned proud tbh.

clareangel · 16/08/2018 13:19

Princecharlesfirstwife, many congrats to her!! x

HellonHeels · 16/08/2018 13:20

Well done to your DD Prince

AyUpMiDuck · 16/08/2018 13:33

Well it's almost over. Congrats to everyone. #SoFucked
DS didn't get the grades he needed for his first choice (a prestigious industry sponsored degree with work placements etc etc.). Needed AAB got ACC
He didn't want to consider any of his other choices. Eggs basket etc. Hastily cobbled together Plan B is kicking in at our house. A morning on the phone. Negotiating. They won't budge. He has thought about taking a year out to do re-sits but wasn't confident that he would really get his grades up as one of the subjects included a 2 year project (plus he is not great at focussing on revision). Also, he would have to re-apply for the sponsored degree and it was very competitive including an Assessment Centre Day; There's no guarantee that he would be offered a place for next year. Didn't sound like a very safe bet.

Anyhoo, despite saying he wouldn't look at anything else, this morning he was emailed an offer of a place on a similar (though not sponsored) course at the same uni - a course which has the same entrance requirements AAB as the one he can't get onto. He wasn't convinced. (bird in hand sprang to mind but I kept my counsel). He took a look at Clearing and decided there was nothing there for him, and he realised that he was lucky to get the new offer and is probably going to take it. Phew!

A question. He'd like to get his papers re-marked though this won't make any difference to his current choices.
One thing I'm not clear about is: if he gets his papers re-marked will that hold him back from confirming this new offer (and the accommodation) ?

Tell me it gets better after this Gin

BigMamma99 · 16/08/2018 14:20

My son’s A level results are a disaster. It was a traumatic year with a serious car crash followed by the death of my beloved FIK. My son was devastated and was in shock for months, hiding in his room on the computer, coming around in about April after counselling- it was too late to catch up. He was panicking throughout the exams and the results are CDU instead of ABB. because of his sport he has been offered a good uni still. Hubby is furious saying son is obviously not cut out for academic and he needs to get a job. He is adamant he will not now support him through uni. What on earth do I do? Son is so relieved and happy that the uni will still take him. He doesn’t know what his Dad is saying.

notaswarmtomorrow · 16/08/2018 14:25

omg BigMamma nothing to advise but thinking of you, how tough!

WhirlyGigWhirlyGig · 16/08/2018 14:27

BigMumma I think your husband is being deeply unfair and needs a shake. Is he in a place to start uni mentally at the moment?

ErrolTheDragon · 16/08/2018 14:30

Bigmama - is there a tutor at his sixth form you could ask for an impartial reality check on whether they think your DS will cope at uni?

NapoleonsNose · 16/08/2018 14:40

Well done all DC who achieved their grades and lots of luck to those navigating clearing.

DS pulled it out of the bag. He was a lazy student until 6th form but knuckled down, worked hard and got A*,A,A,A and is off to Sussex to study Human Geography. Very proud of him, but not looking forward to the trek from one end of the south to the other to drop him off in a few weeks time!

Clairetree1 · 16/08/2018 14:44

bigmamma he will need to reapply for funding, stating estrangement from his father, it will be fine, all that generally needs to happen is for his father to inform the school that he is withdrawing his support, and the school will confirm this to UCAS.

I have had to confirm many such situations for pupils of mine, sometimes confirming that they have had no contact with their parents for years, but sometimes as in your case, simply confirming that a parent has withdrawn their support

JayDot500 · 16/08/2018 14:54

Please do what clairetree1 says, his father needn't hold him back.

BigMamma99 · 16/08/2018 14:55

He’s good mentally now. It was worrying earlier in the year. He was ‘nunb’ (His words), couldn’t dig himself out of it. It was just extremely bad timing. I hope his dad changes his mind but he can be very stubborn. Dad says I’m ignoring what he is saying. I say it isn’t for him to make DS’s choices in life. He is a really good lad, very good rugby player and usually confident person. He isn’t stupid and doesn’t usually make stupid choices. So we should support him. Getting absolutely nowhere though.

JayDot500 · 16/08/2018 15:01

Does your son know about his dad yet? If not, I would let your husband know that his son has other options. You have to work within a timeframe set by the uni, so please get your husband on board or take the lead on your son's future. A student loan is not a bad second option.

CheeseTheDay · 16/08/2018 15:09

My niece was absolutely devastated this morning, because she missed out on her first choice, as she didn't get an A in the one subject she absolutely needed to get an A in, which was History. She only missed out on an A by three marks, so that was just rubbing salt into the wound.

However, she did secure a place at her insurance offer, which was Sheffield. And she cheered up a bit, when I pointed out that her favourite auntie went to Sheffield! Wink

I'm dreading having to go through all this in a few years time, with my eldest child (15 at the moment).

JayDot500 · 16/08/2018 15:16

However, she did secure a place at her insurance offer, which was Sheffield. And she cheered up a bit, when I pointed out that her favourite auntie went to Sheffield!

That's so lovely! Sheffield is a good uni! Good luck to her!

My son is only 2 Grin. I have nephews and a niece I am quite close to so I'm here for them mostly! It's nice to know what to do and say when things don't go according to plan.

BagelGoesWalking · 16/08/2018 15:28

Cheese my random opinion but I really liked Sheffield, the campus and the town. I'm sure she'll be very happy there. Is she thinking of getting a re-mark? Even just to know, rather than changing any decision.

BigMumma can anyone else in the family/friends talk to your OH? It seems such a huge shame if your son has managed to secure a place - and thinks he can cope with the actual studies... hope you get a positive outcome.

AyUp glad it all worked out in the end. So damned stressful!

Nokidshere DD also doing to Southampton 😬 Her first choice, she's very happy.

MargoLovebutter · 16/08/2018 15:38

Congratulations to all those who are happy and have the uni place they wanted.

As predicted we are #So fucked! Taking break from exhausting our way through Plan B or maybe it’s Plan Z now, no longer sure!!!!

As my favourite fish, Dory, says “Just keep swimming....”

Jinglebells99 · 16/08/2018 15:48

Bigmamma I’m sorry your husband isn’t being supportive. That’s not what your son needs right now. My Dh messed up his a levels, 30 years ago but with support from his parents got on a degree course. He thrived at uni, and has had an amazing career and is hugely successful.

BigMamma99 · 16/08/2018 16:30

He accepted his choice. I asked him what did he think would be different from A levels to uni. He said everything. A course he has always wanted to do, different exam style, etc. I said dad was a bit upset with his results. He said he was too. I said the worst that could happen is he could stop funding him but that wouldn’t be a problem. He got very upset saying so he thinks I’m stupid. I said no. He thinks maybe you would be better suited away from academic and he should go and do the best he can. I said it was his life and his choice. He said there is no point in going to uni if your family think you are too stupid and won’t support you. Then he ran out of the house. Feeling very upset. There was no need for any of this

Nettleskeins · 16/08/2018 16:40

BigMamma it is big time for locked horns, between sons and fathers. ds has ended up saying completely the wrong thing about his exams which has made dh feel very angry (like I'm amazing for getting these exams without doing a stroke of work...sort of bravado banter)
I second anyone that says just support your son to go, and write him a letter to say his Dad is behaving out of character, and that you are very very proud of him and want him to make his own decisions. His dad will come round, but you have to stand firm on what you believe, which is that your son needs support now, not tough love. Unfortunately when you think your children won't succeed it can become a bit of a selffulfilling prophecy becasue they lose faith in themselves. certainly not a time for tough love imho. Ds is pretty flakey and I've had to have similar convos with dh. Your son has been through a lot but he has two secure grades and put in the work nevertheless to actually sit the exams. Some boys of his age just don't even do the A levels at the final stage, sitting an exam you haven't worked well for, takes guts.

JayDot500 · 16/08/2018 16:44

Oh no! Sad

Your son has options but I understand how he feels. He's been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster lately. Today especially. Does your husband genuinely believe your son isnt academic, or is he just letting off some steam and may change his mind if given some time to cool off?

I'm sorry you're going through this. You're having to deal with double disappointment today, especially when things were looking bright for a bit. Hang in there Flowers

puppy23 · 16/08/2018 16:47

BBB, was hoping for AAA but had an unconditional so all good for uni. DD disappointed but very proud of her

BagelGoesWalking · 16/08/2018 17:09

Just wanted to pass on a tip that someone posted on FB: DON'T forget to inform student finance if the uni has changed since the application. Otherwise, it will take longer to sort out and students won't get the grant when they need it at the beginning of term.

thegreylady · 16/08/2018 17:43

Dgd got into York with BBC. They wanted ABB so she is over the moon. She also got an offer from Kent which had been her first choice. York it is 🙂