Medicine 2018 Part 4

[booface]

Welcome to the new thread! Can't believe we are on the 4th already

[booface]

Yes, Scotland seems expensive with 10 month rental in the university halls there in Edinburgh too. But I guess that does come with the big advantage of not having to clear out over Christmas and Easter!

Currently encouraging my DS to think about packing as we leave on Sat! Trying to get it all into one suitcase is going to be a challenge I think!

[muddlethro]

That’s true, it is a big advantage booface... 👍. We’ve picked up some of those vacuum storage bags so that more can be fitted into the suitcase....I can definitely recommend.....👍

[booface]

What a brilliant idea muddlethro! I'm definitely going to get some of them

[trader21c]

Countdown begins when are your DC starting?

[Mommymoomitzi]

Well, we are here, in Plymouth. Room cleaned and made up (fluffy rug, battery Fairy lights etc.) staying together ins hoel tonight, it’s DD’s birthday. Medical facility fresher week first, while uni start 17th, so another fresher week. Lots of uni info days, occ health etc. Course starts on 24th. Don’t know how I’ll cope tomorrow - seems a long way from our Birmingham home.

[adrinkofwater]

Happy birthday to your DD mommymoomitzi! Hope you have a good time tonight and the goodbyes are ok tomorrow!

We take DD to Cardiff on Wednesday 19 th. Term starts the following Monday. At the moment she's interrailing with some friends. Back this Wednesday with a week to go!

[mumsneedwine]

22nd here. Start in 24th. But she wants to go now. Pacing the house so I'm getting her to do all the chores.

[Movingmountains]

Mommymoommitzi - I’m sure your DD will love Plymouth. We live nearby and were in town yesterday and saw all the freshers shopping for last minute clothes with their Mums! If ever you are visiting and want any restaurant recommendations let me know.
DC starts next Saturday so we have the very long drive up next Friday- dreading it to be honest. Today I am making him a book of cooking tips etc - did this for eldest DC - he said it was really useful (he might just have been humouring me 😂).

[adrinkofwater]

@SomersetS was just wondering how your DD is doing now. And also whether she managed to contact her uni after the remark?

[swingofthings]

I think DD start on 17th at Manchester. Hope all is well Somerset.

[specialted]

Exciting to hear of others that have already started. Hope they survived the first night! DD chomping at the bit to go, think most of her friends go the same weekend as her (22nd).

[Mommymoomitzi]

Thank you for the kind words ladies - well, it’s done. She is there and I am here. She is feeling unwell (taking fresher flu to Plymouth!) she was very tearful, so I had to be brave. I made her go out, to the Medsoc “meet and greet” I said it would upset me, if she didn’t go (bit of emotional blackmail, for the best of reasons!) She went for a couple of hours, met some lovely people, both in her cohort and in years above. She is now in bed, dosed up with Paracetamol. Movingmountains - she does love Plymouth, it was her firm choice, out of 3. Any suggestions would be very gratefully received - we love a good meal!! My house seems quiet and empty. Thinking of you all, not long until they are all settled - boy, what a year! What are we going to do now???

[booface]

Just back from drop off at Edinburgh. Mommymoomitzi, you have my sympathy too, it's hard isn't it? But we were luckier, my son wasn't poorly and seemed excited to get going. He is nearly 19 and very ready to go.

The move in was all very well organised, which I appreciated as we had a crazy afternoon having rented a car at the airport and tried to do all the shopping on a Sat afternoon in Ikea! In fact, it was SO busy we had to abandon Ikea and found a discount store nearby which saved the day.

My tip would be to make the good byes swift and beat a hasty retreat (a bit like drop off at infant school the first day). I was teary, but that way made it less painful all round!

Keeping busy and resisting the urge to message too much!

[Mommymoomitzi]

Agreed Booface - I think the thought of parting is worse than the deed. Swift goodbyes are certainly best for everyone. She has sent me a text today, to say she’s up and dressed. Intending to get to uni (I nearly wrote school!) early and “grab a coffee” - who is this and what have they done with my daughter?? 🤣. I’m going to work now, at least I have the DP (darling pooch) she has had alit if cuddles all night. Looking forward to hearing how everyone is doing. This don’t be over, until they are all in and settled.

[mumsneedwine]

Mine is v jealous others have started. She has another 2 weeks and is desperate to start. Im going to miss her so much.
I'm now on round 2 with next DD for vet but not going to any Unis til spring - can't face it just yet.

[Mommymoomitzi]

mumsneedwine - 2 weeks will fly past! We will all be here for you, when you need a shoulder. It's it nice to tell people that DD is a medical student, rather than wants to be, or is waiting to start. DD is getting worse, with sore throat and ears - Occ health appointment today and they have immediately registered her with the uni GP, for an urgent appointment. I just want to be with her and give her lem sip and a hot water bottle. The uni seem to have it in hand, but yet another example of feeling the loss of my baby. Chin Chin girls, bought some Plymouth Gin, whilst I was down there - I am going to sample it tonight.

[Mommymoomitzi]

By the way Mumsneed wine - starting the whole procedure again must be an exhausting prospect! Vet's don't have to do UKCAT do they? What Uni is she thinking of? One of DD's friends applying to RVC and Edinburgh. Think of all that nice shopping though. That and the hotel visits were the highlight of the open days for me. DC will go where they want to, so input from us is usually futile (as we have all found out!)

[mumsneedwine]

I'll need a shoulder when she goes. Doubt she'll look back - as it should be.
No UKCAT for vet (thankfully) just an exam if she tries for Cambridge. Only 8 Unis do it so not much choice as she doesn't want to go to Scotland (she's a bit bolshy and finds it unfair Scottish students won't be in as much debt as her). Lots of work experience arranged as they need loads of that. Not going to think about it all until Easter.

[Mommymoomitzi]

I get her point really - the fact that uni education is free for Scottish students is unfair. We’ll be here for you. Thank you for being here for me. Plymouth Gin was lovely, reminded me of my Nana. Night night

[Oneteen]

Taking DD to a Med Uni open day on Saturday - looking at Nottingham or Leicester (DD not over keen on Bham and I think she has discounted Imperial already)...Is there much difference in these two medical schools and does it make a great deal of difference visiting a Uni 1 year ahead of a possible application?

[mumsneedwine]

Oneteen just check that they don't change their interview selection criteria when applying. For example Bristol used to be PS heavy last year but have changed to UKCAT this year. Websites have info if still down.
And I love this thread as been so supportive. Keep me company for round 2. 😁

[adrinkofwater]

oneteen we visited Leicester and Nottingham last year on consecutive days. They are quite different both as uni's and the med school. My DD really liked Leicester, wasn't so keen on Nottingham (although they had free refreshments in every hall of residence, which I liked!) Many people love Nottingham though, so it's personal opinion (and maybe who you meet on the day )

As mumsneedwine says, check selection criteria next year, it may (or not) change!

[Oneteen]

Thanks mumsneedwine - I think DD is gearing herself to the fact that gaining interviews will be largely based on UKCAT...my initial gut feeling is that this may work in her favour but having looked at UKCAT questions I am not sure .

I will need a lot of over the next 2 years but I am also quite excited for DD its so lovely to see her really enjoying A Levels (so far although I think there is a little too much banter) and spending time on homework (she was previously a minimalist).

Your DD2 hoping to do veterinary ?

[mumsneedwine]

Yup. DD1 off to Nottingham in 12 days to do medicine and DD2 has wanted to be a vet since she could talk, so round 2. I think your DD sounds like she's knows where she's going and that pesky UKCAT is so important - and it's vile (I looked once and didn't get any of the patterns). My DD did 3 weeks work on it using Medify for practise as well as the v big book of questions. She hated it but did enough to get those all important interviews. And then it was just her being her.
Vets seems more about work experience and SJT so who knows where it all goes.

[Oneteen]

Exciting times for your DD1....Can I ask why your DD1 chose Nottingham and it looks like Notts guarantee an interview if UKCAT score is high?

I am one of those mums who do lots of research ...but I think DD is two steps ahead of me!

DD is taking all sciences for A Level and she's very fortunate to get at least 3 teachers (they have 2 teachers for each subject) who know her well and teach to her style of learning...