Oxbridge Freshers 2018

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

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A chat/support thread for parents of undergrads who have entered the quite frankly slightly odd world of Oxbridge.

Apparently we are parents to undergrads now

Not quite sure yet when I’m collecting DD, she said she would let me know tomorrow. She finishes late Wednesday but then I think she may have some social things lined up for Thursday and possibly Friday. I was hoping to be feeling a bit organised from a work and home point of view before the end of term! It seems like such a long, long time and two minutes all at once! She’s really enjoyed Bridgemas and has volunteered for an organisational role in a society so fingers crossed she gets that. What a journey this has been.....

dd got a Merry Bridgemas card

Did she go to a bridgemas formal Kitten? DD had some friends staying from her old school and took them, it sounded very lovely. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without seeing her and it’s getting to me today. Need to give myself a good shake. I think maybe it feels worse because she’s coming back soon!

I suppose he could always hand in early! DS has had a couple of Bridgemas cards, and a present - his staircase did a secret Santa. I'm glad I suggested he took his christmas jumper back with him when he came home for a wedding at half term. Apparently he has bought a smart Christmas tie for his bridgemas formal on Thursday.
So pleased it was technology not upset that meant dd was quiet Roses!

They do have a formal she is going to :)

Not long now biscuit!

I've sent a Turkey hat from home for her Christmas formal.
Ahhh biscuitburglar - it'll be lovely when they are home.
DD tells me some people at college don't want to go home because of their new found freedom- don't want family rules again. Luckily DD wants to be home but she too has loved the freedom .
And I have to say they seem to be very well looked after with good food and care. Nurse popped along as she knew DD had a minor fall from her bike.

Thank you Kitten and oh dear Sunndowne, I hope your DD is ok! I think they will be different coming home, I’m so looking forward to seeing DD and also slightly apprehensive...

Oh I know!! Really can't wait to see DS but think will see huge changes in him (hopefully!) cooking & laundry have been whole new worlds!!

Ha ha. DD is my youngest. I promise you will see no increased enthusiasm for laundry, cooking, picking up towels etc. They are watch ma do it with a little more gratefulness. They have been through so much you see that they are entitled to be looked after for doing so well.

Just a word of warning: it is strange for everyone when they are first back. They have experienced so much, changed so muchand had so much independence and freedom; yet 'home' has not changed at all... It is a process of readjustment. Some students not having parents looking after them, others prefer to retain a lot of independence.

When my boys come home they enjoy having family meals together, but took awhile to appreciate that we needed them to let us know when they would be in for such meals, rather than totally coming and going as they pleased.

They continue to do their own laundry when they are home though! 😁

They continue to do their own laundry when they are home though!

Mine doesn't- but tbf as I only work half time, and with mocks and then real exams after Xmas and Easter vacations, and a long placement in the summer, she was working harder than me. She made the point that 'vacation' does not necessarily equate to 'holiday'!

I'm slightly apprehensive too, even though of course I can't wait to have her home. It's going to take a little adjusting on both sides. I'm worried that she's going to feel a bit listless and lonely here after the first few days.

Can't wait. Getting a tree and letting her do it when I'm at work - is a girly thing between us that might make her nostalgic about home.
I'm wondering when she finally winds down will she be utterly exhausted and get cold etc. Think a lot of adrenaline keeps them going term 1.
Wow! Our DC survived Oxbridge!!!

I bought christmas candles, the poinsettia and some robin covered placemats tonight to make it a bit Christmassy for when she gets here.

We will celebrate DDs birthday before we go too Christmassy although Advent calendars and candles tend to mingle with birthday cake and cards!
DD submits last essay for this term today and last tutorial is on Friday. Our 'freshers' have almost made it through the first term .

yay, last lectures for dd today. No more supervisions until the first week back.

often that made me laugh. DD's birthday is in May :). But you have my sympathies - DS1 has a Christmas Day birthday and it's always a tricky mingle. 4 more sleeps and she's home :)

DS has told me he intends to surprise his best mate on Saturday night by turning up (he thinks DS not home till next week) AIBU to want him to myself first night home just hope he and all his luggage make it to the airport in one piece....

Ah Roses a Christmas Day birthday is far trickier!
Good advice from Roisin that it might be a bit strange readjusting to a more independent DD. She will only be home for a few nights before visiting friends so perhaps that might work out quite well after all.

I know we're all looking forward to seeing them again, so I don't want to rain on your parades... However, last year I imagined all the things DD1 could help with since she was at home and I was working (busiest time of year for me as I teach music). She brought home shed-loads of work to do, and I mean loads, so I still ended up doing most of the work. She had lab reports to type up, reading to do, questions to answer and then she wanted to make a start on her revision. She did take a couple of days off (including Christmas Day) but it was in no sense of the word a holiday.

She did say that she really appreciated having me to do the cooking & washing, and she was quite a useful emergency taxi, but this year I have no such expectations.

She did have a lovely Bridgemas with a college concert and meal and her DoS termly meeting was amazing. She changed DoS this year as last year's is now one of her supervisors and the things she reported back were just lovely. Seeing her again on Saturday....!

One More Sleep!!!!

I know . Really irked that I can't collect her tomorrow. Just want her at home, tucked up in her own bed with the fridge full of her favourite things. wonder how long it will be before we have a spat?

One more sleep here too. Bearing Malbecs warning in mind. I think she does have quite a lot to do, but she's going to take a few days off at the beginning.

Yes, one more sleep for us too. I have baked the birthday cake and put up the birthday bunting!
Unfortunately our little cat was injured yesterday and had to have surgery which has dampened our spirits a little.
Safe journeys to everyone doing the pick up tomorrow.

So DS is having a bad end of term. He is now awaiting surgery (due tomorrow) after a stupid accident. However, he seems cheerful but is missing his last night (and Christmas dinner). Sadly, we can't get to him easily and he is adamant we shouldn't try. He may be in hospital for a few days anyway.

He was staying down for 2 more weeks (with friends who have a flat) but we are hoping he will come home.