Oxbridge Freshers 2018

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

old thread

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

So lovely to have DD home too but I’m finding it hard not to just permanently gaze at her in adoration, which must be slightly disconcerting for her! Her bags of stuff are all over the dining room and like you Kitten, I’ve no idea how they are going to fit back in her bedroom! She’s looking very lost and says she’s a different person to one that left and just doesn’t feel like she can slot back in. I can see it’s really hard to make the adjustment after all of their efforts to fit in there

The thing is Oxford and Cambridge are both beautiful cities so it's not surprising if their home towns seem rather dreary. Also, dd has been living a unique environment that is utterly beautiful on a v grand scale. They'll adjust. DH still adjusts to the box room in the arse end of the north when he visits his mother - rather looks forward to it but she still stirs his tea.

That's hard for her Biscuit. It must be impossible to switch off and as Roses says, it's very very different at home.

dd is pleased not to be wrestling with dodgy driers and negotiating a bit of clean kitchen space. I've noticed the drier fluff has already changed colour

Waiting on my DD. Home tonight. DH on his way.

awww, not long!

Well we are having a welcome home roast in about half an hour. She's on the sofa with the kitboy :). She and bro have had a hug and a chat about pokemon. 4th load just gone on!

DD had to support crying interviewees today. She had been tearful herself after first interview so could empathise. Vet med were most nervous apparently. Met a few of her subject too.

DD says she's just had her best dinner since going. Very clean plate.

She is so well and together. Apologies if that sounds like bragging but older threadees know the depths she plumbed with her mental health from 15-17.5. She had a looong journey to recover.

I'm actually quite tearful because it could so easily have gone the other way. She's toddled off to her lair "mother, you've had more than 24 hours of me to yourself".

Right to be proud Roses.

I can relate to so many recent posts. Washing machine is on continuously, guest room is full of stuff, DD is reluctant to put said stuff in her own very (very) neat room. She is enjoying using (in her words) "a sparkling, clean kitchen counter". She is also very appreciative of home cooked food, her own bed and how quiet it is at night. DD is slotting back into home life with apparent ease. Possibly helped by the fact that she is off soon to visit friends? She planned out her work today - and goodness there is a lot to do!

DD home. Hurrah. Watching fave show together

I'm so pleased Roses - it must be such a relief.

Washing is all sorted here and in some ways it's like she never left. We are all squished on to the sofa watching something with subtitles.

We're watching Richard Ayoade who went to Cambridge to study law, DD told me anecdotally. It's travel man in Milan.

tinlegs Hope your DS is still in good spirits, recovering well and on his way home soon.

So, first “collections” in January and DS is a bit nervous. Can anyone with experience of History give us any advice/pointers regarding preparation? He’s revisiting what he has covered and the tutor has recommended “filling in any gaps”. I think it’s the fear of the unexpectedas it’s all so different from a levels where they could read the subject spec.

Update for all those who have been so kind to ask about DS.

Stitches out. Still can't put his foot on the ground for another 4 weeks but he is off painkillers and at home.

Hard to manage plates / cups when on crutches so I am leaving a picnic and hot food in flasks when I go to work. DH now back from working away, which helps.

He has History collections too. Apparently "just exams" and "just 5 essays, Mum" so I can't offer much help. Sorry.

DD is working a bit but has had news that a new friend died very tragically a week ago. It has hit her hard and she didn't speak about it for three days. I cannot imagine what the poor girl's family must be going through.

Hope all your young people are safe and well.

That's really horrid Roses. How awful, I am sorry.

He's getting there Tinlegs :)

Yes. Roses. We had similar news of a girl on DD's course. Terrible! Poor family.

Really sorry to hear that Roses and Sunndowne, how truly, truly awful.

Hope you have all had good Christmases with your returned DC and wishing you all a very happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. One more weekend at home and then they'll be gone again. There's been some very hard work going on here.

Happy New Year to you all too!

Roses and Sundowne just caught up with the thread, so sorry to hear the news.

DS has been doing some work, but not as much as I anticipated. I think he will get his head down next week - he doesn't have exams in January, and only had one report to write, so has taken his foot off the pedal a bit I think. He slogged hard all term and needed a breather.

My DD is same Panda - relaxed, bit of work, shifts at her restaurant for extra pocket money.

We're back from being away and she says work now starts. She worked v. hard term time too and also has no exams in Jan. So actually , she's had a fabulous break which was not possible during A levels.

Aah, dd has exams starting on 15th Jan.

Happy New Year!
dd has exams on her return too. Its been a nice break - she goes back the weekend after next.