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

Good idea Errol but because of the uncertainty of what DS might be offered - eg. room of someone who has rusticated etc he won't know if he is in a house or not until very late on and no sooner than the Summer break I guess. Basically as yet he has nothing to swap.

Goodbye thank you. Personally I would rather it was done through the college so that any issues regarding the property are dealt with by them. I think he needs as little stress as possible, although I do understand you are trying to obviate the uncertainty of his situation.

Tbh some of the landlords/ their agents are extremely painful to deal with so I get the point!

hubble DS is also fairly low down the ballot but they were told they were unlikely to lose their rooms initially, now though it’s turned on its head! It now looks like most of them will lose their rooms, I’m not sure how it’s been worked out but the college are holding back a lot of rooms for some reason (on top of rooms they have already held back for freshers). They are all getting very upset that they might not be with friends, they are being very sensible in trying to organise things themselves so that groups can stay together. It’s very stressful and not very nice for them, hopefully it will all be ok but it’s already been quite a tough year so could do without the angst!

I feel your pain.

Bakeandyarn it is out of my control so am going with the flow for now. Just want something good to happen for DS soon as he has had a run of bad luck.

hubble ditto, I’m trying not to worry, there’s nothing I can do and there’s a little while to go yet till October. Things can change in that time, he will find out this week where he will be and I hope that they can all work it out between them. The college are obviously experienced in dealing with it so fingers crossed for them all.

So not so long to wait for your DS. [envious]

or even [envious]

Nope still got it wrong.

hubble I’m not sure that’s a good thing! A bit like waiting for the offer, while you don’t know there’s still hope!

Sorry maybe I misunderstood.

Thought you meant he would find out about accommodation this week??

Yes, it is accommodation hubble, it’s just a similar feeling (in a way!), didn’t mean to confuse, sorry! That awful waiting!

Hope your DS gets what he wants. We have to wait to potentially October so need to put to back of mind.

Not my DS, but still students. As a family we are part of the student team at our church. One of our students found a housemate dead in bed today - not sure what happened but seems to be natural causes. Our student is really upset, all his other housemates have gone home with the shock, and so he has moved in with us for a bit of tlc and family life. He is one of the students we don't know as well, but I have said to just treat us as Mum and Dad. It is a privilege to love other young adults when they need it.

panda that’s awful, I’m sorry to hear that.

hubble fingers crossed things get sorted for your DS, maybe after results day in August things will be clearer. It’s tines like this they still seem very young isn’t it?

Panda that is so awful for all concerned. It is good that your family and your church are able to support the students in your area in this way.

How awful Panda, it's so good that you can be there for them.

What a shock for everyone concerned Panda. Those poor parents .

Panda how lovely you can help! How sad and what a shock! Gosh life has its surprises and downturns and your young people have had to learn that very young.
Echo poor bereaved parents - terrible.

Thanks for kind comments... I just keep putting myself in the parents' position, or thinking about what it would be like for DS to be in my student's position. DS has already had one trip to Addenbrookes with a friend with suspected meningitis - thankfully it wasn't, but necessitated an overnight stay and a battery of tests and IV antibiotics etc.

I'm not sure we are doing much, bar providing a bed and some sustenance. I think it is just knowing other people are there, even if he doesn't really hang out with us.

Oh goodness Panda, what bad news. I am so sorry.

Just freaked out reading all the stuff about ballots for accommodation next year. DD had the big room in a set but the set mate from her hell, noisy, limited boundaries, late night hoolies, etc.

DD is moving to new room after Easter. I don't think she's even thought about next year. I was hoping they might take care of her due to her previous mh problems. They have been v helpful over the room move this year. I don't think I have the strength for more room dramas.

OhTheRoses Thank goodness your DD has a new room after Easter. My DD has issues with late noise in the quad but that is nothing to the stress your DD has been through.

Don't worry Roses, I'm sure they'll sort her a suitable room for next year. They told my DD that they always keep a few spare for students whose rooms don't work out.
My DD has chosen a low grade room which is very pretty and quiet and near her friends and a big kitchen! she wants that en suite in her final year. To be honest, they'd probably have given it to her each year with her circumstances but my DD prefers to be near nice friends who have all chosen a quiet corridor with not much footfall.
So glad DD Roses will have a break from noisy neighbour in exam term. Good for her for speaking up!
Our kiddies all grown up will be home soon!!! DD hates it if I sneak in advice, even if it is agreeing to her wise decisions!!! She tends to take on too much and works hard to keep it all on an even keel - but I think she's just about managed it. Possibly being a tad 'too perfect' over essays but she knows this last one she will try to do more quickly.