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

That's good Panda.

Both Cambridge and Oxford peeps: absolutely masses and masses of rain to come this week. It's very unfairly timed! (also unfairly timed for those finishing up GCSEs this week)

Beyond excited to be going to Billy Joel at the Oxford Union this Friday as DS's guest!!!! I may be his biggest fan ever - also DS has entered ballot for us to 'meet & greet' but if successful I think I may just pass out!

Exciting wannabebetter

Yes. So much rain! Let's hope it doesn't dampen their spirits!

Definitely not flaming June. DS and DD are not bothered as they are both indoors revising and DD has GCSE exams right up until next Monday. She has her prom a week on Wednesday so a bit of sunshine then would be nice. DS tells me he has had a “good term” so I’m hoping he will be able to keep on top of his exam nerves. Hopefully being in an environment where everyone is in the same boat will help. He’s got a couple of revision tutorials and his end of term “report” to come so lots to keep him busy - I hope!

Quite a lot of students went home for weekend after exams. Some felt strung out according to DD.
Do hope your house all get thru nicely bake. You have a lot to nurture! Take care.

Strung out is a good description I think.

Our DC’s are all definitely deserving of their summer break! Hopefully the sun will come out!

That is exciting wannabebetter!

dd sounds much happier tonight. She was back working some today, but enjoyed it, so that's the main thing.

Looks like we are coming towards the end of this thread at the right time of year. Should be long enough to keep us going to the end just about.

Oooh. We need a new thread. Has been enjoyable and helpful!

We've got a bit of time before this one ends :)

I really appreciate this thread. Agree we need to keep it going! The attached is the image DS sent me a while ago, his last exam finished this lunchtime so 'spoons for a burger and a pint to celebrate!

Brilliant they are all finishing up & celebrating! For some reason my DS doesn't start his exams until next Monday and they run till end of the month!! Can't believe their first year is almost over

Oops name change fail!!

Definitely need a new thread to see us through into next year and beyond. It has been invaluable hearing of other DC’s experiences, especially when things have been a bit tough!

DD has shopped for and bought her ball frock today. Shoes tomorrow :)

Also working on work for the summer. Has an interview for the telethon and also as a guide for London walks.

Oh and looking forward to collecting her on 22nd. Have booked a holiday in Greece for dd, ds and me later that week. DH can't break until August and I couldn't join him Whit week so thought sod it dd and I will have a girly week in the sun, and ds stuck out his bottom lip and said can I come, so there we have it. Squee me and my babies.

That sounds like a lovely holiday!

Hope those with exams are coping with the revision period. Planning to visit DD on Sunday to boost morale and bring back some of her stuff. I am keen to get a head start on the laundry as she has a quick turnaround after the exams before joining an expedition (in a far flung location ) at the start of July.

I gather there is an outbreak of mumps to add to the stresses on those taking exams.

DC tells me many of their contemporaries were not vaccinated as children.

Why was my post about a mumps outbreak deleted?

This is already in the public domain.

cherwell.org/2019/06/14/oxford-hit-by-mumps-outbreak/

Maybe it isn't really mumps? Maybe it's a secret exotic biowarefare germ that has been accidentally released and the government are trying to cover it up?

Thanks for the warning. Will remind DD to make an appointment for a top-up of her MMR. It might be worth reporting your post to ask MN why it was removed

Don't think DS has considered mmr top up?

So, the sun shone on Sunday, and DS's cardboard boat made it all the way along the course in both directions without sinking. Sadly the huge circular paddles they had constructed to be pedal powered were too buoyant, and therefore did not stay attached to the axle, so DS had to paddle the conventional way! Think he had a great time though!

I think he had a ball last night, he certainly has 3 big events this week but I can't remember when each is, Clare doesn't have a ball this year due to building work so he is going to someone else's, plus a charity one, and a summer event. He saved in first term from maintenance and paid with his savings, but still a lot of money to blow in one week....but then he could have spent it on going out throughout the year!

dd said the cardboard boat race was very funny.

it could get a bit lively at any balls tonight, there is the potential for severe thunderstorms. Eep!

PandaG, is he an Engineering student? My DD didn't see that race, she had two garden events at her college. All sounds fun.

Well, I've had lots of photos and videos of one of the balls. Pretty grand affairs they look.

How nice at Cambridge it is now a relaxing time. Sounds quite hard all those exams until the end at Oxford. Hope your DC are holding up?

DD home on Saturday then soon off to see her DB.