Applying for Uni 2019 Part 7: IB and A Levels are but a memory, we're relaxing and let's not even think about the 15 August yet!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Carrying on from the previous thread which filled up very quickly.

, and for everyone

@Shimy not a dry eye in the house by the end! Then to cap it all the Head of the Acting Department had written a poem that included each student by name along with a funny moment or individual quirk from their time at the school.
I was so impressed by the care that had gone into this.

error, that sounds lovely but I know what you mean, I went through that last week. Two last concerts, then we had a lovely awards day, lunch and leavers ball. Final goodbyes to teachers, unless we need to do a frantic return on results day.

@ifonly4 I feel we’ve shared this journey together.
Incredible to think that’s it’s practically over, such a rollercoaster over the 2 years but overall I feel DD has been so privileged to be at her school, it’s been an amazing opportunity.
Going by your posts I know your DD has had a wonderful time and is heading for a great uni in the Autumn.

I hope there are people as nice as you lot in two years time when DS2 is going through this . I might also be a bit more upbeat and positive and less deranged by then. Fingers crossed!!

If he's even 25% more invested than your ds1, I'm sure you'll be less deranged, Piggy .

I bumped into one of ds's teachers in town today. She was so sweet about him... I still can't believe school is over.

dangling

You will be an expert by then, Piggy. You may even find DS1 giving DS2 advice!!!

DS has yet to find a job, although he's applied for loads. So much for "I've got lots I'm going to do this summer." This past week (since returning from the lads holiday) he's done nothing but game and watch the cricket.

I have advised him to spend some of his extended leisure time checking out 'Clearing' options just in case.

My DS has also done very little since his "amazing" lads holiday. But he says he is now bored and missing the structure of revision. I know!!! I have set him the task of applying for 10 summer jobs, that should keep him busy

@minesawine is that ten a day or in total? DS has probably applied for about 30 so far and nothing. I think he would have stood a better chance had he not gone off on holiday at the end of June and paused his applications at a crucial time. The further into summer they go, I would have thought the less likely it is that they will find anything unless very 'ad hoc'.

Yes, it is a real anti-climax coming down from that "I can't wait to finish my exams (and revision)" to the reality of being bored, isn't it?

New I had said apply for 10 over the next few days, but I agree with you that the critical time to apply was at the end of June. He is even bored with going out with his mates as it has become quite repetitive and samey, and they are all too broke to do anything that interesting. He laughed at me when I suggested volunteering. He is definitely ready for a new adventure. I just not quiet ready to let him go.

Despite everyone saying this was a low birth year, it seems it has not translated into a ‘buyers market’. According to the guardian today, applicant numbers from China have increased by 30% and ‘Ucas figures also revealed an increase in the number of British 18-year-olds applying for places, up 1% on last year to 275,520 despite a 1.9% fall in the overall 18-year-old population of the UK. EU applicants have also risen 1%, to 50,650 despite the Brexit uncertainty, and Ucas reported a record number of applicants from outside the EU at 81,340, an increase of 8%.’

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/education/2019/jul/11/chinese-students-applications-to-uk-universities-up-by-30

They're busy doing nothing now @minesawine but it's going to be all systems go in five weeks time, isn't it? Mind you, time is zooming by, isn't it? It's already a month since DS finished his exams. So getting on for a third of their extended break.

@ZandathePanda that doesn't sound good...Is there a cap on how many overseas (and particularly non-EU) students universities are allowed to take?

Ds has also done very little since he finished (but as his exams went right to the end he’s only been off for two weeks.) There was a brief, out of character , flurry of social activities last week but lots of his friends are away now.

I’ve made suggestions about driving lessons & practising cooking but not much progress on those so far...

Interesting article Zanda thanks for the link.

Cannot get mine interested in driving lessons which were suspended when he was revising hard. He is doing a few shifts at the pub/restaurant, but basically chilling out.

Glad to hear that it’s not just my DC doing very little, I was getting a bit cross with him, but actually it’s very unlikely he will get a job, we live in a village no public transport and he hasn’t learned to drive yet, so it limits things and he’s really left it too late, but I will encourage him to keep on trying.

So glad to read others aren’t doing much either, thought it must be down to my terrible parenting skills. I’m dragging DS kicking & screaming into driving lessons 😡and explaining for 10th time, when your looking for work experience or any work, you don’t send off 1 application at s time. You send of several all at once and then wait to hear.

“off”

error, we feel exactly the same in that DD has had a great opportunity. It's been a pain at times driving there, but the school has been lovely to visit. Fingers crossed, it'll make the transition onto the next stage easier. Just have to wait for 15 August and hope they get the results for the next stage.

Piggy, a lot of us will probably be lurking on here in two years time, so might be able to give you insight into certain universities and courses, so don't forget to ask!

NewModel DD had a job lined up for holiday work, but the environment and how they treated the staff wasn't great, so she hasn't gone back (I don't blame her). Unfortunately, that leaves her looking as well. She's got the chance of a day's paid work in London next week, but weighing up if it's worth the time spent and cost of travelling. Also, if she can get there on time.

DD has spent her first week, writing a CV, very slowly unpacking after coming back from school, seeing a couple of friends, taking full advantage of a trip to town with me(!) and gaming.

Dd is partying away with friends in a foreign land. This was not the best time for Dh to watch ‘Taken’ when it was on a couple of nights ago.

Hope your DD is having a fabulous time, Zanda.

ifonly4 your DD seems to have been very constructive in the short time she's been home.

I would like to buy DS a cookery book before he goes away. However he likes simple foods, such as roasts, sausages, spag bol, stir fry. He doesn't do spicy, eggs, fish, bacon. I know, I know. Any suggestions for a simple cookbook? For my other DC's I have bought them a basic cookbook & then put together one with their favourite recipes of mine.

DD is currently in New York with her Youth Orchestra playing in Carnegie Hall. She is back on Sunday then she is off to Venice to sing in St Marks with her school choir. So she has an excuse for not job hunting yet but she is going to sort out her CV when she is back.

Elizabeth wow not sure that can be topped! What a fantastic experience.
Mustbe my mum got a notepad and wrote down all my favourite dishes she used to cook for me with simple instructions on which pans to use etc. I still have it. I think doing this with your son using his favourite foods is a great idea.