Second year Oxbridge (2019)

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I guess our dc would be known as Sophomores in the States Slightly scary eh?

This is a place to chat about the slightly strange and somewhat intense world our dc now inhabit during term time. It follows on from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3381401-Oxbridge-Freshers-2018

If parents of prospective oxbridge dc have any questions, we are happy to try our best to answer from our limited experience and perspective :)

Sunndowne, DS went on the Varsity trip last year and had a good time. It was his first time skiing and seemed well organised considering how many go. It's a long coach trip... And the costs add up from a low base price.

DS seems well settled this term, although lectures and supos not brilliantly spaced, not least because with no Saturday lectures he has been able to join the club and team for his sport which takes up weekend time.

Is anyone else's dc worried about the strike? the student union seem to be upsetting people and there's a lot of peer pressure to not attend lectures.

DD hasn't told me of any pressure actually.

Thank you hey bells.

DD mentioned that one lecture had been cancelled this week, but that's all as far as I know. She certainly hasn't mentioned pressure from anywhere.
I'm pretty sure most of her tutes and classes are still happening.

My DD has lots of lectures cancelled.

DS mentioned the strike in passing last week but only to say that his tutor had told him that they (the tutors) mostly have two separate contracts, one with the University which covers lectures and another with an individual college which covers the tutoring aspect. He said the strike action relates to the university contract but not the college one. I don’t know if that’s accurate or not but might explain why tutorials are happening.

It’s a tricky one for students because most of them are there to work and they don’t want to risk falling behind. That said, there is a certain loyalty towards the staff and there is a strong sense of community. I have heard that students might have to cross a picket line to gain access to some faculty libraries, any DC’s mentioned this?

It seems I spoke too soon about this earlier!

DD has a lecture she really needs to go to tomorrow but it's in a building where she will have to cross a picket line to get to it.
She's really struggling to decide what to do.

Her house mates are very political and are refusing to go to any lectures/use the libraries etc and are "strongly encouraging" DD to do the same.
While she supports the staff and wants to show solidarity, tomorrow is the only lecture on this subject, her tutor has told her it won't be rescheduled or recorded, and she has Mods exams in March.

It's very difficult for them.
If it's any consolation, most of the students went to the lectures that were on today in dds subject. It was fine, though it was a virtual picket line.

I think it's like the train strikes that are about to start. You can support the strike but if you need to use the trains that remain, it doesn't make you a bad person.

I feel glum all my DDs classes are cancelled. I'm hoping she can get in the library as we are picking up All her books for holiday study this weekend before she goes skiing.

DD braved the picket line!
She said it wasn't too bad - nobody was nasty and the news crews that had been there earlier had gone!
Her course mates all decided not to go though and she said it was horrible walking in by herself.

Luckily the rest of her classes this week are all in college so not affected.

Hope the rest of the thread dcs aren't suffering too much disruption.

Well done to your dd Lobster :) that took courage.

Good luck to your DD lobster. These degrees are hard, need all help you can get. Dearly hope strike is not on after xmas

Just coming back from cambridge now. Had a lovely day. Pretty xmas lights.

I am sorry to hear about the impact of the strikes on your DC. Not nice having to summon up the courage to cross picket lines, virtual or otherwise. DD has been very lucky. One lecture was at risk but the lecturer was actually replaced by someone else. DD said she felt the replacement was actually better at explaining things!
DD sent me a lovely wintry photo of a foggy Christ Church Meadows this morning on her way to her 9am lecture.

Oooh love piccys. I am coveting some brightly coloured countryside scene lampshades for my bedside tables. Sold and designed in Cambridge Art/Craft shop! No accounting for taste!! may purchase in sales!!!

They sound lovely @Sunndowne

DD has just announced that she's coming home earlier than planned - this Friday!
She was originally going to stay to help with interviews but apparently her college has more volunteers than they need so she has opted out.
I'm so excited!

Just realised as I posted that that it's actually tomorrow!!
Taken me completely by surprise!

Oh wow Lobster tomorrow! What a lovely surprise.
DD comes home on Saturday. We have an evening of ice skating and pizza planned to celebrate her birthday .
DH is planning to arrive at her accommodation at the crack of dawn. Students have to be out by 9am. There are 85 or so occupants and not a single parking place!! It will be a case of parking on the road (a main road into town...) with hazard lights on and causing general mayhem!

That sounds challenging Spin Happy birthday to your dd!

Lobster how lovely! if you are like me then some emergency bedroom dusting will be required!

DD is home Saturday but only briefly, she's off travelling with a friend. We are barely going to see her before Christmas. Waaaah. But I am excited for her and proud that she's really finding her wings.

Thank you for the birthday wishes Kitten and I hope your DD enjoys her travels. You are rightly proud of your DD as she spreads her wings.
Emergency dusting and birthday cake making on list for tomorrow. DD is flying to the Middle East on December 27th. The flight was booked back in September but the reality is just dawning on me .

All travelling and spreading their wings. It's nice really. Even if a bit daunting. my DD is on a coach right now for skiing. Next year she plans S.America for 6 mths. My heart goes pitter patter thinking about it!!!

DS is coming home tomorrow, was originally going to be today but there’s a party planned that he doesn’t want to miss. At least we don’t have to do the full move out this time as he has vac res in his flat! They’ve all come such a long way and it’s lovely to hear off all the other DC’s adventures. I can’t believe we are almost half way through their Oxbridge journeys.

Yes. Half way!!! Almost.

Happy b'day spin's DD!

All enjoy the hols with your young adult DC! They all sound to be doing so well. It's quite lovely. Glad for this thread.

I guess they might stay on for masters...
I hope your dd has a lovely trip Sunndowne.

We are home. She has had a great term.

I wish I'd picked up the strike worries earlier but ahem have been managing the situation at my own uni.

If there is more action and I suspect there will be, a picket line has to be operated in accordance with the code of practice for picket lines. The line may engage to gently persuade but they may not intimidate or obstruct. "I respect your right to strike" take leaflet, smile and head high.

Most uni's will mitigate against time lost and are putting in place significant planning to do so.

DD was relieved that most of her lectures are after 12 so she avoided the pickets mostly.

Happy Christmas all.