Oxbridge 2020 (thread 10) - the path to the first term (just one slight hurdle to clear first)

[DadDadDad]

For better or worse, there is a bit of a bond of mutual experience between parents whose DC go through the Oxbridge application process. Thank you for your companionship so far - and thank you to others who started the earlier threads in this series.

This thread should take us to the start of the first term (whatever form that takes). All welcome here, but for many of us hopefully this will be the place for practical support as we help prepare these peculiar* young adults to spread their wings.

But the first item on the agenda appears to be the small matter of judgement...

*or for those who chose Oxford, very peculiar.

As expected. I couldn't even bring myself to say well done.

@SnapSnapDragon - sorry to hear things are so grim. I am not going to intrude into what's gone wrong for you, but I hope you and your DD can find something positive for her future out of this.

Thanks @DadDadDad that's kind

So sorry @SnapSnapDragon. 2020 is the year we will all look forward to ending.

Phew. 6 x 5, 2 x 6 and a L2 merit. I think there's a lot of relief at not having to resit

@SnapSnapDragon - sorry to hear that. Parenting is hard at the best of times and this year has been even more difficult. The bit I find hardest is parenting each child fairly when they're all so different. H Avenue knows how @goodbyestranger does it with 8.

@PantTwizzler - give that school an outstanding! I take my hat off to the home educators. Very grateful I have never had to do it.

Well done to @TerfTerfTerf junior. We all deserve a glass of something celebratory at lunch I think.

Congratulations and commiserations.

Have PMd you Coleoptera

Thanks everyone. This is probably karma and serves me right for being insufferably smug about DS.

That kind of karma would be rather hard on your DD, Snapdragon!
In case an anecdote helps - I have a family member who did incredibly badly in her exams about 10 years ago. She got 1 GCSE, at grade C. She had no interest in schoolwork, and was very lazy. She's now earning £40K plus at a bank in the City. Having failed her maths GCSE!

Very sorry snapsnapdragon. I'm not sure anything can comfort you much at this point, but just in case... a relative of mine fluffed up his school exams. Missed his Cambridge place. Went to a redbrick, got chucked out, went to another redbrick, got chucked out... is now earning a 6-figure salary and is happy and settled. This isn't the end of the story for your DD.

@SnapSnapDragon, feeling what you’re feeling. Sending best wishes.
DS and DT2 currently in hysterics over the reading list DT1 has been sent today. They couldnt imagine anything worse.

Thank you, lovely people. You make me feel better. DD1 is an extremely resilient creature with a strong personality; hopefully that will stand her in good stead, although one downside of this is that she is not likely to waste any time worrying about what has happened. Anyway, I think she can redeem herself if she has a complete change in work ethic..

I was cheered up a text a friend sent me. I had commented to her that I was unlikely to win mother of the year competition due to my reaction to DD1's results. My friend said I really shouldn't worry about that as I had long ago been disqualified from that competition!

Back to the subject of this thread, have any other Oxford Science DC started the online bridging course? DS is enjoying it and I am enjoying nosing over his shoulder.

DD picking papers here @Coleoptera. It does make it both very real and exciting/scary.

Congratulations to those with the exam results they wanted and commiserations if it hasn't worked out as hoped just yet.
DS received the bumf from Cambridge college today. No mention of deferral. Arrival Oct 2. Two hour slot to unpack and two people allowed to help. Thankfully it works with O on Oct 4.

Does anyone know if Oxford is giving out specific slots for move-in day? My DD was just told to arrive before 5pm on October 4th-unless I am missing something.

DS hearing rumours that arrival at Cambridge will be earlier than originally planned, although no official word yet. Around the time of his offer he was told arrival would be the morning of Sat 3 Oct for freshers - but of course that was pre-Covid. A weekday would be trickier, but I'm cheered to hear that two people might be allowed to help, and a 2 hour slot sounds plenty. Hope DS's college does the same.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for two people as well (DH is muscling in on "my" bonding time with DS). Are there any others who haven't heard anything about rooms or move in dates for Oxford? I'm beginning to think DS has been forgotten. No messages from college parents either. However he has been given an essay to write and a whole load of maths to do..

SnapSnap DD was sent an email on 13th advising her that all information & paperwork would either be emailed or just put straight onto the website. So far she has been emailed an invitation to the Freshers Dinner, but info on arrivals and applying for her student ID has all been online.

DS has had an extremely detailed email from his college. We looked at the welcome video. DD (at an impoverished Oxford college) was extremely envious of some of the facilities and perks.

We have a date range for arrival but precise arrival slot will be booked in a couple of weeks. It’s getting very real!

Last year DD found out her arrival date and other details very stressfully late. I think there is quite a range in terms of how organised/communicative the colleges are.

Absolutely nothing from DDs college. Not even an acknowledgement that she has actually been offered a place (other than on Track). She's playing it down but I think is desperate for something concrete.....

DS has also had nothing from his Oxford college, apart from a link to bridging work. No news yet on moving-in dates. As we need to book flights I’d like some news soon!

DS recieved a 'Congratulations and Welcome' email yesterday which was a relief but nothing practical yet. We do know there us a staggered drop off from a previous email.