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Original poster

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

947 replies

DadDadDad · 11/08/2020 22:12

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.

OP posts:
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7
Hoghgyni · 15/09/2020 22:28

DD has been told that she can pick morning or afternoon, as long as she is in by 3.30. She is allowed one helper and there should be plenty of other College helpers on hand to point us in the right direction..

My DSiL tried to buy new bedding today for my DN's brand new bed. I had to explain that everyone had raided Dunelm & M&S on their way to drop off freshers on Sunday which was why the shelves were empty.

PantTwizzler · 16/09/2020 00:21

DS now has two parents and a brother, although he's about as chatty with them as he is with us I think...

Otherwise he's more or less ready. Still got to get a suit but we are stoically refusing the mattress topper. Just one more thing to lug around!

FingernailNibbler · 16/09/2020 14:04

DD just got an email that you WILL be allowed on the lawns this year, due to coronavirus. They're putting out lawn furniture, so students can socialise outdoors, at a distance. Says no visiting other colleges except for supervisions and no visitors. So they will be settling into their colleges like a small village. Some positive angles to appreciate. Smile

sandybayley · 16/09/2020 14:10

@FingernailNibbler - I know it's different this year but I agree it's not all bad. Our DC are lucky they have the college 'bubble' they can socialise (of a sort) to stay safe in.

DS1's college is a small one with a reputation for being very friendly and I think that will work well for him in the time of COVID.

Hoghgyni · 16/09/2020 18:47

I know a lot of people are worrying about DC making friends and settling in, but I think the Oxbridge bunch are all incredibly lucky. They will be in relatively small communities and I'm sure that the effort their colleges are making will pay off,making it far easier to settle than if they were going to (say) London.

goodbyestranger · 16/09/2020 22:46

PantTwizzler refusal of a mattress topper given the barrack like depth of the beds is stoic indeed. Excessively stoic, some might argue.

PantTwizzler · 17/09/2020 00:20

Point taken goodbye but mattress toppers weren't even a thing in our day, were they?
When I were a lad, rolled-up newspaper, etc.

ofteninaspin · 17/09/2020 08:58

DD has never had a mattress topper and has no complaint about the mattresses. (Ear plugs and eye mask are her two essentials.) Mattress toppers aren’t on DS’s radar (yet) either. He really will travel light!

tantamountto · 17/09/2020 10:29

Why encourage them to want and expect things that are "extras" and really not necessary? DD is getting the train, and so has to travel light. All bedding is provided though.

tantamountto · 17/09/2020 10:30

Colleges are asking students not to bring much with them. There was an article about Trinity yesterday - saying that students may need to move at short notice, so should take as little as possible.

goodbyestranger · 17/09/2020 10:34

tantamountto in the case of mattress toppers I encourage my DC because I like to think of them having a good night's sleep.

goodbyestranger · 17/09/2020 10:36

That said, I wouldn't try to impose my mattress topper bias on them, against their wishes.

goodbyestranger · 17/09/2020 10:37

I think Trinity is getting quite a hard time from various quarters - it's a fairly extreme contract that they're requiring students to sign.

tantamountto · 17/09/2020 10:56

I remember going interrailing at that kind of age, sleeping on the bare ground quite happily. They have young bones!

tantamountto · 17/09/2020 10:59

On the subject of the Trinity article - would the college 1) throw students out for virus related reasons, and 2) not refund them for the cost of college accommodation? If so, doesn't that sound insane?

goodbyestranger · 17/09/2020 11:06

tantamountto my DC do all that kind of stuff. Doesn't mean they need to act as though they're doing penance on a nightly basis when they can be fluffed up and cosy for twenty or twenty five quid....

Cliff1975 · 17/09/2020 11:23

My DS is at his Cambridge college for a 3 week bridging course- half way through now and was meant to be coming home for a week before the start of term but as the area we live in is in local lockdown it is looking increasingly likely that he will stay in Cambridge. The college have been really good and have said he can stay at no cost and can move into his room a week early. It is crazy really that he is not allowed home as is now not officially in our household but we can visit him in Cambridge spend the day with him, take him out for a meal etc. The bridging course has been a really good experience so far lots of work and social events in equal measure.

SnapSnapDragon · 17/09/2020 15:10

@goodbyestranger

tantamountto my DC do all that kind of stuff. Doesn't mean they need to act as though they're doing penance on a nightly basis when they can be fluffed up and cosy for twenty or twenty five quid....
25 quid? I've been had! I allowed DS to use my Amazon account to get a mattress topper and it was a lot more expensive than that. I guess he'll be extra comfy. Maybe I should stop being so lazy and pay more attention to the online buying sprees.
deFleury · 17/09/2020 15:25

One of the FAQ in DD's (Oxford) college bumpf asked if they needed to pack light for speedy returns home, and the reply was something like: no, and in fact remember that you'll be in your rooms more than usual because of OL lectures and societies, and might have to isolate in there at some point - implying that they might want more stuff than usual. And they also added to the suggested packing list that they bring plenty of warm layers, blankets, picnic stuff (in Michaelmas Confused) since a lot of socialising can only happen outside this term.

goodbyestranger · 17/09/2020 15:27

SnapSnap DD says hers was £26.99 also from Amazon and better looking than any we've bought before - super deep.

sandybayley · 17/09/2020 15:28

@deFleury - DS1's college has put up a marquee that doubles as hall and bar. I'm guessing it is going to be chilly in there on cold nights and rugs will be required!

goodbyestranger · 17/09/2020 15:32

Mind you what she made on the mattress topper she's lost elsewhere, in the interests of coordinating duvet covers, towels, mugs, cutlery etc etc. I warned her that she might well have orange or lime green irremovable curtains, so maybe to go lite on harmonizing her colours.

deFleury · 17/09/2020 15:33

Yes DD's college done similarly. She really feels the cold badly so has heeded the advice and bought several knee length hooded blankets as well as packing thick rugs and half a dozen hot water bottles. Just as well she doesn't have to get the train...

deFleury · 17/09/2020 15:35

She considered slippers you put in the microwave, but no cooking facilities including staircase microwaves in her college in MT. Now she's considering sheepskin booties Grin

sandybayley · 17/09/2020 15:41

@deFleury - DS1 will have to cross the road to get into breakfast. I have told him under no circumstances is it acceptable to leave his accommodation in his onesie!