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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

University 2020 :8: Use the CAGs, don’t use the CAGs...

999 replies

MillicentMartha · 16/08/2020 10:26

...if you can use the mocks, then use the mocks but not if they're higher than the CAGs.

And hopefully on to university!

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3993327-University-2020-7-Results-tombola-roll-up-roll-up-pick-a-prize?pg=39

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Monkey2001 · 23/08/2020 11:46

Also for sending "big stuff" parcel2go has great prices.

ShaunaTheSheep · 23/08/2020 11:50

No word on accommodation yet. Wish list was for a wash basin in room, and washing machine in the flat - fingers crossed! DS won’t want to take much and is quite happy to do laundry.

It’s his birthday soon after he goes, so would love some suggestions to send with him to unwrap. Will include a pack of smart pants!

Monkey2001 · 23/08/2020 11:54

@ShaunaTheSheep - how about the test tube shot glasses from Poundland mentioned by somebody upthread with something to go in them. DS has a cocktail set from DS2 which might help social situations.

MillicentMartha · 23/08/2020 12:00

Shauna how about condoms? Very useful and better unwrapped when you’re not there!

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Snozzlemaid · 23/08/2020 12:04

Great birthday suggestions, keep them coming.
DD's birthday is the week before she goes so I've been trying to think of things that will come in handy for her.

mumsneedwine · 23/08/2020 12:05

@MillicentMartha DD1 got given boxes for free in freshers week 😳.

seedybird · 23/08/2020 12:11

How about this nifty little over-the-door clothes airer? It's got a great weight capacity, is a brand-name and is very cheap!

www.aldi.co.uk/addis-over-door-airer/p/703525388964200

For those who like gin, DD highly recommends the Aldi Haysmith's Seville Orange and Persian Lime Gin

Monkey2001 · 23/08/2020 13:40

@ShaunaTheSheep - how about putting together a "party in a box" with drinks, favourite snacks, maybe fun glasses/cocktail stuff, party game if he is into that sort of thing, I remember playing with modelling balloons, with skills ranging from really good to laughably funny - the sort of stuff you could take to your flat kitchen as an ice breaker. Obviously depends on whether he likes drinking and whether he would prefer to just hide from flatmates or corridor mates. DS1 would just be embarrassed to try to start a party, but DS2 would be happy with it.

Monkey2001 · 23/08/2020 13:46

@ShaunaTheSheep - final suggestion from me, DS1's best friend got into playing poker (not for big money) and we played for coppers when I was a student.

A poker set with chips could be a great thing in a flat if they are not supposed to socialise with other flats. DS1 taking a poker set with him.

TheDrsDocMartens · 23/08/2020 13:59

Dd2s birthday is the end of welcome week. She’s not a drinker or partier but it’d be good to have something

oneofthegiantsisme · 23/08/2020 14:50

I've seen various mentions of DC getting in touch with their future flat/course mates in advance of arriving at uni. Can I ask how they went about finding them?

DS is nervous about not knowing anyone (had a major wobble last week and contemplated switching to Loughborough, where his friend is going, but that seems to have passed, thankfully). I've suggested he try and meet people virtually to start building a network, but have no idea how.

I mentioned The Student Room to him ("what's that?"), and said it might be worth checking whether any of the clubs he's interested in have a presence on Facebook. What else should he try?

titchy · 23/08/2020 14:56

Unis often set up Facebook groups for freshers (often for offer holders), then they generally find out on there who's been allocated what accommodation. He should search for similar groups.

titchy · 23/08/2020 14:57

Actually it's often the student Union so he should check there website for links.

titchy · 23/08/2020 14:57

*their website ShockBlush

oneofthegiantsisme · 23/08/2020 15:04

Thanks - I'll point him in that direction!

Hoghgyni · 23/08/2020 15:38

Dd's found a Whstsapp & FB group for her potential college. She plucked up the courage to join around 6 months ago and they started Zooming a week into lockdown. Anywhere between 10-30 of them meeting up each Saturday night until the early hours. It's very reassuring to know she will know some friendly faces. One of them went to the trouble to set the group up so it needs someone brave to kick it off& others to join.

TheDrsDocMartens · 23/08/2020 16:59

Dd2 was in a couple for Edinburgh but not found one for Heriot Watt other than freshers group on FB.

specialted · 23/08/2020 17:03

Ds absolutely does not do fb, am trying to persuade him to get an account and find flat mates etc but he won't. He's very relaxed socially so not worried at all about meeting people but think he'll miss out on organised stuff if he doesn't.

KingscoteStaff · 23/08/2020 17:12

DS is on a FB group for his college and another for his subject - I don’t think he’s posting much! There are a couple of 3rd years who pop on now and then to answer vital questions about coat hangers and bike racks!

Ironoaks · 23/08/2020 17:13

DS is in a college group chat on WhatsApp (very active with weekly events on Zoom) and a course group chat (which includes a couple of students from the year above to answer any questions they might have).

He was invited to these via Discord. Others were invited to the same groups via Instagram.

ShaunaTheSheep · 23/08/2020 17:39

@Monkey2001 Party box is a great suggestion!

Peaseblossom22 · 24/08/2020 12:30

Having a real wobble about ds going , having looked at the plans. Quite interesting because if you just read the headlines to the articles it all sounds very positive and then you start to scratch the surface . For example in the general website it says matriculation will taking place and the dates but it’s only when you dig deeper that you find it will be online , all the talks appear to be online in week 1 and obviously so is freshers fairs etc The library is closed except to post grads except virtually of course . Not planing to re open until at least December . I also follow a few academics on twitter all of whom are saying they are not optimistic about blended learning.

It’s difficult because I don’t want to sway him either way and I know he is really missing the social Interaction of school / friends etc but having worked so hard to get into a selective and pretty traditional university for a subject with very few teaching hours it seems a shame to go in these circumstances if it were possible to get a deferral. It may be bad next year as well but at least we would be another year down the line .

It’s hard as well because I just think he is a bit ‘go with the flow’ , he doesn’t really want a year off so he’s not looking too hard at what the university is doing because he knows he will be disappointed. Maybe that’s just the way it’s going to be.

MillicentMartha · 24/08/2020 13:09

It’s a shame, Peaseblossom certainly. DS can’t afford to take a gap year, financially or academically and I’m kind of glad there’s no choice for him, so that we just have to ignore those worries about what it’ll be like. He’ll still be living among new people and cooking for himself etc, so hopefully it’ll be exciting enough.

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Peaseblossom22 · 24/08/2020 13:11

The Academic Common Room section on mumsnet us not filling me with hope either . 🙁

Those of you whose dc are happy starting this October are you just ‘holding you nose and jumping in ‘ or do you see real advantages to stating this year . I need some positives to help my anxieties Confused

Sostenueto · 24/08/2020 13:17

Dgd not one for FB at all has been on group chat for residence and one for her subject and has enjoyed both which are quite chatty. There was a few who left last week unfortunately due to not meeting offers with moderated or cags. She has found one girl who will be next door to her at the residence and they have chatted but not zoomed.