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Higher education

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

Original poster

2017 seems so long ago, now they're fledgling graduates.

997 replies

latedecember1963 · 06/03/2021 17:31

4 years since A Levels and the wait for August and confirmation of where our chicks were about to fly the nest to.
It's been 4 years that has sprung a few surprises along the way, not least this lovely series of threads.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Horsemad · 19/07/2021 20:41

Congratulations to your DS @Carriemac. 🙂

Original poster
latedecember1963 · 20/07/2021 05:49

Brilliant news, Carriemac, enjoy the celebrations! 🎉🥂

OP posts:
Parker231 · 20/07/2021 07:06

Congratulations Carriemac!

Carriemac · 20/07/2021 10:02

We went out for dinner last night to celebrate and he made a little speech thanking DH and I for our support !

I am so grateful to this group for all the support too - having DTs and an older one in Uni for the past few years has been stressful .

Needmoresleep · 20/07/2021 12:31

Well done Carriemac DS.

DD has been told that her graduation will be at the Royal Albert Hall in October, though they are being vague about mow many guests will be allowed. I assume it will all depend on where things are with the pandemic. She now has to negotiate a day off at Bristol. Very few intercalate externally so she will need to depend on their goodwill.

Its hot. We are lucky that my mums flat is by the beach, so have not needed to try and book anywhere. London in hot weather is awful. I hope others get away.

Horsemad · 20/07/2021 13:53

That's sweet of him @Carriemac 🙂 DS2 did similar before he collected his GCSEs, I remember 🙂

Malbecfan · 20/07/2021 16:45

Fab news @Carriemac!

Xenia · 20/07/2021 19:47

Yes, well done.
All well here but we are very hot and now on day 2 of 31C whilst working in the house. I think my son's resit materials are issued tomorrow for the online exam although they have about 14 days to prepare and do it.

My pregnant daughter had her last scan today and it was much better than the experience last time and all seems well with the baby. She sounded much happier this time.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/07/2021 23:48

Good news CarrieMac.
And that must be a relief re your DD, Xenia.

It's not quite as hot here but still too hot for my liking. DD off out with DH doing lots of driving practice... they're getting aircon at least.

Haffdonga · 21/07/2021 14:10

Congratulations @Carriemac 's ds Star

Lovely to hear your dd's scan went well @Xenia

DS is still slogging away at his master's project and is keen to hand it in sooner rather than later so he can holiday with mates. (Always had questionable priorities, that boy!) He's having to pester his incredibly busy supervisor to get some feedback so he can do the last bits.

Parker231 · 21/07/2021 19:22

@Haffdonga - I think that is why DS got his masters thesis out of the way - he wants to party this summer before he starts work in September.

Carriemac · 22/07/2021 07:13

DD submits her thesis Friday ~ on time foe a change but again she wants to holiday and see her mates. I think her twin getting a first has put a bit of pressure on - do other twin parents feel this?

Decorhate · 22/07/2021 07:57

Congratulations to your Ds @Carriemac

I don’t have twins but my sister does. I do think there is slightly more comparing & competition between twins than other siblings but of course it does depend on personality & maybe not as much for fraternal twins...

When does your older Ds start work? Dd starts next week & has finally managed to have a few days away with friends this week though some could not make it due to getting pinged...

Carriemac · 22/07/2021 10:56

He's moving to Manchester today and starts work next Wednesday @Decorhate . He's been camping with schoolciends friends and to an air b&b at the southcost with some medics earlier so he's had a break.
Can't believe six years have gone by since the aspiring medics thread we were on!

Decorhate · 22/07/2021 11:30

@Carriemac Dd will be in London - we helped her move a couple of weeks ago. She is loving being in the middle of everything & can walk to work.

She’s in a south coast air B&Q right now with medic friends!

Xenia · 22/07/2021 12:27

It is certainly quite different having twins than other siblings. Mine are closer than their non twin siblings and more similar. Luckily their exam results are usually pretty similar so no huge comparison problem going on there.

Lots of progress for people's children on the thread which is nice to see. My son is in week 7 of his full time para legal job and seems to be doing very well although he starts his full time law course in September so he will have to give notice shortly. He works from home on Thursdays (work has a rota based no a 4 days in the office model now) (today) and has his girl friend in another room- I expect she is doing law applications. His twin is in another (although not yet awake in his case) and I have my office, so usual full house. The twins should be downloading his exam resit materials today but he may not bother until next week apparently - I would be getting on with it immediately. He also says everyone has jobs now so only he (and occasionally another friend near us) is free in the day to do things. it certainly is a big life change when people get jobs and are just free at the weekends or evenings.

Good luck to the medics on the thread. My NHS consultant (doctor) sibling is retiring at 55 later this year although will continue other non NHS work but it will certainly be a big change after all those years of being on call at the hospital.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/07/2021 13:46

I think DD is looking forward to the life change of actually being free in the evenings and at weekends, rather than having to spend a good deal of them studying.

Meanwhile, as well as the driving practice, DH is giving her and me lessons in personal finance - how to choose an ISA, how to check for scams, cloned bank websites etc.

Parker231 · 22/07/2021 17:32

@Carriemac b/g twins here. They are very close but so are DH and I with our siblings - not twins.
DT’s went to the same school from ages 4-18 (it was the main thing we looked for when deciding on a school) but we asked that they weren’t in the same classes. They have separate friends although both have gone out with each other’s friends - luckily no mess break ups to ruin friendships. They had identical grades for GCSE and A levels and both got 1st in their degrees. This has been the first year they have gone their separate ways (although they were at different Unis) with DD starting work in Brussels and DS staying here doing his Masters. They will be closer, geographically in September when DD will still be in Belgium and DS will start work in the Netherlands

bevelino · 22/07/2021 20:13

I am happy to report that 2 of my dds graduated this year with firsts (Oxford and Bristol). I have two down and two to go. Both dds who have graduated have jobs lined up in the City of London and are very lucky.

Notwithstanding the above all 4 dds are at home and eating for England. Also the house is full of their stuff, but that’s a whole other thread.

Parker231 · 22/07/2021 20:21

Congratulations! I know what you mean about the eating for England. It’s amazing the amount of extra food (and drinks) we get through when they are home.

bevelino · 22/07/2021 20:39

@Parker231

Congratulations! I know what you mean about the eating for England. It’s amazing the amount of extra food (and drinks) we get through when they are home.
Dh has just had a massive moan about all the loo rolls we get through!

The 4 dds have offered to go to Sainsburys tomorrow and I have said NO! as they are a complete liability in any supermarket. Again that is a whole other thread.

Horsemad · 23/07/2021 07:19

Haha @bevelino - I refuse to let DS2 accompany me to the supermarket, as I end up purchasing waaay more food/treats when he is with me! 😆

And the amount of milk consumed - have considered buying a cow and sticking it in the back garden... 🐄

Original poster
latedecember1963 · 23/07/2021 08:47

Congratulations to your daughters, Bevelino! 🥂
I'm glad others have mentioned the food because we're finding the same. With DS2 staying in Birmingham for the last 6 months of his course and DS1 only dropping by occasionally due to lock down restrictions we'd forgotten how much food they consume. Their snacks are like meals.
We normally do a main shop at the weekend and top up bread, milk and odds and sods mid week but 2 weeks into having him home has thrown that into disarray.
I do remind DH that he and his brothers still raid his mum's treat drawer in her kitchen when they call by and they are 57, 64 and 66! 😂😂

OP posts:
bevelino · 23/07/2021 11:13

@Horsemad

Haha *@bevelino* - I refuse to let DS2 accompany me to the supermarket, as I end up purchasing waaay more food/treats when he is with me! 😆

And the amount of milk consumed - have considered buying a cow and sticking it in the back garden... 🐄

@Horsemad your comment about a cow made me burst out laughing 😂
Xenia · 23/07/2021 16:51

Bevelino, well done - great results for them both.

On food my twins buy (with my money) their own food and cook it so it is no burden other than financial.