Oxford and Cambridge current students

[sandybayley]

Nearly filled up the old one...

Aww thanks . @PantTwizzler her degree is Natural Sciences (physical) but Materials Science for the PhD. She has been doing her Masters project with a lovely group and is staying on to work with them.

I don't roll my eyes at many here. Like lots of people, my DD was the first in our family to go there so I had a lot to learn or find out. It helped that a dear friend's DD was a couple of years ahead of DD studying a different subject at a more prestigious college, but they could answer my daft questions. A former student was the year above DD in her college so he was unbelievably helpful too.

Unlike several places on MN, this seems to be a largely kind and friendly place and when we do get cross, we're normally on the same side. Here's hoping that this term is more normal for all our DC and they get the results they deserve.

That's great news about your dd Malbec! Congratulations to her
I reckon you should stay, then we can know what potentially comes next.

@Malbecfan - please stay. You get at least an extra year on this thread to make up for the lost year of rona.

@Malbecfan that's great news for your DD!

If DS decides to continue with Materials, she could end up supervising him at some point! I think he has narrowed it down to that or Physics.

Glad to hear that she's settled on the PhD Malbecfan. Fab.

And I have literally just put in an order for fish and chips for next Monday, at visiting DCs' request. I just love Krispies nights :)

DS3 is staying on in Cambridge too incidentally, as he just told me he's got a Research Assistant post for next year.

I think it's only offered at the moment, not sure any contract is signed. It was just a What'sApp. The boys messages are fairly brief on What'sApp....

@sandybayley

Yes DS1 reports almost everyone is back at his O college and things are quite 'normal'. He had cricket nets yesterday and was very impressed by the standard of cricket in his college - and a great opportunity for meeting students in other years.

So glad they're doing sport. Such a great way to meet people and feel involved!

@goodbyestranger congratulations to your DS3 too

Ah thank you Ironoaks.

Yes, big relief that sport is happening again. It's one serious bonus of collegiate unis - you don't have to be national level to get on the team (obviously not saying that sandy's DS isn't national level, but mine weren't even county level and got on teams. It's incredibly inclusive).

Good news for DS3 @goodbyestranger. Forgive my ageing brain - is he the DS whose name begins with C? Enjoy the Krispies - that will probably be our meal on Saturday after I take DD2 back to uni.

Thanks @OhYouBadBadKitten and @sandybayley. I'm not sure I know very much at all but happy to stick around if you'll have me.

Goodness me @Ironoaks that's funny! DD loved MS and Chemistry but was never as taken with Physics. The Materials Department seems to be really friendly, but they can only take a limited number of students. DD was thrilled to get in there for her 3rd year. I have a student from DD's old school who has a place at C if she gets the grades for BioNatSci. DD thinks it's hilarious that she could be supervising this girl, although it's pretty unlikely.

My DS loves his cricket but is definitely not county standard.

I'm feeling quite sentimental about this thread. I think we rub along quite nicely because we have a shared experience and no particular 'aim' other than swapping insight and news. I'm like looking forward to welcoming some newbies in August.

Malbecfan, don't leave this thread! Your contributions are always very welcome. Very good news about your DD! Well done to her. Also great news about your DS3 Goodbyestranger. Lots of better news now on this thread.

DS2 (O) is also delighted that rowing will be happening on the river at last and choir is also happening. His tutor for this term however has decided not to do face to face tutorials as he feels it wouldn't be fair to those who can't be in college. It's a pity as they could easily sit in the gardens, socially distanced and safe but actually see a real-life tutor at last. He'll probably never get to meet the tutor he had for one module last term, which is sad. Nevertheless, he's very pleased indeed with the new tutor so far and they seem to be getting on very well.

DS1(C) has already had his first 3 nights disturbed at 1am, 2am etc by noise but seems fine with this. It's a bit frustrating though, as he'd hoped to get to sleep at a reasonable hour and be up around 8.30am (very late for DS2 and I but not too bad for most students) but most people he knows don't get up until well after midday - much much too late for DS1.

No one eats in hall still and no one likes to go out for a sociable lunch/ coffee/ a walk/ cycle ride etc - all the things DS1 would like to do with others. He doesn't really have any inclination to meet up at 2am for long drinking sessions and doesn't really drink much himself - if anything - in any case, unless at a specific event.

However, he's got into his own routine going again but once more is doing it solo. DS2's college seems much more sociable and people happy and willing to meet up during the daytime and earlier evening. If DS1's various activities outside of his college happen in person, he'll hope to meet more people at those events. As usual, he's taking it all nonchalantly and fitting in/ blending in when he can but surely there must be some students around his college who aren't night-owls and who don't need excesses of alcohol to enjoy a get-together? Maybe not....

Both are happy and just so pleased to be allowed back. Maybe there'll be more face to face teaching from mid-May.

Does anyone know much about the post grad accommodation in magpie lane/Merton street/Harberton mead?

Malbec DS1 is J, DS2 is C, DS3 is T and DS4 I defy you not to know. Over the years I call them names interchangeably so quite understood if you're the same :)

I suspect this RA gig is not going to make DS3 a millionaire, if he gets as far as signing a contract (I like signed contracts).

Tell me, do you do the battered chips at Krispies or regular?

I'm quite interested in the battered ones but not sure, that's all. Quite a big decision though, don't want to rush it.

Lol @goodbyestranger your DSs 2 & 3 look too alike, so I'm sorry for mixing them up. I definitely know DS4 is Z . Have you seen the chap from DS4's & my DD1's year who has had a change of political views & is now standing for the LibDems on our local council in his village? I met their leaflet guy yesterday as there is just one flyer for the local council with all the different candidates on there. He laughed when I said I'd known him since he was 12 and had been to my house many times (was DD's bf in y9). Makes me feel ancient!

I don't do battered chips because I have enough batter on my fish (bloody delicious though) and am hardly sylph-like so just have normal. The DDs share a large portion of battered chips & love them. You could get a portion of each then do half & half.

dd informs me that in person graduation ceremonies will be held at C for students - streamed live for others. There's a slight issue that the VC is supposed to shake hands with everyone but obviously can't.

I did suggest that students dab at the VC then the VC dabs back. Apparently this isn't as hilarious as I thought.

No news from DD.... I assume she is still alive and having fun.

Malbec great news for your DD.

@OhYouBadBadKitten

dd informs me that in person graduation ceremonies will be held at C for students - streamed live for others. There's a slight issue that the VC is supposed to shake hands with everyone but obviously can't.

I did suggest that students dab at the VC then the VC dabs back. Apparently this isn't as hilarious as I thought.

My memory is of four graduands at a time grasping one of the praelector's fingers to be presented to the Master of the college (who I think was acting as the representative of the VC), then kneeling with hands together so he could cover them with his hands and pronounce some Latin.

Maybe just have a big bucket of hand sanitiser?

@OhYouBadBadKitten your DD is correct. Mine had a choice between 3 options and asked what we thought. Apparently she has to go through something to be admitted onto the PhD so can't opt for a deferred one. Her college is inviting parents in to watch it being live streamed. Students will go down to Senate House & parents will watch from college. Then we can have photos etc in college when they come back, which let's face it, is the bit we all want. They have spun it as being able to have more guests so DD2 may come with us.

I have no idea about the handshake thing. Maybe they will do something different - Namaste would be my choice. Anyway, it's all conjecture as nothing has been decided, but here's hoping. Nice weather would be a bonus.

I have visions of the students washing their hands in a version of the Foot & Mouth farm gate disinfectant baths as they go on and off the stage. No hand wash no graduation..... ;)

I am sure they are working out ways to make it special for you all.

Here's a typical photo of the moment of becoming a BA. If you look very closely you may be able to spot a few things that are not quite Covid-compliant.

That’s great @DadDadDad! I remember the praelector also had to stand behind and flick the gowns off our heels while we were kneeling so that we didn’t stand up and fall over backwards!!