Another path to greatness - part III

[chopc]

Here is the new thread

I don't think it would be possible to minimise the silliness of these boys' behaviour Stormer frankly, it's that silly. But they're young and having fun. The girls are pretty difficult to watch (as a Durham graduate myself) but again - young and having fun.

I used the terms which sprang to mind, but neither is intended to be more loaded than the other. That's your take from it but not my intention. It's kind of your problem.

If I had to say which were the more cringeworthy, the boys would roar home with the trophy.

I just want to add for the record (in the event the people in the video read this) that I strongly disagree with @goodbyestranger that either of the 2 girls she mentions were acting in a vacuous or silly way. I’m not sure what is vacuous about straightforwardly answering a question about where you’re going that evening Stranger seems to be labelling them purely because they’re in the video.

I know that some posters wish to move on and I’m well aware I’m not a thread regular, but I think this is a really important discussion and I’m glad it has been had. The way in which girls can be and are viewed at university - by the mothers of DC who don’t presently go to the university in this case - is something that is important for us to know given the recent climate. If only so we can actively build up our DD’s confidence and sense of self-worth to ignore and dismiss certain viewpoints, and to have the bravery to go forward with carefully thought-through complaints.

X posts.

You’re not minimising the silliness of the boys’ behaviour @goodbyestranger you’re minimising the disrespectfulness and inherent sexism. And you’re minimising the fact that one of the girls was clearly uncomfortable. That’s your problem.

I won’t say any more on this as I know others wish to move on.

Glad we are moving on now, this has been such a friendly supportive thread, would be a shame for it to turn.

Hope everyone's dc are ok especially those STILL waiting for the Scottish unis.

Dd is on Week 3 of her assessments. Generally been going ok. But after one History assessment, the teacher told the whole class what they should have written. Most of them (including dd) didn't have the right approach. Dd and her friends were upset, I mean what's the point after they've done the assessment??

@goodbyestranger

That's decent of you Loon. Good plan BWJ.

Also to bend - now it's too far back to check if I commented at the time - but very impressed by your DD's application to Bristol. That took some courage.

Thank you. I'm just so relieved it's worked out well for her. She's excited by Bristol and didn't have that feeling about her other offers.

*The way in which girls can be and are viewed at university - by the mothers of DC who don’t presently go to the university in this case - is something that is important for us to know given the recent climate

I'm not entirely clear if you're referring to me Stormer but if you are, I have a fourth DD who is currently a fresher. She's possessed of a good deal of quiet self-confidence, has grown up with four brothers, has been educated in a co-ed school (indeed was head girl) and tends to listen to my viewpoints just as I listen to hers.

For the record, I strongly disagree with every point that you've made so far, including the point about whether or not most of the girls appear to be vacuous. Perhaps I have a lower threshold for vacuousness than you do. It's irritating when apparently intelligent young women play vacuous for the camera. But you know, on the grounds that they also are young people enjoying themselves, I'll leave them to it. They are nevertheless giving every appearance, to me, of being vacuous.

Bold fail: The way in which girls can be and are viewed at university - by the mothers of DC who don’t presently go to the university in this case - is something that is important for us to know given the recent climate

Incidentally two of my boys are also still at uni. Neither are silly.

Oh I see, sorry, misread. I read it again when I attempted bold #2. Mothers of DC who don't go to Durham. Well I think you may be splitting hairs: DC7 left last July. Nine months ago is probably close enough for government work.

And that Durham was supposed to be italicised not bolded. Not doing well tonight.

We all need a nice glass of wine to round off the evening!

For what it’s worth, both boys and girls can be irritating, empty headed, and interested in filming each other’s bodies. They can also be funny, intelligent and able to redeem themselves!

@bendmeoverbackwards what an awful thing for a teacher to do. Like you say what is the point except to make them feel shit until results are out in August?

It is one thing to come out of an exam and doubt yourself, quite another for a teacher to fill you in on what you should have written.

How many more assessments has she got left? Ds has 3 weeks worth in the last 3 weeks of this term. At the moment all lessons are revision recap lessons which he feels are going well. They have already been told their previous work grades which make 20"% of their grade so it is off to a good start for him but he is still worrying. I am just making sure he is fed and watered.

Once he finishes college we are hoping to have another trip back up to Durham hopefully there will be more of a student presence but he still loved it the first time over Easter.

@PresentingPercy yes to a drink, mine is a lovely cup of tea though in one of my favourite mugs. Bliss.

Late to the party but will join you in a drink, cheers!

I'm in for a drink too.

cheers.

Morning all - DD's 18th today. She has two "assessment opportunities" today, and a full day at school. We are not allowed to call them "exams" apparently! Sod's law really that she had to get up and go this morning.

Picking up an Italian (takeaway, not man), later, and will hopefully have as nice an evening as possible. She is also seeing her boyfriend after school, he lives in town, so next to the restaurant, which is helpful.

Starting to NOT look forward to our open day in a few weeks time. Not feeling excited by 2x 3 hours on a train, for a couple of hours on site, and therefore having to mask up for most of the day. Small hope that we will be rid of masks by then..... end of May, don't feel hopeful.

Happy birthday, bwj's daughter! Hope you all have a good day, at least once the exams by any other name 'assessment opportunities' are finished.

Happy birthday to BWJ's DD. DD and her friends are planning a few low-key 18th birthday gatherings once assessments and some restrictions are over. Some of them are very belated indeed, having fallen in full lockdown. Have a lovely evening, and I hope the exams assessments go well.

Happy birthday to your DD @BigWoollyJumpers ! Hope you all have a good day!

Happy birthday to your dd @BigWoollyJumpers hope she has a lovely day

💫 🥂✨Happiest of Birthdays BWJ DD!!!✨🥂 💫

Happy birthday to your DD BWJ! Hope she enjoys it as much as possible.

Lol at 'exams by any other name' - DD is year 11 and we were laughing the other day at the positive spin of calling them 'additional assessment opportunities'. She did say it's an 'opportunity' she'd have been happy to forego... Apparently her teachers keep calling them exams too then stop and correct themselves- but additional assessment opportunities hardly rolls off the tongue does it!

Yes indeedy with 'exams by another name' - I also have a Year 11 DD and she has 30 assessments in total in 4 weeks, which seems ridiculous. I am very cross with how the 2021 Year 11 and Year 13 cohorts have been treated - huge amount of unnecessary stress.

I haven't been able to bear looking at the Year 11 thread I was on as I've been trying to be in denial about it all. Reading this thread the other day was my way of dealing with reality - exams in Covid times malarkey - albeit with some escapism. DD currently wants to apply to Oxford when the time comes (yay, more future stress!), so it's helpful to read this and get an insight into alternative plans.

I read that a poster's daughter was choosing btw Georgetown and Brown university. Sorry, I can't remember the poster's name. I gave a guest lecture at Georgetown law school the other year and thought it was a great campus, although surprisingly small. I'm not sure if the DD concerned is planning on reading law there but FWIW, my experience was of a great faculty with fantastic lecturers & professors. I have no personal experience of Brown but I'm not surprised the DD concerned is leaning that way; Georgetown is great but I strongly suspect Brown is cooler all round and it's probably what I would have chosen at that age given the choice!

Happy birthday BWJ DD. In years to come she’ll be able to tell future generations about Covid birthdays!

Happy BD mini-BWJ.... what a time for a biggie! We have 'assessment opportunities' here too, and the sooner they are done, the better.

DD is currently on a Q&A with the uni she's off to, so I'm imagining she'll be bursting into the room shortly full of excitement (I hope!)

@Parker231

Happy birthday BWJ DD. In years to come she’ll be able to tell future generations about Covid birthdays!

Yes, it’s just a shame it’s their 18ths ☹️