Cambridge and Oxford - ongoing chat for those with a student currently studying there

[DadDadDad]

Some of us have found these threads helpful, so I'm starting a new one to take us through

...end-of-year exams (and parties)

...homecoming for the vacation (and hibernation aestivation for this thread?)

...return in the autumn (and more normal college life?)

Posters old and new welcome to join the discussion. Any tips for finding a summer job?

Oh, and for reference, I have a DS just completing his first year in a small humanity in a tiny college.

That's so frustrating when it happens Errol! That is good to know though. I'll pass it on. It's good to know she isn't too late in the day.

Thanks Malbec.

For the benefit of others in the future, I will post part of what I have sent to @OhYouBadBadKitten.

My DD recommended teaming up with Medics or Vets who are on longer courses who might welcome a housemate. She also suggested PGCE students who are often not accommodated by their colleges. PGCE people tend to be out during the day, meaning the house is quiet, and they have a lot to get through during that year, including long school placements, so it's unlikely that they will be partying all night. She also suggested that OYBBK's DD contact the MCR to see if anyone else is up for sharing.

DS just heard that's he passed his prelims - solid 2.1.

His director of studies phoned to congratulate him (small college, small subject, personal touch), and had to call our landline as she had the wrong mobile number, so I had a brief chat with her. Of course, I avoided the temptation to revert to parents' evening mode and start asking about his progress, what he needs to work on, blah blah

@DadDadDad well done to him for the results, and to you for resisting the temptation to ask for a progress report!

Thanks, @Ironoaks. I'm assuming if I did ask about his results, she would rightly tell me that I'd have to ask DS to share them if he wished. (Which he was quite happy to do later).

Well done to your ds Dad, I think the Maths students are the last now. Results tomorrow. Exams seem ages ago but only 4 week ago!

Well done to all the prelim passes. Hua you are right it seems ages ago. DD had her results before yours all started their exams so I didn't want to shout it out - just shy of a 1st. She is kicking herself for being a party girl.

As a gift she brought covid home

DD has had the loveliest emails from her tutors after her Covid exams fiasco. Luckily she was not as generous as Unescorted's DD and left it in Oxford. I'm slightly twitchy today as she is at a big College get together in London after having her jab at the Science Museum this morning. So tempting to WhatsApp Jonathon Van Tam's advice about socialising in sheds.

No prelims marks yet for D1, she doesn't know when they'll be out. Tutors were very vague, she says!

Her little trip to stay with friends for a few days turned into two weeks as they all went down with covid, one by one. She had to rearrange trains twice and finally made it home, still feeling a bit rough - only to be pinged to isolate again. Her rearranged covid jab is the day after she comes out of iso and she'll probably have to get her second jab in Oxford.

No Prelims. mark for DS2 (O) either yet and he also doesn't know when to expect them.

Well done to your DS Dad and to your DD too Unescorted. Great achievements after such a difficult and challenging year for all our young DCs.

Hoghgyni, I'm really pleased to hear that your DDs' tutors have been so lovely. They're a very mixed bag and DS1 (C) had nothing individually from his DOS about his exam results, just a generic, bland email to the whole cohort. No end of term meeting either. No get-together for the cohort and no end of term catch-up with his pastoral tutor.

mutterphore at the risk of offending your no doubt very clued up DS, he does know he has to log in to find out results doesn't he? It's getting late for History results - but then odd year etc. Apologies if offence taken/ none intended. Just that it's the sort of thing my DD2 (also History) did regularly when in Oxford, but to be fair she was/ is quite a fairy.

Well done on all results. DD4 was very glad that her subject had no exams this term, in the heat.

Well done to your dc Unescorted and Dad!

Sorry about all the covid though.

Well done on all the results.

Sorry to hear covid is coming home.
I sort of dread it with youngens myself. DD is now studying for her YA project and going today for close friend's graduation in C. DH is driving her to avoid covid on train. Celebrations all outside!

Goodbyestranger, thanks for the heads up. Yes, he does know he needs to log in and is doing so but only every so often. I expect the results will be out very soon now though.

Well done to @DadDadDad and @Unescorted's DC. I love that Dad's DS's tutor has phoned. My DD has received a hand-written postcard after her Parts 1, 2 & 3 from the Master of her college after she got a first in each, which was sent to our family home so we could all see it. Hopefully all the remaining exam results will be out soon.

Not much to report from the Malbec household. DD1 is 22 today and celebrating by working from 8-4 rather than 9-5. I bought a vegan pizza for her and my boss gave me some pink Prosecco as a "thank you for your hard work in a rubbish year" gift so that's in the fridge. DD2 is glued to the Olympic opening ceremony but at least it means she can practise her Japanese. I hope they get on with it quickly as I need her help with cutting the lawn before the promised deluge arrives later!

Having been unsuccessful in his applications for summer placements, DS has signed up for a free summer lecture programme which starts tomorrow.

One of the university societies he belongs to is continuing to meet virtually over the summer which is good.

Happy Birthday to DD1 Malbec!

Ironoaks I hope he enjoys the lecture series. Good to have somethings to keep them occupied.

Lots of news to catch up with on here! Congratulations to those with prelim results and I hope those still waiting will hear very soon.

DD1 (O) is briefly home after a hectic schedule of camping/climbing in Wales, the Peaks and Dartmoor and is back to Oxford tomorrow. She was fortunate to get her second Covid jab on her travels and is now gleefully firming up plans for two weeks in Cyprus after she finishes her data collection.

DS (C) is pleased with his first year exam results (his tutor also called him on the day results came out) and has now confirmed his options for next year. His college "household" have booked an airbnb in London for a few days next week and then DS will have a solid six weeks of tennis coaching to earn some money.

DS now has his results and managed a First in all papers . I was allowed to be proud for about 5 mins. I'm very pleased, he works so hard, sometimes to the exclusion of anything else so it's very important to him.

HuaShan, congratulations to your DS. He's done very well and you must be very proud of him.

Often, well done to your DS (C) also and good to hear that your DD1 has been having an exciting and busy time.

Great to get all this good news about our DCs.

Great news @HuaShan and @ofteninaspin! @Ironoaks I hope DS enjoys the lectures.

The aforementioned Master of DD1's college has sent her a birthday message on FB. She is very happy, now Skyping her bf. As thunderstorms are predicted here overnight, I am about to log off and unplug everything computer-y. A few years ago there was a lightning strike in the field opposite which took out 2 PCs and routers (DH's and our neighbours). Mine and my dad's were fine. I've ridden my luck once, so at the first sign of trouble, it's all turned off. Have a good evening everyone

Well done to everyone's DC on these amazing results. Hua Shan you must be so proud. I'm really happy to hear how well your son has done.

Well done to your DS, @HuaShan - as a former mathmo, I salute his achievement!

Big congratulations to everyone on all the good results after a tough year. DS, being a mathmo, also got his prelim results today and also got a first in all papers. He was particularly pleased that he got his best score in his favourite subject!

@Ironoaks I hope your DS enjoys the lectures!

Great stuff Huashan, Often and Pepermintea. Well done to all your dc :)

dd seems to have sorted out her accommodation hiccup, staying out of college if it all works out. Bit more freedom :)