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Higher education

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

Original poster

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

999 replies

DadDadDad · 04/06/2021 18:04

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.

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/10/2021 17:39

For anyone going up to C. Toddington services had fuel. Limited to £45 and only their mega expensive diesel for diesel options.

Unescorted · 02/10/2021 20:31

Fuel was in short supply on the M1 on the way down

Goodbye - today I met one of DD's mates today who had sushi induced food poisoning. All the others vouched for their sobriety / lack of hangover cause. Tonight they are all going out for pizza and cocktails.

It was so gridlocked in Oxf today it took over an hour to travel less than a mile.

goodbyestranger · 02/10/2021 21:19

Yes I have a WhatsApp pic of a fine pizza Unescorted. I hope the mate helped lug a box or two :) And that you are back up in Manchester safely away from southernly forecourt punch ups.

Sunndowne · 02/10/2021 21:36

I love squirrels. but wouldn't want one in my bedroom. Too close for comfort that one in the piccy!!Grin

My DD has had ups and downs this week back! Up, tuttold her that her YA project was perfect!!! Who hoo. She's had her struggles along the way so real achievement! Down, a sarky porter intimidated DD at 12.15 at night when she was all alone and wanted her to do a dark one way system by herself!! Hmmm. Tutor was very supportive. The colleges need to wake up to young females current feelings of vulnerability. Sad but true fact! Porter would not have intended this but she had nightmare afterwards.!!

Sunndowne · 02/10/2021 21:39

*tutor told her

  • whoo hoo!
OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/10/2021 09:03

I realise I was unclear. Fuel was heading southbound. But today it may well be different. Confused

A perfect project is great Sunndowne. Grin
I wonder if porters have had, or need, some additional training in light of current affairs.

Unescorted · 03/10/2021 10:03

Goodbye I wonder if your DD and Dd's friend is one and the same. Is yours staying in the college annex? If so she is an absolute love.

OYBBK - weirdly it was a south bound thing for me too. I could have been a little less observant on the way home.

The only bother DD has had is from a fellow student. I am not sure what the porters could do given he has access to the college grounds. He has given her a wide berth after she did her best Peaky Blinders / Inner City Northern City schtick if he ever touched her again. She can be quite convincing, but it shouldn't be necessary.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/10/2021 10:33

I think the situation changes so rapidly with fuel availability that it may well have not been available when you went past Unescorted.

goodbyestranger · 03/10/2021 10:50

It's possible that more than one friend of your DD was struck down by the same rice Unescorted, as several have been back all week, and so the absolute love might not be my own DD. But yes, our DDs are living in the same place and are clearly friends.

Let's hope the pest doesn't keep up the pestering.

Ironoaks · 03/10/2021 18:42

DS had his matriculation photo today; better late than never!

beeswain · 04/10/2021 17:38

Dropped ds this morning, early to avoid the bike race in Oxford. He was quite nervous but was pleased with his room which although smaller than last year was definitely an improvement - it had both wardrobe and en- suite! (Some might remember that first years at his college have rooms with either sink or wardrobe, not both).
I made a fairly quick exit (no unpacking on request) but as I was driving off I did see a couple of boys greet him and stop to chat so hopefully the next few days before term starts he will settle.

hobbema · 04/10/2021 17:48

Ah, DD told me earlier there was great excitement watching the Freshers going to matriculate at her college. All still done in the formal/ traditional way but this year I think a proper picture rather than the photo-shopped one of hers ( very good though it was)

Original poster
DadDadDad · 04/10/2021 19:00

Yes, looks like matriculation photos are happening this year - here's the example, I saw twitter.com/JesusCollegeCam/status/1445032804635512834

(They used to take this in First Court, but I guess The Horse gets in the way these days).

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mutterphore · 04/10/2021 20:39

DS1 (C) has had a Matric. photo done at long, long last, a whole year late but photoshopped from smaller groups. No possibility of an individual one either, which DS2 had done last year along with his whole college Matric. one.

First ever Formal Hall for a belated Matric. dinner for DS1 too! DS2 has been to several Formal Hall's last year and has lots lined up this year too. Still such a contrast between O and C for my two but C is catching up a bit - or rather, the college, as I know other colleges have allowed very different experiences.

Beeswain, I'm so glad you saw your DS being greeted by other students when you dropped him off. I hope he has a really great term and settles in very well.

DS2 and DS1 have each had a really good time so far this term, in all ways and it's very heartening to hear about their first few days back - always just via emails - although they've said this year they might just be open to a visit at some point. Wouldn't let me near last year.

Unescorted, I'm so sorry to hear about your DDs unwanted harassment. You'd think that all males would be extra extra cautious, appropriate and non-invasive, given the recent happenings. Where are their brains? I hope she can mention it to her tutor or the JCR welfare rep. Well done to her for asserting herself.

hobbema · 04/10/2021 20:51

Dad , as you know my DH was also at your college and I’m pretty sure his matriculation photo is in First Court. If you look carefully, three second years are in an upstairs window , like naughty ghosts. I think they were part of the same crowd that knocked on the Fresher’s doors on their first morning offering them tea or coffee dressed in black tie. DH and DD by dint of alphabet are both bang in the middle of their photos at their respective colleges, which I find stupidly touching.

goodbyestranger · 04/10/2021 21:18

In the process of moving house I came across several of those whole college matriculation photos which had been planted in cupboards and forgotten about. What a difference to the graduation photos of three years later. Equally lovely.... but what transformations.

hobbema · 04/10/2021 21:29

Ah yes, the girl’s hairstyles are a joy to compare !! Though this was the 80s… Hope the move went well and you are happily nesting in your new life goodbye.

goodbyestranger · 04/10/2021 21:37

I'm nesting very, very slowly but methodically hobbema, and thank you.

But no, I meant the difference in my own kids between the relative ingenues at freshers' and how they were by graduation. Some blame has to be apportioned to the ravages of freshers' week of course.

Original poster
DadDadDad · 04/10/2021 22:01

@hobbema - no cheeky faces at the window that I can see in my freshers' photo (1988) - what year was your DH?

The alphabet put me back row for that photo, and front row three years later when they reversed it for graduation (so they we could file out to the Senate House in the right order).

OP posts:
hobbema · 04/10/2021 22:14
  1. Peak New Romantics and blue eye shadow for the women by 85. The men look no different really.The best thing about the interlopers is it’s subtle.. you really wouldn’t notice unless it’s pointed out!
hobbema · 07/10/2021 18:17

DD had her first in person lecture today! Thrilled by the novelty and a good lecturer. Hit and miss on the masks apparently

Malbecfan · 07/10/2021 21:08

Just FaceTimed DD. She did her first lab demo today and will be supervising students from 2 colleges from Monday, her own college and one further out. Apparently 1st year PhD students make "the best" 1st year supervision tutors. I'm taking her word for it.

She gets 8 weeks' holiday so is wondering when to come home for Christmas. Much depends on where her sister is as it is a reasonable trip to collect one DD after the other. It's only the 1st week of October - aaargh!

Ironoaks · 07/10/2021 21:40

DS's lectures start tomorrow: two thirds of them will be in person. No Saturday morning lectures this year so he can have a lie in if he wants.

mutterphore · 14/10/2021 16:45

Just wondering how everyone's DCs are getting on so far this term? Mine are really enjoying a much more normal experience with face to face supervisions/ tutorials/ seminars/ lectures and various societies also face to face. I'm so pleased for them and I think having been without so much last year, they're really appreciating it to the full this term.

@Beeswain, I hope your DS has settled back at college and is making some new connections.

@Goodbyestranger, I wonder how your DD is managing with her smaller room and getting used to a Tardis-like existence?

@Ironoaks, I hope your DS is enjoying a bit of a lie in on Saturdays and the novelty of at least some in-person lectures.

And all those who recently joined this thread, I hope your DCs are getting over any first week nerves as Freshers and beginning to enjoy themselves.

Original poster
DadDadDad · 14/10/2021 17:54

Good to hear, @mutterphore - it will interesting to see if your two will have the same level of contrast in their experiences that they had last year.

I've not heard much about the academic side this term, but DS seems to have enjoyed Freshers' Week, making friends and even having a meal at his house for those in his college studying his subject (and its combinations) - small subject, small college (although I think they still run out of cutlery Grin ).

He phoned this morning with good news and bad news: bad news was that he's got the nasty cold / possible flu that seems to be going round Oxford; good news he's signed up for a class which is for another ancient language - I think this is his fourth language, but it will enable him to read texts relevant to his subject.

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