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.

@femina I am pretty miserable reading this - though nothing like as miserable as your son - that's my old college. It's a dismal response he has received. It may do no good at all, but would you mind if I dropped them an email? I'm always being asked to donate to college funds, so they may react a bit. But if you think it would make matters worse, I won't.

I can only think that pressure from alum could help, Hawthorne so I’m sure the current students would be very grateful for your intervention.

Let me know if you want more details of what has happened and I can show you the emails or put you in touch with a current undergrad.

Oh my goodness @Malbecfan well done to your DD (and you!). A bottle of very good champagne is in order I'd say. You must be so thrilled.
Please do stick around, it's lovely to have you here.

That's brilliant Malbec! Well done indeed to your dd!!! Please do stay around :)

Malbecfan, massive congratulations to your hard-working DD! You must be very proud of her! What a great achievement. I hope she can start celebrating. Please do stick around on this thread and I'd also love it if the 'old-timers' with DCs doing Masters/ doctorates etc also stay on here and share their wisdom, experiences and just their friendly contributions.

Femina, I'm so sorry to hear about your DS's experience at his college. Not good enough! I have no connections with that college but wish you and him all the best in a better resolution and justice.

DS2 (O) had his first 3 hour Prelim. today and seems to have survived. He went straight off the the library afterwards to revise for the second one - typical! DS1 (C) is as usual working to the wire on his essays portfolio due in by tomorrow morning. He tends to get very perfectionistic so I hope he doesn't finish too late to allow for any technical issues with submission.

Just seen her news Malbecfan: hurray! Very well done indeed but I don't think that fabulous result was ever in doubt. Agree with big nice bottle to celebrate :)

@malbecfan I am so sorry, I missed your fabulous news! Champagne definitely in order!!

Also to say that @feimina has been in touch and I definitely want to follow this up. I get regular glossy brochures in the post encouraging me to donate to this campaign or the other and then see this is how the student body is actually being treated. It's not on.

@Malbecfan 🥂🍾 - so pleased

@feimina - I think the word is out in n what Trinity have been up to as I saw it on WIWIKAU. Only a matter of time before a journalist picks it up...

I thought DS1 was now free but it turns out he's doing 'catch up' labs. I don't feel too sorry for him as the Oxford labs were the thing which most excited him at the Open Day. Nice he's spending time in them this year.

Oh @Malbecfan that's brilliant news! Well done to your DD!

@feimina That's awful, I'm so sorry for your poor DS, and honestly shocked that the students would stoop so low and then the college not sort it out. I hope it works out.

Had a lovely long chat to D1 this morning, she seems quite chirpy despite having three days of exams, starting tomorrow and finishing on Friday with an 8 hour one, ugh.

Brilliant news and congratulations to your DD @malbecfan !

Congratulations @Malbecfan. That is a truly spectacular set of results. You must be so pleased. DD is delighted that she too got a first in the 4th year materials exams. She didn’t feel that it had gone that well and so was very shocked but nice shocked! Apparently the materials folks finished exams early and so have been out for an occasional drink together which has been lovely. She says that Cambridge is a wonderful place to be now that the exams are over. She didn’t think that beforehand!! I feel quite sad that it is all over. But she didn’t intend to be there for a fourth year, so I suppose it has been a bonus that she has managed to spend at least some of the last year in such a special place. It seems no time at all since I drove her home crying after her interview….

Thank you so much everyone. @feimina best of luck and @HawthornLantern that's really nice of you to help out.

Because this is a nice supportive place and I have not yet had a drop of alcohol, I want to point out a couple of things. DD was entirely state-educated - as a teacher, I had no option. Her secondary school was/is an outstanding school but she was not coached in any way to get into C. Everything she has done has been as a result of her own efforts. She didn't spend every night working at her school stuff; she plays 2 instruments to grade 8+ standard and has a grade 8 in ballet and something good in tap so there was a fair amount of music and dance in the mix. She also played badminton at school. Just like most of your DC, she is quite ordinary, outspoken because she has northern roots and is my DD, and can be incredibly dozy at times - her geography is completely useless. All the threads on here banging on about tutors, things to fill personal statements and endless coaching were not our experience.

Why have I typed it? Because all our DC are brilliant to have got where they are. They all deserve enormous credit to have battled through this last year or so. Don't let the moaners or detractors put anyone off and for those with younger DC, let them fly, give them their chance. DH and I are sad that when we were at school, we never had the opportunity our DDs have had to at least try for Oxbridge.

Right that's enough twaddle from me. Off to get wasted

@chitchattery that's brilliant news. Unless your DD is in my DD's college, that's at least 3 Materials Firsts. Enjoy your celebrations and congratulations to her.

@Malbecfan congratulations to your DD!

@Malbecfan and @chitchattery enormous congrats to your DDs and to you, too. What a feeling!

I’ve just spoken to DS who had his last exam this afternoon and seems… merry. He’s survived, and there is some jollity occurring — all good.

Well done those Materials girls!

I’ve just spoken to DS who had his last exam this afternoon and seems… merry. He’s survived, and there is some jollity occurring — all good.

Good! The Cambridge engineering exams tend to the brutal end of the scale, in my secondhand experience, even for those who've not had a tough start.

@chitchattery - very well done to your DD!

@pantjog - that's good to hear, he can relax now

Thanks all! She is very happy. @Malbecfan - that’s weird. There are two materials firsts at DDs college as well…. it couldn’t be the same one could it?! Although, I don’t think DDs college friend is planning on a PhD which I think your DD is if I remember from upthread.

20 and 21s can book their vaccines now in Cambridge.

Well done to your dd ChitChattery That's brilliant too.

Perhaps we should all join in the celebrations! I'd be happy to have a wee tipple on behalf of the happy dc.

All of this good news has brought a smile to my face. Quite happy to have a glass of something lovely to celebrate with you.

ah to hell with it. I'm getting a wee dram too.

Cheers!