Another path - now we have a map

[chopc]

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Natural Sciences
@Majaso12 -Imperial - don't know subject
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial/Cambridge -Natural Sciences
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - ? Subject
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -also modern languages?
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry?
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History

Don’t think I’m too worried, but maybe I should get admin to do that, not sure. Hope her instructor wouldn’t read the posts, but doubt it!

Dh thinks she should stop lessons with her instructor now and not do the test in his car. Just don’t know what to do for the best. We’ve taken her so many times to practice at that test centre and the thought of getting her to start practicing somewhere else worries me. If a test comes up before uni though, she may as well give it a go.

Ah sorry Majoso didn't mean to ask for too much identifying info! As chopc says, mumsnet should be able to delete for you.

Pumpkintopf Don’t worry you didn’t ask, it was my fault for giving the details. Would you get admin to delete if it was you?

chopc Has your ds taken his test yet or does he have his booked? Hope you don’t mind me asking.

@Majaso12 my DS passed second time in June. Luckily he only had to wait 2 weeks for a new date thanks to Testi . He was also a good driver and I was shocked when he failed the first time. However mistakes do happen

Not sure I can say my dd is a good driver anymore, I’ve lost confidence in her being able to pass! I wouldn’t be worried if she wasn’t going to uni and moving away but it now makes it so difficult. She’s worried and so am I that she’ll end up having to retake her theory because it will expire, but she has until October 2022.

Would you get her a lesson or two with a different instructor? Maybe he is the problem.

Majoso I would if you've said stuff on here you wouldn't want people IRL tracing back to you.

That could be a really good idea chimney - and maybe would facilitate the nearer test centre although I know from my experience with DS getting a driver instructor is not easy...

DS has another driving lesson tomorrow. Apparently they are doing a mock test. I have no idea how he's progressing as although I've taken him out driving a few times now it's been straightforward driving along a road, no manoeuvres or whatever. His instructor is very experienced so hopefully he'll have some idea.

He seems more receptive to the Acton accommodation now. I have shared all your positives. His mate from school is still waiting for his offer - not to be mean but it would make it easier if he got Acton too . The other friend DS has been speaking to online got Southside. Maybe that'll be a floor for him to crash on if he's stuck in south Ken?!
Looked up and an Uber between Beit and Kemp Porter is only about £13 and the tubes seem pretty frequent. Have to credit DH for a lot here - he's done a sterling job of selling the benefits. (Still wish we'd got what we asked for though!)

Best of luck to those hoping to pass their driving tests before heading off, and sorry that some are struggling to pass the test. I remember it being incredibly stressful (took me 3 attempts)
Ironically I ended up taking my test in a town I hadn’t driven in before (late cancellation) and I think that not knowing where I was, meant that I focussed just on driving safely. And finally passed

So…..
Multi choice question:

How sensible is it take 8, yes 8, coats/jackets to university?

Answers:
A. DD that’s far too many you numpty!
B. If you take all of these there will be no room left in the wardrobe to hang actual clothes to wear under the coats
C. How do you even have 8 coats????

I think it’s going to be a long day…..

@AvocadoPlant if she is going somewhere cold remember she will be covered up when not at home. So can understand if she has 8 coats why she would want to take all even if that means less indoor clothes

@chopc nope, not going anywhere particularly cold, she’ll be in Exeter.
And surely better to layer up when it’s cold?

Pumpkintopf Good luck with your ds’ driving mock test. Hopefully his mate from school will also get North Acton as well.

I’ve now got a date for dd on a Friday afternoon in November at a test centre closer she’s never driven before, just on the off chance she’s got no lectures on a Friday which is going to be very unlikely. She would need to get home Thursday night preferably. Will keep trying to get one before she goes to uni from 22nd. So probably need to now start driving there. It’s stressing me out so much!

I think 8 is a little excessive!

@AvocadoPlant
Can I go for a lot more sensible than my DD who did not bring any coat or jacket!
It was 33 degrees when we arrived but there will be snow before she comes home but she did not bring so much as a rain jacket. She did bring 8 strappy white crop tops though.

I bought her a light rain jacket there and she will have to buy a winter coat later.

To be fair she has mostly worn either her light or winter weight school jackets for the last 6 years do maybe she needed some new ones.

My ds went to Exeter and took 1 coat and don’t think he ever wore it. My kids would rather be cold it seems than wear a coat! Dd will occasionally wear one.

Ha ha @AvocadoPlant yes, I'd go with a) b) and c) 😂 made me laugh. When's she heading off?

Also 😁 at your DD not taking ANY @ChimneyPot - though as you say, maybe she needed a new one.

@Majaso12 that's brilliant news, fingers crossed she can get home - or that you get an earlier date. Will you try for a different instructor or just drive with her yourself? One option if you wanted to chuck even MORE money at the problem, would be these intensive driving courses that promise you a test booking at the end? Not cheap though! It is stressful, I feel your pain. As you say it's just the time deadline that's looming, otherwise it wouldn't matter so much. They've had to do all this in such a truncated timeframe given all the lockdowns and restrictions, it's been really tough. Avocado's story was a good motivational one though!

@AvocadoPlant We're busily packing too! We were doing really well until DD realised she had forgotten hangers and lever arch files....getting there though.

DD is not taking any winter stuff yet. No big coats or jumpers etc until after Xmas. She is taking a raincoat, (umbrella), leather jacket and denim jacket, oh and a sports type shower jacket thing from school. Also taking a mix of late summer/ Autumn layer type stuff.

Is your DD taking anything smart? DD has packed a ball type dress and Xmas party dress, but I'm not sure she will either at Exeter. Defo needed several for Oxford.......

@Majaso12 Sorry to hear about DD's tests. Tbh I would suggest she leaves it now until Xmas. Have some breathing space. She can obviously drive, and you don't forget. I think stepping back, booking a test for Xmas, and having a break to think about other things might help.

I think if we can’t get her a test the week before she goes to uni, then Christmas will be better but that’s if one comes up. A couple came up during the 2 weeks of freshers, but she doesn’t want to come back that quick during those 2 weeks. At this different test centre, we’d have to take her as her instructor won’t do that. Been thinking about having a couple of lessons with a new instructor but she’s not keen and gets upset by it all.

So I’ve managed to reason with her and compromised on 5. 😂

@Pumpkintopf - DD leaves on Sunday, and we’ve just finished putting everything into boxes/bags. There is no way it will all fit in the car, so tomorrow we will need to re-pack!

@BigWoollyJumpers hoping all is going well on the packing front, DD isn’t taking anything too formal, not sure if they have a freshers ball but can’t see they would need formal wear otherwise. At least not before Reading Week. If she does then I will have to post one of her formal dresses down to her.

@Majaso12 I agree that waiting until Christmas might be less stressful. But also appreciate there would be a huge relief and sense of achievement to pass before going away if possible.

Dd has said today what happens is, in the last 5 mins of the test she tells herself it’s gone well so far and I can’t go wrong now so her her foot starts shaking which makes her then go wrong. That’s happened the last 2 times now and she doesn’t know how to stop herself.

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Computer science
@Majaso12 -Imperial - Biochemistry
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial -Physics
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - Open
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -modern languages
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History
@quest1on - gap year
@Maggiethecat gap year then Bristol- English
@Notagardener LSE
@olliepolly -Edinburgh- Physics
@321zyx -Durham-History
@Dobbyisahouseelf -Exeter-Geog
@Revengeofthepangolins UCL - History
@Eastisup UCL -History
@Peaseblossum22 Durham -English
@raspberryrippleicecream ? -Maths
@derekthe1adyhamster Birmingham- Computer Science
@loofah2 UCL ? Subject
@rosyposybluebell - Edinburgh- Archaeology
@calculatorqueen -Exeter- Economics
@Engley LSE ? Subject
@mangoguava -Durham- Law
@Jng1 Exeter - Drama/Film TV
@Vargas -Durham -Geography
@AvocadoPlant Exeter -History

Reposted as I had forgotten where some people are going

@Majaso12 a break from driving and tests will be good. She is bound to overthink things now