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Higher education

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

Original poster

Another path ....... the journey begins

999 replies

chopc · 19/09/2021 22:28

Hello @321zyx @AvocadoPlant @bendmeoverbackwards @BigWoollyJumpers @Braveheart35 @calculatorqueen @ChimneyPot @Dobbyisahouseelf @Eastisup @jano69 @Majaso12 @MidLifeCrisis007 @NCTDN @Notagardener @OnTheBenchOfDoom @Parsonage63 @Pumpkintopf @Peaseblossum22 @quest1on @Peaseblossum22 @SATSmadness @SeasonFinale @Tenpastseven @Vargas @Xenia

Apologies for anyone I omitted to tag

OP posts:
AvocadoPlant · 01/10/2021 21:32

@Pumpkintopf @majoso12 wishing you lots of luck for the drop off tomorrow.

Pumpkintopf · 01/10/2021 23:53

Aww thanks @OnTheBenchOfDoom . I know he's going to love it - he's so ready to go and so up for making new friends, I'll just miss him. Hopefully he will send the odd pic or text - just want to know he's happy, eating, and safe.

Thanks @AvocadoPlant .

Notagardener · 02/10/2021 00:12

You have all paid your congestion charges and ulez charges Smile?

Pumpkintopf · 02/10/2021 07:33

@Notagardener no need for us out at North Acton I think?

Notagardener · 02/10/2021 09:58

yeah, I think it may be included later this month

Original poster
chopc · 02/10/2021 10:58

I don't want to open old wounds - however am intrigued about how any queries about Oxbridge in mumsnet lead to a bun fight 🤔

OP posts:
BigWoollyJumpers · 02/10/2021 11:14

@chopc

I don't want to open old wounds - however am intrigued about how any queries about Oxbridge in mumsnet lead to a bun fight 🤔
Have you been lurking on the Oxbridge 2022 thread? Quite a few on there think we were bonkers, and have taken a dislike to our thread titles..... oh well. I think we did have a couple of disagreements about private v. state, and a couple of other random issues, some brought about by certain regular Oxbridge posters, not necessarily those applying that year, but I think in general we have been a pretty supportive lot, and have come through pretty well by MN standards Grin.

I like this thread Smile.

Original poster
chopc · 02/10/2021 11:37

@BigWoollyJumpers really? No generally when Oxbridge comes up as a title I immediately hide it as can't handle the angst. However the tread I am referring to is "DD being discouraged from applying to Cambridge "

I didn't realise people didn't like our thread titles .... but then again, it's not for them is it? I believe the people left in the thread likes it and are very supportive of each other and cheers each others DC on .... so ill wishers can do one

OP posts:
Chilldonaldchill · 02/10/2021 11:44

I'm only a lurker on here as DD didn't get redirected but I also thought it was a supportive thread in general throughout.... And people were generous even in disappointment which was kind.

Original poster
chopc · 02/10/2021 12:36

You guys still driving @Majaso12 and @Pumpkintopf ?

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 02/10/2021 14:10

I think it was the reference to "greatness" that was being frowned upon rather than mention of redirection or another path.

Original poster
chopc · 02/10/2021 14:38

Anyway my comment was more than in any thread where Oxbridge is mentioned, there seems to be erm .... very strong opinions and exchange of words between posters. I was just wondering why that was

OP posts:
Pumpkintopf · 02/10/2021 15:24

I didn't realise people didn't like our thread titles .... but then again, it's not for them is it? I believe the people left in the thread likes it and are very supportive of each other and cheers each others DC on .... so ill wishers can do one

Bloody right @chopc , love your style.

Well, we're all dropped off and DH and I are heading home. We were both allowed in in the end, and parking etc was more relaxed than advertised- we were there just under an hour, which was him registering then loading all his stuff into one of those metal cage things, waiting for a lift (!) then unloading. I made his bed up and organised a bit of unpacking which meant we were able to bring a few bags back with us as the room is lovely but one of those that have obviously been designed to use every inch of space with no extra room! Plenty of storage though and four fridges in their kitchen which I was very impressed with Grin. Everything very shiny and new.

DD at home sending me pics of DDOG and her - they've been out for a walk in the rain and are now snuggled in front of the woodburner. I cannot wait to get home - picking up domino's en route (unusual for DH per discussion upthread on pizza ovens) - pizza in front of the fire with a cheering up film is what I think I need tonight (any suggestions?) and I will bear in mind the advice on here to avoid DS's room for a bit.

Had a few tears when I actually had to leave him but I don't think he saw, and he was very happy to be left, looking forward to meeting his flat mates and the halls had lots of events planned for them so all good!

Stillcrikey · 02/10/2021 16:03

Glad the drop offs seem to be going / have gone well.

I too avoid the oxbridge threads but that’s mainly cos I have nothing to contribute. And I love our thread titles.
I’ve not posted that much recently but this place as (odd bump excepted) been such a supportive space.

olliepolly · 02/10/2021 16:30

I too avoid the oxbridge threads. Titles of this thread fab and suit the mood/contributors. I have found you all supportive and this is mumsnet at its best.

AvocadoPlant · 02/10/2021 16:39

Great to hear the drop offs are going smoothly. It is emotional and pizza and a film sounds a great idea @Pumpkintopf. Re movie suggestions, I’m looking at Dream Horse with Damien Lewis for later in the week. Recently we watched The Holiday (Cameron Diaz), and rewatched Pride, and Legally Blonde. All feel good movies!

AvocadoPlant · 02/10/2021 16:44

@chopc can’t believe posters have nothing better to do than be negative about a thread that doesn’t even concern them!
I joined this group late, was not an Oxbridge redirection, and have found it incredibly welcoming and friendly.

Reminds me of when you take your PFB to toddler group for the first time and you see all these older children behaving dreadfully (aka typical toddler) and you feel so smug because you know your child will never be like that.
Fast forward 6 months and you realise just how mistaken you were Grin

Pumpkintopf · 02/10/2021 16:59

@olliepolly totally agree!

@AvocadoPlant some fab suggestions, thank you

Majaso12 · 02/10/2021 17:05

We’ve dropped Dd off and are on way back home. It was very well organised and there was no rush, so we helped her put things away and made her bed. Looks like her kitchen is shared with 9 of them, with 3 fridges and 3 freezers I think. Wasn’t enough room really for all her saucepans, cutlery etc so had to store her wok and frying pans and a few other things in her room. She was then meeting up with others so said we needed to go!

Pumpkintopf · 02/10/2021 17:07

Brilliant @Majaso12 glad all went well. Hope you have a good journey home.

BigWoollyJumpers · 02/10/2021 17:17

@Pumpkintopf - Hugs from us, and pizza and a film sound perfect. The weather certainly dictates a night in front of the wire/TV.

Anything Richard Curtis always a winner here.

I have been powering through Downton on Netflix these last few weeks, yes, it has it's weepy moments, but also great writing, and I still think one of the best two characters ever written are Cousin Violet (Maggie Smith) and her sparring partner Cousin Isobel (Penelope Wilton).

jano69 · 02/10/2021 17:28

Sending hugs to @Pumpkintopf and @Majaso12 too following the Imperial drop off!

Very lovely of you @Chilldonaldchill to write some nice balanced stuff about us on the Oxbridge 22 Aspirants thread. I hope you're DD is settling into Cambridge. Well done to her!

I had a little look at the thread we were being discussed on and I'm more than happy to be on the Another Path thread for bonkers and nutters. The Oxbridge application process is seriously underestimated year in year out until personally experienced. I'm sure many on the Oxbridge 22 thread will go a little bit bonkers and nuts come January and may be a little more understanding. I believe only one of us this year got an offer at Cambridge but didn't actually start. That's the hardest place to be.....

So Majaso12 was the final drop off I believe... we are all done!

Sounds like Bristol freshers week was a blast! Pretty certain Durham freshers week has exceeded expectations too.

Im still waiting to actually speak to DD. So far it's been fleeting messages and photos.

Tenpastseven · 02/10/2021 17:43

…scuttles off to look at Oxbridge Aspirants thread…

Original poster
chopc · 02/10/2021 18:08

What have I started 🧐🥺🤷🏽‍♀️?

I was talking on the back of "DD being discouraged from applying to Cambridge" thread 🤦🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 02/10/2021 18:56

I don’t know , a bit of a risky option but I think the higher up the academic chain you go the more the universities expect you to self start and give the impression that admin is rather below them. Maybe Oxbridge with the full on college system does more hand holding . But I have certainly noticed that the newer universities ,perhaps as a legacy of their polytechnic or HE College background, are much better at admin support than say Durham or Edinburgh.

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