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Higher education

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

Original poster

Oxford / Cambridge - current students support / chat thread

994 replies

DadDadDad · 09/11/2021 07:25

Continuing a thread for anyone who wants to talk about their sons' and daughters' experience being a student in Oxford or Cambridge. (Or nephews, granddaughters, sisters, uncles - or if you or they have now graduated but you want to share your thoughts - all are welcome!)

I have a DS in his second year at Oxford, studying a small humanity in a tiny college.

Over to you...

OP posts:
HewasH2O · 29/12/2021 07:00

JulwsJules my advice is don't encourage her to go to Bicester. We had a hilarious trip before Christmas looking at bargains reduced from £7k to £2k. DD is back looking in Westgate again now.

JulesJules · 29/12/2021 13:23

Thanks HewasH2O it was bad enough in TKMaxx and those dresses were in the hundreds rather than the thousands range.

CinnamonJellyBeans · 29/12/2021 14:05

@JulesJules

Look on the quiz website. DD went to a ball recently and loads of girls has dresses from quiz. They all looked beautiful (and expensive!) She can get a student discount too.

DD has quite a few dresses that we have stashed for balls and the quiz one she has is just as nice as the expensive ones.

Just go to the website, search dresses and add the filter "maxi dress". The quality is very good for the price. If you buy multiple sizes and colours, it's free returns and quick refunds.

JulesJules · 29/12/2021 14:36

Ooh thanks for the tip @CinnamonJellyBeans

KaptainKaveman · 29/12/2021 19:53

JulesJules my dd has purchased a couple of dresses from the Ever Pretty range (available on amazon) and they are really nice. You will have to get them shortened unless she's 7 feet tall, but this is normal for long gowns. We've picked up a couple there for under £50. I also recommend Quiz.

JulesJules · 29/12/2021 21:30

Thanks Kaptain I'll get her to have a look

SandyBayley · 30/12/2021 09:13

It's a much easier for a boy! We did get DS1 a new dress shirt for Christmas though - he's certainly enjoying the balls this year.

Pepermintea · 31/12/2021 15:05

I hope that everyone has had a good Christmas! We have had a lot of non covid illness, but are on the mend though!

DS is finally feeling better and started realising that he should be thinking about summer internships. He is at O doing maths and would like it to be research related. I feel like this might have been asked before, but does anyone have any suggestions as to where he should be looking?

Ironoaks · 01/01/2022 09:47

DS has applied to some physics research placements. I can't advise on maths ones I'm afraid. Would his tutor be able to suggest some?

Happy New Year to you all!

mutterphore · 01/01/2022 10:23

Happy New Year everyone! I hope all our DCs can have as normal as possible term this year, after last year's online-from-home experience for Hilary Term. Mine can't wait to go back and will return next weekend, presuming they're allowed. I seem to miss them more each time they go but am really happy they're enjoying themselves.

I hope everyone's DC had time off to relax over the vacation and good luck for the coming term.

HewasH2O · 01/01/2022 13:24

Mutterphore I really wouldn't worry. DD has been in Oxford over the whole of Christmas and New Year to avoid being in our plague house. Holiday sports activities are all going ahead exactly as planned.

DahliaMacNamara · 01/01/2022 13:42

DD is planning to get back to O as soon as she possibly can. Her friends here have been going into isolation and then getting Covid all over the shop, so what with that and family/Christmas commitments, plus study, there hasn't been much chance for her to spend time with people her own age. I just hope it all holds up as normally as possible. At least she's had the full set of Covid jabs.

mutterphore · 02/01/2022 10:17

@HewasH2O, sorry you haven't had your DD with you over Christmas but that does sound reassuring about the coming term. I can see on the Oxford Uni website that they're going to update about plans for Hilary term on 4th Jan.

Does anyone have any idea about Cambridge Uni plans for this coming term? In the light of what's happening with secondary schools and depressing messages in the news, I really hope O & C allow students to return to all colleges and have some sort of consensus in place this time so that there's not so much disparity between each college.

DS2 (O) has/had been told his college collections will be in person in 0th week but this of course may now be changed.

DS1 and DS2 are blithely assuming that everything will be more or less as normal and are gearing up to return, whilst I'm - as usual - quietly worrying in the background that their student lives will once more be blighted!

HewasH2O · 02/01/2022 20:24

I genuinely think it will be more or less normal. As long as people take a bit of personal responsibility, test regularly and get their vaccines, it should only be those who contract Covid who need to stay indoors again.

HewasH2O · 02/01/2022 20:26

DD went back on Christmas Eve, as soon as DH tested positive. Luckily she has a long lease at her college. I've been so proud of how she "did" Christmas Day & the rest if the holiday by herself.

Original poster
DadDadDad · 05/01/2022 16:40

Just arrived in Oxford, now sitting with a cup of tea in DS's house, having driven him and another student (DS former school friend) - from Cambridge, as it happens. He's got collections this term and has a nice room here to study.

OP posts:
HewasH2O · 05/01/2022 19:01

Enjoy. The surroundings can certainly make studying for collections more pleasant.

Hopefully the students in the PPH in difficulty will have some clarity soon as well.

Ironoaks · 05/01/2022 20:22

DS has heard from the department which runs 2/3 of his courses: they plan to continue as they did last term, so all of his practicals will be f2f, as will his supervisions (unless someone is self-isolating) and half of his lectures.

All he needs to do now is stay Covid-free for the next ten days so he can move back to college.

MiniJellyBeans · 05/01/2022 20:39

DD is due to return to Oxford this coming Sunday. She announced a few days ago that she wants to take her bike (hardly used at home, because we live in a very hilly area) so that she has another option for getting to/from tutorials etc. and hobbies, rather than always having to walk. DH has spent many hours this week sorting out a new helmet, lights, and a means of transporting said bike by car along with all her luggage - today managed to borrow the correct roof bars etc which are compatible with his car - he will buy some of his own in due course (they were out of stock in local shops and not going to be delivered in time). I know Oxford drivers will be used to cyclists, but I'm secretly feeling a bit nervous about her cycling on busy roads...

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/01/2022 20:51

Hoping to take dd back at the weekend, Looking good at the moment, so crossing our fingers that it remains that way. I did a massive session of batch cooking today, so now wondering how on earth to fit it into our freezer., which could cause slight issues at the other end too. No idea what I was thinking!

HewasH2O · 05/01/2022 20:54

I think it's easier cycling in a city like Oxford or Cambridge where there are so many cyclists than in cities like Cardiff or Plymouth. There are so many cycle lanes and the number of bikes on the roads make drivers more bike aware. DD claims she can get from the city centre to Godstowe in 15-20 minutes at 6.30am. Don't forget to spend a fortune on a lock.

BenedictSlumberpatch · 05/01/2022 22:17

Hopefully the students in the PPH in difficulty will have some clarity soon as well.

St Benet's have been approached (so we have been told) by an existing trust connected to Oxford / education (we think) that could provide a financial rescue. As you can tell, bit lacking in detail at the moment!

beeswain · 06/01/2022 10:38

DS (Maths/Oxford) has had his timetable and all his module lectures are face to face in person Smile. Now just got to keep him Covid free for a few more days.....

ofteninaspin · 06/01/2022 11:56

A belated Happy New Year everybody!
Taking DD back to Oxford on Sunday. DD has cycled enthusiastically around Oxford for more than three years on a basic but regularly serviced bike. There have been a few near misses but DD remains undeterred.
DS is back in Cambridge the following week. He too cycles everywhere (on a high spec bike) and loves how flat it is compared with our hilly corner of Hampshire. A decent lock, helmet and lights are crucial in both cities. And warm gloves this time of year!
DS's exams will be online again this year but (thankfully) not 24 hours. If finals at the end of third year are in person, they will be the first "proper" exams DS has sat since A Level mocks.

ofteninaspin · 06/01/2022 12:07

Re dresses, DD buys second hand online from places like Vinted. She has also been known to raid the dance squad's costume cupboard.