Another path- the first year ......

[chopc]

Apologies if I didn't tag anyone. Hopefully have inckueded all current posters

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
@Notagardener LSE
@Revengeofthepangolins UCL - History
@raspberryrippleicecream ? -Maths
@derekthe1adyhamster Birmingham- Computer Science
@Vargas -Durham -Geography
@AvocadoPlant Exeter -History

Many of the pupils from dds grammar school went to Birmingham this year. It is a very popular choice.
In fact dd is visiting friends in Birmingham this week.

Birmingham was a very popular choice in DD’s year group. Very easy to get to from here but far enough away to be away . It’s a great city.

My friend's DS studied medicine at Cambridge. When it came to choosing a place to do his foundation years he wanted to be in a city and chose Birmingham. My DS went there once with them and said it's a little like Venice with all the canals?

Dd has been stressed with workload, a group article where she did most of the work and having interviews for placements lately. Had an interview for a GSK placement this morning and got phoned up this evening and offered the place! She was meant to be going to an assessment day for another placement at GSK tomorrow.

Hey @Majaso12 thats great news! Is this a summer placement? How lovely to have something set up already

@AvocadoPlant. No it’s a year placement.

That's amazing! Well done to your DD @Majaso12 !

@Notagardener - any further update about your DD? Is she OK?

Chop, thank you for asking. Still not sure why the break but at the moment still planning to carry on next year but wants to change course slightly. Doing a "double" one, ( it's not called double but can't remember the real name) and finds one not as interesting so wants to try and do more of the other...
Well done to Majaso dd, from what I have heard difficult to find even a summer placement (dc1 applied but didn't get anything)

Well done to your Dd @Majaso12 .. that’s really good news
@Notagardener glad she’s ok and I hope she can tweak the course to what she wants.i know she is working .. Is she managing to keep her hand in with uni too?

Are you somewhat reassured @Notagardener ? She seems to know what she is doing?

Ha, let's hope she knows what she is doing...
Yeah so there are lots of interesting talks at LSE (and other London unis) which she attends, she is in the committee of a student society, that actually links in with her course.
Her work is flexible and she has signed up for a course in Dec which will improve her earning potential ( I have said I will pay for any course vaguely educational).
So definitely feel easier about it

Very glad you feel easier about it @Notagardener .🙂

It feels like a long time since we have seen dd ( Sept) so we are popping up to see her next weekend. V much looking forward to seeing how she’s settled into her flat this year. She seems much happier with her course ( phew!) so that’s a relief. Whoever said that you are only as happy as your unhappiest child was v wise!- it never gets any easier imo

Soo… I know we mentioned it before, but any plans to visit DC and the Christmas markets?
DD sent me a lovely pic of her and a friend at Exeter market on Friday, I’m hoping we might manage a day trip next weekend (depending on other commitments)

@AvocadoPlant Me!

DD went to the Christmas market yesterday with her girl housemates. They bought Christmas decorations and matching pj's for the house, boys included. They are happily organising their uni Christmas day of pj's, pressies and lunch with all the trimmings.

I'm down in Exeter on the 9th for the weekend and I can't wait as although DD facetimes frequently I haven't seen her since start of term.

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav that all sounds wonderful! It’s a long old term not seeing them until December.
We’ve been very fortunate, DD has been home this term for family events. Having her car there has made a huge difference as she can get home in a little over 2 hours (traffic allowing).
However the accommodation plans for next year have fallen through (LL withdrew property) so DD is in a bit of a limbo not knowing where, or who, she’ll be living with next September. Fortunately she is taking it in her stride (so far) and trusting that it will work out ok.

@AvocadoPlant Thank you.

How lovely for your DD to get to and from uni and home so easily. My DD is thinking of taking her car to uni for the last term although she hasn't driven on a motorway yet!

I hope your DD sorts out accommodation soon. This subject is causing me a bit of stress and I've not been able to sleep this week as I just want DD's house sorted for next year. Her current house has got ongoing issues, mould, and the landlord has put up the rent and the other housemates can't afford it.
I'm literally at the point of offering to cover the difference for them to get something half decent. It's so difficult because on one hand I don't want to be an interfering parent , embarrass my DD or her housemates but thanks to the menopause this subject is is constantly on my mind.

@AvocadoPlant @Dobbyismyabsolutefav How lovely that you are both going down for the Xmas market. In the end our diary has become full of other events, plus an emergency repair on our leaking roof! We did see DD during reading week though, so not long until we see her again.

DD and BF are staying in their rental for next year. BF decided against a year abroad, the LL decided not to put the rent up for them, although he had advertised it at a higher rate, and they can keep their house stuff in the flat over the summer free of charge. Yes, the flat has a few issues, it is pretty cold, has some mould (LL aware and always comes and has a look, and is aware they are keeping in clean and ventilated and have a dehumidifier), but interestingly he says all his properties have suffered this year in particular. Even flats that never had damp or mould before, which is interesting. Part of their flat is an extension to the original Edwardian semi, and it is this part that really suffers.

My advice for finding nicer properties is to split into smaller groups. The larger lets are generally not as nice, nor kept in such good condition. The single and doubles DD saw were so much nicer and better kept.

@KnittedCardi It took me a moment to realise who had posted.

I'm glad your DD and her BF are all sorted for next year. Really interesting to hear that quite a few landlords are having issues with mould this year.

My DD is not going to be happy with me as I'm sitting here looking at properties for her house. All I want is a half decent house, in a well lit area so that she gets home safely on a night out plus I'm happy to stump a bit extra. Shouldn't be too hard right?

@KnittedCardi Thanks for the suggestion but my DD is really keen to stick with her housemates. What can I do other than lob in some serious money at securing a house for them. I've been number crunching this afternoon, sigh.

Sorry about the name change - I forgot!! Same theme though 😉 Well spotted.

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav obviously you are more in tune than I am as I can't figure out who @KnittedCardi is 🙈

@chopc BigWoollyJumper from Exeter. Well I hope it is!

Thanks @Dobbyismyabsolutefav