University 2019/20 intake: Gearing up to graduation (for some but not all)

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread

Just catching up on this thread. I can't believe that it is all over for so many - and should have been for us. I am gently reminding DS to apply for next year's student finance so that he can actually finish his degree but won't be surprised in the slightest if he doesn't complete, though I will be disappointed. I have only recently found out that he has had all of this year's loan payments, despite deferring. It is obviously down to the uni not having informed SFE, but as he needed the money to pay his rent he kept quiet about it.

When I graduated I already had a job lined up through the Milk Round, as did many of my cohort. More recent graduates seem not to be in this position at all. Most of DD's cohort who finished last year are still in non graduate jobs, and a neighbour's DC were 3-4 years out before they found their feet. Is this so common now? I put part of it down to DC being less willing to move for work. In the 80s that was the norm.

Yes I can't believe how fast the 3 years have gone. Near enough 2 of them spent not actually attending university for Ds1. I have Ds2 in year 13 so he's preparing to go off to university this year. Ds1 will probably come home. So one out and one back in. Ds3 is only year 8 so it'll be a long time before he goes to university. I'd like to hope the older 2 will have moved on by then..but who knows.

Comforting to know that not all DC's have been eagerly job hunting. I will lay off my DS until after his exams then start dropping (un) subtle hints, although he has now said he will find temporary work when he gets home whilst he decides on his path, just to have some cash.

Will any DC's stay on after uni finishes? My DS's housing contract goes to 31 August and he said he may stay on for a bit. I dont mind as I am paying for it anyway.

My DS has already signed a contract for another house next year, so will move from his current one to the new one with 3 of the others. He has just confirmed that he is intending to return but isn't sure how to go about applying. I think I must have helped him, or even done it for him previously. I don't know whether it will be an issue yet but uni said they would contact him in July to confirm his place to restart his final year, but that is presumably after the deadline for finance application.

@simbobs four year courses give a lot more time to enjoy university life and just get more of a feel for what to do next. It's a pity most British universities don't offer them as standard. I also think all young people would benefit from spending some time abroad as part of their degrees.

Hear, Hear, @NewModelArmyMayhem18. I did this and it was transforming. The Erasmus scheme did allow for this but I'm not sure about it's replacement.

@simbobs my older one graduated 2019 and was very much the exception in having a job (entry level, not a graduate job as such) to go to. Many of his cohort only just finding their feet now (of course interrupted by Covid ). It’s made me a bit more relaxed about DD and her prospects/options. She’s willing to do shop/bar work if necessary to tide her over, realistic about job prospects in her preferred area, prepared to be flexible.

That sounds very sensible @VanCleefArpels.

@VanCleefArpels, that’s what most of DDs friends have done/are doing. And likely what DS will do.

I did a 4 year vocational degree, so lots of friends left after 3, which didn’t seem long at all.

DD had someone from a contact her out of the blue yesterday having seen her LinkedIn profile. She had a telephone interview today about possible internship opportunities. All very unexpected and they are local to home too. Will see if anything comes of it but could be a good short term position.

Good luck to your DD @Benjispruce5.
DD is working her socks off right now. She has worked every day bar one since she came home. She isn't even thinking of employment until after she finishes her degree. She just doesn't have the headspace to do that right now.

Oh wow! @Benjispruce5 - great!

Wow, @Benjispruce4! That'd great news, and gives hope (or at least it would if DS had started a LinkedIn profile, as suggested).

She’s not expecting anything really but it was a nice surprise and a boost if nothing else. Will wait and see if anything comes of it.

Ds is getting more and more stressed by the day. Dissertation needs to be in next week. He is getting in such a muddle with it. He has sent me photos of his data, but I have no clue and don't know what to suggest. His original advisor, who wasn't much help has gone to Africa since then Ds was given a new advisor. They met up and spent ages getting the data onto a chart that the original advisor told them to use, neither of them understood it. Next Ds has to put the data into some sort of algorithm, he's getting a result of zero. That is wrong. His new advisor told him to email when he'd put the data in so he can help with the next part. So he emailed last week, the new advisor is not replying now. He's still got 3000 words to write. But can't carry on until this data is correct. I don't know what to suggest. The university opens the day the dissertation is due. I wondered if they can let people have an extension. He's had one extension on an essay in the 3 years.

I hope everyone else's dc's are getting on ok. The time has gone so fast.

That is so worrying for you all, @icanbewhatiwant, and worse when we can't help them.
We will shortly be spending a whole week with DS as he is coming on holiday with us. I can't remember when we last spent that much time with him, but hopefully it will give us the chance to find out what he is really thinking about next year. We will be with his half brothers of whom he is slightly in awe, and who hopefully set him a meaningful example. Last dash to the finishing line for most of you!

The university opens the day the dissertation is due. I wondered if they can let people have an extension. He's had one extension on an essay in the 3 years. Can your DS go into the university @icanbewhatiwant? Surely there will be some of the admin staff for the department there? If so they should be able to advise? If not there, then the SU? He needs to get an extension ASAP to take the pressure off until such time as someone can help him successsfully run the quantitative software (presumably?). What a total PITA :-(

Have a great holiday @simbobs!

I'm sorry things are so difficult for your DS @icanbewhatiwant. It seems like good dissertation tutors are as rare as hen's teeth. A lot of DD's friends have struggled with their less than useless tutors.

Thanks. I just don't know what to suggest. He probably should have chosen something he could mostly do alone. He has now emailed his original course advisor that he had from year 1 onwards. He also isn't good at replying and won't know anything about the stuff ds doesn't understand. But maybe he will have other advice.

I'd also tell him to go in and ensure he sees someone, even if it's only the admin lead for the department. Academics often aren't around and contactable outside official term times (and I don't think the official start back is until next week?). If the admin can't help him directly I'm sure they'll be able to find someone who can, even if they have to escalate 'up' the academic chain of command.

You don't really want him to get into a panic and feel he's got to submit in time even if he's not happy with his dissertation.

I'm sure that getting the extension won't be the issue, it's just how to go about officially getting it?

I agree that he needs to tell someone. At DD's university there is a dissertation lead in her department. There was a cock up last week with the time and place for the dissertation presentations, so she emailed the dissertation lead, who emailed her back later that evening full of apologies.

Thanks. The advisor met up with him for a whole morning before Easter, neither of them seemed to know how to get the data filled in, they did in the end. Now he’s stuck on the next part. So he has seen the chap over the holiday. I hope he’s not waiting until they return to reply. I have told Ds to go into the university. But he seems to think there won’t be anyone there.

Oh @icanbewhatiwant your poor DS. My DD had similar struggles with the way her MSc diss tutor told her to analyse her data, but he didn’t actually know how the software worked himself and gave her bad advice. Luckily this was in enough time for a PhD student who did, to advise and support.
It is worth going in, but he is probably going to have to be very persistent to get anyone who may actually be able to help (DD was very persistent 😀

Another one here with a dc on a 4yr course. DS will going into his final yr this September. Besides, there's all that race to get the first job post graduation and just finding their feet that can be a new thread here .

Does anyone know what the dress code is for the girls at graduation ceremonies? DD was looking at what I thought were quite unsuitable dresses. I then googled the university graduation page and it suggets that they wear a light coloured blouse so that the loop on the gown can hook round a button.

Maybe a dress with buttons down the front?
Colour scheme?