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Original poster

Oxford / Cambridge - current students support / chat thread 2022

1000 replies

DadDadDad · 30/05/2022 13:07

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!)

Some of us on this thread go back to I think to late 2019 when our DCs were going through the admission process. A lot's happened since!

Over to you...

OP posts:
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5
PermanentTemporary · 13/09/2022 16:10

Wow, congratulations to the graduates.

Starting to really dread the day of drop-off now. Still another 3 weeks to go. I was quite calm a week or two back, hope I can recapture that.

Panicmode1 · 13/09/2022 17:25

Did anyone else's child go to the Cambridge undergrad thing in London last night? DS said he met some nice people from his college and is now looking forward to going as there will be a few familiar faces at least.

(He nearly managed to get stranded in London despite me reminding him to check the last train back to Kent....he only made it because the train leaving Charing X left late.....!!)

@permanenttemporary I'm also dreading drop off already, although I can see he's raring to go and is really excited.

Panicmode1 · 13/09/2022 17:26

ofteninaspin · 13/09/2022 11:27

DD (O) graduated on Saturday! DD's college were very hospitable and we had a lovely, memorable day. I can't quite believe DD's four years are over but she has enjoyed it all immensely and is looking forward to starting work in a month's time (after a final spot of travelling).

Congrats to your DD! Time seems to speed up the older they get...or maybe that should be, I get 😂

Malbecfan · 13/09/2022 19:35

Congratulations to your DD again @ofteninaspin I hope you enjoyed the day.

How long til Freshers start? A colleague's DS is starting at C & going up on 1st October. I am taking DD2 back to her uni tomorrow but am no longer sure of C undergrad stuff any more.

PermanentTemporary · 13/09/2022 20:01

1 October here too. I guess 2nd and third years might be earlier.

Panicmode1 · 13/09/2022 21:02

1st Oct, but still don't have accommodation allocation.....

HoneyMobster · 13/09/2022 21:08

I'm dropping DD off for Freshers in Oxford on 3 October. DS1 is hitching a lift as well. The car and roof box will be very full.

Greatauntdymphna · 13/09/2022 22:35

DD back on 25th to help with Freshers' though I've got a feeling she's wangled going back earlier than needed and I think the freshers start on the 28th. It's been a good summer but I think she's ready to head back now.
Congratulations to all the graduates!

HewasH20 · 13/09/2022 22:45

Panic DD only found out about her accommodation when she arrived at the Plodge and was handed her key. That approach is quite common.

Panicmode1 · 14/09/2022 06:37

@HeHewasH20 oh, I see. Do you just take up bedding for a double and single bed then, as the bands he has bid for have both, and as he's very tall, he's hoping for a double!

Panicmode1 · 14/09/2022 06:47

Sorry, should be @HewasH20 - don't know where the extra he came from.

HoneyMobster · 14/09/2022 06:54

DD has been in touch with her college to check bed size and they've confirmed she has a single but she doesn't know anything else about it. The first years at her college are all in the same part of college though so it doesn't really matter.

She is hoping for an en suite though. I rolled my eyes and told her about my halls with 8 (maybe more) and a shared shower!

beeswain · 14/09/2022 07:38

After DS's relatively luxurious 2nd year accommodation (6 to a kitchen and en- suite) he is back to 10 to a floor sharing 2 showers and a room with no wardrobe! In his college the options are sink OR wardrobe, ds thrilled to have a sink. I've bought a small clothes rail but I wonder how much will actually get hung up.

HewasH20 · 14/09/2022 08:38

I do think the rise of the ensuite at home has a lot to answer for. DD was used to a family bathroom, so she wasn't that bothered either way.

Panic we sent DD with a double duvet and single sheets & mattress topper. John Lewis, TK Maxx, M&S etc. are all near to hand on moving in day if you do have the wrong size.

Takox · 15/09/2022 08:46

DS (O) is convinced that his college will provide a duvet as well as sheets pillowcases etc. I think he needs to take his own duvet- as the post above suggests. The freshers booklet simply refers to ‘ bedding’. Do the colleges vary in approach? I am trying very hard to be the laid back ‘pop to the shops in Oxford on 2 October’ type but definitely have overthinking it traits😌thanks

Ironoaks · 15/09/2022 08:51

DS's (Cambridge) room comes with a mattress topper, duvet and 2 pillows. He has to bring his own bed linen.

cantkeepawayforever · 15/09/2022 08:59

Dd (C) has duvet (single), pillows, mattress cover and blankets provided.

FlyingSquid · 15/09/2022 09:02

Takox · 15/09/2022 08:46

DS (O) is convinced that his college will provide a duvet as well as sheets pillowcases etc. I think he needs to take his own duvet- as the post above suggests. The freshers booklet simply refers to ‘ bedding’. Do the colleges vary in approach? I am trying very hard to be the laid back ‘pop to the shops in Oxford on 2 October’ type but definitely have overthinking it traits😌thanks

Get him to ask his College parents. Or stuff the duvet in the car just in case, and take it home if he smugly points out the one already there. Oxford shopping centre on dropoff day is not going to be fun.

Scoobyblue · 15/09/2022 09:20

My dd had mattress protector, duvet and two pillows provided. Just had to take duvet covers and pillow cases.

Greatauntdymphna · 15/09/2022 09:21

Scoobyblue · 15/09/2022 09:20

My dd had mattress protector, duvet and two pillows provided. Just had to take duvet covers and pillow cases.

Dd's college was the same. She did take one pillow as she wanted her own.

goodbyestranger · 15/09/2022 11:12

My DC have always taken their own duvets pillows etc. Over the years, across nine colleges now, I would say that only Magdalen had a vaguely sanitary bed. The duvet in Queen’s was at the more nightmarish end of the spectrum…. Take your own!

FlyingSquid · 15/09/2022 13:57

DD wasn't provided with any bedding or pillows.

Takox · 15/09/2022 16:13

Thanks all. Have purchased a mattress protector/topper thing and will ask him to ask the freshers FB page or parents. There probably will be room in the car for a duvet as he seems to be taking a fairly minimalistic approach to packing.

KittiesInsane · 15/09/2022 16:39

Hah, yes, I remember spending a whole day cramming the boot with everything under the sun for one student child, then the following year asking the younger one if he'd started loading the car yet and he said, 'Yes, both bags are in, and my guitar.'

Hopeful646 · 15/09/2022 16:53

Hi ,
Just wondered if anyone could recommend any websites or books to help with studying for the PAT please ?

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