OR 2022 - We are no longer rejects. We are parents of fabulous offspring who will do wonderful things

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Wonderful tongue in cheek title thread by he words of @ eightytwenty.

Soooooo our thread started out back in March 2022 when our dc were Oxbridge wannabes. After thousands of posts by their nervous Mums, nail biting, discussing applications, grades, will they get to interview won't they, debates such as private vrs state, the Scottish system, then some got rejected and some had interviews and entrance assessments then much more nail biting and eating and drinking a lot and a loooong wait over Xmas 2021 the remainders were then rejected. Then more nail biting for offers to come in from the competitive Unis they had applied to with some ending up with only one or two options - our Covid Kids had it tough.

Finally May came and their actual A-levels then the brutal wait for results. I don't think I can recall any of our DC not getting their first choice?

Lots of DC off to top Unis and achieving the best grades in the land. My DD is off to Bath to do Politics and IR and I am incredibly proud of her, she is a grafter not naturally super clever but loves to learn and god I am going to miss her but she is ready and so I happy for her 😥

So please carry on our lovely supportive thread so we can see where their journeys take them.

TWAT x

[Eightytwenty]

Glad you’re both doing well - DS went up to stay in his flat last night, just cause. DS2 there this week for school rugby pre season. He’d like to go there too but his Highers while good might not be good enough.

Re A-levels sounds like grades have followed the bell curve so perhaps it is just the realignment of expectations and grade inflation.

[Stockpot]

Perhaps worth a try @Eightytwenty ? It may be toughest for Scottish students, but DD says that far from all students have perfect grades.

Sounds like DS1 is exited to have his own flat!

Here’s hoping they all have good 2nd years. 🤞

[doubleshotcappuccino]

Glad to hear DCs are doing well and this group is still active ! Dd loved year one at LSE .. waiting on GCSE results at the moment for DS.. can't believe the slow drum roll that was the A level results last year and that we are close to Year 2..

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Hello all sorry for the delay I didn't see the thread. Yes DS had his A-level results and got BBD, the D was below expected but I can't lie he put very little effort in and most likely got the grades he deserved. He has zero idea what the hell he wants to do and so is taking a year out on the grounds he gets a FT job which he has done. He is very unlike DD in the academic department but will graft at work unlike DD who is a little work shy 🙄DD is well and truly in love with a lad who is in the year above on his placement year and I have barely seen her through the summer. Had a bit of a shit year because I lost my Dad unexpectedly in April and it hit us all hard and DD has struggled as they were very close - her MH has been up and down but she seems a bit better with support. Taking her back to Bath mid September before she goes off to Rome for her 20th at the end of Sep. She is raring to go and very much looking forward to being back at Uni. The year flew by didn't it?! Over all she loved her first year and her end of year results were good especially in view of the fact Dad had just died when she was sitting them.

I hope you have all had a fabulous summer and roll on second year x

[doubleshotcappuccino]

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I'm so so sorry... I lost my Dad too this year - leaving home and losing a beloved grandparent compounds so much .. harder in our case for them to grieve when they're not with everyone else ..

[Puffalicious]

Sorry to hear of your losses Tango Doubleshot. It's so tough. I've lost both of my parents now, but I've had a few years on you guys & smile with how proud they'd both be of DC. Take your time to grieve, it's not easy. 💐

All good here, DS1 been in the US over 3 months, but due home Sep 7th & I'm desperate to see him. He sailed through first year exams, so long may that continue.

Well done your DS Tango and Eightytwenty too. Funny how all our 2nds may be on different paths! DS2 did v well in Highers, unsure what he's up to, but he has S6 to figure that out. He'll have the results for university, not Oxbridge but nevertheless, but I'm not sure it's for him (adhd), I think a graduate apprenticeship might be the way forward. There's too many DC (I see it in work) obsessed with university when it's not for everyone.

Hope any others who had skin in the game this year are all grand.

Here goes 2nd year!

[Stockpot]

I’m sorry to hear about your dads @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango and @doubleshotcappuccino . 💐

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Thanks all for your kind words. @doubleshotcappuccino So sorry for your loss too - bloody hell it is tough . Poor DD had an exam the morning he died, she knew I was at the hospital and that he was very sick, he had already passed but i had to lie so she got through her exam and then tell her after. Felt shit having to tell her over the phone but I just couldn't face the journey there and back to tell her in person and I made sure her BF was on campus to get her on a train home. Dad always called DD his first born as she is the eldest Grandchild and she was the apple of his eye, we all loved him so much it is hard to believe he is not here still life goes on 😞

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

@Puffalicious DS is very different to DD but I try not to worry he is a good kid and whilst he isnt into study like DD he will find his right path I am sure....hopefully!!

[doubleshotcappuccino]

You're all so kind as always thank you so much. Gosh @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango that must have been so hard, the timing of it all..heartbreaking.

[doubleshotcappuccino]

Good luck to everyone preparing to send them off for year 2! Gosh, that flew by and @Puffalicious getting ready to welcome home at the end of the US term.
We've learned our lesson from last year and will certainly be streamlining the packing.
Heading back down to bottom of the metaphorical mountain for gcses on Thursday.. and so it begins again ...

[Eightytwenty]

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango @doubleshotcappuccino just catching up and sorry to hear your sad news. Grief is exhausting.

[Eightytwenty]

@Puffalicious - I think a degree apprentice would be good for DS2 for same reasons. He’s also young so I’m keen for a year out but so far he’s not interested in either.

[Puffalicious]

@Eightytwenty

@Puffalicious - I think a degree apprentice would be good for DS2 for same reasons. He’s also young so I’m keen for a year out but so far he’s not interested in either.

Yes young DS here too- not 17 until November- so I reckon a year out even after S6 might also be a good move. Like Tango says, they'll find their way.

doubleshot DS1 wasn't studying in the US, he's been at Camp America & then travelling. Uni finished & he was gone by 6th May! He called from California tonight, after a road trip from East to West. I'm so envious! I can't wait to see him.

[doubleshotcappuccino]

Wow @Eightytwenty that sounds like a great way to spend a summer !

[doubleshotcappuccino]

@Eightytwenty thank you .. you're so right xx

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

@Eightytwenty Thank you. Yes it has been very exhausting and I shut down for the best part of 2 months just complete grief fog. Back at work and things have improved thankfully, the hardest thing now is seeing my lovely lovely Mum grieve - it is so painful x

[Eightytwenty]

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I lost my Dad in an accident 20 years ago. Seeing my mother grieve was one of the hardest things about it. It was the main reason we ended up in Scotland.

@Puffalicious camp america sounds great. A few of DS’ friends did it this year too.

[SoIinvictus]

Hello lovely rejects!

How are we all? Have our St Andrews students already gone? My friend's daughter is starting in Edinburgh at the weekend but my other friend's child didn't get the grades to go anywhere poor thing.

DD has just landed in Budapest and will be gone for 9 days, then all speed ahead for Y2. One of her housemates moved into the house yesterday and blimeyheck I could go and live there! Looks really really nice and so unlike the student houses I was used to! Mind you at £650 a month without bills so it should.

Don't know if you've been following the 1st year's chats on here, seems like lots of Bath kids have ended up with city centre this year, or nothing at all. Maybe we were lucky with our prison cells!
@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango

[doubleshotcappuccino]

@SoIinvictus

Hello lovely rejects!

How are we all? Have our St Andrews students already gone? My friend's daughter is starting in Edinburgh at the weekend but my other friend's child didn't get the grades to go anywhere poor thing.

DD has just landed in Budapest and will be gone for 9 days, then all speed ahead for Y2. One of her housemates moved into the house yesterday and blimeyheck I could go and live there! Looks really really nice and so unlike the student houses I was used to! Mind you at £650 a month without bills so it should.

Don't know if you've been following the 1st year's chats on here, seems like lots of Bath kids have ended up with city centre this year, or nothing at all. Maybe we were lucky with our prison cells!
@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango

Budapest sounds lovely ! Dropped DD back in London last weekend .. not as bad as last year when I cried all the way home !

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Sorry I missed this.

@Eightytwenty Much love it is so damned hard. It was his 70th a few weeks back and their 50th wedding anniversary next week, it was going to be a big year of celebrations and now there is just this hole where he used to be. I feel so sad, he was so special, we miss him so much.

@So1invictus Good luck with your forthcoming trip I hope you have a lovely time. I took DD back last week and she stayed a few nights then headed back to Manchester and is off to Rome today as it is her 20th Birthday today. Back to Bath next week to kick off second year. I had a lovely day moving her in and took her and her housemate out for some lunch, twas very nice. The house is in walking distance to the City and I always love visiting Bath, so pretty. The house is nice but on a very residential road and i feel very sorry for their neighbours!! She is applying for placements at the mo and is looking at communications and political affairs roles for a couple of big companies, soooo competitive though I have told her not to get her hopes up but you have to in it to win it I guess.

@doubleshotcappuccino We are old hats at it now aren't we? I am excited for her rather than sad, the summer has been long and tough for DD so I hope a new term will help focus her brain again.

Good luck to all of our rejects for the year ahead 🤗

[Eightytwenty]

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango those milestones are super hard. Sending hugs. Hope start of second year goes well!

@So1invictus yes dropped at the start of the month and now looking forward to reading week in 3 weeks. Nicely it coincides with school half term. DS rent is £900 a month for a fairly average flat. But they do have a dishwasher and air fryer. 🤦‍♀️

[doubleshotcappuccino]

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango it's so hard isn't it .. the milestones ..big hugs and so grateful we trudge this path with support and knowing these Year 2s and soaring .. although I'm still get messages about liquitabs so not sure we're done with the full next exit yet xx

Love seeing all your messages - they're all doing so well ..I must go back and see the first thread sometime - we've come so far and so have they x x

[SoIinvictus]

Afternoon all. I am in Prezzo feeding DD up before leaving her tomorrow. Been here since Wednesday. Fun people watching in the hotel. As we sit here DD is looking out of the window saying "oh there's so and so" One of her course friends walked past her new bedroom window this morning, I think the street she's on is mainly student houses. Judging by the gardens. 😳 DD says she's going to do some gardening so maybe theirs will soon look like ordinary humans live there.
They have a washer/dryer, dishwasher and 2 fridge freezers for the £650 a month each without bills. 😳
I'm leaving tomorrow and spending a few days with friends (and in M&S) 😂
Happy birthday to MiniTango and more hugs for those who have suffered losses this year. ❤️

[Piggywaspushed]

I read that as if you had been in Prezzo since Wednesday!

DS is now back at Birmingham. Was all a bit of a palaver since DH's car broke down twice (on two separate days- neither time with DS) so DS went on the train with just a few bits ad bobs and didn't get all his stuff for another 4 days (after one attempt left DH stranded on M1...)

It's lucky Brum isn't too far from us really. I was trying to imagine if this had been Bath, or Durham , or Aberystwyth...