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

[Volterra]

I can’t believe there are drop offs already! Hoping DS hears about accommodation (Bath) very soon as all feels a bit abstract at the moment . Suspect he won’t get campus accommodation but he has lived away from home in the before so I think will be ok. He's just started doing his own washing which is helpful and has a longer trek to toilet in new house which is good practice though I think he will find it a bit weird having to share after an en-suite at previous college accommodation

He’s 19 in about a week which I need to address.

[Geamhradh]

How are the St. A mums feeling? How are our kids there doing?

Some of DD's friends here in Italy have gone off this weekend too, quite early for here but many are going off to find flats.

I have finally made an effing breakthrough with effing National Insurance numbers. Christ on a bike, DD has worked this summer with non Brits who received theirs in a matter of days, but because she at some point was issued with one which we never received, it's been an absolute odyssey. She's had to work without one, numerous phone calls (with them going "yes, there is one, no, we can't tell you what it is" ) (bash bash goes my head against the wall) FINALLY because she's worked without one, and paid NI, her govt gateway has automatically updated to show it.
SF don't like it however 🤷‍♀️ but I've uploaded the pdf from GG so hopefully her loan will unblock.

@Eightytwenty saw the comments on the other thread. Pah. Well known charmer that one. I've had many run-ins.

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I think I have "seen" you on WIwikau which I've rejoined in desperation at accommodation frustration. I was going to send you a friend request then thought a) it might not be you b) you might think I'm a madstalker loon, so I didn't!

[Eightytwenty]

Thanks @Geamhradh unnecessarily confrontational I thought.

You've really had to battle with paperwork and logistics haven’t you? Hopefully that’s the end of it now.

DS seems to be doing well so far. Our day and night but not crazily it seems. He’s sending lots of messages so far which helps.

[Stockpot]

@Geamhradh Im glad to hear that things are beginning to move for you. It’s been stressful enough based in the UK.
It’s hard to leave them, but St Andrew’s is a small friendly place where they are set up for success from the start. All is looking good so far. 🤞

[Geamhradh]

Oh good to hear both of you!
DD is now registering on the SU wotsit she's had through.

[Valleyofthedollymix]

Gah @Geamhradh chasing NS numbers is the sort of admin that drives me to murderous thoughts. So frustrating.

Left DS at St Andrews. His room is small but perfectly formed and the staff were super friendly (certainly much friendlier than at my university decades ago). He's a very social, extrovert boy and the town is set up to make life easy for them.

That said he was really wobbly when we saw him the next day to say goodbye. He was overwhelmed all of a sudden by the not knowing anybody and being away from home, family and friends for four months. I think too many people (well DH primarily) have hyped up the friend making machine wonder of university and ignored the fact that freshers' week is hard. I arrived late to university by mistake, only be two or three days, but I remember feeling like everyone had already made friends and I never would etc. And ups and downs, moments of isolation, of being swamped - a real rollercoster.

So my three tips to pass on - a drying rack for the radiator, an over the door coat rack thing and a dose of realism. Remind them that it's hard and you won't meet your true friends in the first few days or even weeks or months.

[SayYouDontMind]

Drop off at St As went well. DS loved his room and looked incredulous that this was HIS room with its 'massive' bed (it's not but he's used to a single) and enormous mirror (which was fab as it made the room seem bigger). It looked like a home-from-home in no time. We got him a pre-owned gown which he was glad about.

There was a lovely atmosphere and his Halls got the speakers going in the foyer and people were gathering in the dining hall - the Domino's arrived so they had free pizza, coffee and cake. His room isn't enormous but he brought tons of stuff and it all packed away with spare capacity. He brought a monitor to hook up to his laptop and was well happy with the size of the desk and the view of greenery out his window.

We left him without any tears. I think we were just happy and excited for him. We went and looked at the sea which was beautiful, then drove home. He texted in the wee small hours of Sunday letting us know he'd had a great night. He said he was going to the Pier Walk and we've heard nothing since. I've been looking at all the footage and in some ways wish we could have seen it but it would have been daft driving all the way back and it's his journey now. I'm guessing he's just too busy being busy having fun.

I'm not going to insist on daily communications but want to know everything's going to plan and no doubt might get communications when he needs extra cash to join any societies he's interested in. I'm happy to leave him to get in touch with us.

It's going to take a while to sink in but I am starting to feel 'Is that it?' 'Have I done my job now?'. It's wierd. But I've got another one at home who won't be off for a few more years. And work will keep me busy. Good luck everyone who's just moved in too and for those who have this to look forward to in a few weeks.

Oh and I agree about the radiator dryer things. We got one at Dunelm and it was reduced to £2 so we bought one for home too 🙂

[nearlyhomealone]

Those waiting for Bath accommodation. DC just had an email confirming they will get city as no more campus available. They are disappointed but I’m sure it will all work out.

[nearlyhomealone]

Edit It also says it could be shared accommodation on campus. That will be a hard sell!

[Volterra]

@nearlyhomealone , DS will be commuting if he gets shared, no way would he do that !

[Puffalicious]

So lovely to hear of the St A's crew moving up and onwards. You'll have a hole in your lives, but they'll be grand and having the time of their lives in no time.

DS has fresher's next Monday- he's preparing by buying new threads from his summer wages which look exactly like we all wore in the late 80s and 90s 🙈. He likes to look 'fly' 🤣.

His 18th party was immense on Saturday. I'm absolutely and utterly exhausted. I had 60 crammed into our house and garden and with DS DJing until 5am (my neighbours are angels and pre-warned) it was some clear up yesterday. I have an actual adult for a son- mental.🤣

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

@Geamhradh I think I spotted you too....bloody terrible re accommodation - I think I would email
at this point (not sure if you have already?). Surely being an international student & not having a firmed date with just weeks to go is unacceptable with flights etc especially as she had her grades well before A-levels!

I would be very on edge too at this point & I am sorry for those still waiting for allocation I hope they find out & can start feeling excited.

[Eightytwenty]

@Puffalicious my goodness you are one immense woman! And what tolerant neighbours.

Team Bath - sorry you’re going through this. It seems such a shit show. Same problem in Glasgow. St A looks after first years but some in subsequent years are still homeless (one guy arrived with a tent!). Really hope you get a good offer soon.

[Geamhradh]

@Puffalicious happy belated birthday to DS! DD was 18 last year and I remember the preparations were about as extensive as university!
@nearlyhomealone apparently "hundreds" of people (DD's words) (probably about 3!) have just received their accommodation and all got Westwood.
@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I emailed this lunchtime and got a "you'll know before Friday" reply, then DD got a "we're working as fast as we can" email about 5pm.

[Geamhradh]

PS, to make us feel better, one of my students here, set on and accepted at Maastricht for International Law has had to pull out as she couldn't find accommodation anywhere. She's now going to go to the local university (not a good one at all) and is gutted. She'd been looking since June but as the deadline approached had to give up.

[Geamhradh]

Oh my lord!
She just heard- Eastwood Terrace.
Thank the lord.

[nearlyhomealone]

That’s great news @Geamhradh, what a relief.

[MillicentFaucet]

@Geamhradh phew I bet that's a weight off your mind! How is your DD feeling about it?
DS & I have just been laughing about the laundry situation, having to pay via an app to wash your smalls seems crackers to an old duffer like me.

[Puffalicious]

Yes, it was immense and extensive prep and aftermath- but they only do it once!

Thank goodness Geamhradh that's a weight off. I hear, also, Glasgow is horrendous, with loads being told to travel from Stirling, which is miles away and a fair commute. Awful.

[Stockpot]

It sounds like a lot of schools over offered again. I wonder why? It’s not covid anymore. Maybe they distrusted the way the curve would be set on a levels? Or is this the new normal?

[Geamhradh]

@MillicentFaucet When I went to bed she was chatting to 2 girls she's found who will be in the same house, so she's fine! She whinged about the communal bathroom situation, <eye roll> but I pointed out that it'll be clean when they move in and if it stops being clean, that's their fault!
@Puffalicious I saw a post on WIWIKAU where someone for Bristol was saying they were being told to start looking as far as Bath for private rentals. It seems bonkers this year.

[Volterra]

@Geamhradh seeing that Bristol are advising to look as far as Bath for rental is make me very twitchy and I really hope DS gets allocated some Bath accommodation very soon. That’s great your DD has found 2 of the girls she is sharing with.

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

@Geamhradh Glad to hear she's finally got her accommodation! They have cleaners twice per week vrs having to clean their own en-suite - silver lining!!

@Volterra Hope he hears soon 🙏🏻

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

@Puffalicious Sounds like he had a blast for his 18th! A final get together with all his pals how lovely.

Dd boyfriend is going into 2nd year at Manchester and we were just chatting about the terrible situation with accommodation - so so unfair on these students who've applied and done everything they can to get their grades then to have to withdraw at this stage - appalling!

[fishingeagle]

Just checking in - I'm so sorry to hear that some DC are experiencing accommodation drama. Every last ounce as my mum used to say. As per @Stockpot it is difficult to interpret exactly why this should be happening in the light of how tight the offers overall seem to have been this year, unless perhaps more second and third years as a result of covid grades just means less housing stock supply overall. DS is very fortunate in that Edinburgh seem to have been on it - offered his accommodation the day after results came out and he accepted by return.

We take him up on Saturday. Still doesn't feel quite real. My main aim is to try not to cry until we get back in the car. But he is excited, thrilled and incredibly relieved to have made it. And I am so grateful not to have to go through another admissions round!