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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Applying to Oxbridge for 2023 the offers are coming in

257 replies

bettbburg · 29/10/2022 14:01

New thread

OP posts:
perseverence · 02/11/2022 09:50

Riverpebble · 02/11/2022 08:51

Good luck everybody

Mine has gone off feeling sick and not having had breakfast 🙄🤞

I'm with you on that one.
I think it is worse for the mums (dads and carers)

perseverence · 02/11/2022 09:51

babysteps22 · 01/11/2022 17:14

Weirdly no exam for chemistry.

DS got another offer this week AAB from Newcastle. So we're pleased.

well done you two

Azure · 02/11/2022 10:01

Good luck to all the DCs today! DS should be finishing any minute...

perseverence · 02/11/2022 10:05

Azure · 02/11/2022 10:01

Good luck to all the DCs today! DS should be finishing any minute...

well done DS and mum/dad/carer

Riverpebble · 02/11/2022 10:27

Sorry to hear about your DH's accident.

11.30 finish here, I just hope he stopped feeling sick.

perseverence · 02/11/2022 10:39

Riverpebble · 02/11/2022 10:27

Sorry to hear about your DH's accident.

11.30 finish here, I just hope he stopped feeling sick.

40 minutes to go...ish

perseverence · 02/11/2022 11:08

Heavens above. Just want DD to be home and for the whole thing to be over.

perseverence · 02/11/2022 11:30

Finished now?

Anyone confirm it's finished?

Physing · 02/11/2022 11:32

Still no news here. Do they all start at a set time?

perseverence · 02/11/2022 11:35

Don't know. Just feel as if I need to know it is over!

CeciCC · 02/11/2022 11:55

Hi everyone. Hoping and praying for all DC to be happy with their tests!! Stopping myself contacting DD to ask.. just in case she is not happy.

Posie23 · 02/11/2022 12:00

My DD phoned to say the ELAT went pretty well, so now we wait…. Hope everyone’s DC is feeling good about their tests this morning

perseverence · 02/11/2022 12:01

Just got phone call it finished at 11.a.m.

She reckoned she 'panicked' in the first half. Dont' know if that is true, she is an overachiever anyway, but I'm so glad it is over.

What a Horrible, horrible gruelling process!

Posie23 · 02/11/2022 12:03

It is absolutely gruelling and draining for them

princesdando · 02/11/2022 12:09

DS said TSA felt "tougher" than practice papers. Praying it all goes well

perseverence · 02/11/2022 12:14

Posie23 · 02/11/2022 12:03

It is absolutely gruelling and draining for them

Yes. I can't see the point of it in educational terms at all!

perseverence · 02/11/2022 12:15

I'm glad for this thread though. Glad that I'm not struggling entirely alone with it as a mum! And not feeling alone with it. Thanks everyone. Sorry if I've reacted badly to some things. I've been massively stressed. Right now I'm thinking the whole thing is not worth it at all, but perhaps with rest and good night's sleep?

Physing · 02/11/2022 12:21

You're note alone @perseverence . It is such a tough process - I've had my doubts whether it is worth it.

Aurea · 02/11/2022 12:25

I guess the tests demonstrate which candidates thrive under educational pressure as the Oxbridge degree is very pressured. My elder DS studied law at Oxford and he can attest to that.

I hope the tests went well for everyone and they achieve their potential.

My younger DS took the TMUA and received his score towards the end of the month.

perseverence · 02/11/2022 12:38

This reply has been deleted

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goodbyestranger · 02/11/2022 12:46

perseverance as a mother of a fair few Oxford applicants I just can't relate to the stress you're describing. The tests serve a perfectly sound purpose, as do the interviews (which replicate tutorials). I never treated it as a huge drama, so I don't think any of my DC did either, even though some really only wanted to go to Oxford rather than elsewhere, so it mattered to them. DD4 said she actually enjoyed her aptitude test (she's a third year now and took the CLAT). Your DD will pick up on your stress even if you say you're not talking to her about it. At the end of the day, it's only a couple of hours worth of a test. Not the first, won't be the last.

goodbyestranger · 02/11/2022 12:47

The terms brutal, harmful and disgraceful are way, way, way over the top!

goodbyestranger · 02/11/2022 12:48

You're not Liz Truss by any chance?

goodbyestranger · 02/11/2022 12:49

What interviews and tests are supposed to do is help people achieve their potential not hinder it

No, they are supposed to identify potential.

perseverence · 02/11/2022 12:56

goodbyestranger · 02/11/2022 12:46

perseverance as a mother of a fair few Oxford applicants I just can't relate to the stress you're describing. The tests serve a perfectly sound purpose, as do the interviews (which replicate tutorials). I never treated it as a huge drama, so I don't think any of my DC did either, even though some really only wanted to go to Oxford rather than elsewhere, so it mattered to them. DD4 said she actually enjoyed her aptitude test (she's a third year now and took the CLAT). Your DD will pick up on your stress even if you say you're not talking to her about it. At the end of the day, it's only a couple of hours worth of a test. Not the first, won't be the last.

Beg to differ hon.

And no, it is not all a 'mother's fault' as you are saying.

And no, I'm not 'Liz Truss'

However the last time I checked - we still had freedom of speech in this country although albeit that is diminishing, so I'll thank you for your opinion madam,
but will reserve the right to disagree!

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