Another path ....... and it goes on

[chopc]

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Oh dear @KnittedCardi . Similar thing happened to DS1 on his first attempt

DS2 so ready for driving test but his test is currently in Oct!! We have signed up for testi and driving tests NOW as there is an autobook option but no luck so far

Oh what a shame @KnittedCardi I hope your DD can get a test soon in Exeter.

@KnittedCardi . Don't despair about tests on Isles! DS did his on the Isle of Wight (a last minute cancellation)... and passed! Apparently there's only one roundabout on the Isle of Wight and it has traffic lights on it! It was worth paying for the ferry to get over there!

I remember that! So lucky. We were joking with DD and saying maybe it's worth travelling the thousand miles, plus a ferry journey to Bute.... It's only got one road! It does make you wonder how that can possibly be a fair show of skill, but there you are. Exeter and Guildford just happen to be two of the hardest places to pass, just our luck.

How’s everybody getting on?

DD came home yesterday after enjoying days on the beach, bbqs, and general merriment.

No intern role this summer, she applied for a couple, but wasn’t successful - in one the company advised they had 3000 applications for the post- for a summer intern! Those numbers are staggering.

So instead she get a well earned summer of chilling and relaxing before the final year beckons. How has that happened so quickly? I can’t believe they’re heading for 3rd year already.

I'm a bit of a fraud as dd is on a year break but now not sure she wants to go back .
Currently in a low paying job with all money going to her London flat...

Hi @AvocadoPlant . good to hear from you 😊. Sounds like a lovely round off for your DD’s year and a summer spent chilling and relaxing before the slog of third year sounds good too- they are running out of chances to do that sort of summer aren’t they

dd’s end of term is the 23rd but she’s on a mentoring scheme in another city this week and then she abroad next week. She’s had some workshops and lectures post exams but has managed to fit in some summer fun too which I’m pleased about coz they work them very hard. An exciting few weeks for her. She’s looking for a summer job too . .. but she’ll be back late for summer and like last year may find most have already been snapped up. It look quite a long time to find something … We’ll see

Hi @Notagardener ! Lovely to hear from you.
Not a fraud at all! .. another path and all that! 😊. Please keep posting!
She sounds like she’s making her way ok though? .. and earning enough to pay for London accommodation is pretty good. Most importantly -Is she happy?

Hi all!
DS is still in Exeter for a final weekend of partying/beach/BBQs and then back next week for us to go on holiday as a family (possibly last one, as other DS is moving out in July, finally!)

Not sure what DS's plans are for summer work as the local pub he worked in has closed down, and he's also away in August at the Edinburgh festival so it's all a bit fluid right now.

For those still trying to get through driving tests - commiserations. If it's any consolation, although DS passed last year he's done hardly any driving and has already said he wants to go out with DH & I a few times to get back into it as he's afraid he's forgotten it all!

We also have the dreaded emptying of the flat in July, then returning again to the new one in Sept to sort out! 😫

Lovely to hear from everyone !

@Notagardener how are you feeling about it all? You sitting back and letting DD get on with it or are you trying to "guide" her? Hopefully she is happy with her decisions? Or things may unfold over time.

@Longtimenewsee amazing how different courses differ. DS had two exams this term which finished on the 18th May and nothing academic since. He has got his golf handicap down and is currently in a golf trip away. He has enjoyed the term.

He will hopefully get a job at some point over the summer although we are away sporadically which makes things difficult

My second DS for a last minute cancellation for a driving test - I can't remember if it was via testi or the DVSA website - probably the DVSA website and luckily passed ! I knew he could drive but as so many of his friends failed I wasn't confident he would pass as he learnt his driving mainly from DH and I

I do love this group it is so nice to hear what everyone's young adults are up to.

So another May and more boyfriend upset! My DD has been so good though and after a good cry she has dusted herself off and had a busy month of balls, partying, beach and BBQ'S with her friends. She has even squeezed in a girls holiday, although is was sunnier in Exeter.

All in all a good year for my DD. She is so happy to be VP on her committee this year, Welfare Secretary last year. For the summer she has some paid work for a couple of weeks, lots of theatre trips planned, our family holiday and another trip abroad with friends.

Funny others are mentioning the driving, DD passes just after A levels but only drives when home. She decided to take her car to uni this term and hadn't driven on a motorway before. So we had a girls trip in May, took us 5 hours but DD was pleased that she did all the driving. Dad was the passenger on the way back yesterday and only 3 3/4 hours to get home so he was probably telling her to get a move on.

Have a good summer everyone and onto year 3 and new challenges.

@Notagardener Definitely not a fraud just that the path is meandering at the moment. They all get where they are meant to be just might take a little longer sometimes.

@chopc ha, it's beyond me trying to "guide" her. I don't see much of her. She was home Easter Sunday and I briefly saw her for 30 min in May. She is now spending few months in Spain working.
She seems happy but although 6 months ago she mentioned that "of course she couldn't continue working in her current kind of (unskilled) work for ever", I get the feeling she feels it's easier to just carry on than to change to becoming a student again .

As she likes to travel I did say that LSE would open doors abroad as well....

Hi all - She passed this week! Hooray. The examiner was so relaxed they chatted around the route. Same examiner as last time, and only a month ago, so maybe she remembered her, and knew her fail was unfortunate? Now we need to find a suitable car, as neither my sporty mini, nor DH's scary big BMW are suitable.

DD finished in mid-May and then went on a weeks trip to Croatia with her big sis. First time away together. They had to both convene here in Guildford as their flight was on a train strike day, so DH had to drive them, but all well in the end. The weather was a bit stormy, but they made the most of it, and had a lovely time, with some history, some GOT, some island hoping and beach and sea. She is now back in Exeter for a couple of weeks to relax and beach, and then we go to pick her up. Luckily all her stuff is staying in the flat, as they are staying for next year, so we only need her, her clothes, and plants (lots and lots of plants!). Actually quite of few of her friends are staying down in Exeter over the summer, for various reasons.

Nothing particular planned for us over the summer, it is a relaxing one for us, not even going anywhere.... just pottering around. DD will try to find a new job as she is jaded with her Cafe, and wants a change.

Anyone had anything marked this end of the term? DD still waiting for her last essay, and final assessment. I hope they sort it before the end of next year. I really feel for this years graduates, so many needing marks for masters and jobs. They really have had a less than perfect time at Uni.

Last bit of news, DD is going to apply for a Masters at Oxford. Even less chance of getting in, but this time it is very much up to her to get the application in, and so less stress for us, I hope. Also she will apply to Exeter for a continuation, they have a fast-track application, and a reduction in fees for existing students, so that is her fall back.

So lovely to see what everyone is up to. Dh, Ds1 and Ds2 are up in Durham for an open day for Ds2. Durham is at this moment his first choice which he is annoyed about as it feels like he is following his brother even though it is a completely different course. We said don't rule it out just because your brother is there. He has other open days booked over the next few weekends so we shall see how he feels at the end. His is mid personal statement writing too.

Ds1 is a bit moody, he is just desperate to start the internship which is the start of July. He has never been good at waiting for anything. Congratulations to those driving test passes.

@KnittedCardi Ds has had some marked work back, some is due in before the end of June but some may be left as unmarked until next year which he is really unhappy about. I honestly feel that the final year students should be prioritised but that marking work becomes one of the most important things they do otherwise some students could have failed modules and not know about it in time for resits.

@Notagardener you are always welcome. This isn't really a thread specifically for anything, just a supportive what is going on thread I feel. Even though she isn't at uni it is still nice to have updates.

Lovely to read everyone’s updates.
DD is interning in an investment firm in New York and for herself a house sitting job so she doesn’t have to pay rent.

All of her Irish friends are off doing fun work abroad type trips waitressing and working in bars and partying so I am hoping she will join some of them somewhere for a bit if relaxation at some stage.

My twins are mid Leaving Cert exams, A level equivalent and I will be so glad when they are done.

Hi everyone

First time posting in absolutely ages as always terrified I'll be identified online by my family. I don't want to change my username as you won't know who I am!

@KnittedCardi I always love your different usernames because of the wool factor!! I wish I could think of something suitably clever. Congratulations to your DD on passing her driving test. DD was due to take hers in Summer 21 but got Covid so had to cancel her test, holiday and 18th birthday pastry all in one week. She still hasn't got round to rebooking her test and now needs more lessons as hasn't been behind a wheel in yonks. Good luck with the Oxford Masters application - we'll all be rooting for you.

Good to hear everyone's updates including from @Notagardener and @ChimneyPot who meander slightly differently to the majority of us but still definitely part of the gang.

@BenchOfCompany DD followed DS and DN to Durham and has found her own people and different experiences. I think it's quite common in siblings.

@chopc 👋

Well DH and DS have just left this morning in the car to pick DD up from Durham. I can't believe 2nd year is over. No marks yet, goodness knows how long we'll have to wait. She's had a great summer term holidaying with uni friends in Spain and attending balls, summer parties and fashion shows.

DD also has a Big 4 summer internship. She applied for loads and was very fortunate to get one - we only needed one!! The 4 week internship will keep her busy and give her a taste of working in the City, along with some money for the summer hols. There is also a slim chance of a permanent job at the end of it 🤞.

I can't believe we're reaching the final hurdles when it feels like it's only just begun. I doubt very much DD will want to do a masters.

DS has finished his PGDL (post graduate diploma in law) and is expecting his results next month. He's found the course tough going and quite a lonely experience as so much is online now, including the exams.

Loving all your news - do keep the updates coming in. x

@Jan069 Mine starts his Big4 one in London on 26 June. For his he knows there were 16,000 applicants for 350 places nationwide. The induction for all of them (wherever based in the country) is at a hotel near St Paul's. His is for 6 weeks although he knows they offer 4 week ones in different disciplines. I wonder if they will be at the same one.

@SeasonFinale What a hoot! DD also starts on 26th June in Canary Wharf. Perhaps they're on the same one? She didn't mention applicant numbers but I know it was a long drawn out online selection process. We live just over an hour's commute away so she doesn't qualify for hotel accommodation. It's a small world but I guess we shouldn't be surprised when our another path offspring bump into each other.

I am still following this from time to time ( despite my twins finishing their last law exams last summer - my first summer for ages with no child sitting exams (as their oldest sister is 13 years older) for many years. It is lovely to hear about everyone's progress.

Jan069, good luck to your son for the PGDL results which may twins did (during covid) the year before last and in their case even though in theory they were doing it in person it was 100% online including exams (because of covid then....) My 2 were not too lonely on it even though one did it in Bristol (other than exams -he came home for those) and one here at home in London as they had each other. Is he planning to continue with something legal after that (presumably is)?

@Xenia Good to hear you're still following this thread too. I enjoy reading your posts on the Higher Education threads, particularly from a law perspective. I'm not contributing to the current Oxbridge thread (currently at 840 posts) but find it intriguing.

Assuming DS passes the PGDL, he'll start the SQE in September. He has a training contract with a law firm but feels like a very small fish in a big pond. his class is full of superquick high achievers on training contracts with American law firms and It's really knocked his confidence. Hopefully he'll look back on this phase of his life with a different sense of perspective. At the moment he's feeling imposter syndrome.

DD had an email yesterday to say the results of their exams had been released, went to the portal and …… nothing.
some if her friends in final year did get their results yesterday but it was very patchy,