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Higher education

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Original poster

Countdown to A level results day - 2023

967 replies

HereWeGo2023 · 14/06/2023 07:10

Following on from the A level support thread I thought I would create one for results day.
Hopefully you will all join me for the long nail biting wait and the big day at the end of it!

OP posts:
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12
legalalien · 05/07/2023 10:16

I'm still psyching up for DS' trip to Malia - in about a week's time - I know I am going to be a nervous wreck, hope it goes as well as your DS' trip did!

PacificState · 05/07/2023 13:36

Hope she and you are ok @ZittiEBuoni Totally know what you mean about the deadweight feeling. We've had the reverse here recently, DS finishing with a long-term gf. I know he agonised over when to do it - this summer seems to be studded with dates that are either stressful or celebratory or otherwise significant and he knew he was likely to ruin at least one thing for her whenever he did it, and didn't want to leave it until results/uni departure. (I'm sure my DS isn't your DD's ex, it wasn't her birthday or prom this month!)

What I've actually found, weirdly, is that I am really extremely sad about losing my relationship with her. She was just great - gutsy and thoughtful and hugely grown-up and generous. I really, really liked her and now I will probably never see her again, unless it's to awkwardly bump into her in the local Sainsbury's. I feel like there should be a 'sorry you're not going to be my son's girlfriend any more' range of greetings cards. It's such an odd feeling.

mummyinbeds · 05/07/2023 14:11

DD arrived safely in Ghana and was greeted in the village by a bunch of the kids she met last year (plus the resident naked man but the less said about that the better) She's having fun, working hard and sending lots of pictures. I'm sure she's safer there than I was in Kavos post A levels many years ago.

HappySonHappyMum · 05/07/2023 14:33

I had a look to see if my DDs firm choice was in Clearing today - and it is. Does that mean the course in undersubscribed and they're more likely to accept people if they don't quite make their offer conditions?

lastdayatschool · 05/07/2023 14:41

HappySonHappyMum · 05/07/2023 14:33

I had a look to see if my DDs firm choice was in Clearing today - and it is. Does that mean the course in undersubscribed and they're more likely to accept people if they don't quite make their offer conditions?

Was it available for UK applicants ?

Very annoying to see the course my DS got rejected from at Durham and Edinburgh also in clearing, but for international applicants only.

Bristol and Exeter also seem to have a lot of clearing vacancies for international applicants only

HappySonHappyMum · 05/07/2023 15:01

@lastdayatschool Just went back to have another look and it is for UK applicants - it's Primary Ed so I can't imagine there would be much call for this for International students. Is the outlook better now if my DD misses a grade on results day?

Forestfriendlygarden · 05/07/2023 15:03

Gosh I didn't even realise clearing could be checked already...It hadn't occurred to me, don't know if I want to look or not...

Re: them going travelling. Main worry is losing a suitcase. DD has done this TWICE on the train this year. It was recovered by train staff in lost property, but meant that where she was going she didn't have smalls or clothes so I had to send her to M and S at the other end. She cried.

SabrinaThwaite · 05/07/2023 15:09

Neither of DS’s firm or insurance options (or the other 3 that he applied to) are in clearing.

DS1 went inter railing with 3 mates in his summer off, which went fine (phew). It’s as he has got older that he (a) breaks something or (b) chooses destinations designed to scare me half to death.

Forestfriendlygarden · 05/07/2023 15:20

Just read that DD's first choice doesn't take part in clearing either (so that is one less job to do I guess!)

Her second choice she doesn't really want to go to she says so - both her and her now BF say they will end up in clearing if they don't get their first choices.

Goodness. We've all got several weeks to go, no point worrying about it now...

Forestfriendlygarden · 05/07/2023 15:37

Six weeks yesterday to be exact!

Forestfriendlygarden · 05/07/2023 16:10

HappySonHappyMum · 05/07/2023 14:33

I had a look to see if my DDs firm choice was in Clearing today - and it is. Does that mean the course in undersubscribed and they're more likely to accept people if they don't quite make their offer conditions?

As far as I can work out - Universities make more offers than there are places available...just in case for lots of reasons including not getting the grades, people changing their minds/gap year /sickness etc - people don't take up the offers that are made...at least that is what is says on DD's first choice website...

makes sense from a commercial point of view...they don't want to stand there and scrabble around to fill the places....

tennissquare · 05/07/2023 16:58

There may be a small impact in clearing tomorrow when the IB results are out esp for international students.

MrsSweatyBetty · 05/07/2023 20:55

Stupid question, but how do you find out which courses are in clearing?

MrsSweatyBetty · 05/07/2023 21:17

Ignore me, just found it

SB1971 · 05/07/2023 21:51

mummyinbeds · 05/07/2023 14:11

DD arrived safely in Ghana and was greeted in the village by a bunch of the kids she met last year (plus the resident naked man but the less said about that the better) She's having fun, working hard and sending lots of pictures. I'm sure she's safer there than I was in Kavos post A levels many years ago.

That sounds so exciting- what an experience for her!

sammyjoanne · 05/07/2023 23:23

DD has a long distance relationship with b/f and we have met him and hes lovely. She is currently with him for a few weeks to see his family, and is hoping to get into Reading uni as its closer to where he lives in Cardiff via train than it from us in Nottingham.

NotDonna · 05/07/2023 23:52

Really interesting discussion re boy/girl friends. There really isn’t a good time to break up. I guess if they’re going to different uni’s they could let it just fizzle out but that’s not kind if one is still very keen. I’ve never thought about the parents’ relationship ending with the boy/girlfriend before. Probably why my dad still talks about a boyfriend I had 20 odd years ago… he’s still grieving 🤣
DD has safely returned from a 5 day trip with mates to Malaga and actually went sightseeing not just clubbing. They’ve speech day tomorrow and prom tomorrow night, then that’s it. DONE!!

ZittiEBuoni · 06/07/2023 09:26

Prom night tonight...dd still planning to go despite the boyfriend upset (it's true I will miss him too, I enjoyed our chats about music). The split was upsetting but not acrimonious so they aren't going to be pointedly ignoring each other all night (or worse). After that, they won't have to see each other again if they don't want to (but may well bump into each other at the gym)...

Spottydressinggowngirl · 06/07/2023 22:00

Lovely to hear about everyone’s adventures. I hope those with proms and travels stilL to go have fun.
dd I’d back from Europe and exhausted but full of stories!
Interesting chats about relationships too. Dd has had the same boyfriend since age 14! I swing between thinking it’s very sweet and wondering if they’re missing out a bit.
i think he’s a bit of a good influence on her in all honesty! Much quieter and a bit less wild. But I also think she might find him a bit boring at times. He isn’t going to uni, so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. She’s planning on not letting him visit for a few months so she can properly settle in.
Interesting times ahead I suspect!

ZittiEBuoni · 07/07/2023 08:43

Off for a big London weekend to celebrate dd's 18th. Lots of money spent on this so I really hope she isn't going to mope her way through it...

Spottydressinggowngirl · 07/07/2023 22:59

Have a lovely time @ZittiEBuoni - hopefully mope free!

HappySonHappyMum · 08/07/2023 07:15

My DD went to her firmed Uni welcome day yesterday, had a brilliant time and came out bouncing with verbal diarrhoea about it all. She came home with a whole load of preparatory work to do before she starts in September. Got home, chose a new notebook from her room, got out her pencil case and started reading and making notes. Apparently she's 'missed the grind' of her A levels! Praying that she gets the grades even more now!

Forestfriendlygarden · 08/07/2023 08:48

Great.

tribpot · 08/07/2023 09:59

That sounds great @HappySonHappyMum I wish DS' firmed choice was doing that. He's asked them for some pre-reading and is currently going through a 1,500 page text book but nothing formal. This is such a strange time for them (and us) - waiting to see if they can move on to the next step in their life plan.

Forestfriendlygarden · 08/07/2023 10:12

Yes it is a totally strange time.
DD currently as well as working completing a 40 hour online course in prep for her firm choice.

That is without knowing if she can definitely go there - since results are not out yet.

I'm hoping for the best but currently prepping for results day.
The college is an hour away, so we will have to set out early to catch results and worst case scenario which I am hoping won't happen, then head back home to get on phones for clearing. Potentially stressful.