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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

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
BeaBachinasec · 25/07/2023 05:42

Not looking for a row and not aimed at anyone but interested in opinions.

They're young adults, going to uni is supposed to be (amongst other things) learning to be independent.

So why are parents coming up with packing lists - shouldn't they be doing the research? Do they have to have everything new? Haven't you got a spare saucepan or plates (for example)? I get that they'll need some new stuff (duvet and cover for dd) but let them get on with choosing and buying it.

I remember on one of these threads a while ago, a mum was booking her DD's dentist and optician appointments before leaving for uni and during the summer holidays - my dd has been doing that herself for years.

tribpot · 25/07/2023 06:33

@mrsconradfisher it definitely sounds like a 'wait and see' approach is the right thing. Maybe when he knows his grades he will feel more philosophical about his firm or insurance, maybe he won't. Certainly my DS is very specific about what he wants and doesn't want to consider alternatives. We have a back up plan to do another A-level to pull his grades up if need be.

flotsomandjetsome · 25/07/2023 07:00

DS is off to Europe for 6 weeks in a few days. It will be a good opportunity to get to grips with truly independent living before Uni - and a good opportunity for us to get used to him not being here when he goes.

He's been working part time and sorting his 'stuff' washing / tidying / his fair share of meals etc since he finished school, but there's no substitute for having to do everything for yourself.

I'm hoping he has an amazing time and also learns some valuable skills to see him through Uni life and beyond.

mrsconradfisher · 25/07/2023 08:57

tribpot · 25/07/2023 06:33

@mrsconradfisher it definitely sounds like a 'wait and see' approach is the right thing. Maybe when he knows his grades he will feel more philosophical about his firm or insurance, maybe he won't. Certainly my DS is very specific about what he wants and doesn't want to consider alternatives. We have a back up plan to do another A-level to pull his grades up if need be.

I think the issue is he has always wanted to go to Loughborough, Birmingham was chosen simply because it was the only Uni out of the others that he applied for that he would consider going to. I can’t help thinking that it’s an awful lot of money on a Uni experience that he doesn’t really want. I’m quietly confident that he will get an A star (his 6th form don’t predict them on UCAS) so I think it will all depend on what he gets on the day.

tribpot · 25/07/2023 10:04

That's really frustrating that his 6th form wouldn't predict him an A* @mrsconradfisher . If he does get the grades for Loughborough it definitely sounds like a gap year and reapplying would be a better way to go.

Spottydressinggowngirl · 25/07/2023 10:34

@BeaBachinasec as with everything in parenting, we all do things differently and in ways other people don’t understand and for reasons other people don’t understand. A forum like this is just a tiny snapshot of what other people do.

@flotsomandjetsome dd did 3 weeks in Europe and it’s really given her a sense of confidence that she didn’t have before. And it was a little easing in for the rest of us in getting used to her not being around.

@mrsconradfisher that’s so frustrating. A gap year does sound worth considering. It’s such a huge amount of money to spend, getting it right is super important.

DD’s gone away for a couple of nights with her boyfriend. They’ve been together for years and he’s always been a bit reluctant to spend time doing nice things with her. Seems to be upping his game after her time away travelling and now she’s got uni on the horizon. I’m glad she’s being made to feel special, but thinking it might make September a bit harder if he starts making and effort!

mondaytosunday · 25/07/2023 21:35

@BeaBachinasec it is a juggling act to be sure. You can't expect a child to suddenly be independent if they've never had to do a weekly shop, do their laundry or other life admin tasks (sorting out insurance, registering with a local GP etc). But one would hope that parents will have taught their kids how to do these chores, budget, clean a bathroom and so on, and as you say, some students will have been doing this for years.
And some parents are fairly oblivious to how they snowplow the path for their kids. I have a friend who's child started at one uni, didn't like the living situation so left after three weeks. Then she started at another, lasted the first term then left. She's now about to start at her third. Her parents have just let her do this, collecting her and paying the fees and helping her find something else (totally different subjects). I'm not sure it's been the best thing for her (she's 20) though feel she can bail at the first hurdle.
I think it's great to be involved and help, I've known adults who's parents basically stopped parenting once their kids turned 18. This may have made them independent, but it certainly didn't foster a good relationship between them as adults. Encourage and support is surely a parents job, while letting their child learn, and occasionally stumble, on the way.

HappySonHappyMum · 26/07/2023 15:58

Two messages from my DD's firmed Uni today - confirmation that accommodation will be allocated early next week and the induction timetable for the first week of her course. My DD is so excited but with every email I get more and more stressed about my DD not making her grades and getting rejected. Results are three weeks away tomorrow - I just neeeeeeeed to know now!

SabrinaThwaite · 26/07/2023 17:14

DS got notification yesterday that he has been allocated his first choice accommodation. He’s still swithering about a gap year though.

lastdayatschool · 26/07/2023 17:32

It is interesting that some universities allocate accommodation before results day.

Must make for a bit of a reshuffle post results if people don't make their offers

NotDonna · 26/07/2023 23:42

@mrsconradfisher if he does get the grades for L’boro on results day he could call them as clearing still works for higher grades too. It used to be called adjustment but now it’s all called clearing. From what I understand, he calls with upped grades, has a chat and they may offer a place. If they do he then declines his Birmingham offer and goes into ‘clearing’ but with Loughborough already agreeing. It’s explained on the UCAS website.

Im pleased the firm & insurance DD has chosen don’t do accom until after results day as I think it’d raise her hopes.

SertralineAndTherapy · 27/07/2023 06:18

Unpopular opinion here about packing lists. If your DC is going to be within reasonable distance of shops, take minimal stuff and they can get what they need, when they need it. (Obviously that doesn't work on a remote campus uni!)

mrsconradfisher · 27/07/2023 09:47

NotDonna · 26/07/2023 23:42

@mrsconradfisher if he does get the grades for L’boro on results day he could call them as clearing still works for higher grades too. It used to be called adjustment but now it’s all called clearing. From what I understand, he calls with upped grades, has a chat and they may offer a place. If they do he then declines his Birmingham offer and goes into ‘clearing’ but with Loughborough already agreeing. It’s explained on the UCAS website.

Im pleased the firm & insurance DD has chosen don’t do accom until after results day as I think it’d raise her hopes.

Thank you. He actually asked Loughborough about that and was told there was absolutely no way to get in even if he gets the higher grades apart from reapplying next year as the course is so over subscribed. We will see what happens but it’s definitely worth him trying.

toomuchlaundry · 27/07/2023 10:25

Have they got any spaces on clearing now @mrsconradfisher? Not that your DS can apply yet but might give an indication of possibility of spaces.

I remember looking at Loughborough clearing last year for the popular course DS was thinking about applying for, to see if it would be undersubscribed, there were no spaces at all in any of the related courses.

DS did get an offer from them this year but not sure whether he will get the grades after taking the exams. So we are assuming there won’t be any wriggle room if he doesn’t quite get the grades required

mrsconradfisher · 27/07/2023 11:00

toomuchlaundry · 27/07/2023 10:25

Have they got any spaces on clearing now @mrsconradfisher? Not that your DS can apply yet but might give an indication of possibility of spaces.

I remember looking at Loughborough clearing last year for the popular course DS was thinking about applying for, to see if it would be undersubscribed, there were no spaces at all in any of the related courses.

DS did get an offer from them this year but not sure whether he will get the grades after taking the exams. So we are assuming there won’t be any wriggle room if he doesn’t quite get the grades required

No absolutely nothing, it’s Sports Science so it’s very over subscribed. I just think if they won’t even offer with predicted grades of AAA and an amazing PS then I doubt there will be any spaces in clearing. It’s just going to be decision on the day if he gets an A star then to risk having a gap year and apply again. My only concern with that is if they up grade requirements for 2024, he will be in the same position next year. It’s crazy that even with predicted grades of 3 A’s, he didn’t get an offer but it is what it is.

NotDonna · 27/07/2023 11:36

@mrsconradfisher crazy isn’t it? He will have grades in hand next year so he’ll be a sure bet for them.

toomuchlaundry · 27/07/2023 11:55

Could your DS do something relevant for the degree in his gap year, if he goes down that route, might help with his application, or is next year the one where they are changing the PS?

clary · 27/07/2023 17:15

@mrsconradfisher I’m sorry your DS still feels that way. Unfortunately, while AAA would be a fab set of grades, and would get you an offer from most unis for most courses (inc Lboro for lots of things!) Lboro sports science is one of the most popular courses in the country, so it can ask for pretty much what it wants. A-star AA is a standard offer tbh. It’s like applying to LSE to do economics. I’ve never seen the course in clearing either, as you have seen.

Your DS could of course apply next year but there are no guarantees. A friend’s lad applied in yr 13 for economics (also a very popular course) and got no offers; reapplied with A-star AA in hand, but bc he was applying (ill-advisedly IMHO) to UCL, LSE, Kings, and two other tip-top RG unis, he got only one offer, and it wasn’t where he wanted. It’s about supply and demand. I would strongly advise your ds, unless he actually gets 3 x A-star, to go with Brum which is a great uni and a great city to be a student. I am not trying to be harsh, just I have seen numerous students fall at this exact hurdle or SS at Lboro.

mrsconradfisher · 27/07/2023 19:08

He’s actually been fine about Birmingham but the closer it’s getting to Results Day, the less excited he is getting and the more he is doubting his decision.

Thats my worry, he’ll end up with the elusive A star then won’t even get in next year either.

Will see what happens on Results Day, he might end up not getting the grades anyway.

clary · 27/07/2023 21:00

Yes @mrsconradfisher that's what I was trying to say in a long-winded way. Even with the A-star there are no guarantees. And I don't imagine a call to Lboro post-results (even if not on results day!) would give you much of a steer wrt next year. I suppose he could start at Brum and also apply to Lboro - then leave Brum in the first term if he wanted. Mate of DS2's did exactly that actually (only he left Lboro to go to Brum, funnily enough).

SabrinaThwaite · 27/07/2023 21:25

Would a visit to the Birmingham campus before results day help clarify things?

mrsconradfisher · 27/07/2023 21:38

SabrinaThwaite · 27/07/2023 21:25

Would a visit to the Birmingham campus before results day help clarify things?

That’s a good idea. I will suggest that, we could go for a day or 2 as it’s quite a trek for us.

SabrinaThwaite · 27/07/2023 22:10

I went to Birmingham, many years ago, and I loved it. As a campus uni I think it’s unusual as being self contained but within the city, so you get the best of both worlds.

Darkbutstarrynight · 27/07/2023 22:51

Ah I've found people to talk to about this!

Feels like can't talk now in real life now it's getting closer. DS needs A * AA for LSE. Was originally fairly confident but the more he thinks about it and the closer it gets, the doubts are creeping in. He's trying to pretend that the insurance offer doesn't actually exist so he doesn't have to think about it! He's researched all his first week's lectures and busy planning everything and he's worked so hard ....but I alternate from thinking of course it will be fine, to what if the Government really want to make a point to get the grades down ...