Page 14 | Current Oxford/Cambridge students support/chat continued

HoneyMobster · 18/08/2023 05:40

@yoyo1234 - he is going to need a gown from time to time so best to buy one. I'd leave it until her gets there - it will be explained to him why it's needed.

@PottersClay - the Oxford puffer jackets come up quite big. Both of mine lived their jackets and went on to get more stash.

@Juja - how funny. It does look very beautiful. DS2's college looks like it was modelled on one on of their siblings Oxford colleges - cloisters and all.

PermanentTemporary · 18/08/2023 07:02

Ds has just finished his summer internship with a company in Doncaster. He won't miss the 4am start for his weekly day in the office, but it seemed like a very friendly team and I think he's learned a lot, plus he's earned a good chunk of money. Must remind him to look out for his P45.

Some of his brightest colleagues seem to have got internships by emailing everyone they could find on Linked-In which is interesting and I pass it on - it wouldn't have occurred to me as it's not how people recruit in my field.

He'll be heading back for his second year of Computer Science at C soon.

ofteninaspin · 18/08/2023 07:11

The Oxford puffers come up on the large side. DD is a tall size 8 and wears an XS.

Good luck to DS2 @HoneyMobster!!

HereWeGo2023 · 18/08/2023 07:34

I was aware of this thread but too scared to even click on it in case I jinxed everything!
Im very happy that my daughter got the grades yesterday and is off to Cambridge.
Congratulations to all of the other newbies (I recognise some of you from my A level support threads). It’s such a relief to have made it!

sparkles18 · 18/08/2023 07:35

Hi, my DS got his grades for Oxford yesterday and will be studying Music. So proud of him and so relieved too!

Juja · 18/08/2023 08:12

👏 👏 @yoyo1234 and @HereWeGo2023 you can now relax and enjoy all the getting ready

My DD is now launching into her reading list - she’s had her whole year off to prepare and now is attempting 12 foreign language set texts in a month 😀good news and a relief that is she’s enjoying them as two weeks ago she had a wobble about her subject choice

Clemenc0 · 18/08/2023 10:00

Congratulations to all whose DSs and DDs have met their offers. Moreover, congratulations and the best of luck to the new undergraduates. I remember it well last August - a touch and go matter for eight and a half hours so it was a surprise when it came through and blow me, he's been there for a year.

HereWeGo2023 · 18/08/2023 12:47

Could anyone help with 2 Cambridge questions for DD please
she is wondering when she is likely to hear about accommodation. Also, she says there are group chats for each college but I’ve looked on Facebook and can’t see anything, any pointers here would be appreciated. Many thanks

Original poster

Panicmode1 · 18/08/2023 13:22

@HereWeGo2023 Welcome to the thread and congratulations!

DS wasn't told anything about which room/band etc until he arrived, but I did push him to email and explain he was 6ft 4 so low ceilings were an issue, and he ended up with an enormous room with double bed.

From memory, re social stuff once he had accepted his place, there were emails from the college and he went to a Cambridge freshers drinks in London about 10 days before they started, where he met a really lovely group who have become his 'core' group really. His college also has an Xcollege2023freshers Insta page so may be worth looking for one for your DC's college?

He didn't have a FB account before he went but said he definitely needed one because a lot of college stuff, and most of the clubs/rowing stuff is posted on there....

OP posts:

Original poster

Panicmode1 · 18/08/2023 13:25

Also, your DD will probably have a 'college parent' who should help ensure she meets her fellow subject undergrads - tho if she's got my DS as one, I will apologise in advance because he is being very casual about his responsibilities...his was somewhat useless.....

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Chicoandchunky · 18/08/2023 13:34

DS is waiting to hear who his college child is. His college parent was also pretty laid back, but he was introduced to the whole "family " quite early on, and it definitely helped to have the support.

Yes to the gown, yes to the puffer.

Don't buy a fridge until you've spoken with your college parent as they may have one to sell on.

Catsnap · 18/08/2023 13:49

We’ve read all the freshers information that’s been sent. Dd is keen on the purchase of some battery operated fairy lights for her room! Is it better to buy a mini fridge beforehand or wait until she gets there?

Original poster

Panicmode1 · 18/08/2023 14:11

I would wait @catsnap - DS had a mini fridge in his room.

OP posts:

Ironoaks · 18/08/2023 14:14

HereWeGo2023 · 18/08/2023 12:47

Could anyone help with 2 Cambridge questions for DD please
she is wondering when she is likely to hear about accommodation. Also, she says there are group chats for each college but I’ve looked on Facebook and can’t see anything, any pointers here would be appreciated. Many thanks

DS found an official group on Facebook run by the college JCR reps. From there, he was invited to a groupchat on WhatsApp.

HoneyMobster · 18/08/2023 14:18

Definitely wait.@Catsrcool69 - DD had a fridge in her room at Oxford last year.

goodbyestranger · 18/08/2023 14:47

DD4 also had a fridge in her room provided by the college, none of the others did though. I think it might have been something prompted by the pandemic and that's why none of the others had one.

Catsnap · 18/08/2023 14:50

Thanks! We can always go to Argos if needed

Scoobyblue · 18/08/2023 15:40

Yes definite wait re fridge - at my dd’s college you weren’t allowed them in your room at all.

PettsWoodParadise · 18/08/2023 16:39

I believe DD finds out about her accommodation when she turns up! No advance info. They tell you what will be provided at basic level (bed, desk, lamp, matress protector, duvet, pillows but have to bring own bed linen for a bed you don’t know the size of. The rest (en-suite, sink, fridge, size, location etc) is luck. If she gets a poor quality room she gets a higher position on the ballot for a year 2 room.

SchrodingersKitty · 18/08/2023 18:11

My DS (O) was definitely told in advance which room he was assigned and the size of the bed. He had an email from accommodation about it as I recall. They should soon be receiving a fresher's handbook which will answer lots of questions about exactly who is in charge of what in the college and what fresher's week will look like, and the various bits of admin to be done in advance (electronics forms, for instance).

goodbyestranger · 18/08/2023 21:02

PettsWoodParadise I have only seen one mattress protector/ duvet/ pillow that I would think had a fighting chance of not being riddled with something unspeakable. That was Magdalen. The Queen's duvet practically wriggled independently and was a peculiarly sinister colour. The only safe thing to do is to bring your own mattress protector thick and duvet and pillows and to put the college ones in a bin bag in the furthest away space you can find.

PettsWoodParadise · 18/08/2023 21:37

grwst insight! Thank you @goodbyestranger - we will get some for DD.

PettsWoodParadise · 18/08/2023 21:37

*great!

juicy0 · 18/08/2023 21:43

Strange question about room
Allocation of anyone feels they can advise please?
DS was asked to fill in an accommodation form for his insurance choice which, amongst other things, asked his height so it could be considered when allocating rooms. Now that he is going to C who haven't asked for any details. is it worth contacting the college accommodation office to ask for a larger bed if possible or just see what happens when we get there.

PermanentTemporary · 18/08/2023 22:26

@juicy0 I think I'd wait but it depends what your ds would usually do - does he hang his feet over the edge of a normal bed?