Current Oxford/Cambridge students support/chat continued

[Panicmode1]

New thread.....!

Thank you, great idea, will save that for when the forecast improves!

Thank you, I'll look it up. I'm so looking forward to seeing him :)

This is definitely somewhere I want to visit another time to see if they're as good as people say!

Dd called as she was getting stressed about booking the Varsity Ski trip, booking deadline is tomorrow. She is stressed about the accommodation arrangements, she doesn’t want to book by herself and end up sharing accommodation with people she doesn’t know, but didn’t realise and doesn’t know enough freshers to get together in a friendship group to book together. Her last school ski trip was cancelled due to covid, so she really wanted to go. She’s now decided that she cannot book for this year and quite upset about it. Now she knows more about the process, hopefully she could be more prepared and co-ordinated for next year.

To the MNs whose dc have been on varsity ski trips, how do the dynamics of these things work for varsity trips for freshers? I guess it’s similar stress to trying to get groups together for a house share in the second year at other universities.

From what DD1 told me, it's a PITA, sorting out the insurance, hotels and trying to get all your group into one accomodation. Tickets sell out really quickly indeed, so loads of people are disappointed. DD1 missed out on the first trip, but did get on the second trip. I think it's FOMO that drives people to book a varsity trip, but I guess it's nice to go on one.

The social side was not as good as she hoped, but she loves skiing (and wolves).

She did organise and book a few holidays to other places though with small and large groups of students, UK and abroad. You can do the same holiday with your mates, same area, similar dates and price.

I reckon your DD should try it; even if she feels like a fish out of water, it's something that students want to get under their belt.

...if she does change her mind, internet in halls can be shite, so you might want to get her log in and book for her on your own wifi.

DS went last year with a group of 6 of them and somehow they all.managed to get tickets and bunk in a basic apartment together. However, I was quite surprised that he was the least experienced skiier and so didn't spend much time on the slopes with them and none of them were interested in the huge apres ski drinking fests. He has booked again this year but has opted to fly (said the coach was grim and not that much cheaper) and thinks the accommodation is going to be awful..last year there were 6 banding options..this year only 3, and the 'best' option gets you a bed, the worst 'space on a floor', so it sounds as though the organisation is not quite as good this year! If she just wants to ski (as DS and his group do, she would probably be better off doing as @CinnamonJellyBeans suggests and getting a small group together and going separately!

Thanks all for sharing your DC varsity experiences. She loves skiing and really wanted to go, we are not a skiing family, so she was hoping to go with varsity. I think she did the right thing to wait til next year, when she knows more people and has more time to get a group of like minded people together. She’s not so keen on the inescapable party animals vibe they market so heavily on, not that she doesn’t like to party, just that she also likes to sleep.

@juicy0 Fighting talk this but I think my own (traditional recipe) are better. Less sticky and not as sickly sweet. However FB's are a speciality and people do seem to have an alarmingly sweet tooth that their product suits. Also, mine aren't for sale. However, don't let that put you off FB: it is something to be tried - along with so much else at C.

Very bold claim @Clemenc0 !!

(I'm actually not a sweet treat fan, but FB is spoken of in awe by Cambridge alumni so I had to try them - tho DH and DS are fans!)

DD2 has just heard that she’s been awarded a scholarship on the basis of her prelims results. So pleased for her! Now if only she would believe in herself and not think she’s not clever enough to be there… We’re visiting on Sunday so it will be lovely to celebrate with her.

Great news @pantjog , congratulations to DD2!

I do like Fitzbillies for lunch and I have tried a Chelsea bun (lush!)

Taking my leave from you all for a while as DH and I are off on a long-awaited holiday trip. Hopefully I can pop in from time to time. Enjoy your visits to your DC.

Sorry to burst into all the lovely chat about buns but I need some support. My DC tells me that they have NO FRIENDS and are terribly stupid and can't understand A SINGLE thing about their lectures.
The tutor said their first work was the level expected for first term and I know they were out playing cards till 4 am last weekend, have a fancy dress event tonight and have joined several clubs where they are meeting people from different colleges.
Please please tell me this is normal and that they will start to settle in and feel more at home? They like their college, and seem to have people to eat lunch/dinner with etc, but DC convinced it is all going terribly wrong.

It doesn't really sound like it to me, sounds about normal, but I just need to check. I never had this problem at Uni (I was glad to escape home) so I don't know what to say to make it magically better (if anything can!)

Thank you

Well done your DD2, @pantjog! That's excellent news! Hope she allows herself to bask in the glow of well-deserved success.

@sytron your DC is most likely in the vast majority who feel exactly the same. If their tutor is saying they're working at the expected standard for the first term, then that's very good news. It's far too early to make proper friends but it all looks very promising for your DC that they're doing all that socialising. They've got nothing at all to worry about and to me, it sounds like they're off to a great start.

@Malbecfan have a lovely, well-deserved holiday. It's good to see your continuing contributions on this thread, when you get the time and meanwhile, enjoy your trip.

I'd say that's pretty normal for first term @sytron - DD was much the same last year.

Well done to @pantjog DD. My DD has found out she has an Exhibition. Incredibly proud of her.

Hi all we made it into Oxford last Sunday with only a small amount of congestion - lunched at Branca which is dog friendly, very nice. Free parking up near St Hugh’s!

@sytron that is totally normal. I think that there is a fear that everyone is going to be much brighter than you.

Plus with friends, it takes time to feel as relaxed as with people you've known for 7+ years.

pantjog very well done to your DD. Some of mine got money with the upgrade which was always welcome. DS1 said a major bonus was the classy wine at scholars' dinners (as opposed to the vinegar dished out at formals. A slight surprise since he's always seemed remarkable happy to drink whatever happens to be in my fridge).

Parking up near St Hugh's is only free on Sundays/ Saturday afternoons - beware!

Malbec where are you off to? Have a great time!

Across the pond @goodbyestranger . Got an almost 2 week half term, so taking advantage

E.xciting Malbec. Yes the long half term is a new one on me.

Congratulations to your DD @pantjog and hopefully a real confidence boost.
We are also visiting Oxford on Sunday to celebrate DS's birthday next week. He's taking us to a (not) swanky kebab house 😁

@sytron i know what you mean, I worry about DD being too busy with work to make friends. She meets lots of new people, especially during freshers week, but it all feels very fragmented and loose, and don’t seem to ‘stick’, so I’m also worried about her not making friends and whether it is normal. Then she takes the mindset that she knows someone doesn’t know someone well enough to meet up for coffee for example, rather than just get chatting to them to get to know them better.

@HoneyMobster Congratulations to your D with her Exhibition - fantastic news and the chance to wear a fancier gown too...

@sytron @Teriyakieverything first term for most people is full of ups and downs in my experience and it can be pretty discombobulating meeting people realising after a bit they aren't your tribe - moving on and this circuit continues for a bit. It will get better 🙂

Thanks @Juja - we're off to have a formal at DS1's college on Friday - special treat for DH's 50th. It's so lovely to be able to see DS1 and DD together.

They're doing a show together this term - which is giving DH enormous pleasure (he is a big musical theatre person). It's nice because they're seeing each other at the rehearsals and socials.