Page 4 | A Levels 2023 - Results Day & Beyond: Part 2

SlightlyJaded · 2023-08-19T11:28:00+00:00

The previous post is filling up and as i seem to be one of the few still in limbo, I thought I'd start a new thread. A place to discuss 2023 A level results and navigate our way through clearing/frustrations/questions and anything else. Previous thread here: [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4873934-a-levels-2023-results-day-and-beyond?page=10&reply=128536278 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4873934-a-levels-2023-results-day-and-beyond?page=10&reply=128536278]] Waiting till the old thread fills up before we hop over here.

LaDeeDa123 · 21/08/2023 17:51

This is so tough @SlightlyJaded as it’s such an emotional time and yet big decisions need to be made. Is there a trusted person she can talk to, a teacher etc, if she’s refusing to engage with you?

Maiyakat · 21/08/2023 17:51

@SlightlyJaded there are loads of private student halls providers in Manchester you could try. These say they have availability from £212 (which whilst a long way from cheap is a lot less than £450!) https://www.iqstudentaccommodation.com/manchester?year=2023-24&sorting=availability

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 18:41

Trying not to be too hopeful but the board have found 3 marks of the 5 needed to raise the grade and get the firm choice accepted.....one paper to go .....he's going to be so so happy if they find 2 but gutted if they don't. Trying hard to keep balanced for him but stomach constantly in knots!! In the mean time has at least confirmed accommodation at insurance choice but firm has been his dream for ages... Keep going everyone that's clinging onto options...surely the light at the end of the tunnel must be coming soon!.

Thefatbutteredpig · 21/08/2023 18:53

jamimmi · 21/08/2023 17:12

@SlightlyJaded poor you. You may want to mention to her that clearing students from both MU and MMU ended up in Bolton, Liverpool and Preston last year. I live in one and DS is a student in another. I belive uni did pay for there travel or give a donation but unsurprisingly the ones in his private halls in Liverpool dropped out . Manchester is very short of accommodation she maybe lucky but no guarantees

I live close by. They also shipped kids out to Huddersfield which is the back of beyond. There was no way they could experience uni nightlife I guess either.

I am sure they tried offering money to ‘local ish’ students to encourage them to give up their accommodation place and commute too.

No sure about Liverpool, but Preston is nearly an hour on the train to Piccadily.

Original poster

SlightlyJaded · 21/08/2023 18:53

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 18:41

Trying not to be too hopeful but the board have found 3 marks of the 5 needed to raise the grade and get the firm choice accepted.....one paper to go .....he's going to be so so happy if they find 2 but gutted if they don't. Trying hard to keep balanced for him but stomach constantly in knots!! In the mean time has at least confirmed accommodation at insurance choice but firm has been his dream for ages... Keep going everyone that's clinging onto options...surely the light at the end of the tunnel must be coming soon!.

OMG SOOOOOOO Close. Everything crossed!!!

Come on those 2 marks, show yourselves!

OP posts:

Thefatbutteredpig · 21/08/2023 18:54

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 18:41

Trying not to be too hopeful but the board have found 3 marks of the 5 needed to raise the grade and get the firm choice accepted.....one paper to go .....he's going to be so so happy if they find 2 but gutted if they don't. Trying hard to keep balanced for him but stomach constantly in knots!! In the mean time has at least confirmed accommodation at insurance choice but firm has been his dream for ages... Keep going everyone that's clinging onto options...surely the light at the end of the tunnel must be coming soon!.

Can I ask which board/ subject?

good luck!

LaDeeDa123 · 21/08/2023 19:06

Fingers crossed @Darkbutstarrynight

Original poster

SlightlyJaded · 21/08/2023 19:07

Maiyakat · 21/08/2023 17:51

@SlightlyJaded there are loads of private student halls providers in Manchester you could try. These say they have availability from £212 (which whilst a long way from cheap is a lot less than £450!) https://www.iqstudentaccommodation.com/manchester?year=2023-24&sorting=availability

Thank you

I've sent an enquiry off to one - cheapest one £247 which seems insane

If ANYONE has any other links for possible accommodation options, please share.

I've obviously tried all the ones on the MMU portal, Student Crowd, University Living, UniLodgers and AccomodationforStudents

The only things left are silly money. It's a whole new nightmare.

OP posts:

UnfunnyJester · 21/08/2023 19:09

@Darkbutstarrynight Good luck!! I assume you went for priority remarking?

Those two marks must be in there somewhere!

UnfunnyJester · 21/08/2023 19:10

@SlightlyJaded there's only so much you can do and you've really given it your all.
It'll all work out

Cwalks · 21/08/2023 19:12

Have been lurking this thread, just wanting to say fingers crossed for those still in limbo!

DD first choice was York Uni, her offer was ABB but she got BCC (another shock here) but was very lucky to still be offered a place.

It's all very exciting but I'm absolutely DREADING the day we have to drop her off-I can't sleep thinking about it 😭😭

Please tell me I'm not alone in this!

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 19:13

@Thefatbutteredpig it is fir psychology under OCR. Teachers reckon they have all been marked very harshly this year ....everything crossed for 2 more marks as the place is still is if he can get it to the A.

Thefatbutteredpig · 21/08/2023 19:14

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 19:13

@Thefatbutteredpig it is fir psychology under OCR. Teachers reckon they have all been marked very harshly this year ....everything crossed for 2 more marks as the place is still is if he can get it to the A.

Fingers crossed.

Cwalks · 21/08/2023 19:14

Paper 3 by any chance? Dd and all her classmates scored ridiculously low on that one

tribpot · 21/08/2023 19:15

Keeping everything crossed for your DS @Darkbutstarrynight Come on Paper 3!

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 19:17

@UnfunnyJester thanks...I really really hope they are! It's for LSE who have no leeway unfortunately.... Yes was priority remark/review and to be fair to school they have been really good- supportive and have paid for 3 papers to be remarked now across the subject. I guess it helps he is a really good student and gets on with the teachers as it's definitely not a rich area/ school. It's just that rubbish feeling it is all out of our control now!

angela99999 · 21/08/2023 19:20

mondaytosunday · 21/08/2023 10:05

@Karwomannghia my daughter didn't find out her EPQ score until results day.
She bucked the trend seen by many on here by doing better than predicted on her A levels (though I think her History teacher was always a harsh marker, predicting a B, and she got 196/200 in the end). Another teacher predicted a B too until right before UCAS deadline (she did not apply for uni this year), and she also got an A star in that, well above the boundary mark. Though for her (current) direction grades are not that important (good portfolio required), it does underline the ridiculousness of applying with unknown (and often incorrect) grades. Applying with grades in hand removes the agonising stress so many go through! She is doing an Art Foundation course this year so will do UCAS for September 24 entry.
@SlightlyJaded my stepson started dating his girlfriend at 16. He then took a gap year and went to Manchester. She didn't take a gap year and went to Bristol.
They got married at 28 and welcomed a 👶 last year!

My son's GF lived with our family on and off from age 16. He went to Uni, she didn't, but he came home most weekends. They married in late 20s, now two DC aged 12 and 9. If it works, it works.

Darkbutstarrynight · 21/08/2023 19:21

@Cwalks we sent that and paper 2 back. Not a single change on paper 3 despite getting over 30 marks less on that one that one than the other 2. Has been A star all if the 2 years being marked harshly against the 2019 levels and never thought it would be this one that caused an issue :( Now awaiting on paper 1 then if not successful will have run out of options ....he'll be happy and do well at the insurance but it's not what he wants or deserves really

Gloschick · 21/08/2023 19:22

@SlightlyJaded another lurker here. Have you tried spare room.co.uk? They seem to have a lot of Manchester accommodation.

EmmaStone · 21/08/2023 19:24

Sending all the extra marks vibes your way @Darkbutstarrynight , fingers crossed.

@SlightlyJaded have been following your story, and can totally feel your frustration. I think teens just can't see the wood for the trees sometimes, and don't ever want to believe that their parents might have some slight life experience...I don't suppose there's any chance she could speak to school advisors? Although I can also understand if she's over it all now and just wants a solution.

Xx

LaDeeDa123 · 21/08/2023 19:27

i would not advise any fresher relying on accommodation found through spare room. They’ll have a totally different experience to their peers and feel completely isolated.

LaDeeDa123 · 21/08/2023 19:33

Sorry @Gloschick I know you are trying to help x

Gloschick · 21/08/2023 19:38

@LaDeeDa123 no worries. Just seemed like a better idea than commuting in from Huddersfield or Preston!

BackToWhereItAllBegan · 21/08/2023 19:55

I'm hoping not to derail the thread but I just wanted to say how in awe I am of all these teenagers picking themselves up and carrying on after such a hugely stressful time.
I can still remember the build up to my A Level results 30 years ago and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
My own DS has been educated in the US and they get their grades and sit their exams gradually throughout 4 years of High School so there's no one day that that everything rests on.
They are then able to apply to university with grades in hand and get unconditional offers so they can actually enjoy and celebrate their last few months of High School!
I hope there is some way to reform the UK application system that works for everyone, we're asking far too much of our kids by having them prove themselves in just one exam in my opinion.

LaDeeDa123 · 21/08/2023 19:59

Absolutely @Gloschick!