A Levels 2023 - Results Day & Beyond: Part 2

[SlightlyJaded]

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

Waiting till the old thread fills up before we hop over here.

She knows what she wants and would probably have hated UEA.

And good luck to anyone with GCSEs going on too (I don’t). What a week it has been for everyone, with the media hype etc.

All posters but also @PacificState what a brilliant insightful post. You've hit the nail on the head there.

A friend of mine went to mmu many moons ago. He had done less well in his A levels than expected. He is so successful now. He has a part time job earning 6 figures. He also had a great time there.

Aw thanks @stilldumdedumming. And yes GOOD LUCK to anyone doing the A Level/GCSE double (or indeed those just biting their nails for tomorrow)

I live in Manchester and it’s a really exciting place. There’s lots to do, it’s thriving and it’s well-connected for travel. It’s really diverse, she should hopefully get a job easily if she wants one. If she’s in halls that’s great.

Because I am nosy I had a look at her course at MMU -it looks good. I think there's a placement or year in industry? I think that’s a good sign. I’d want my kids to do that as I think it’s a good way to make connections.

I can understand you feel
upset and why you wanted it. You’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions. I would take the time you need, your nerves must have been shot.

@SlightlyJaded i get it, but sometimes you have to let them make their own mistakes. That’s not to say MMU will be, but if it is it’ll be her mistake rather than something she felt pressured into.

Deep down I wanted dd to accept her insurance choice. She chose to go with a different course at her first choice. I feel that a lot of her decision to go there in the first place was because her boyfriend lives just outside that city. He’s a nice lad, but I didn’t want her to base her future on being near him. Tbh this uni is a RG and her insurance wasn’t, but I went to her insurance and know it’s a good uni (that may partly be why she decided not to go).

anyway she’s happy with the course so I’m happy for her. But I can’t help but thinking I hope it’s the course and not her boyfriend that’s the main draw. They’re adults now and they have to decide for themselves. All we can do is advise, as you tired to do, and then be there for them good or bad.

good luck for your other DC and GCSEs tomorrow. We’ve got another year before we have to go through that with DC2 thanks goodness.

Good luck to all GCSEers for tomorrow. God I really hope it isn't as much of a rollercoaster as A levels have been. We got off lucky but DS is still bemused by the fall in his Biology grade.

@SlightlyJaded I think it's really understandable that you're coming down off the adrenaline rush, and the best available outcome has been pushed out of reach. I have several 'career crossroads' moments where I picked the wrong path and I still wonder 'what if'. Looking back it's very obvious what I should have done, but that's how life goes. Maybe your DD will come to regret her choice but maybe she won't. Either way she will know that you absolutely had her back when it mattered, and that she can rise again after a setback.

Maybe to make you feel better, UEA is going through some really nasty redundancies right now, while MMU is hiring.

First time poster but I’ve been following this thread and loving the support provided!

My son took his A levels in 2019. He had offers from several RG unis but, late in the day, declined them all (he decided on a change of course) and so we knew he would have to go through clearing. Results day came and grades weren’t what they could have been - he got what he deserved, not what he had the potential to get. Long story short, he ended up at MMU. I have to admit to feeling disappointed (didn’t admit it to him!) and feeling so guilty for feeling this way.

Anyway, fast forward 4 years. He took a placement year out (not as easy to get as the unis might have you believe!), graduated this summer with a 1st and has a place on an amazing grad scheme!

Little did he know at the time but the A level results were the making of him! The results absolutely don’t define the student - even if it feels it at the time. He wanted to prove to himself that he could get that 1st and did all it took to get it. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Manchester, so much so, he has just started to rent a house there.

This time 4 years ago, I was sad and worried for the disappointment he had gone through and where he might end up. Now, well I’m just excited to see where he goes to from here…….Give it time OP and hopefully you’ll feel the same too.

Agree with others @SlightlyJaded - what a week you have had, I cannot imagine. My DD's clearing day was stressful enough.

Yes, the UEA offer was good and it's a great uni, but MMU is also really good. It's not RG but it's a very good uni and I know lots of students who have enjoyed it and done well there. I'd put it on a par with (in those terms) Sheffield Hallam and Leeds Beckett. (this is praise! I am not a fan of the endless deference to RG).

Also Norwich, much as I love the city, is no Manchester. It's a bit isolated and not going to be the uni experience Manchester is. And it sounds as tho that is important to your DD I am sure she will have a great time.

Thank you all - this is just what I needed to hear. Especially any good outcome stories from MMU. I got sucked into a rabbit hole of reading reviews on The Student Room with people saying it was shit and just for UoM rejects and stupid people blah blah blah and it made me really sad for DD.

I am going to try and take a breather and a big step back. I've had to be over-invested I think, in order to help DD navitage herself out of the hole she was in, so it's taking a bit longer to 'let it go'. I'm going to try and focus on the 'nice bits' - shopping for her room - that sort of thing.

And of course DS tomorrow. Tomorrow is all about him.

Thanks all for the posts. Genuinely helped.

pS. Sorry again for slightly hogging and de-railing. I could have started a new thread but I wanted you lot :)

We have accomodation! After being offered uni accomodation in other towns which would mean 1-2hour trip into university, we decided to just book the expensive student rooms in the city. It is a 20min bus drive away. Since then it feels like a weight has been lifted. DD has been in touch with another girl on her course also living in the city. Planned Freshers week already. Although she is still unwell this evening is the first time she has gotten out of bed and we have been out for a waffle. For the first time after results and the drama of clearing she seems happy and is looking forward to going. This evening was the first time she has even spoken about shopping for her room. It has been a difficult week, unexpected results, going to a university that I hadn't heard of before and accomodation drama but I do feel that it will be worth it in the end. (Just hope she gets up and goes for lectures now!)
Again thank you for the support and reading my rants.
All the best for those receiving results tomorrow.

Oh Lowther that is fantastic news.

I think you did the right thing accomodation-wise. A 2 hour journey into Uni is insane and she would have felt very removed from everything. So now she gets the swanky accommodation - hope she makes the most of it!

Thank you @SlightlyJaded .
I agree and I hope that you are feeling more upbeat too as I think we have done the best we can and now have to leave it to them. My worry is that my DD can be a bit of a party person so I hope she actually doesn't party all the time and goes to lectures but I think the fact that we have had all the uncertainties during this week means she will actually do rather well in the end. I am going to sit back and watch her be the person she wants and can be! I am feeling so much bloody better tonight!
Good luck to all our DC!

I’m sure MMU will be fine. I suppose your DD feels she has levelled up again - she’s going to the city she wanted (I think?) and can stay in contact with her best friend and BF easily, so she doesn’t feel totally abandoned. If she does well in her studies at MMU she can always consider a Masters somewhere else when the time comes.

Fingers crossed for your DS for tomorrow, btw. Hope it goes smoothly.

@SlightlyJaded glad all has worked out well. Dd had an easy time and got what she wanted, her friend who didn’t is joining her at the same uni and they are making fresher plans. Different courses, campuses and accommodation.

Tomorrow I’ve got GCSEs with ds as well. This is my dreading it day. He’s got too different course plans but no idea.

Such good news @Lowther. I was welling up reading your post. You must feel so relieved

@Lowther that’s fantastic news!! So many of these poor kids have had such a tough few days with one step forward turning into several steps back, but they’ve got there in the end. And in so many cases it’s been down to the unwavering support of their bad-ass parents. Not all heroes wear capes

@slightlyjaded I've got several pals who went to MMU and loved it-Manchester is fab!

We're on GCSE results for DD2 this morning, good luck to everyone in the same boat!

We are also back on the merry go round of results days. This time for DS GCSE's...I think I'll have aged several years by the time DD actually leaves for Uni in a few weeks!

Have been following this post but not commented yet. So happy to hear so many happy outcomes after all the stress! I am absolutely shattered! DD had excellent result but ended up at her insurance as firm was Cambridge and she didn’t get the dreaded STEP. She actually wanted the insurance choice though so was delighted 🙈 It’s me that’s stressed because it’s in London and we live in west wales. So will definitely be a culture shock! She can’t wait though.
As it’s her insurance she didn’t get Uni halls so after a panic period we eventually secured private halls which look great and she’s delighted with.
so my new panic is that she won’t be with other freshers or indeed anyone from her particular uni.
Shes not panicking mind you. Just me!
What a stressful week!

@Luckyme2 I am kind of hoping we'll be in that place too! Waiting for a remark which if he gets will take him into LSE as firm again.....but all accommodation was cancelled when he initially lost the place. Hoping he gets in....but have visions of getting a sleeping bag out at Kings Cross! Do you mind if I ask which London Uni and how you found the halls please? .....but then again I am probably tempting fate. Has insurance booked at insurance in case which is at least something....

It’s good to read that it seems to be working out for lots of DC. My DS is having a gap year but has lost his offer from Ox Brookes. He is coping fine- just really fed up of having to tell everyone and explain his plans. I’m just relieved that the gap year was already planned so we didn’t have the disappointment of not going into the accommodation already arranged etc.

We’ve requested a remark of his C and to look at the U papers in case there is any chance of getting an E from a remark. I know I’m probably being really overhopeful- I keep reading about sections being missed by the markers. Anyway I just want to feel like I’ve done everything I can to maximise his UCAS points.

He is now planning to apply for a foundation year that can lead to Paramedic Science. We’ve found courses at Wolverhampton, Coventry, UWE and Canterbury. Has anyone got any positive stories about these unis? DS very social and sporty (mainly athletics but also likes team sports) so thats important to him as part of his uni experience.