Current Oxford/Cambridge students support/chat continued (2)

[Panicmode1]

The other thread is nearly full so I took the liberty of starting a new one...

@Teriyakieverything aa @Panicmode1 says it is pretty common to be shattered at and tearful at the end of term. I’d have thought your DD should be really proud of all she has done. She sounds amazing. Even if the Physics Lab report counts hopefully it will not be a huge %. Learning to pace oneself under huge pressure is a huge skill and one often learnt only through ‘lived’ experience.

I remember in my 3rd year at O I decided not to drink as I decided I couldn’t party, row and get a degree if I drank alcohol- it took me a few times of over exhaustion to learn that. 😊

@Juja Hopefully she is learning to pace herself and get a better sense of balance. She had a lot of catching up on missed lectures and labs to do, due to fencing commitments, then there's all the admin of rearranging lab and supervision times...
@Panicmode1 I think you are right, they were A* students who are so used to achieving easily. Hopefully she could get some perspective from DoS and bounce back from it, I'd like to think that the first year is a safe environment to make some mistakes, I don't think she really knew what was expected of the lab report. That said, she did really well in her after Christmas exams. She also needs to get a clear picture of how the marks in the degree is made up.

University is a big transition on so many levels, it breaks my heart to see her like that and can't think how we could help her. She said she just wanted to come home. She only has a few days left of lectures and supervisions, and then a few meetings DoS and her Tutor, and helping out with Chemistry/outreach/open day thing on Saturday.

Sometimes I'm reminded that they are still really only a child and it's unrealistic to expect them to just be suddenly 'grown up' just because they hit 18 or leave home for university.

It's fascinating discovering all these Cambridge traditions like Bumps, I had no idea and then found some videos on Youtube. The Varsity fencing, we didn't even know it was a thing and only watched it via (very choppy) livestream on Youtube. I'm now looking forward to watching the Boat Race end of March.

@Teriyakieverything sorry to hear that your DD is having such a stressful time.

Is she doing Part IA? The physics lab report does count for a small percentage of the marks for Part IA * , but the final BA degree is only based on marks from Part II.

• 25% of the total Part IA marks would be from Physics. Of the Physics Part IA mark, in DS's day (2021) 25% of that was from 'continuous assessment and two lab reports'. So one lab report would have been at most 3% of the weighting of his Part IA mark.

@Ironoaks Thanks Ironoaks. She is in her 1st year, so Part IA. Where or from whom could she get the clarity and transparency from please? I just had a look at the NatSci site and it all seems quite complicated and unclear.

@Teriyakieverything each subject is run by a separate department and so the information isn't all in one place. The Physics department issues a handbook each year which is available online.

I don't know if this link will work, if not then you can search for Physics Course Handbook 2023-2024 from the Cavendish Laboratory.

https://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/files/physics_course_handbook_2021_2022-compressed.pdf

And here is (hopefully) the link for this year's one. 😂

https://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/files/physics_course_handbook_2023_2024_v3.pdf

@Ironoaks your last post is so thoughtful and helpful and a perfect example of why I love this thread and still drop in occasionally although my DC are post Oxbridge.

@Teriyakieverything I hope your poor DD can take a break very soon. I am sure she will regain perspective after a few days rest at Easter.

I'm a bit concerned that DS is getting distracted from his degree. He says that all of this term's courses are 'straightforward' and he completed what he needs for his research project (due in May) earlier this term, so he has been spending most of his time in the lab, practising and developing specific computational and experimental skills relevant to the future PhD project.

I realise he is an adult and I need to trust that he knows what he is doing, but I can't help feeling that his primary focus should be his degree, especially as the PhD offer is conditional.

Idioms about counting chickens and putting carts before horses come to mind. On the other hand, access to that lab is an important opportunity, and he is making the most of it. I just hope he has the balance right.

I see what you mean Ironoaks. I guess I'd be wondering if he has actually written the project, or does he mean he's done the experimental work only? But as you say, we can only hope they've got it right.

He has collected the data, made the notes and gave the presentation last week.

I don't know how far he has got with writing it up, but plan to ask when he comes home next weekend.

@Teriyakieverything I'm sure your DD just need a proper break and some rest and will be fine. She's done very well to manage such an intense university life so far and well done to her for juggling extracurriculars on top of academia.

@Ironoaks your DS sounds like the perfect scholarly academic, surging ahead with his PhD interests and almost outgrowing his undergrad. studies by now. How lovely that he's enjoying his intellectual interests so much.

Good news here: DS2 now has 3 Vac Schemes secured for the summer and DFS1 has two...although sadly, these clash with each other and he's in the throes of needing to decide which to accept.

It seems so tough that after all the hard work with applications and assessments, he has to lose one of them just because they've no space to transfer him to the Vac Scheme a little later in the year. However, I'm pleased he did at last get the offer of not one but two. Of course none are likely to end in an offer of a Training Contract but at least a Vac Scheme looks good on the CVs and they both did very well in their first set of law conversion course exams.

@mutterphore , so pleased perseverance is paying off for your DC and congratulations on their exam results.

@Ironoaks, DS’s approach to his academic work caused me much anxiety from GCSEs to finals but it always worked out well. Not easy to watch from the sidelines I know but I suspect your lad has got this under control.

@mutterphore - congratulations to both of them, that's great that they both have something lined up for this summer, and they've shown a lot of resilience during this process.

@mutterphore your DSs are amazing! I know you are rightly proud of them, but they are doing a great job.

@Teriyakieverything sorry I didn't reply yesterday. I am up to my eyeballs in EPQ presentations, marking and still have my dad around so some days I don't check in. People like the fab @Ironoaks have given great advice. I'm fairly certain that a 1st year lab report doesn't count towards Finals. Your DD is likely to be shattered and hopefully her DoS can reassure her and she can move on. It doesn't help you but mine did History of Science in her 2nd year - her DoS tried to put her off telling her all about the reading and essays. DD's response was that she had an A level in English, so he said she'd love it! Her 1st essay was given a really poor grade and she was a bit upset & disheartened because she was used to smashing out A* grade essays. However, it was because this academic wanted things written in a specific format, something DD hadn't realised. Once she got into the swing of it, she was fine, but she was somewhat put off at the start of the course.

I had a chat with her on Sunday. Having run her first half marathon on 4th, she only went and ran another one on Sunday which was a sort of trail run "for fun"! I have no idea what I have done to have produced a running nut, but there you go. One of her very best schoolfriends came into school on Monday (gave me a big hug in the staffroom) so it was lovely to catch up. @goodbyestranger it was our resident author who has another book coming out in the summer. Several colleagues brought in copies of her book for her to sign - DD is mentioned in the acknowledgements as she proof-read the book - and her copy has a lovely personal message in it.

Not sure if DD will come home at Easter as she needs to change the medium of her cell cultures every 3 days. We are going to her "graduation" (BA - MA upgrade) over Easter so we should see her then. I'm just hoping I get through all my marking before it.

Hi everyone - long-time lurker and occasional poster here, with a question about implications of DS (third year history Oxford) having submitted his undergrad dissertation in wrong format.

He is in a bit of a panic today having realised that he forgot to change the spacing to double before submitting. He has sent an email off to the admin person in charge of dissertation submissions, with the correctly spaced dissertation attached, along with an assurance that it hasn’t been altered at all.

To be honest, I’m doubtful that they will accept the new document as they can’t be sure that it hasn’t been changed, so I’d really like to know if anyone has any information about whether he will be penalised for incorrect formatting. He is very stressed about this, as the grade he gets matters for his conditional Mst offer from Oxford.

I wouldn't (just) be emailing, I'd be knocking on doors and ringing phones.

Not sure who he can ring on a weekend. Would contacting his personal tutor be an idea?

DS has messaged personal tutor explaining the situation and what he has done. Anyone else he should be getting on to at the moment? He knows he will need to make some phone calls Monday morning.

@LaundryFairy hope your ds could get some answers soon to put his mind at rest.

@mutterphore you must be so proud of your DCs.
Enjoy your dd s graduation over Easter! Thanks @Malbecfan and @Ironoaks for the words of wisdom and the MNs for their kind words. Having been down and ill and said she just wanted to come home at the start of week, she s now got through the week, still a bit ill, but managed to go out for an ABBA’s club night last night, and right now helping out at the Cambridge festival doing Chemistry demonstrations using liquid nitrogen.

She met with the DoS last week, as part of the termly catch up, he was able to help put the poor mark into perspective. I think she has it in her head that the DoS is some head teacher authoritative figure, so I had to remind her that the DoS is there to help guide and support her in her studies and that she should make the most of his support by talking through any issues or concerns. Must get the DoS an end of year gift as a token of appreciation, he’s been very encouraging and supportive, and he actually seems to care.

We pick her up tomorrow, she will be able to have some rest at home and spend time with her cat….which is the most important thing for now.

No problem @Teriyakieverything . I'm really glad the DoS is nice and approachable. I met one of DD's DoS after her graduation when he was cycling to the library as we were going for tapas. He was a lovely person and complimented us on her ability - not sure very much of it is down to me but I'll take any compliment on offer! Enjoy having your DD home. It was this weekend 6 years ago that my DD was involved in a science outreach project on a freezing morning in Cambridge. Her college was holding a lunch for freshers and their parents/siblings so we drove up the night before, stayed over in a hotel, scraped the snow flurries off the car and bagged a spot at her college, loaded the car, went for a coffee then had a lovely lunch. All the way back, I had the DDs checking their weather apps for snow but it only really started to fall as we came off the M5 8 miles from home in the late afternoon. Just as well we left when we did as we couldn't get out at all the next day. This year it's just loads of rain...!

I heard about the new book Malbec - DD4 still sees the youngest sister in Oxford so I get news of the author sister from her. Lovely that she came into school. I was down your way last week - drive feels much longer than it used to - very rainy but very pretty; it was good to be back. Hope all's well with you and the family. DD4 is on the train to Glasgow as I type. She's just handed in her extended essay so coming for a week just to walk and play golf - no work. Then back for the home straight to finals. In fact my neighbours have organised the annual beach clean for this Saturday so (she's not aware of this yet) she's going to have a well deserved break litter picking :)

mutterphore I'm so pleased to hear that DS1 now has two Vac Schemes. What a pain about the clash. I hope he's going for the one he wants most - my advice would be to not overthink relative chances of securing a TC, just go with whichever firm he prefers.

Hi

I am looking for a international boarding sixth form to prepare my daughter for her A levels

any good schools one can suggest please?
art and business

@bentle - name change! I'll never remember it. Nice to hear you were back in the SW - let me know if you're down this way again. Good luck to your DD4. All ok here - Dad still here but we're heading back north for Easter and my witchy sister can take over for a bit.

@Mumoftwoinmalta this thread is people who have DC at Oxbridge, so may not be able to help you very well. You might do better either to report your post to MNHQ (click report and ask for it to be moved) or just start a new thread with International Boarding Help please in the title. Good luck!

@mutterphore pleased to see your DTs are beginning to see their hard work lead to the opportunities they deserve.

@LaundryFairy Any news?

DD is back in Oxford for a week using up leave whilst her BF is on 4th year placements. I can report that she isn't missing the twice weekly deadlines and tutorials at all, but does miss her morning trips to Taylor's.

DS’ tutor got back to him saying that he had checked departmental guidance and didn’t think there was a specific penalty for incorrect formatting. His advice to DS was not to worry about it, and so much relief here.