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...

As others have said, DS always made all contact with his college. That said, he can find formal communications tricky (ASD), so he often chose to run emails past me or DH before sending.

I also contacted DD's college once in her 2nd year. Long story but it concerned threats being made to her by an adult close to home which, had they been believed, could have made her life really hard at C or worst case, thrown out. I suggested she speak to her DoS (Director of Studies) and I would phone the pastoral people at her college, which I did. They were absolutely lovely, especially when I said that she was also dealing with it herself.

In other random news, DD won a prize for her lab demonstration skills and the certificate came here today. I thought all that was over, so it was nice to see it - as she is on a walking tour, she asked me to open it & send her a photo.

Congratulations to your DD @Malbecfan how lovely. As much as DD can turn her hand to the written and spoken word, she is rather clumsy so it is a blessing to science that she probably isn't in a lab environment.

@lullubell as others have said DC do all communication themselves with college except in an emergency / serious illness. It is a great way for them to grow up and manage the trip hazards of life in a controlled way. BTW You can often find college handbooks online that allow you to then ask pertinent questions to your DC about accommodation, libraries, support, finance etc

Hello! Following a fab set of results on Thursday I'm looking forward to being able to join you all on this thread as my daughter will be going to Oxford in October. It still doesn't quite feel real tbh.

Congratulations and welcome @WutheringConniption

How brilliant of your DD @Malbecfan 😊

Congratulations and welcome @WutheringConniption . This is a very friendly board. Thanks @Panicmode1 and @PettsWoodParadise . Even though she's 25, I'm still really proud of things like this.

Congratulations @WutheringConniption and thanks all for the advice on letting my DD lead the communication. It's strange going from having to sign every little thing at college and all communication coming through me to not being in it. But to be honest I am quite glad to lessen the admin load and hand it over!!!

Thank you :) Still waiting to hear about accommodation allocation so our Ikea etc trip is on hold until we know the kitchen and bathroom situation.

Just be aware that DD wasn't given any info about her room before she arrived. Many colleges just hand over the keys on arrival.

Everyone tends to take a couple of plates, mugs, bowls and cutlery to keep in their room. A sharp knife and some Sistema microwaveable bowls are also handy.

Yes, our experience was as @HewasH2O described - allocation on arrival, although he had emailed in advance to say that he was 6ft 4 so would be grateful if he didn't have a low ceilinged room 😂

Somehow he knew it was a single bed, so we had a new duvet, pillows, mattress protector/topper (a must!) and the linen for the bed. We also bought some mugs, couple of plates, wine and beer glasses, basic couple of pans etc but figured we could order stuff once he was in.

And rightly so 😊 @Malbecfan

I'm pretty sure all rooms in DD's college were single beds. However, that's a question for the college parents when they get in contact. DD's college also has an accommodation block which is specifically for 1st years (and 4th year integrated Masters/linguists back from their year abroad). All rooms are ensuite and they are quite expensive. In her 2nd year, she teamed up with friends and their friends to take a floor on a staircase in the old court. Her room was quite small but she shared 2 showers and 2 toilets with 9 other students so it was cheaper than y1. In her 3rd year they were in a college owned house which was not in great shape but it had a fully-equipped kitchen. Again she shared bathrooms so it was cheaper still. The "nice" ensuite room in y4 was a bit of a financial shock.

Off-topic but as some were sending good wishes, DD2 heard last night that she has landed her 1st proper graduate role. The feedback was great and she is delighted. She will be working only around an hour from C so I hope they can carry on meeting up periodically. Whilst I'm delighted, I'm gutted to be losing my helper.

Very well done to DD2 Malbecfac, that's wonderful news :) And of course more congrats due to DD1 as well!

That's really good to know, thank you, I won't delay then.

@Panicmode1 there was a box on my daughter's form they could tick if they were extra tall and required a longer bed - we are family of short people though so it won't be needed on our account!

Congrats to your daughter @Malbecfan

Lovely news @Malbecfan

Good to inquire about bed size if you can as we bought single sheets and DC1 had a 4ft bed in Yr1 then normal singles in Yrs 2 & 3. It was just a bit of a pain on day 1. College parents can be useful in this regard, if they've been allocated them.

DC1 had no cooking facilities at all. No microwave except in JCR over the road two quads away. He was allowed a kettle but no toaster, there was a mini fridge in the room. So a couple of bowls, plates and cutlery was all he needed in Yr1 but was in great college flats in Yrs 2 & 3.

DC2 (different college) had a small pantry with microwave, shared fridge and a two ring hob for 8 rooms. Seemed to work fine and se's cooked loads and was quite sociable and she'd head to other quads to use ovens if required. Her Yr2 room building has better cooking facilities.

@Malbecfan how exciting for your DD2 to have a proper job - congratulations

here the good news is DC1 (who graduated in July) has secured an interview so that is step 1. He is currently doing a manual labouring job with long hours which is a great incentive to secure a grad job so is busy with applications.

Ryder & Amies now have college backpacks, for those students who are fond of a bit of stash. Not cheap (£38) but a possible Christmas gift for those who might like one.

https://www.ryderamies.co.uk/shop/range/college-backpacks/

@Malbecfan that's great news for your younger DD, congratulations to her!

DD was told she wouldn’t find out about accommodation until arrival. In the end she found out a week before as she signed a room licence that cited her room number and she looked this up on the JCR room ballot page. As she had no disability, religious or other special need, all rooms are same price and had been asked no preference except continuous or term only she had no clue until very soon before arrival if the room would be en suite, double etc as her college had such a variety of rooms.

I have realised DS will need a suit any suggestions of where to buy one? It says "dark suit" does it need to be black or would dark grey/navy work? And I assume a white shirt? Also he will need a gown do we need to buy new or are there second hand ones available?

He is still waiting for emails but I googled his college and freshers and found a lot of information on their website!

@IThinkImAMathmoMum for Cambridge I’ve had a look at matriculation photos on the college website and there seems to be a lot wearing navy suits and brown shoes. I assume black is required for Oxford sub fusc however.

Thanks @TravellingLightToday this is so useful. Official information is trickling out very slowly!

@IThinkImAMathmoMum I'll get my daughter a black suit, white shirt and some black shoes to take with her. I think I remember at offer holders day one of the students said that second hand gowns are available. My daughter said that if not there are places to buy gowns and ribbons in Oxford so she'll sort it out once she's there.

@WutheringConniption - your DD doesn't need a suit for Oxford. Just a black skirt and white blouse.