Oxbridge 2024 Entry Part 4

[Lightsabre]

New thread as our dc start the rollercoaster ride of interviews.

2 down, 1 to go. Oxford so virtual. First was very hard and not remotely what he expected, second ok. I've no idea how to interpret any of it really - roll on January.

@Redhotchillipeppers you've probably sorted parking now but we booked a space at the Doubletree by Hilton near the river. Convenient for central colleges and just over the river to Selwyn.

I used the park & ride in the summer for the open day and plan to do so again on Thursday for DD’s interview. It only takes 10 mins on the bus and drops off on the road of the college. And the car park is really close to the motorway I come off so very convenient.

For those that did pre-reading was your DC's watched by someone over a zoom call?

She said she was but seems not very strict. Think she asked to get up to let the bawling cat out of the room. Thought cat had been asleep 😂

@catmomof3 - was your Dd concerned about printing?

Ha @Maggiethecat my job this Wednesday is pet wrangler - our two dogs and cats downstairs with door shut! And if I can disable the doorbell and intercept anyone coming ... I've also asked the neighbours to suspend building work (they are converting their loft) for a couple hours (luckily no one scheduled that day). Panic today as house two doors up was having carpets cleaned and the truck parked outside was making a horrendous noise (mock interview and they had finished before she started).
Can't wait for it to be over!

DS set off to C this afternoon on the train, earlier than planned due to a cancelled connection. Arrived safely and spending a slightly strange night in college on his own. 2 interviews tomorrow. Nerves are now kicking in and feel like myself and DH (almost as nervous) keep repeating the same hints and reassurances over and over.
Good luck to all for the next few days.

Surprised Dd didn’t strangle Lola putting her out!
Good luck on Wednesday!

That's partly why DD is doing hers at school as we have a 1.2 metre Maine Coon who loves to crash all meetings in the first 5 seconds and tends to jump by people's heads and poke them for attention and trill really loudly.

Apparently her tutor has just gone off long term sick and she's been really good to DD. DD has been really calm but slightly grouchy this evening so think nerves are starting.

Quite a few friends got rejected. She's a bit surprised which ones.

Yes she has to print in a different room to the one she's taking the interview in. Not sure how that will work unless she walks around her school carrying her laptop lol

Snork about the Maine coon Silkie. DS2 relentlessly shows me snaps and vid did them from social media, trying to wear me down. I have to admit that they don't look like domesticated creatures at all - so vast, oddly long legs and they have manes, for Pete's sake

DD due to log on in an hour and the Wi-Fi's not working 🤦‍♀️

@stoneysongs link to phone hotspot?

That's what you need, @stoneysongs , a bit more stress to throw into the mix. Hope it comes back, or the phone linking works. Best of luck.

Yes, hotspot off phone @stoneysongs or can school accommodate her or a neighbour? Nightmare but of the worst comes to the worst, it can be rescheduled if you let the college know.

She should have contact details to hand if she needs to let someone know if any issues but sure you know that already!

All the best to her!

@stoneysongs 😱 I hope you get it sorted and your DC is not too stressed 🤞🏻

Well the old turning it off and on again seems to have worked for now, and maybe I'll leave her with my phone in case she needs the hotspot. I'm sure it will be fine, adds a certain frisson though 😬

@stoneysongs fingers crossed it works. We are having the same experience so planning to hot spot to a phone but it won't be great for video.

DD's first interview on the day is in 30 mins and I think it's best she is doing it at school because I'm just so anxious about it all running smoothly tech wise as the IT guy is stuck in traffic and is running late so if there is an issue I don't know who can help. She has the school guest wifi to use plus her phone hotspot if all else fails.

Well she has had her pre-meet to check the tech, DH is out with the dog, shouty cat is asleep on my lap, all ready to go 🤞
Good luck to everyone interviewing today 🍀

Gosh all the best to those with interviews today and in the coming weeks, fingers crossed the technology works smoothly! Sounds very stressful.

And guess if it was pre-Covid (and still the case for some C colleges) many of us would instead be worrying about them getting up on time, finding the notice board with interview times, finding the right room etc so there is always something. The home worries have the twist of feeling more our responsibility than the college ones :-)

Two interviews today for my DS, French this morning and Philosophy this afternoon. He’s using my office so any printer/internet troubleshooting is down to me. There’s an Openreach van parked menacingly outside my house at the moment. I hope that’s not a bad sign …

@stoneysongs I hope you have got things sorted. It’s really not what your DC needs to add to the pressure is it?!

Best of luck to others with interviews today!