Current Oxbridge students - continued again...!

[Panicmode1]

Think the other thread is full....!

No bumps here either. I think rowing has been and gone for DD although there is a blade on her bedroom floor with her name and PhD after it (don't get excited, it's the course she's on!)

Last weekend she was in Italy with her bf as they both did 30k of the Verdi Marathon. Apparently they played Rigoletto all the way round... DD was very happy with her time and it means that next weekend when we have a big family party, she doesn't have to dash off early to a big race. She had her interview for the teaching post yesterday. There are 4 external candidates - 2 yesterday before her, then 2 on Monday so she should hear by the end of next week. She sounded fairly happy last night and is laid back about whether or not she gets the post, which is good. Now she needs to finish the writing of her thesis.

Hope her news is positive @Malbecfan and that the thesis writing goes well. (DS was so keen to get blades, but hasn't ever managed it - last year they lost out on the last race of the May Bumps....so I think he's decided that boat has sailed (or rowed over 😂) and he's going to just enjoy his running/possible triathlon training.

Good luck to your dd @Malbecfan.

Had a quick dash to see ds yesterday- I've never visited before without a specific reason but I'd said I'd visit alongside another event which got cancelled, so thought I would visit anyway.

He's telling me very clearly he needs some time out when he finishes and not to hop straight into the first graduate job that comes along. I'm surprised at how frightened I feel about this but managed to just shut up and listen. I've watched several young adults take time out and end up on a better path for them, so I need to trust that ds is the same. Also I very much did take the first graduate job (of a sort) that came along, which was fairly disastrous. I'm not delighted that he doesn't seem to be thinking about supporting himself, but at the same time he of course can always come home. I think he probably will end up getting some work, if only bevause i will feed, house and keep the internet on, but won't otherwise fund him. I've also decided the 'I'm not going to cook for you' is much too rigid so we'll just muddle along the way we normally do.

Bless him. He got a PB on his erg 2K as well which he's very pleased with. Back to see him row in a couple of weeks.

Popping back in after lurking. DD did just this @PermanentTemporary. She focused on her finals (100% of her degree) in her 3rd year, simply making a couple of token applications which went nowhere. She was in the awful year group which not only had 18 months of covid, but also had the marking strike, so her year group were graduating without either confirmed or any degree classification. She knew what she didn't want to do, which kind of helped.

She got a job in the NHS which she was extremely over qualified for. That allowed her to save up for her master's fees and is now half way through her first post grad. She is likely to have to take a similar route again in September, as she wasn't confident enough to apply for PhDs in Dec/Jan.

Honestly, taking time to pause and think.and get used to the real world after a very strange 3 years at Oxbridge has definitely been worth it for her at this stage of her life.

@PermanentTemporary my younger DD didn't apply for any jobs in her Masters year simply because she didn't have time. She was more concerned about getting the best possible outcome from her degree. We said she could come home and live with us as long as she got some sort of job and was prepared to help with looking after my DF. She applied for a couple of PhDs unsuccessfully.

Once she graduated, she went back to work in the local cafe and started applying for graduate roles. Of course, lots of sharp-elbowed MNers were saying how their DC had prestigious internships etc. - DD2 had never done any, mostly due to Covid and living in a rural area with few biotech opportunities. However, friends in STEM positions said not to worry; they look for ANY sort of work experience, especially if it's customer-facing and the fact that DD had spent time abroad during her degree was positive. She went for interview towards the end of August and started her job at the end of September.

@PermanentTemporary DC1 similarly didn't do any applications in his third year as he couldn't manage that and studying for finals. His dissertation was in an area relevant to that he wanted to work in as was his gap year work. He spent two months applying for lots of jobs while putting up marquees to save to move to the city he wanted to live in. He was fortunate by early October had a job - but it is quite a niche area.

@Panicmode1 A very happy DC2 on Saturday - they got blades so very exciting.... they'd put a huge amount of effort professionalising the college boat club and it paid off.

Huge congratulations to them @Juja - that's brilliant 👏👏👏

Just spoke to DD1. No news on the interview but she has won the local heat of a lecturing competition. She might be 25 but I am still a proud mum!

@Malbecfan so right to feel proud, well done on the win to your DD. Hope the wait following the interview isn’t much longer. Some roles I see stupid times mentioned when I read other threads including 18 months for Civil Service roles which doesn’t negate the fact that any waiting is excruciating when it is your future at stake.

DD got a room she is happy with in the room ballot for Y3. She has an ensuite with an oriel window and most excitingly… an armchair with padded arms. 😂.

Many congratulations to your dc @Juja and @Malbecfan ❤️

Heading back to C tomorrow and staying overnight for second of DD’s plays she has written, amazing opportunities she has had working with a Professor of Drama who has also worked on well known U.K. tv dramas. Not her degree subject (or any subject officially studied at C) seems to be taking up about 50% of her time and loving it.

Any other DC applying for STEM PhDs this year?

That's great, congratulations to her

Is that on us already ?! Where is the time going !

It was a very exciting, tense and drama filled 117th Varsity Fencing Match at Oxford on Saturday. Very proud of DD who fenced fantastically against a strong Oxford team. The Examinations Schools is such a beautiful building and really gave the match the sense of occasion, and the sun came out to smile on us on Saturday which was lovely. Now rewatching some of the day's tense moments on Youtube, but without needing to any more nails off.

The last few days have been insane. It was DF's 90th birthday and I organised a party close to his home (except he has been living 230 miles away with me for the last year but who cares...?) The party was a great success, due in no small part to my wonderful DDs who support and help with a smile.

Today DD1 messaged to say that she got the job!!! So in a couple of months she will be a Teaching Associate in her department, lecturing, leading practicals and setting and marking exams. I suppose this means I will have to leave this lovely group once she submits her thesis 😢

Huge well done to DF! (a grand age) And to you! (for the party) And by no means least to DD1! ( for her success) (and of course not forgetting DD2 for her support with DF). Have PMd.

Turns out I haven't PMd (got a message to say PMg is disabled). I will PM in due course :)

Happy belated birthday to your DF @Malbecfan and huge congratulations to your DD, that's wonderful news!

(Maybe we will just have to rename the thread so you can stay - Oxbridge parents - old new and existing?! )

DS whizzed home for the weekend to attend a friend's 21st so it was lovely to spend some time with him. He seems very happy and enjoying life much more this year, despite the upcoming exam season stress. He doesn't have to ballot for next year so has a lovely room already picked out, and is hoping his GF gets masters funding for C rather than O (both have offered but funding is yet to be determined).

Congratulations to your DD, @Malbecfan and Happy Birthday to your DF. Let's just continue with Oxbridge...and beyond?

Congrats to your DD @Malbecfan - amazing news and exciting new chapter. You have always been so supportive to newbies so hope you stick around to pass on your insights.

@Malbecfan congratulations to your DD, that's wonderful news!

Congrats to your DD @Malbecfan and well done to all the other DCs with sporting and other successes further up the thread!