Current Oxbridge students - continued again...!

[Panicmode1]

Think the other thread is full....!

No classical languages she did no languages at all. Just a 2 week Ancient Greek summer school at UCL a year ago - so really a complete beginner.

It’s great to know someone who’s been through it- am sure we’ll have loads of questions for you. One already is Dd was wondering whether, as the first year is only languages, it is still lectures / seminars / tutorials - or if the learning is organised differently due to languages focus.

Sorry all, for dominating the talk with all my adds questions 🤦🏻‍♀️

Thanks @TenSheds - hope our tea is like your one Must vary a lot from college to college.

@Whyherewego I wasn’t massively into dd going to Oxford but over the course of the year & the visits etc came to see all the pros so I do get your sadness for your ds and would have felt the same. I hope you are both happy with his uni for next year, I am sure it will be great and he will have a whole experience that Oxford wouldn’t offer, I bet in another 6 months you’ll look back and think that he is exactly where he should be.

DS (Maths C) started out with a new tablet; a good one that has seen him through the undergraduate years. He also had a second hand but higher end laptop along with a larger display and dedicated dock (the last two were ditched after term 1). Apart from that, several thick pads of feint paper, a box of biros, 5 lever arch files and his most treasured learning aid - since the age of 13 - his blackboard and favoured brand of chalk (Japanese, apparently). For lectures and supervisions he takes nothing more than his tablet, pad and pens. The last has been very useful to him and fellow mathmos. For his Master's (commencing October) he'll be taking all bar his laptop but he will take his homebuilt desktop PC and larger display as it is a faster machine. Fortunately, mathematicians don't need very much beyond paper and pens.

Apologies, it should have read:
...his blackboard and favoured brand of chalk (Japanese, apparently). The last has been very useful to him and fellow mathmos. For lectures and supervisions he takes nothing more than his tablet, pad and pens. ...

Hi, my daughter has had her place to study a joint hons degree at Oxford confirmed. One of the subjects is English and she is really torn over making the decision regarding the period paper as she likes texts from both eras. She has the choice of texts from 1830-1910 or 1910 onwards. At the moment she is leaning towards 1830 - 1910 as this is covered at the start of the year so more time for consolidation of knowledge for the prelims. For anyone with English undergraduates, which texts did they go for and with hindsight were they happy with their choice? Thanks so much.

I think we may be short on English students, so please don't think we're ignoring you

No worries.

@nearden DD is studying English but at C so I can’t advise but wanted to pipe up so you know you are not totally alone subject wise on this thread. She didn’t have a choice until end of Y1 ready for Y2 so had plenty of time to work out what she wanted to do, sounds like it is different at O. For her it wasn’t just the subjects/eras but the profs teaching. Her y3 paper next year she has a music professor supervising her as she chose to write about the literary element of a particular genre of music. Good luck to your DD.

Hi! Congratulations to your DD. My D1 (now graduated) did (I think it's now safe to say - not specified previously as there is only about 12 of them every year) History and English. It proved a bit of a nightmare to fit in all the courses she wanted/needed to do due to timetabling issues between her subjects, so she had some very heavy terms. I've texted her to ask if she has any specific advice, will let you know.

H's general advice to her (he did History at C) is not to pick all your favourite options early - bear in mind you will be sitting finals on your 3rd year options.

@nearden D1 says to choose strategically and see what else you have on that term so you don't get overloaded. She didn't do the modern paper, loved the Victorians. It also varies a lot by college depending on what the tutors have on their reading lists, so that's something to check. Hope that's helpful. It's quite different doing English as a joint, single hons course is quite linear I think.

Thank you so much, I've passed this info on. She is leaning towards Victorians but as she is essentially choosing the era to be assessed on her prelims, she wants to definitely get it right. Thanks again for the advice, it is very much appreciated.

Thank you for your kind words. I know he will be fine and ultimately he just didnt get the grades and that was that. I think it was just the anticipation and the visits and all the planning you do really. To then switch lanes it just hit harder than I thought.
But I'm truly happy for all those who did make it. Thank you again

Hello, DD is off to Oxford in October and I was wondering if there are any parents out there with experience of managing ADHD meds? With the complications of meds shortages and rumours that some NHS Trusts will not take on new patients, I am a bit worried about DD signing up with the college doctor and not remembering to sort her prescription what with having severe ADHD. Advice from anyone who has been there much appreciated.

@nekoatsume no Oxford experience with this but I would be extremely wary of leaving an existing shared care agreement. Certainly be very sure that the Oxford GPs would take it on as so many are refusing and even offloading existing agreements. Many are advised to stay with their home GP for this reason - meds can be sent to any pharmacy in theory.
Using weekly pill boxes are a good idea so there is no forgetting if they’ve take it or not. As far as dealing with shortages I have found it much easier to use an online pharmacy who have bigger stock and mail meds to home.

Oxfordshire has a specialist ADHD service, but it's completely overwhelmed. DD joined the queue in March 22 and still hasn't got to the front. I think colleges want you to register with their preferred GP practice, but since covid yiu can get meds sent to any pharmacy, have phone or web appointments and visit a drop in service in case of emergency.

checking in for my DD who is econ management at Oxford. No assigned summer reading. Have booked a car parking space near her college so we can attend the parents tea after drop off.

@JamNittyGritty My DC2 has used an iPad with keyboard to take notes the last two years - been great (MFL). DC1 who has now graduated used a laptop (Geography) to take notes.

Sorry I didn't catch their subject - sorry if I missed it - lots on this thread at the moment!

Congratulations to all newbies looking forward to the coming term...

Top tip - read all the info and don't believe your DC if they say they haven't been told anything. DC1 was very disorganised and we had to sit on them and go through the emails together- it was a nightmare getting registered on the Uni computer system the day before arrival.

Also check if they need to apply for / state preferences for their accommodation. Colleges vary enormously in how they arrange these things.

@Whyherewego wishing your DC all the very best at Uni. Recalibrating for children and parents takes a little time - do be kind on yourself!

Thanks Juja! I will nag a bit.

DD says she has confirmed her acceptance via email. Her college confirmed receipt of her acceptance, and she doesn’t expect any further communication till September. We have a busy house with lots to juggle- two kids to drop at uni, 2 full time jobs, 1 car! We need all the early info we can get!

Joining as thankfully DD got her place at Cambridge. Didn't get her A* so went to the pool and was picked up by another college that actually seems better for her than her original choice. We were convinced she hadnt got in so overjoyed. She got confirmation at 630pm Friday and have since been away all weekend so reading all the emails and info today. No experience of Oxbridge although she did Cambridges's higher aspirations scheme over the summer so got to stay 2 nights and completed 6 seminars. She loved this and her interview so she knows it's the right place for her. I'll make sure she contacts her Cambridge parents today with questions.

Other than a congratulations email from the college Thursday first thing, my DC hasn't had anything from the college yet. Nothing to accept and no info on move in dates etc. Should she have had anything yet or does it vary by college? Congratulations to all the other freshers.

Mine doesn’t seem to know exactly when he has to arrive yet either, which is slightly annoying because we aren’t in the UK so flight bookings are needed.

@3Muses@Dunnet we had an email Friday from her college at C.In it the freshers rep had put together a pack with everything she needed to know which is super helpful.Dates of freshers week and when to arrive was on the freshers page in the email, plus some forms to fill in.We've been told she will be allocated accomodation today. It is all from the college admin so it must vary between colleges.

I know it may differ, but can you share the arrival date? Thanks.