Medicine 2026 Part 3

[MyGreyBiscuit]

Hi everyone, here's the new thread!

in Scotland exams are a bit earlier but everyone moves up a year group over exams and go back for a month or so once exams are over. I prefer the break post GCSEs. Also means you don’t miss a month of your course if you decide to change once results are out.

We were in the position last year of choosing between medical schools. In the end DS chose Edinburgh even though Glasgow had been favourite initially. What pushed the DS to get on and make the choice was wanting to apply for accommodation at Edinburgh which was partially allocated on the basis of time of application.

Once you have your offers in, it is worth bearing in mind that you might need to get on with applying for accommodation. Though I believe some places let you apply even before you get an offer.

Once you have your offers in, it is worth bearing in mind that you might need to get on with applying for accommodation. Though I believe some places let you apply even before you get an offer.

DD couldn't apply for accomodation until she had firmed but when she applied it asked if you were a medical student so she was wondering if they held places back for the first year medics.

I forget where it was that ended up letting applicants apply before they even got offers but that did seem a bit crazy. I’m not sure how it helped accommodation planning if so many people applying didn’t even get offers. If it is done on a first come first serve basis then it seems fairer to wait until mid May but unfortunately you just have to go with what is in place.

I do remember choosing five halls then discovering two of them weren’t in the system so quickly having to choose two alternatives which included a slightly random wild card. Needless to say he got the wildcard. It is a bit more of a walk than the other choices but he has been very happy there.

I think that might have been Liverpool? I agree - it's crazy.

Hope all of you are well and your YPs are now fully focused on getting those A/A* :)

Question for those who insured Soton: DD has received an email that says she should apply for accomodation regardless of whether she firmed/insured them. The application website is currently down though😅

Meanwhile, out of curiosity: how does this work for those who insured Southampton? If they get their firm choice (not Soton), then the Soton accommodation place gets re-allocated to someone from the waitlist? And do we need to pay a deposit, which will be returned?

Also: Glen Eyre or Wessex Lane? I vaguely remember one looking newer than the other. The open day isn't until May 9th, and I doubt DD will want to go, due to A-levels revision.

Hope all of you are well and your YPs are now fully focused on getting those A/A* :)

DD1 told me this morning she has deleted instagram and tiktok. Serious stuff!

Wow. That is serious!

DD's standard answer to my question after school each day of 'how was your day?' is 'ok but I'm shattered/so tired'. Every single time. Stress levels are rising quietly so I am keeping a low profile and trying to look sympathetic to the tired comments.

Not looking forward to two more months of this 😂.

ps it is not that I do not sympathise and understand how awful A levels are. I just don't have any way of making her less shattered as my advice is generally ignored. Hope you are all coping well with your YP.

Same, I wish there was something I could do to help - my DD was noticeably more relaxed over Easter hols, even though she was working hard. Now back to school and stress is kicking in and feel a bit helpless. She's had some positive test results back after somewhat iffy mocks, so that's a positive! Hope everyone is coping ok, kids and parents alike!

She (quite sensibly) said if she was having a break she'd rather do something more rewarding than mindless scrolling. I wish I could be as disciplined!

I don't know how athletic your DD is, but I find going for a brisk walk or run is fabulous for helping my brain consolidate learning and revision. Even 10 minutes after a revision session is good enough.

Yeah, she's very sporty and uses it to destress.

STOP PRESS MY DAUGHTER HAS AN OFFER!!

Dundee offer received in the last few minutes. Soooooo relieved and happy for her. She had two pre-interview rejections (middling UCAT) and has been waiting on Leicester since December and Dundee since January. No accommodation stress as she applied for (and has been offered) deferred entry.

That is fantastic @rockstuckhardplace so glad for you, must've been so hard to wait. DD's friend is still w/o an offer and only one waitlist (NCL). It's so difficult... Congrats to her and hope she smashes those A-levels!

Speaking of A-levels, stress is palpable and not much we can do than to stay out of their way (no nagging about messy rooms LOL), feed them and make sure they sleep well. DD still doing her sports regularly and I think it helps greatly. That, and meeting up her friends at school. They only have about 2 weeks of school left, then exam/study leave.

that's fantastic @rockstuckhardplace !!! what a relief, plus also deferred place. We've applied for SFE (didn't ask for any details - I was stressing about not knowing my NI!)... and accommodation. Kept asking if the insurance has asked for anything and he said no. So, that's it I guess...!

In terms of de-stressing,... he seems to be in a rhythm now and in between earning a bit of money doing babysitting and doing regular family things he seems to be in a good place. Fingers crossed. Last time round for GCSEs, he was in A&E the weekend before the first paper. WE DO NOT NEED THAT.

Well done! I know a couple of people at Dundee medical school and both have loved it. Also after halls in first year the cost of private accommodation is well below most cities so their shared houses were the envy of friends elsewhere!

Fabulous news @rockstuckhardplace Such a long hard wait, you and your daughter must be ecstatic!

My daughter still hasn’t firmed, she’s waiting for the Soton OHD - will be glad when that bit’s done!

Revision seems to be going ok - but daughter gets no study leave. Lessons till the last moment!
Is study leave usual? She’s at a non-selective state school.

@rockstuckhardplace fantastic news on Dundee for your DD, what an awful long wait her you both! What a relief and great uni!

@inae Yes, no mention of the fact I can't see the floor in DD's room atm!

@MyGreyBiscuit SFE is our next task, def before the weekend but each time I mention it to DD she is in the middle of something very important revision wise....

@PurryGrowls when is the Southampton OHD? DD finishes school on 7 May then is on study leave so 2 weeks of school left. It seems strange as she is my youngest so no more school for me as a parent. Tbh I think she will be better once off just as it is easier and she can sleep more in the mornings but she needs socialising too and I fear once study leave sets in she won't do much other than study. Hopefully if the weather is ok she can revise in in the garden and take some nice walk breaks (we live in a lovely rural place). I remember taking her out for walks around her GCSEs to try and help her wind down.

DD had a little chemistry wobble last night as they sprung a surprise mock paper on them (which they could do open book, but she chose closed) and she struggled with a couple of questions. I think they lose sight of just how hard the subjects they are studying are. I mean A level chem to me is like another language so I am in awe of anyone that can make sense of it 😂. I tried to pacify by pointing out she does have 6 weeks until her first chem exam so lots of time to pinpoint those trickier areas as her overall knowledge is very good. Urgh roll on the end of June!

Thanks everyone for the Dundee congratulations!

@PurryGrowls you asked about study leave and whether it was normal. My DD is also non-selective state school. They have lessons right up to May half-term, so over the earlier part of the exam period. If they have a morning exam, they have leave for the morning only and are expected back in class in the afternoon. If they have an afternoon exam, they have a full day leave. It was the same at GCSE. I don't think attendance was too strictly enforced.

@bluefineliner we were the same re SFE and accommodation. He always had something to do, or some nonsense game to play. But eventually he knuckled down. I think it was also to do with finding the time that both he and I were available (and I'm an old lady now and seem to be in bed by 9pm if I'm not on the trains or other things!).

Re study leave I think he officially has a couple of weeks of school left and then study leave in May. We are a state grammar. Last time round for GCSEs, they said that most can go on study leave. Some will be told they need to come in - but if you want to come in, you are also welcomed to. I think this time, he'll end up heading to the local uni to study (or hang out!). It's a pity he didn't apply there (but that's a whole different thread!)!

We're at a state sixth form college and they don't have study leave. History has already taught the whole course and they are revising in class, but Chemistry and Biology take it to the wire and teaching new content up to the exam. Eek!

My daughter’s bio teacher had had a lot of time off this year so not all the content has been covered yet - eek too! But chemistry and English are pretty much done now, it’s frustrating being in class when she feels her time would be better spent focusing on what she wants to revise.

This was the same at GCSE (no study leave at all) and some of the kids staged a rebellion - which was brutally suppressed!

@bluefineliner The Soton ohd is 9 May - taking it to the wire 😬
Must be strange having your youngest leave home… You’ll miss her! We are the other way round, my daughter will be the first to leave home - which feels v poignant too.
@MyGreyBiscuit Hopefully no more A&E for you and your son - that must have been very disruptive!

That sounds extreme. What are the schools results like? Do they think a significant portion of students would just not do anything so having them in school encourages them to work?