Thread 41 Corona Cohort - Autumn Adventures of our Adult Children

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

This is a support thread for our young adults post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting, and their results ( or life updates for those who went into work or have had results earlier). It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, uni vs employment please don't within this thread.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue. We were previously on the secondary board and then further education, now we shall be here in 'Parents of Adult Children' gulp

Our DS/DD may continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed). Be warned there might be lots of 'Uni Freshers' chat this time of year. My experience is that everyone is welcomed wherever, whatever their child is doing we have some in work, gap years , apprenticeships etc too. Lots of contributors with different experiences and always sympathy and support to be had !

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@Benjispruce4 - glad your DD is home and happy. Sounds like she has made the right decision.

@Benjispruce4 that must be a huge relief for both of you, sounds like absolutely the right decision. Onwards and upwards for her, there will be better opportunities out there.

@Piggywaspushed I’m impressed your DS is attempting laundry! DD has yet to mention such difficulties in Brum. I suspect she’ll bring her massive sports bag home to me in a couple of weeks time. She took bags of clothes. Enough to last her 3 weeks without a laundrette visit. I told her I used to come home roughly every 3 weeks when I was a student & I think she’s probably planned around that…

@Benjispruce4 Making that decision is a tough call but she has clearly made the one that is right for her. There will be a better option for her out there.

For those that need a laugh, we dropped DS back to his flat having sorted his room and taken him to lunch. His goodbye as he got out of the car was 'it's been nice knowing you'! I shall miss his humour and did insist on a proper hug.

Benji so glad that's she's home with you.

Mine managed laundry today . We had downloaded the circuit app before he left home and he managed to put credit on and do his load. He has said the next lot, including bedding and all his towels, will be when he comes home in a couple of weeks.

@Benjispruce4 that great dd is home and upbeat. Hopefully she can research and apply early with grades in hand.

Just seen your newsbenji. It sounds like the right thing for DD.

@Oblomov22 I think DS's contract does say 17 meals. He managed to make himself a cheese and ham sandwich today - this would have stretched his capabilities so I'm quite impressed 🤣
In further Notts news, he's been to Spoons on a tram, witnessed someone being run over and picked up his Halls Hoodie and box of free stuff. He's asked me to call him to wake him up for his 9am induction lecture tomorrow. I can't wake him up when I'm in the same house so we'll see how that one goes 🤔

@Benjispruce4 well done to your dd, both for bravely giving it her best shot and going well outside her comfort zone, and for knowing when to call it a day. She’ll look back one day and realise how much she learned and grew from this experience. I hope she can work out exactly what sort of environment would suit her and have a fresh start next year.

@Oblomov22 and Notts people, we also expected 19 meals and factored this in when assessing value for money and annual costs. I’m really annoyed… Dd said there was a free welcome brunch today but usually it will be £5.80 😮😮 I’m going to suggest she looks for a church that feeds its students 😂 which is what I did! But I suspect she might end up going to church evenings instead of mornings..

@Benjispruce4 Huge respect to your DD. My heart goes out to you both. 30 years ago I dropped out of Nottingham Uni. In my case it was the course & the lack of support back then. They were over subscribed & happy for a few to go.

I have never regretted it. I knew, as your DD did. I’m a resilient person, I don’t give up easily, but I knew then, as your DD knows now, that there’s no point sticking with something your gut says is wrong.

I went to a different Uni the next year (Warwick) & was very happy there. I chose much more wisely second time round & knew what mattered for and to me.

Hope she feels massively relieved tonight & makes the most of this year in whatever way that takes her.

Oh @Benjispruce4 - I was thinking about your dd this weekend. That sounds like a really sensible decision - she’s given it such a bloody good go, despite pretty much every set back that any of us would fear. I do hope you’ll keep posting to keep us updated with her new plans?

I feel relieved for you @Benjispruce4 I went to an open day at NTU 30+ years ago and didn't like it then. It had the same party rep as it does now (and I loved a party and worked in a seedy night club with strippers 🤣) The course was great but I couldn't have lived there

Glad to hear it Benji
Hope you can both move on to better things now. But how brave your DD is!

@Benjispruce4 so pleased she’s home - plan for a fun year and the right place for next year x

Ah you lot are so nice.🌈

@Benjispruce4 so glad that she has made that decision. It really did sounds like a hellish situation your poor DD was in.

@Fiddlersgreen hope your DS is doing ok, that is such harsh timing for him.

Sorry but have have to skim through messages there are soooo many!

Another Bath drop off yesterday.

DS was most impressed with the surprise mini fridge in his room! Bizarrely there are only shared freezers in the kitchen but they all have mini fridges in their room.

When we got in the room we realised his bed frame was broken and were very impressed that he had a whole new bed frame within two hours. Very efficient.

He has met his whole house of 24 and knows most names. They all had drinks together last night and several of them went over to meet his girlfriends flat in Westwood. We took them out for lunch today and both seemed happy with plans to go into town this evening.

All a very positive start. Several tears from us but managed to keep it together in front of DS. I do love the atmosphere of Bath, it’s such a a lovely city.

@Benjispruce4 such a mature decision from your DD. I’m very glad you have her safe at home with you now.

Thanks everyone for the comments for DS, I’ve spoken to him again tonight and he seems ok. He went into town with 3 of his 4 flat mates (they haven’t met the 4th yet) and they are going to a welcome party tonight run by the student Union so at least he hasn’t just shut himself in his room

Forgot to mention the curtain situation: if only I had a picture I think DS would win the foulest curtain competition. It is straight from the 70s purple background with pictures of flowers on. Absolutely disgusting 😂 I suggested buying a new curtain to DS but he is maintaining that he likes it!!!

@Benjispruce4 She's tried and it didn't work. Good on her for realising she had reached her limit and making the wise and tough decision to reapply next yr. Enjoy your sleep tonight.

@Benjispruce4 Good for her! And you. Even if this means some unexpected changes of plan. Sounds like the right decision, and she really gave it a go.

@crazycrofter not RTFT but regarding the Notts catering card we were told it would load up at midnight tonight and would have an extra £6 on it to "make up for" any extra they had to spend this weekend before the card was activated.

@Benjispruce4 sorry it has not worked out, but it does seem like she gave it a fair chance. Welcome to the gap year gang!

@NCTDN restaurants in Bristol - it depends what you are looking for. A very popular place for young people is Spitfire on the harbourside, lovely setting on a nice day, but may not be what GPs want, if you do go there you may need to book. Lots of lovely Indian places. This is a wacky one run by an ex builder turned chef who is a brilliant cook and very Bristolian - decidedly quirky! www.facebook.com/truffledoftotterdown/ You can PM if you are looking for a particular style. Hotel du Vin at Avon Gorge Hotel has fabulous views of the Avon Gorge and good food.