Thread 42 Corona GCSE Cohort - 👻Creeping it Real for Oct22

[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 advice to be had.

previous thread

Hi @mummyinbeds, no real advice but I hope that your DS feel better and settles in. Always hard to process unexpected news, too.

@mummyinbeds and @Piggywaspushed well that was a thoroughly depressing thread (even if my DS did History and Eng Lit A Levels 😉). He didn't get 10 A*s at gcses, nor did he get 3 A stars at A Level so apparently, even if he got a first, it's unlikely he'll get a training degree. What's the point then?? Do all the kids who do law at non RG unis leave law after their degree?

@mummyinbeds I'm so glad you got to see DS but so sorry to hear that he's been through something that has affected him - and you- so strongly. I'm glad he spoke to you about it, I bet it was a real relief for him to be able to do that. I hope, moving on, he can get himself well again and start to enjoy uni life a bit more. Figuring out how to keep food cold will be a good start! 😀

We have been 'allowed' to go and visit DS next weekend, we are not worthy.

I know just - not sure why I bothered posting to be honest! My DS did history (superb stuff ), economics (hmmm, probably a waste of time) and sociology (ye Gods!). Quite why he is messing about at his RG university doing a degree with economics in is beyond me. Perhaps Birmingham didn't notice, or let him in out of pity / admin error (latter more likely with Birmingham's' admin...!)

Hope DS is OK mummy. At least Nottingham is quite accessible so he can get home and you can get to him quite easily but it sounds like he is turning a corner.

Oh @mummyinbeds - that’s sounds so tough. It must have been very hard leaving him. Would it help (for both of you!!) if you scheduled in a visit in four weeks or so so that you both have the structure that it’s coming or would that make things worse? Hope your Ds and you are ok.

Ps what’s the law thread @Piggywaspushed @JustHereWithMyPopcorn Sounds like I’ve missed out on some fun ;-)

I linked it upthread a bit for mummy as she would be the expert in law with French /French law but the thread doesn't seem very interested in that!

I love this thread. Thank you for your kindness (more tears)
I'm distracting myself with the stupid law thread. I studied law and politics at a non RG uni having studied politics A level at a state school, in the north 😱 I did economics but can't remember whether that's good or bad for law. I didn't even do history GCSE. That must be why I didn't become a city lawyer. Or maybe I didn't want to 🤔

The NORTH, you say?! Good Lord!!

@mummyinbeds sorry to hear you have been through the emotional wringer, but great that DS is talking to you. I think you should take him out for lunch next week, but you know him best.

Lawyers - a family friend did French at Nottingham, graduated about 4 years ago m, her A levels were something like AAB and she was offered 2 training contracts, is now working for Evershed's and is very well paid. No nepotism involved!

My northern school careers advisor suggested a hairdressing YTS ( far too clever for factory work or going down t'pit) I walked out of that meeting. Maybe I should've listened.

Our careers advisor told all of us to be secretaries basically, when I told her I wanted to do architecture she looked at me like I had two heads - and that was in London! 😂

@Monkey2001 thank you for that post, nice to hear they don’t have to have firsts from Oxford to get a job!

Every time I did Jiig Cal careers thing (on the old fashioned 'computers') they told me to be a prisoner governor. Well, teaching's close...

Actually she got a 2.i from Nottingham! 😉

😂😂😂

Jiig Cal!!! I remember that.
I'm currently drowning a bit in UCAS applications. Doesn't seem that long ago I was prompting DD to do hers!

@mummyinbeds so sorry to read this. At least he told you! You are probably still in a state of shock and may not have fully absorbed it yet. Do you think he would like some counselling? Would you?

The illustration class is learning new techniques every week. This afternoon they went to a Victorian cemetery to make collages. (That is one of the more unusual sentences I've ever typed.) DD is being very challenged and set lots of assignments. Who knows whether she'll reach her dream of getting commissions to work on children's books? but it won't be for lack of trying.

@Oblomov22 DS's amazing teacher gave him a list of help services. He contacted a crisis line at some point which he said was helpful but he's not up for counseling. He's a bit like me - the thought of it makes me want to hide under a duvet. I've read lots of stuff on websites which is helping.
I travel a lot for work so I'm trying to work out an excuse to be passing by 😊

@mummyinbeds sounds like your DS has really been through the wringer.
I’m sorry to hear it but it’s really good he was able to talk to you, a lot of young lads don’t do that

Mummyinbeds im so sorry your DS has had such a tough time but it’s great he is talking to you about it - huge hug.

Haven’t read the law thread - I used to be on a very small trainee selection committee for a very large magic circle firm so I probably shouldn’t go there - there is a lot of nonsense spouted very confidently by people who know nothing on the subject. I am a few years out of that now though.

@mummyinbeds really sorry to hear your DS has been having such a tough time. So glad he has been able to talk to you about it

Hugs to you and your DS, mummyinbeds. That sounds super tough for both of you, and I don’t blame you for wanting to wrap him up and keep him safe.
He sounds very mature, in finding people to confide in - that sort of coping strategy will stand him in good stead and at least you know he’s aware when he needs to seek out help and support.

@mummyinbeds Sorry to hear your DS suffered. Take comfort he had the maturity to confide in someone and that he has chosen to talk to you. I would definitely be passing by for work too ;)