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.

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Off to Birmingham tomorrow with dd2 for the open day - wonder if we'll unknowingly pass any of your Brum-based dc. Virtual wave to them all.

That’s great @craggyrat , sounds like your worries were unfounded and he’s doing really well.

Glad ds has got into the brass band @Piggywaspushed . I used to play the trombone but it didn’t occur to me to take it to uni, I’m not sure why?!

@heifer not from me, I went clubbing once at uni and hated it! I’m a total introvert although I’m sociable, but I need to pace myself and DH is the same. When the kids were younger I wanted to make sure they were more gregarious than me, so I encouraged loads of mixing/play dates etc, never said no to anything, so maybe this is what happens 😂

@Understartersorders It's super when they find their tribe.

Good news about the music @Piggywaspushed and glad to hear you will get to see your DS soon.

Am enjoying hearing about all the different Uni experiences and am very jealous of those getting to see their DCs this weekend!

Some great updates; it’s heartwarming to hear DC really settling into their new environments. And for those still finding their feet, a week is a long time for things to start to turn around as the hectic social side slows down, even if only a touch for some (like mine)!

All good here. She’s going on first symphony tour in Jan to ‘a mysterious but fun’ Spanish destination which should help her bond more with the non freshers, plus having the speaking advantage I hope.

Like yours Craggy, she’s enjoying the netball more than she expected to, and if selected to top teams, will pair back the swimming as she hasn’t gone for the competitive squads this time…opposite problem to club being they train too late ;)

There may be, but doesn’t appear to be the pastoral love that some unis have, independence is expected from the start. It works for mine. What has been lovely to see is that the self sufficiency seems to nurture a more peer to peer support between those who commute from home and between the 2 halls, especially at night times getting back from night outs.

Good luck with the visit this weekend Zitti.

@ealingwestmum sounds like she is settling really well and nice to hear re netball. Made me laugh out loud over swim training being too late!

Hope you enjoy your Birmingham day @ZittiEBuoni . I'm obviously biased but I think it's a great uni and city!

I’m currently waiting for my breakfast in a hotel in Somerset.
It’s the first time I’ve been away on my own for about 8 years. It sounds ridiculous, but I was really anxious about the whole thing; just the thought of driving here was really stressing me.

Anyway, I made it here yesterday afternoon, met DS for dinner, and watched his first orchestral concert at school last night…and it was fabulous! Best of all, he’s happy and thriving.
So, I’ve got the day to myself to explore the city, before taking him home for half term later on.

DD seems to be doing better, too, so I am feeling less frazzled than I was a week ago.

If you're where I think you are Alsoplayspiccolo, look out for the cathedral cat and say hi to him from me if you see him.

One of my favourite places for a day out, hope you don't get rained on too badly though.

I think I know where you are too @Alsoplayspiccolo , lovely place and I hope you have a great day 🙂

Ahh, glad it went well @Alsoplayspiccolo - I think lots of us have sort of done less stuff over covid and actually getting back out there isn’t always the easiest. Hope you have a lovely day exploring!

so lovely to hear so many of the kids really settling in and finding gangs through sport and music: @craggyrat @Piggywaspushed @ealingwestmum (sorry to anyone I missed!)

ds went to art club yesterday - having dropped art in y9 he discovered a love of oil painting over the last year so really hoping it’s an open and welcoming sort of club that is up for newbie experimenter as it gives him so much joy … plus should give him access to a studio space as oils are not the best in a small uni room!!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 No

Hi all,

New Name !

Just a quick one to say i've been busy with my 1st Oct reset, house and job apps taking priority. I've been informally offered a role ! I don't want to say too much at the moment as don't want to jinx it is an exciting life change as I have worked in my present place for a looooong time.

House is getting there, health 'meh'.

so just to say - sorry for not being around !

All sounds like on the up Orange!

Congratulations Orange!

Well done @OrangeCinnamonLatte , job sounds exciting!

Ds has just got himself a Sat job working at a builders merchants. I hope it will help him develop some of the skills he’s lacking - timekeeping, concentration etc!

Quick question - When you go to see your DCs, how many of you go - just one adult or more? Do your DCs mind you coming to their halls or do they want to see you somewhere else?

Well done to your DS @crazycrofter

Well done! @OrangeCinnamonLatte sounds very exciting.

@JustHereWithMyPopcorn when we took DS back last weekend we all went up to his room (me, DH and DD) We didn't come across anyone else though. I'm not sure anyone lives on his corridor. He says he hears female voices but he's never seen them - 3 weeks now!

Well done @OrangeCinnamonLatte and @crazycrofter DS.

Congrats @OrangeCinnamonLatte : how exciting!

Well done @CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee ! Sounds very exciting.

DS had first swim with seconds today and was asked to do some sessions with the first team so he is a very happy bunny.