Thread 43 - GCSE Covid Cohort ..November 22 Remember Remember

[OrangeCinnamonLatte]

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

@EwwSprouts the course in y1 comprises 6 compulsory modules - 3 in each semester. She has only done 1 of those required this semester. Next semester she would be doing 2 if she stayed on her existing course. I don't think she would be able to catch up on 2 modules, whilst doing 3 others next semester -especially as one is more seminar based, so not something you could really fully do as self-study. We shall wait and see what they say though.....

@seeline Fingers crossed they are super supportive.

@Seeline at most places first year exams don't count towards degree, so they have the ability to be more flexible. DS has UEA interview on Monday, will think of your DD when looking at the accommodation, although I think we can only look from the outside. Both DH and I wanted to go with him as we love Norwich, so this one is a family trip!

Good luck to your DS @Monkey2001 ! I'm not sure where they house the medics, but I assume on campus somewhere, unless there is space at the hospital which is very close. We visited a couple of times, and were able to see all accommodation both times, so hopefully you might be lucky. If you have any questions, I think we went inside early all the different accommodation types and there are video tours of most of them on the website.
I think I said upthread, that despite all DDs issues, she loves the uni and Norwich, so don't let her experiences put you off.

I like it Photodad. The red, the body shape. Really nice.

I'd have it on my wall @photodad!

Love that picture @PhotoDad

Thanks all, the really nice thing about seeing DD's art is that it's genuinely progressing, she's trying new styles weekly and getting more confident. Can't believe that she's been away very nearly 12 weeks but will be home in another couple for the holidays!

DS seems to be looking at the most expensive houses imaginable in Lenton. Cripes.

Off to collect DS tomorrow- very excited! Christmas shopping in Cambridge and then home Saturday. He had three swim trials with the Firsts in the end and is training with them next term. He’s also won the vote to be student subject academic rep for his subject so very pleased with himself all round. Got his Christmas formal tonight so he’s having a nice week. Can’t wait to see him.

Congratulations to your DS, craggy - lots to be proud of himself for!

DD and DS will both be home at the end of next week. It feels so early, given that the state schools here don’t break up until 23rd December, but I can’t wait to have the house full again; they haven’t seen each other since 1st September, so I’m sure they’ll be happy to be back together again too.

DD’s BF’s mum has offered to bring her home (DD is in Birmingham, BF is in Coventry), so she doesn’t have to worry about limiting what she brings home…not sure that’s a good thing!

@PhotoDad Your DD is very talented.

@Monkey2001 Good luck to your DS for Monday.

@Comefromaway After a gap year to then to get a rejection from 1st choice I can imagine that would quite a blow. Let's hope he gets he next best choice.

Can't believe people are starting to make pickup arrangement for Xmas! how time has flown by. DS finishes on the 9th! really excited.

Your DD's pictures are brilliant @PhotoDad.

@craggyrat well dome to DS, sounds like things are going really well for him.

I'm off to see DS tomorrow, part of a long and complicated few days involving Christmas shopping, a funeral, a meet-up related to a hobby and a Christmas meal out, all joined together with some very long train journeys. He doesn't finish till the 16th, same day as DD finishes college. He is really down about his lost wallet, is still looking everywhere but can't go out clubbing till his replacement driving licence arrives. He doesn't dare take his passport out in case that gets lost too.

Well done Craggy ds.

Congratulations to @craggyrat DS - what a great first term!

Congrats to young Craggy!

@Comefromaway After a gap year to then to get a rejection from 1st choice I can imagine that would quite a blow. Let's hope he gets he next best choice.

He now needs to decide where else to apply to. He is considering somewhere in Brighton that isn't very well known but is connected to Falmouth Uni. The feedback I am getting is that Brighton is eye wateringly expensive to live in.

Thanks everyone. Cambridge is exhausting! He has walked our legs off. So lovely to have hugs again! A1 absolute nightmare for queuing traffic

@Comefromaway I think Brighton might also be one of those places where it's easy for students to get a job? is this something he might do? can you say what the course is we might be able to look around for you as well to see what other good places are available.

@craggyrat Congrats! sounds like he is having a ball save for losing his wallet. It's very exciting the thought of having them back home and listening to all their 'grown-up', news isn't it?

He is a grafter, worked 2 jobs through college to support himself and contributed to the household expenses when needed.

He is looking at pretty much the same kind of courses my ds was looking at but is just wanting slightly different emphasis so we have been advising him. He just gets his heart set on a particular place at times and whereas he needs to look at the whole picture.

That's good to hear. I hope he gets just the choice he is looking for in an affordable town soon and that's the place where he will thrive. Good luck to him!

@craggyrat He's achieved a lot! A hug is treasured for being the rarer now.

@Monkey2001 Hope UEA interview goes fabulously.

DDs suitcase has been ‘oop and down ‘ and ‘oop and down’ several times via courier!
The next I see it, it will be attached to DD- two more sleeps and at last a hug after 9 weeks! 😊
@craggyrat Well done to your DS!
Im really envious of your Chrimbo shopping and his!
DD has sent videos of the Christmas markets in Oxford and it all looks truly magical!
Having said that, I’m not envious of your A1 journey, nor am I looking forward to my journey down it ( and back 😩) with said suitcase and HB bags full of ‘necessary stuff’ !
@ScarlettDarling - not long now!

*hugs

Bet you can’t wait to see her @ProggyMat ! What time is your dd due home?
Dh is driving down to Oxford tomorrow, doing his Christmas shopping at Bicester village then staying overnight to pick ds up early Saturday. Hoping they’ll be hope mid afternoon.
I am feeling really emotional (again!) at the thought of having ds home and having my little family all together. I just can’t wait to hug him and feed him up a bit. I’ve even missed the piles of giant trainers lying around and spending fortunes on mountains of food! What a long nine weeks it’s been.