Thread 45 GCSE Covid Cohort - Bunnies bouncing into Spring

[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

Thank you Orange.

Morning! Thanks @OrangeCinnamonLatte

Following on from the students focussing on the social side, this weekend DS is playing three matches. We've agreed it will likely be a very slow hobble back up the hill to his accommodation tomorrow afternoon. 😅

@zebracat That would be scary for anyone! Well done her for putting the child first.

@benjispruce The offer holder day will hopefully reveal they come across as a friendly bunch of young people. I know one recent student at York and one current one at York St John. Both have loved the city. The current one has a bar job as a way of being part of the wider community which has resulted in friendships too.

Thanks orange.
I was at York St John many years ago - this is the first time I think I've heard it mentioned on mn!

Thanks @OrangeCinnamonLatte

Zebra - poor thing, that is a big thing to deal with for anyone let alone a young adult on a first unaccompanied flight. DH had similar about 25 years ago, a landing aborted very late due to cross winds (they could see people on the ground and the plane suddenly swooped up again). He does still fly but gets a bit nervous.

Thanks @OrangeCinnamonLatte .

@NCTDN It's quite popular round here as just far enough away at an hour. One of DS's friends has it as their firm choice for this September. They've also expanded quite a bit eg their policing degrees in partnership with local forces.

@benjispruce my DD is at York if you need anything..

Thanks @OrangeCinnamonLatte

After having both sons home for quite a while over Christmas, I’m finding it an adjustment to having an empty house again. I’ve been off this week & as I’m getting over Covid I haven’t wanted to venture too far but it’s been a teeny bit boring. I think I need some new hobbies!

I need new hobbies as well! I just don't know what...

I used to do a lot of sewing as a teenager. Thinking of doing that again - could set a machine up in one of the boy’s bedrooms!

Wow another new thread already - thanks @OrangeCinnamonLatte

How wonderfully resilient of your DD @zebracat but how totally disheartening for her that it just didn't happen. I too am a bit shocked no other alternative was offered. What if it was the other way and she was stranded in a foreign country. Hope she can re-book and brave it again soon.

@Decorhate and @NCTDN I will definitely be relying on hobbies and taking on a bit more work to cope with the empty house once our only goes off in September. Not sure my little, old rust bucket will cope with a 4 hour round trip journey too many times and it's a 3 change train journey so between those options i'll be relying on DH availability to visit DD for the most part.

I'm looking into student bank accounts and HSBC looks the best with £100 cash on completing 5 transactions in 30days as it has a good overdraft facility too (although DD knows it's not her money and has never gone into it before).
Bought her a teddy bear mattress topper from Dunelm for £12.50 which she is delighted with.

I'm just bringing over the list from the thread before last as some has trouble finding us...although am aware there have been changes/name changes

Nottingham
@NCTDN / DD / Liberal Arts / Bristol
@Northumberlandlass / DS / Accounting / Northumbria
@Oblomov22 / DS / Accountancy / PwC Nottingham
@omnishambles / DS / Mech Eng / Nottingham
@OrangeCinnamonLatte / DD / Music / Cardiff
@OublietteBravo / DD / Business with Law / Exeter
@PaddingtonPaddington / DD / Music / RWCMD
@pangolinfan / DD / Economics and Politics / Edinburgh
@PhotoDad / DD / Illustration / ARU
@Piggywaspushed / DS / History / Birmingham
@POTC / DS / Geography / Lincoln
@ProggyMat / DD / Classics / Oxford
@Sallyingon / DS / / Lancaster
@sazzy5 / DS / Sport and Exercise Med Sci / Exeter
@scabby1 / DS / Economics and Politics / Bristol
@ScarlettDarling / DS / Biochemistry / Oxford
@Seeline / DD / Liberal Arts / UEA
@Shimy / DS / Management / Warwick
@singingstones / DS / Neuroscience / Nottingham
@Siriusmuggle / DS / BMus Music Performance / RNCM
@sofakingcool / DS / Business Economics / Reading
@stephaniestephanie / DS / Film + TV with Innovation / Bristol
@Takeittotheboss / DS / gap year + Economics / Liverpool
@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango / DD / Politics and IR / Bath
@Tomnooktoldmeto / DD / Creative Writing and Media / NTU
@Tomnooktoldmeto / DS / History / NTU
@tryingmybest13 / DS / Archaeology / Bangor
@Understartersorders / DS / History and Politics / LSE
@Volterra / DS / tbc 2023
@whatsnext2 / DD / English joint hons / Reading
@Wheresthebeach / DD / gap year + Marine Biology / Portsmouth
@whoamitojudge / DD / employment in aviation industry
@Zebracat / DG/ tbc
@ZittiEBuoni / DD / tbc 2023

Mine’s been home this week for mid term break. It’s been nice having him here abs he’s finally growing up a bit. He’s loving his course which I’m pleased about. It’s good to see this cohort able to spread their wings after the last few years

Thanks for the tag! I often forget about this thread

DS is doing well at Reading, still not really happy in his accommodation, but is looking forward to the summer to move in with his friends which I think will be the making of him

Thanks for the new thread! We’re expecting DD to arrive home for reading week this evening.

@OrangeCinnamonLatte thanks for the tag, both DC have settled well with DD amazing everyone on the course by achieving an international internship within a month of starting her course

DS has finally passed his driving test at the third attempt so I am now officially no longer his Uni taxi. It’s a huge relief as I’m waiting for my first of 2 corneal transplants for Fuchs this year hopefully

it’s great to see how they are all spreading their wings and developing on the tread

@OrangeCinnamonLatte thanks for the thread. I am afraid you pasted just the second half of the list, was looking forwards to seeing DS with an offer!!

@crazycrofter I think there university well being team is the place to go, not the GP.

@Zebracat remember that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger! There are years ahead when she can decide to go to university.

Thanks @OrangeCinnamonLatte I had definitely dropped off the thread...sorry.
My DS is now in Tanzania climbing a dormant volcano!
Leaving me to select accomodation for him. Torn between the cheapest(not cheap), nearest digs and the super duper student village at VAST cost.* *Any thoughts?

@scabby1 @stephaniestephanie are your boys sorted with accommodation for next year?

@Takeittotheboss which uni is the accommodation for?

Ignore that I've just looked at the list.
Where is the cheap accommodation? Is it greenbank village for the expensive option?

Thanks for the new thread @OrangeCinnamonLatte .

@OrangeCinnamonLatte the first half of your list must be missing at it starts at the letter N. Or is it just me that can only see @NCTDN onwards?

No I'm first on the list - thought it was strange!