Thread 46 - GCSE Covid Cohort , Searching for Summer Solstice

[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

@crazycrofter DS1 is doing Medicine, at St Andrews they do 3 years there, then 3 years in a partner medical school. He had other smart placement trousers. I advised against squeezing into DJ trousers as a wardrobe malfunction could be very embarrassing! Too much time in the gym is making wardrobes obsolete!

I know it well @Monkey2001 - ds’ school trousers split last week 😩

Ah, I didn’t know it worked like that at St Andrews. Will he have lots of current coursemates in Manchester too or do they go all over?

Oh no @crazycrofter! Was it embarrassing or funny for him? My parents once did a double whammy, my dad was a lecturer at an art college and they went to the degree show. My mum fainted and my dad bent over to pick her up and his trousers split!

Oh dear @Monkey2001 that's soo embarrassing! I haven't actually asked ds when the split occurred - if it was embarrassing he wouldn't tell me, he's quite private like that! He's had to buy waist 40 trousers, so that they fit everywhere else - they look ridiculous, all bunched up at the waist! There's a point beyond which bulking should stop I think....

@crazycrofter have you looked into different brands? Asda do skinny, regular and wide fitting, so may be worth looking there for a sensible waist with enough rooms for weight lifting gluteus maximus!

That’s an idea. Ds does all his own clothes shopping, so he went to Next and River Island. I’ll see if I can persuade him to come to Asda with me!

@crazycrofter Do you have a 'STAG' near you? Italian men's shop at affordable prices. I've bought several items for DS's there, useful for slightly unusual fits as well as the standard ones.

I’ve never heard of STAG @Shimy but I’ll have a look.

They don't have loads of stores, just a few scattered about. Depending where you are: STAG

DS has bought two suits from Slaters, he finds it daunting just walking into Next, M&S etc and trying to find something, the staff at Slaters are very helpful and knowledgeable. It was busy with boys buying prom suits when we went a couple of weeks ago, it was lovely seeing them all emerge from the changing rooms for their mates and mums to approve and take photos.

I’m a bit late to the thread, better late then never.

DS is now back from Birmingham. Nice and sunny there today and the campus looked lovely. Grey and chilly here.

He'd done a decent job of packing and his rom wasn't completely filthy!

You done good mama
🤣

One more sleep until I have ds2 back from his epic adventure. Can’t wait to see the photos!

DS just competed in SW Power Lifting Championship and came third in his class! 🏆. Wasn't expecting that, didn't even have my camera out for the prize-giving!

I hope that you all enjoy having DC home from university, travels, and other adventures!

Great result for mini @Monkey2001

@Piggywaspushed I'd take not filthy as a civilised!

@Delphigirl bet you wake early with anticipation.

DS has come home this evening but he's not finished. He's still got exams this week but has some sports things he wants to participate in. He's going back in ten days for sport and social events before the end of term.

too right @EwwSprouts ! Can’t sleep, keep refreshing Flightradar24 and watching his progress. He is travelling for almost 24 hours!

How exciting @Delphigirl , bet you can’t wait to see him!

Thats brilliant @Monkey2001 !

Oooh he is now over the Grand Canyon!

@Delphigirl remind us where he's been?

Crewing on a tall sailing ship for 3.5 months travelling from Caribbean to Panama, through the canal, to galapagos and then French polynesia!

Sounds amazing @Delphigirl !

@Monkey2001 - great result for your DS!

DS was planning on doing an evening bat punt this week to go bat spotting. He does love a bat...

Wow, what an experience @Delphigirl! Which company did he do that through? Was this volunteering in a gap year? What is next for him? Apart from sleep!!

It is through an American company. Most of the others were uni students - they earn US college credit for marine biology and marine science (which he won’t use) but also have got sailing and diving certifications. So he has done all the practical and theory aspects for his IYT Master of Yachts 200tn (sail) for example- just needs to sit the exam. He is going off to uni to study oceanography in September.