Thread 50 - Covid GCSE Cohort - New Year of Adulting

[OrangeSpicedBun]

2024 here we are... our young people are still getting used to adulting and we're still doing that adulting thing ...it's tough !

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). 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
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/parents_of_adult_children/4922401-thread-49-covid-gcse-cohort-the-nights-are-drawing-in?page=10

Thank you, Delphigirl and Shimy.
It's been a whirlwind few weeks - I can't fault the way the NHS has swung into action, even if it's left me a bit breathless. In the past week alone, I've had more biopsies, an MRI and subsequent results, and been given a date for surgery.

We're finally taking DD back to uni tomorrow after Christmas! Term started with 2 weeks of assessments - her course is all coursework assessed (with the deadline mainly before the assessment period?!), so she decided to stay home. She has one marked already with an excellent result so she was very pleased.
She seems happy to be going back which after last year's false start is a relief.

Thank you @Shimy - forwarded!

I am so relieved to hear how quickly you are being supported Piccolo. I know it is all very scary but hang in there.

Shimy, hope you too are getting stronger by the day.

And for those supporting spouses through their diagnosis’ (which can often feel worse than if it were our own), 👏

Apologies if you have already done this Piggy, getting your son to register with all the uni FB groups for any room availability (halls/rental withdrawals due to students dropping out) and short term, SpareRoom as a back up option.

Argh, I missed you are on FB pages. I didn’t mean private halls.

Thank you @ealingwestmum .

@Alwaysplayspicc Yes I've been impressed with the way the NHS swung into action for DH too, he had his last PSA test at the GP one morning in mid Nov, GP rang him back the same afternoon with the result, booked him in for physical exam the next day, referred to hospital immediately, MRI a fortnight later, results of that a week after, biopsy 2.5 weeks ago and results discussion last week. DS is is home this weekend, so we are going to tell him and DD then, not looking forward to that but at least we won't have to worry about them finding out from someone else (both our parents know) and won't have to whisper about it between ourselves.

@Alwaysplayspicc - once you are on that conveyor belt things move very quickly! It now feels odd to be cut adrift to be honest but GP is checking up on me so not too lonely. How are you feeling in yourself?

@Shimy hope you've had a good week and are feeling stronger.

@EffortlessDistraction - I hope it goes as well as it can telling your DC. That's a hard thing to do.

@Seeline hope your DD has a good term and well done on her coursework.

@ealingwestmum - nice to see you back! Sounds horrendous re the planes!

Nothing much to report from damp and windy North Yorkshire. Off to my cancer gym this morning. Never thought I would enjoy the gym!

Wishing all those waiting for diagnostic test results well & peace of mind. It's all very daunting.

@Alwaysplayspicc Hope everything goes well with the DC and they are able to process all the information well.

I can definitely vouch for things moving pretty fast once you are in the system having just come out of it.

@craggyrat & @ealingwestmum . Thanks for asking. I can't wait for my stomach to fully heal so it feels less heavy. It feels like I am 6mths pregnant and restricts walking and eating. A few spoonfuls of food and it feels like you've eaten an elephant. Sorry for the moan but its nice to be able to do it here as there's only me and DS at home now.

@Shimy oh that sounds tough. Feel free to moan here!

Hi I have another nice update to share! DD has found a local placement for next year and it’s been approved! It means she will be able move back home with us! Yay!

That's great news @BlueMarigold ! How lovely to have her back

@BlueMarigold YAAAYY!!! that's amazing news. Congratulations to DD. How exciting!

I hope you’re recovering well @Shimy sending love xx

Thank you @BlueMarigold .

Great news @BlueMarigold !

Sorry you're feeling rough @Shimy - hope you're on the mend soon.

Thanks @Seeline, glad DD is settling in well, long may it continue.

I hope your recovery goes well @Shimy .
Ds has just finished GCSE mocks and has to make his provisional A level choices which is proving to be a bit stressful. Does anyone have any advice about taking both Economics and Business Studies? I read some things which say not to as they are too similar so as not to show breadth and others which say they compliment each other because of the cross over! I just don’t want him to limit his options for the future but he seems quite set on the idea.

It's allowed at my school. They aren't actually similar at all really. I think it's a bit like saying sociology and psychology are too similar . It is true, however, that a handful of universities don't like the combination.

DS 1 did business and hated it. DS2 did economics and loved it.

Thanks @Piggywaspushed , that’s interesting to hear. I’m assuming it’s the RG unis that don’t like the combination?

Not even all of them, to be honest . And I think only to do certain subjects. I think Bath might be one.

Just checked Bath for Business Management . In fact ,t eh way they express their requirements , economics and business would be a good combination!

https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2024/business-and-management/bsc-management/#entry-requirements

@Piggywaspushed , you’re brilliant. That’s so helpful, thank you.

@cariadambyth depending on what sort of universities he is aiming for, Maths is often a requirement for Economics degrees, so would be a good enabling subject to take if he likes it. Economics is never a required subject, but it is very interesting, was probably my favourite subject at A level, but that was a LONG time ago.

@Shimy sounds like you have been having an awful time, glad to hear you are emerging from it. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.