Thread 52 - Covid GCSE Cohort - Autumn 24 - Start of Uni Yr 3

[Oblomov24]

2024 Autumn, start of year 3 for those at Uni.

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.

51 Previous thread - 51.

Congratulations, @BlueMarigold! As DS and I are on half-term this week, we're going to mooch around Leeds campus tomorrow. It's not an Open Day but to get the feel for "normal term-time".

Meanwhile DD has been asked to decorate a lot more windows at the museum! One of the other art students asked her "is that your work at the Museum of Cambridge?" as she recognised the style! Certainly all helps on the CV/portfolio.

That's great news @BlueMarigold - which one is her favourite at the moment?

@Piggywaspushed I know! I was thinking about easy access to the Cairngorms! Ds has a car and already goes to Snowdonia with friends to camp overnight and climb a peak the next day, so I thought he might like the chance to do more of that!! But it is a long way. We'll see what Reading say - standard offer is AAB, reduced to BBB for contextual offers (they're the only uni I've come across to include ADHD as a reason for a contextual offer). Ds got BBC... but they were in clearing for less last year, so I'm wondering if they'll offer anyway. If not, they have a foundation year, but that will just make it even more expensive!

Yes, we found Reading to have one of the most wide-ranging criteria for contextual offers when DS was looking. It is a long way from any mountains though that's for sure.

@crazycrofter I'm guessing Aberystywth's access to the Welsh mountains wouldn't make up for the fact that it's hours from civilisation 🤔

@mummyinbeds he loved Aber when he went there in the summer for that conference, but they don't do an accredited Real Estate course unfortunately!

I admit we were expecting a contextual offer from Aber but they seemed to make the standard offer. We took it as a sign that it’s not the right uni for DD2

I spotted that @EternallyDelighted (I've scoured the RICS website for courses!) but it focuses on rural property and I think ds is more interested in the commercial side. I'm also not quite sure they'd be his type of people, although I know there will be all types everywhere. He's also not really interested in clubbing and drinking, which is one of the reasons he's not too fussed about going to uni, as he thinks it's all about that for most people. I did say to him that at least Reading isn't a nightlife Mecca, so perhaps it might attract more people like him?

@BlueMarigold Aber are quite relaxed with grades on results day. DD's experience suggests they are much more supportive of students as individuals than Nottingham (only comparison I have).

@crazycrofter I'd forgotten he'd spent a week in Aber. DD is much happier now she knows there's a Primark in Shrewsbury - only two hours by train 😂

Thanks @mummyinbeds I think it’s unlikely DD2 will pick Aber as it’s actually very far for us. We haven’t been to see it. We will see what other offers she gets before making and decisions. York and Reading were the favourites.

@BlueMarigold DD was definitely not picking Aber. We visited on a random weekend and she loved it but decided it was too far away. And then the head of department sent her a letter telling her how wonderful her personal statement was (with references to the contents) and how she was a perfect fit for the course. So we ended up going to the offer holder day. Her favourite prior to that had been York. I'm pretty sure for most kids, where they end up is the perfect fit for them - DD loves Aber and I can't imagine she could have gone anywhere else. It would probably have been the same if she'd gone to York. The only place she absolutely hated was Sheffield - she didn't even want to get off the tram.

@mummyinbeds your DD sounds like mine. She also didn’t like Sheffield. Loved York and it’s currently her first choice if they offer. What course is your DD doing?

@BlueMarigold she's doing International Relations and Global Development and loving it.

We went to visit Leeds in the summer holidays and were allowed in all the buildings even though it wasn't an open day.
@BlueMarigold I wish that DS was as organised as your DD!

@BlueMarigold Fantastic start.

DS has done his first interview to a screen. A bit disconcerting but we cross our fingers!

@EwwSprouts what’s your DS applying to? The York interview is in person and includes a tour and taster lectures.

DD2 has new offers! Two came in at the same time.

Congratulations @BlueMarigold how exciting!

@mummyinbeds That is so strange your DD's reaction to Sheffield. Back when ds1 was applying i drove him all the way (2hrs!) there. When we arrived he wasn't remotely interested in any of the talks.When i asked him exasperated, 'what he was going to do next?' as he hadn't gone to any talks he just replied, 'We can go home! I've never heard anything but good things about Sheffield but have never been able to quite work out DS1's reaction to it.

@Shimy I've only heard great things about Sheffield too. The course she was offered was fantastic, she was joining Duck Society, and then just hated the city. We didn't even make it inside a building. She doesn't like Nottingham either so maybe it's a city thing (although she goes to London quite frequently when she's at home)

I think DS also disliked the city. The day we went it was raining, the sky was overcast and there was traffic everywhere, when we visited UEA & Cardiff his 2 preferred unis, it was a sunny gay day. The 'Duck society' sounds like it would've been lots of fun, anyway, all the best for wherever she chooses!

@Shimy she's just started 2nd year at Aberystywth - about as far removed from Sheffield as you can get, apart from the hills.

@EternallyDelighted Just noticed you mentioned me upthread. I haven't read back as I've been off for a while and missed quite a bit i think but yes, ds is up in Reading renting a room in a shared house so I only know about rooms. Close to town centre i'd say a budget of £600-700 per mth (bills inc) will get decent accommodation shared facilities with others. Further out, RG2 area probably around £550-600. Slightly further out you'll probably get nicer accommodation for the same amount if not cheaper. Let me know if you have any questions.

@mummyinbeds From what i've read on here Aber is lovely! DS and I visited Swansea and Cardiff and it was love at first sight. He ended up at Cardiff but the view at Swansea made me want to register for a new degree . Is she enjoying Aber? I hope she is, it sounds like a great place to study and make memories.

@Shimy she loves Aber. The uni, the course, the town, the people (students and locals). She doesn't even mind the 6 hours on a train to get there.