Starting Year 13 (number 4!)

[Mindgone]

I just thought I'd get us started up again!

Polka there was no roll call and lots of applicants were on their own - see weren't the only parents!! Enjoy!

Hi everyone, Just wanted to ask a question, my DD looked at last year student room page, regarding bristol accommodation, the comments were about students who have had a lot of problems last year with which accommodation they where offered or received, apparently most of them didn't get there 1st, 2nd or 3rd accommodation, some of them had to share temporarily and others were given some far away or even more expensive, as anyone heard about this as well? Also has anyone experienced this or know anyone that has? Thanks

This did happen last year as Bristol ended up with more students than they bargained for (due to people missing grades for their firm choice I think). I suspect it means that they will adjust the amount of offers they make this year. But who knows?

My dd was lucky and got her own room in cheap accommodation and it has worked out well. Some people ended up sharing for a while, while the university sorted it out. The accommodation office were lovely, so I would advise talking to them. If your dd puts Bristol as her Firm, she will get priority choice, but if she puts it as insurance then she can't register for accommodation until results day when she knows for sure she is going to Bristol. At that point, all the very popular choices will have been taken and she will be choosing from a restricted list. But at least accommodation is guaranteed unlike many insurance choices.

My other advice is to be quite strategic when she chooses her three options (so unless she is really set on them, don't go for the massively oversubscribed ones as a first choice). So for example if she chooses Goldney or The Hawthorns she is more likely to be bumped to second choice, as these halls are oversubscribed.

Just having breakfast at the hotel in M'cr before setting off for the uni.
Have had a couple of bad days with DS's attitude, but hoping that's done and dusted now!!

Enjoy Horsemad.
DD has cancelled her applicant day at Birmingham and rearranged it for next month as she still has a mock exam later this week.

Horsemad, hope you enjoy your day in Manchester! I had issues with DS1's attitude (mostly towards me) over the last year or two, but funnily enough, we got on great at uni days out and interviews. Especially when I kept him well fed! He is at uni now, and is so much nicer, and showing signs of maturity! I sometimes even see him deciding to keep his mouth closed!

Good news, DS2 got an offer for medicine yesterday! :) so happy for him, esp as most of his friends have 5 offers now! Just a matter of grades now!

Good luck Horsemad
Hope everyone enjoying applicant days. DD has one in Feb and one in March.
Written mocks next week here, already had music performance mock.
Audition for last Uni done, went OK. expecting a bit of a wait to see if she gets an offer as they have at least one more interview date.
As usual, not enough schoolwork going on, too many performances and other distractions.

Meant to also say, student finance now open. DD managed to create an account, think school must have advised them to set themselves up early.

Great news Mindgone !

Any improvement with your DDs headaches mumslife?

Thanks circular and mumslife :)
Mumslife, you're not alone, which helps, I think, a bit!
Best of luck with offers circular!

Something free for those interested in languages...

www.futurelearn.com/courses/cultural-studies/details

As usual, not enough schoolwork going on, too many performances and other distractions.

I have finally - I think - realised that dd1 has got this far whilst being constantly busy with her dramatic diversions, and that I have to trust her to get through the last 6 months whilst being equally diverted :) I may need reminding of that more than once ...

And yay Mindgone, well done to your ds!

Thanks for that Littleham - have sent it to DD

Excellent news Mindgone!

Great to hear all the good news. Thanks for the link Littleham, dd might be interested. It's another 3 hours a week to commit to but does look interesting.

She has all five offers in now, yay!! Just going to decide which ones to re-visit before she makes final decisions.

I took ds to sixth form open day this week and it looks like he has chosen his four A levels too. It's all happening at the moment!

Finance forms next I suppose.

Atiao More than used to the diversions here, but DD just keeps taking on more and more.

DD Unexpectedly got final offer, so now has offers from all 5. But no decisions on firm and insurance until the 3 applicant visits done, except whether to apply for music scholarships where its separate.

Then there's the UCAS vs CUKAS matter, which may not be completely decided until results day.

Good luck to all those still waiting for remaining offers.

Thanks Hellsbells and Atia :)
And very well done to circular and fairenuff! Great news today! :)