Continuing Year 13: January 2016

[Needmoresleep]

Only two more terms at school. Let's support each other support our DC in getting through to the end.

Yep I'm feeling sad at this being the last week of school for my DTs. Can't believe it's over. That flood of ironing uniforms and sorting out lunch money, of parents evenings and homework . . . Dried to a trickle, two days left.

Yay. Im so proud of my kids and TBH of me and their dad for having all contributed to their growing up so well-ish.

Which I mean humbly, as I was convinced I'd make a right hamfisted balls up of the whole enterprise.

S1 tomorrow and study leave at the end of the week. Do loved her sixth form and does not want it to end. Freezing time is probably not a good thing, even if it were possible.

And we should all congratulate ourselves for having got this far. I thought even surviving the first year was a real achievement.

DS1 still has to wear uniform to exams, so I still feel he's not quite left yet! He's got a job starting in July for the summer. That seems really grown up. He'll have to get himself up while DS2, DS3 and I are on school holidays. We're going to need a bigger and louder alarm clock.

I think I'll be more emotional when DS3, my PLB, leaves school, tbh.

Ds going to be frying bacon on Bunsen burners in last chemistry lesson tomorrow. On Thursday social evening for parents students and teachers but sounds a bit poncey with suits/ posh dresses so u think I shall give it a miss!

buckingfrolicks I know what you mean. Didn't we all just make it up as we went along, this parenting thing? Your house will feel very different when they both go off in the autumn.

Slightly off topic but DS has been called up for his Men ACWY. It's very important they have this before going off to uni as there has been a rise in cases of meningitis W among students. Just a word of warning though, don't book it just before an exam or holiday. DS1 had it last year (I had to pay privately as he wasn't eligible on NHS). Wfe were warned by the clinic that side effects are common and he was quite unwell for two days with high temp / shivering.
We will wait until after exams for DS2.

Secrets I've been wondering about the Mengingitis jab. Do they call them automatically? I realise I have no idea what the system is. Thanks for the warning about the fever as well.

Thanks for the reminder. last time I asked at surgery they weren't booking far enough ahead but no issue with stocks. Will probably leave it for a few weeks.

Dunlurking I'm not sure if they will all be called up - here's a link. It says Students going to university or college for the first time....should contact their GP to have the Men ACWY which suggests it's not automatic.

I had a bit of a battle last year trying to get it for DS1 last summer as it's only available for freshers up to age 25 and not for second years.

DS had meningitis jab a few weeks ago at school. Most of them were unwell for a couple of days afterwards, a few had temps, he had a really painful arm.

M3 & S3 out of the way now (M3 paper ok but knows he made a mistake with one question, S3 went better). Just 11 more papers to go.

'Leavers' Day' tomorrow. Seems a bit unreal & sad but like others I feel a massive sense of achievement. We've had many hurdles to cross as a family & his progress through the education system has been far from smooth but thankful that we've made it this far.

Just looked on Warwick website & they're saying accommodation application will open next week.

Ooh useful heads up about the Men jab. Had no idea.

Live the idea of frying bacon on Bunsen burners!

Booked DD in for the Men jab today. Made sure it was after exams have finished!

Great resource, this thread. Not that I couldn't just google it, but would I remember to.

1. Must check Warwick accommodation next week.

2. Must book in DS1 for meningitis jab.

No more exams until after half term. DS1 found the M3 paper hard but thinks he did OK, seems to agree with answers discussed on the student room, that lauded example of accuracy and reason.

Ellen and Bethan Not sure if both of yours have Warwick as first choice or insurance but for what it's worth DS1 had it as insurance and still got his second choice of accommodation which was great. The accommodation allocations weren't sent out until about 5th September though.
Which reminds me DS2 hasn't yet applied for accommodation at his insurance.....

Thanks Secrets and everyone for the Meningitis info. I rang our surgery who said the formula kept changing for who was supposed to have it and we would have to wait and see when he was sent for. Very helpful! So I will have to put it in the diary to remind me. I'm with you on this remembering business Ellen. Have also put Warwick accommodation in diary for next week but someone please post when it's online!

Secrets do they apply for insurance accommodation in advance as well???!!! I'll never get ds to do that!

Ds's last ever day of school today. How bizarre. The school years - well, all years - have flown past.

Glad to see that about the Meningitis jab. The last jabs I found out about accidentally - it turned out ds's name had been left out of the system when I rang to ask. We'd never have known except that ds's friend was complaining that his arm hurt.

Dunlurking do they apply for insurance accommodation.
They don't have to.
I'd weigh up the likelihood of ending up at insurance uni. In DS1's case it was very high - his first choice required grade 1 in STEP 2 and 3. It was always a gamble and it seemed sensible to apply for accommodation at insurance.
Each university accommodation website will show their priority of allocations. Usually something along the lines of Firms, followed by Insurances followed by late applications and last of all clearance or adjustments.
I don't think DS2 will end up at his insurance but it costs nothing to apply.

I didn't think Exeter allowed insurance choices to apply for accommodation. I must check, or get DS1 to check. I reckon DS is more likely to end up there than Warwick, if I'm perfectly honest.

I think you are right about Exeter Ellen, they only guarantee accommodation to firms. It makes it that bit more stressful if they miss their offer. I guess it all depends how much accommodation each uni has. DS's first and second choices both guarantee a room to all first years not just firms.

Thanks Secrets. Ellen I've just checked as Exeter is ds's insurance as well and they say apply as soon as your clearing or insurance place is confirmed by the university. In other words not until the firm has turned them down and then Exeter have accepted them. So we just need to get our dses to focus on Warwick for the moment! Hope your ds makes Warwick anyway

Woah, spooky Dunlurking. What subject? I might have a quick stalk of your posts! Cross fingers both get Warwick as accommodation looks a lot cheaper there. DS will have to take a tent to Exeter, just in case.

Secret Warwick is his firm choice (Maths). Bristol is insurance but they won't let him apply for accommodation in advance - similar attitude to Exeter.

Had last ever lesson yesterday - Maths with pizza. Today had Leavers Assembly & then the school laid on a hog roast which was good of them (though he had a veggie burger as doesn't eat hogs).

Head of Maths was chatting to DH who works part time at school, saying how hard working & motivated DS has been & how he helps the others in the class & they'll miss him. Really nice of her to say that.

Well DS1 finished school today. Leavers Assembly and Hog Roast weds. Group of teens currently having BBQ at our house. He was at Toddlers Group with some of them, doesn't seem five minutes