Year 12 preparing for AS levels

[HSMMaCM]

Here we are everyone.

I think that's fair enough, there is time to look after the AS exams.

www.universityfinder.org.uk

This lets you search on subject/fees/predicted grades/distance from home etc. It looks quite good, it's flagged up some universities that we hadn't thought of. You can select only old university or only RG universities too.

I love MN. Everyone is so kind and helpful

The university finder website has some error; the list of Russell group universities is not accurate - Bristol is missing.

Ooh, I went to Bristol < completely unstealthy boast >

Juggling What was it like?

Ooh, it was great thanks Camboricum (mostly), Bristol is a great student city - but I think I just liked being a student - with being a student nurse too (after Uni) and then doing a PGCE I managed to spin out student life through most of my twenties
Might have outed myself there, but it probably isn't the first time!

I'm Bristolian (though don't live there now) and after I graduated I came back and spent a very happy year working at the university. Great place to be a student, would be happy if DS decided to go when the time comes.

Bristol is DD's bf's first choice and DD fancies it (though no idea for what course). I was a bit when friends with DC/rellies there said that it is very white MC - the city of Bristol is a good mix

I think it's a good mix too but I also know what your friends mean, whenever we have visited (we're not far away from Bristol) it's had the air of a white middle class city in some ways. Maybe it's kept to it's less than admirable origins :(

We did find some stuff about summer schools and courses but every one I opened then said they were only for people who would be the first generation of their family to go to university so she doesn't qualify.

Try googling "university summer school engineering" and you will find quite a few e.g.

www.taster.ecs.soton.ac.uk

which are open to year 12 students, regardless of family background. For at least some there would be mild positive discrimination towards women i.e. given a male and a female applicant with similar grades and one place left, the place would be given to the woman.

There are also some initiatives specially targeted at women. Partial list available at

www.wes.org.uk/content/engineering-summer-schools

but googling "girls engineering summer school" should bring you up more.

We are experiencing mixed approaches here in Casa EricNorthman.

DS is actively looking online at universities and planning visits. DD has her head in the sand. She won't even commit to whether she wants to try for university or drama school or both ( she could apply simultaneously and probably should given the competition for drama school). Lots of constant 'advice' doesn't help, however well meaning.

On the last parents evening she was told by her English teacher that she should study that at university and told by her drama teacher that she should apply to RADA.

Well Eric, she must be very talented

No idea what DD is currently thinking about doing. Probably because she has no idea!

BTM I think she is quite talented, in a very naturalistic, intense way ( not a musical theatre girl ).

But let's be honest. There are a million talented girls out there who want to act.

Where I think she does have real talent is in writing/directing.

Not read all the messages. Just checking in to keep track of your all, ds is doing nothing that I can see in preparation for his AS levels. But the girlfriend does seem to be having a good effect as he tends to revise when she's around. We've got parents evening this week (don't break up till Friday here ) so should get some idea how he's doing and whether hes on track.
I'm nagging him to sort out looking at courses and start arranging uni visits. But I have to say I'm struggling...being on my own and fighting him is just too much hard work , I've almost given up.

Eric, that could be an English+drama or Theatre Studies degree?

AuntP, don't feel bad. We aren't nagging DD to look at courses/unis or anything - just getting through her AS's is enough! Glad to hear his gf is a good influence

Thanks BTM girl friend is Definitely a good influence. He's done 3 hrs psychology today apparently. ..have no proof of this as he was round there since Friday night he's avoiding me as I keep nagging apparently!

DD and her bf seem to encourage each other and sometimes sit at the kitchen table studying!

We have an 18 year old staying with us this weekend. He did AS levels then started again. He got half way through his second year of AS levels and dropped out.

He has a VERY good accounting apprenticeship / training programme, lasting 4 years. Seems to have found his place now.

There is hope, whatever happens.

Yes HSM, you are absolutely right

Thanks disquit2 SO many useful leads on your links

Yes thanks disquit. Forwarded those links to dd3.

I'm quite lucky this year as dd2 and dd1 have split the UK in half. DD2 is going by train with dd3 to all her northern choices and as luck would have it dd2's accommodatiion at university doesn't lapse until after the open days. That will give dd3 a bit of a university experience. dd1 is taking on the southern universities.

AuntP - could you go out for a bit of a break with your ds? It is still a few weeks to exams so don't panic too much yet.

EricNorthman - Your dd probably needs to visit some universities to see a variety of courses. Maybe something will click when she sees it.

I'm quite glad not to have to deal with boyfriends on top of all the other angst.

AuntP we have the opposite here, ds's gf has been with us since Friday. I'm sure he's not avoiding you, they just want to be together.

Is anyone else old enough to remember advert. It still makes me smile even though it's shockingly sexist nowadays 'more and more women are taking control of their futures...'

Anyway, my ds hasn't shown much interest in looking for courses, booking open days either. I've sent him a couple of articles and course details via fb and he's had a look at them. I find he communicates more with me electronically these days so we often text each other even when we're both in the house

I think I'm getting old

BTM and little thank you.

I know in my heart I need to relax and that things will fall into place one way or another.

I guess one issue is that the things DD would ultimately like to do ( act/write/direct ) have no proper pathway. You don't actually need a degree at all.

I have a friend whose son left school at 18 to become a runner at Elstree. Very brave.

It will work out .

The thing I hate about this period is that some of the family are free and would like to do things but others have to revise for exams. It is such a shame. There are only so many times I can send ds out on his bike for an hour or two!

We have cracked and organised three days with nothing but fun for everyone.