Finishing year 13 in 2017

[HSMMaCM]

Hi all. Keep in touch with uni offers, new jobs, gap years, exams, etc. We can get through his

DS is looking a bit glum as the day approaches.

Whatever happens, we will work it out.
Hoping things fall into place relatively easily, both here and for friends everywhere.
Will have everything crossed by Thursday!

Amazing most of us have been here since we thought GCSEs were important

Popping head back into thread, have been following but not commenting as MN decided I wasn't me as I'd changed my email and wouldn't let me log in one time, and then life got in the way again and I forgotten details. Anyway here just in time for A day. Really hope everyone who's been around since 2015 when we were nervously waiting for GCSEs is doing ok.

HSMMaCM - I remember stressing out over mine doing the 11+

If I knew then what I know now...!

Bet those unis will be busy in the next day or two

Dd has just realised today that she might actually have to take some action on results day

I'm going to put a bit here about clearing, hope it doesn't stress anyone out and it was an unusual situation that occurred with friend I was helping. But a few lessons were learned that might help. She missed her grades for both firm and insurance but insurance would have let her in had the exam board given them the right grades so added a whole new layer of complication.

Things we found:

1. Get on the phone as soon as possible. she didn't get her grades until 10.30am by which time the clearing spaces on her insurance course had gone.

2. The phone lines are really busy. We had 2 people on mobiles and one on the landline phoning different admission departments. It was taking around 30 mins to get an answer and for some reason 2 would answer exactly the same time so she spoke to the one she wanted to more.

3. Have phone and iPad chargers ready, laptop charged and power cable plus extension lead just in case.

4. Think best reception spot in the house if on mobile as one of the calls dropped mid way. Get the name of the person you're speaking to.

5. Be ready for mini interview , HOD interviewed her.

It was a very unusual situation due to the incorrect grade put through and got very complicated but we weren't prepared for the length of time it took to get through mid morning, the speed at which the places were going and had the laptop die on us and phone batteries starting to die, which can all be easily avoided. I'm sure if anyone does end up in clearing it will be simpler but just important to get to it and keep a cool head.

All worked out well for her and she has finished her first year at insurance choice with a 2.1. Hope I haven't increased stress levels with that but I'm on standby for Thursday for her sibling and feel a lot more prepared knowing the above. Hopefully the above is all unnecessary, they will all log onto Track and they are in. Juggling is right, whatever happens it will get worked out.

Good luck everyone, hang in there, nearly there

Thanks mirabelle. I am slightly concerned about the mobile reception around DD's college.

Same here, HSMM. We're fine at home, but that's a whole train journey ... I just feel like it's going to be some bizarre, stress-laden race-against-time, and if the trains play up (as they frequently do) that'll be the icing on the cliché.

Oh god, I'm getting really anxious about this now. Thanks for the information Mirabelle but does that mean DS should be straight on the phones at school as soon as he has his grades? It's a 30 minute drive home and I had visions of a leisurely drive back, a long chat over a pot of tea and then picking up the phone once the initial shock had worn off. Sounds like that might be too casual an approach?

I think our day will be: DS wakes up at 7.59. Logs onto Track at 8. Tells me what, if anything, is on Track. Wants to go back to sleep. I chivvy him to get up and go and get his results. Train cancelled. Eventually picks up results at about 9.30-10.00. Decides he needs to go to Wetherspoons with friends to have a commiseratory breakfast muffin. Gets home around 11. Phones a university. I open wine box and shove a massive straw in the top.

Oh good grief now wishing I hadn't logged back in for this...thanks mirabelle! .

DS has already told me he's going to log into ucas at 7am earliest it's available apparently and see where it says he's going and then he'll see what he needs to do next. He's only applied to one uni but got offers for a 3 year course and a 4 year foundation course so either way he'll know what's what.

Lindy, if you're anywhere near me, put a second straw in that box of wine for me

I'm so sorry I knew it would stress you all out but wanted to give you the info just in case with a bit of time to absorb it. Her course was really popular and a lot won't go so quickly. I would wait and call from home. You get a bit of time to think about a place that you get offered I think . That is actually another point, have some easy to eat but keep you going food at hand along with the wine box and straw.

They are giving out the same percentage of A*, A, B etc as last year I think aren't they? And hopefully clearing will be totally irrelevant for you all. just felt we were floundering around last year and could have done with knowing some of it before. Really sorry .

Track opened about 7am from memory with DS1 two years ago, so get on it ASAP and get over to school quicksmart if you're not in at your firm/insurance.

DS told me yesterday that UCAS Track opens at 8am. Is that not right? He says he checked.

It opened about 7am last year too . I think it says 8am but in reality opens early.

Ah ok, I see it now on The Student Room. Thanks.

My top tips would be:

Have a clear Plan B so if you don't get Firm or Ins, you can go straight to it.

Check beforehand which unis with your course are in Clearing (this is available to see now).

Jot their numbers down in advance, and have your PS printed off, so you can refer to it if you have a phone interview and your mind goes blank.

DO NOT WORRY! Easier said than done I know, but there's more than one way to skin a cat as they say and you WILL have options.

Horsemad, Thank you - I can see that there are some very good universities offering biomed science courses through Clearing, so that's a relief. I know DS will know all this - we just need to communicate a bit more maybe.

He doesn't like worrying me because I'm unwell and waiting on more surgery, but I'm going to worry anyway! There's only DS and me at home this week (don't live with OH) so I really value MN advice and handholding at times like this.

So sorry to hear that Liney . He sounds like a lovely lad and I hope there is good news on Thursday.

He is, Mirabelle, he is! He's on the UCAS Clearing now, we've have a good chat, preparing Plan B. Looking at Cardiff, Brighton, Kent - really really good places.

I love this about MN - so helpful at times.

That's great and hopefully will make the lead up a little less stressful then hopefully forget all about plan B and celebrate. I read on another thread number of applicants are lower this year which is another thing working in their favour.

Liney, it's a stressful enough time without other stuff going on. I too am waiting on surgery and am trying to remain calm on both counts! Not easy though.

I am sure all will be well with your DS, he sounds sensible

Just checked Clearing and University of Nottingham have only 2 courses in Clearing (both Nursing and both Graduate entry).

Surely that can't be correct?!

Nottingham isn't where my DS wants to go, btw, I was just searching randomly.