Oxford Parents' Association 2

A space for Oxford parents (present, past and prospective) to discuss all things Oxford (and anything else we fancy)

The (and anything else we fancy) is for you @Ghostlady

This puts a lot of pressure on your kids. So much pressure that you don't even realise. Just let them get on with it, and make it their own personal thing. It will make them feel prouder about the accomplishment when it comes.

As a parent who navigated Cambridge entry and attendance before these parent threads started for my eldest, i have been thrilled to my find them & lurk here to learn the differences between the two unis as my youngest is going through the oxford admissions process now. Thanks to all also for the demystified threads too! My youngest has actually found it less stressful with me finding info for her from here (and certainly as Dad’s experience is nearly 40 years old 😂) If she does get an offer, i hope to be a more active participant.

About time for a new thread so thank you @Oxfordmum
I envy them their energy. My youngest took just one night of detox to recharge and is now carrying on student life. He’s meeting those both those he only just said goodbye to as well as a few he didn’t get to catch up with when up and daily looking forward to friends returning from other universities.
What’s not to like with access to what he sees as a free wine cellar, no queue to do his washing and no tutorials?
Looking at the above it reads like I envy him more than just his energy. I don’t. It’s great to have him back and hear at least the stories he’s prepared to share with his parents. Speaking to friends I know we’re not the only parents to be thrilled they’re having the time of their lives.
Just need to prep myself for college rivalry over the Christmas lunch. We’ve got a port from ours and one from his to keep things even and please the grandparents. The nice thing is they’re both pants so we’ll at least be able to agree on that.
Great to have them all back. I hope everyone enjoys the break.

This puts a lot of pressure on your kids. So much pressure that you don't even realise. Just let them get on with it, and make it their own personal thing. It will make them feel prouder about the accomplishment when it comes.

Does anyone understand the interview system - when do they hear if they have got interviews at other colleges apart from their chosen college? She had interviews at the start of this week.

Does anyone understand the interview system - when do they hear if they have got interviews at other colleges apart from their chosen college? She had interviews at the start of this week.

My daughter didnt get into oxford back in 2019. But this forum here for the parents gave some very much useful advice. We went to revisit the uni she went to eventually and graduated from. Since then its been a great support in general. From student loneliness, to being all in the same boat during covid times, to finding the nearest car park, or weatherspoons to budgeting. A forum like this is not putting pressure on the kids. In fact its totally the opposite and a place to go to for any questions. If it was not for this place, Id probably be still driving around trying to find the park and ride, even now 🤣

My daughter told me not long before she started at Oxford that she had wished to study there ever since a sunny afternoon at my college's summer garden party many years ago. She had also happily visited my ex's lovely college at Cambridge. In the event, our daughter chose her own college, a good decision.
She decided not to apply to any university in year 13. She applied with her IB grades last year, with Durham, Warwick, Exeter, and QUB as her other targets. She obtained a place at the college which she applied to.
My daughter is thriving at Oxford. I recently texted her to say that I was glad that Oxford had turned out to be what she had hoped. She replied "To be honest, it's even better". I have never seen her so happy. She is working hard, socialising merrily, making friends, and loves her college.
Now she is back at her Gap Year job in a wine shop for the holiday season. Last night, she met three college friends who live in the same bit of London for a chilled out drink with no looming deadlines.
I hope that all of your children are enjoying or will enjoy university. Merry Christmas!

Reading the above- my daughter I don’t think would have ever thought about Oxford until a new teacher joined who had studied there and took a group of students there in year 9 I think. From that moment my daughter was determined that was where she would study.
Joint honours but the one subject is the same as the teacher that took her there- and until she became her teacher my daughter hated that subject and was going to drop it for GCSE!
She got 3 awards at her previous school the other week, and I said what if that teacher had never joined the school. Oxford would prob never have been on her radar.
She absolutely loves it there - think she can’t wait to get back home there!