You're absolutely right of course, but two of his mates are already in Australia and I'm worried that's going to clinch it.

Honestly, being a mum is bloody hard work, innit.

Yup. Stop his bloody pocket money and tell him he can have a gap year when he can afford one.

Thankfully mine - although he really wanted a gap year - had no need for one, in the sense that there was no desire to travel and even less desire to find a job, just a strong urge to spend all day on the computer. He finally worked out there was more chance of THAT at Uni than there was at home.

It's a tough call though. I'm sending vibes, though not surehow much help they will be xx

Oh, God, batty - independence strikes!

Just bear in mind that when I was batboy's age I went off to uni a sheltered, churchgoing virginal innnocent and met a man 10 years older than me who I was sleeping with six weeks later..... and I'm married to him!

Sometimes fate is a wierd old thing!

Vibes for you, whatever he decides. Just so long as he *does* something with the gap year and doesn't just spend twelve mnths on his arse!

This

But what's to say what's out of reach this year will still be next year with the same grades? A gap year might be the opportunity for him to get onto the course he would have really wanted this time round and get some life experience and fun times along the way... course there are loads of variables in all that so I could just be talking a load of bob

Things are swinging towards university. Big eek!!!

One MsKJ graduated, one MsKJ yet to do A-levels.

Crikey, Collette! ***waves***

Gap year might be a good idea. Man+dog will be packing out Uni this year, and a gap year still has kudos if it's not doing a hooray henry scenario.

It's a gamble, but getting a job now and applying when, in a few years time, anything could have happened, isn't that bad an idea. If Uni fees increase again, it will be above what the market can bear, so I think things are as bad now as it's going to get under this government.

Also, big uptake in science courses. About bloody time. I would utterly recommend physics. If only to get a job in the City (sic).

(((Sad)))

I posted that while *utterly not* under the influence, but it was something about the moustache that tickled me (never mind the lady).

It's not a frivolous subject. I have a t-shirt. :sleep:

I've resisted BB over the years but ... (three guesses why I'm watching)

BG I know the batty household are disappointed that the boy didn't qualify for his first choice uni - but many of my peers and young people I know have been in the same situation. After the initial despondency they've enrolled at their second choice (or maybe gone through clearing) and almost invariably within a short time they cannot imagine being anywhere else.

I've had peers and working colleagues who graduated from Polytechnic (such a dirty word according to some) and their success stories should be an inspiration.

After graduation no.1 (a brilliant mathematician who failed to deliver on the day) did a four year sandwich course in business studies before setting out her stall at the milk round - from whence she was invited to 3 interviews from International blue riband companies. Up against graduates from the some of the UK's top universities (Oxbridge included) she was offered graduate training from all 3 outfits. She compoleted her CIMA in two years, and swiftly progressed from financial analyst to assistant finance director to management consultant, before specialising in change management. She's now global business change manager for an international company.

So much for the Oxford/Cambridge (and other top uni) applicants who seemed to think "If you didn't attend one of the Russell Group establishments, why bother turning up."

Example no.2 Bright girl from what one might term a 'sink' school. A levels were good enough only for an HND - but she used that qualification to transfer to the second year of a degree; still at a poly. She's been head hunted more than once and .....where is she now? CEO of a national charity. She is also a trustee of a leading mental health charity and recognised in the region where she works as a voice for those on whose behalf she works.

She's not a bleeding heart - on the contrary she can be bloody tough, but that's all to the good.

The moral of the tale - A level results can cause msch heartache - but in truth they are nothing more than a stepping stone into the future.

Wotcha

Hmmmm.... This pair, perhaps?

evening all am off now til 1st September

KJ are you a Jedward fan?

Have a good 'un snowbes.

In the sense that they're utterly harmless, and know they're making hay while the sun shines, yes.

That's 2 out of 3 guesses gone. I thought you lot would rumble me, me being dead shallow and that.

No, I can't guess which girl you fancy.

Surely not KK.

I bet it's that dippy Essex girl, innit

Seriously... oh probably Sally

Her husband is the dippy Essex bloke.

Sally. Woof. There's something to be said for divide your age by two and add seven (below which is creepy).

Why has she got a big radio on her back?

Who's the Essex girl?

Iggy - very wise words. He's now realising that the place he's going to (hopefully, he's still to get halls sorted) is actually quite fab. Not as good as first choice in some ways but better in others. Ultimately, if he gets his degree and has some fun along the way, then he's going to be fine.

Edit - wise words about uni stuff, not about Essex girls, obviously.

I thought it might be Sally.

We know him so well

The dippy Essex girl (yeah, I was joking) is Amy. Mr Sad was stunned to discover that she really talks like that... that there are loads of people who really talk like that.

I dunno about Sally. I want to like her for all sorts of reasons but ... well, I'll watch her and see for myself (*disclaimer* with a bucket of salt for the editing..)

Same here. Should be a good giggle.

TOWIE: The Older Woman Is Excellent.

Right. That's my last pervy post. Henceforth I shall be genklemanly, innit.