Send teenager 400 miles to Oxbridge interview by herself ?

whitewing

Go if you can afford it only.

You may improve her changes if she feels independent and excited!

(Years ago, parents all came with the students for a look round campus, but obv not into actual interviews).

cannyscot_2

Yes she is going to Cambridge, we can put her on flight and she then gets a train stansted to cambridge and taxi to the halls.-She is staying at the college so should be fairly safe?

Just worried a bit as I know there was rapist around halls but I dont think she would go anywhere by herself anyway.


No the Youth hostel thing that was a tenner was for me she will be in a nice Cambridge college hall.


I am guessing they will have other students to look after the interviewees so I will probably be in the way?

cannyscot_2

January20 wrote: »

My goodness you lot are harsh! :rotfl:

When my dd went to interviews for university last year, I went with her because in 2 cases, the easiest way was to drive and in the third instance it was an overnight stay in a hotel. She is independent but she was nervous and having me there was a steadying influence. A lot of other students had travelled with one parent too, or were with friends. I would say at least about 50%.

Going to a uni interview with your child doesn't mean that they are not independent, that they cannot do anything for themselves and certainly not that they will not be able to hack going to uni when the time comes (what a silly thing to say really!), it's simply, if you can, giving them moral support!

It is super hard to know -round here they are all a bit country bumpkin -even to visit Glasgow Uni -all the parent drove them to the door-and they could have got public transporteasily -takes a while but they could have.

I would not let her stay in a hotel herself but this is halls.

gingin_2

cannyscot wrote: »

Yes she is going to Cambridge, we can put her on flight and she then gets a train stansted to cambridge and taxi to the halls.-She is staying at the college so should be fairly safe?

Just worried a bit as I know there was rapist around halls but I dont think she would go anywhere by herself anyway.


No the Youth hostel thing that was a tenner was for me she will be in a nice Cambridge college hall.


I am guessing they will have other students to look after the interviewees so I will probably be in the way?

There has been one nasty rape incident in the last few months but he was caught and charged and that was unrelated to the uni. She'll be fine, it's lovely here

HooCanTellMee

Not harsh,
Poor Mum is obviously strapped for cash, most of us are, and not everyone can just take two days away from work. If the Uni had been just down the road I am sure she would have gone with her girl. Most of us would want to support our youngster, but sometimes it is not possible. My husband went with my son to the Uni, it was fairly local, he didn't go into the interview! This is about confidence building, our teenagers already do loads of things without us, her daughter needs to know that Mum sees her as a young adult, believes she can cope, trusts her to look after herself. When she starts Uni, 400 miles away, it will help if she feels she will be able to survive without Mum. Planning for the future can only help, it will give Mum and her daughter a chance to feel in control. Going to an interview with your child, doesn't mean they won't hack going to Uni, knowing that they can cope alone, if they have to, may help.

Wilma33

She will be fine. There will be lots of people to look after her when she is there. If she has any problems at all then she can go to the Porters Lodge (like reception at the college) and they will sort her out. There will be other candidates there and student helpers. She will probably do better because she will feel so independent (and not have you cramping her style!). Just make sure she has any instructions, maps, etc with her, some money, her fully charged mobile and the phone number of the college etc and leave plenty of time, if she can. Colleges are very self contained and safe. Good luck to her!

Edit: If her college is in the centre of town then there is a regular bus service from the station so there is no need to get a taxi.

Gillyx

She'l be fine, when I was 16 and a half, I organised a whole weeks holiday away to Spain, with just one other friend, got to the airport and we survived for a week in a foreign country :eek: she'l be ok for a few days.

cannyscot_2

Thanks Wilma33 and Gingin you have reassured me I will go book the flights before I bottle it!

Welshwoofs

Let's put it this way - at her age she could join the army and be shipped half-way round the world and be shot at.

So yes, she's old enough. It's good to get some independence now and build on it in preparation for university so that she's not thrown in at the deep end.

gremlin

Cannyscot

I see where you're coming from. My sons the same age and until this year was a bit 'young' for his age and a bit flaky.

I had similar worries this year as he had a lot of trips away and had to travel south from the north on train on his own. It is worrying but I really think its made a big difference to his confidence.

They're a lot more capable than they let on at that age. I was (I went to work away at just turned 17) and I bet you were too.

I would let her go by herself, it's a thrill and she will benefit from coping on her own. Im sure she'll be fine.xxx