Thread 17 - Corona Cohort Summer Vacation to Yr 13, Finding Freedom?

[Orangecinnamon21]

PLACEHOLDER FOR NEW THREAD ...PREVIOUSLY TO BE FOUND IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

Sorry to hear about all of you who are having to self-isolate. Just a question about bank accounts do DC have to be 18 to open a student account. Went into Halifax where DS1 has a savings account and they said he could have a card account called Express Cash which can be opened on line. Any thoughts would be welcomed.

I doubt you have to be 18 as students in Scotland are often 17. DS1 is summer born so am trying to recall whether we had to wait until he was 18 to sort out his student account.

Oh just googled a few. Yes, you need to be 18...

Express Cash looks like their under 18 account? I’m assuming their accounts can just be converted to student accounts when they go to uni though? Unless they want to move banks to get a better deal? Our kids are with Lloyds at the moment.

You can use any account to apply for student finance, doesn't have to be a student one.

My DSs under 18's TSB account automatically changed into a student account.

We have been to the Bath Tour, talk and stay this week which was really worthwhile and gave DS a good feel for what university life would be like. He came away with Bath as his current favourite but we still have some to visit.

@Heifer and I know someone else mentioned Bristol tours!
We also did the Bristol 2 hour tour. We were booked on one in a few weeks time but just turned up when we knew there was one going on. We got on it as there were some no shows. I know others who have done the same so if Bristol is on your shortlist and not too far away it would be worth a gamble. They also do a self-guided tour app if you can’t get on the led one which would be a good alternative. Apparently it is the same tour but obviously there is no one there to ask questions. It made DS realise that he much prefers a campus university so while he has almost ruled it out it was still very worthwhile doing.

Ds1 used his children's type NatWest account on his student loan application. Then when he had a place at university he could open a student account and get any offers they had. We used hsbc who gave £100 cash once the loan went in. He had to edit bank account details on the student finance page.

@20newnames I thought Bristol was a campus uni?

Glad to hear the Bath thing was good. Looking forward to mine ...should be released by then....

ealing , we also watch Home and Away

I used to watch Home and Away on maternity with DS, seemingly trapped in the armchair because he wouldn't sleep unless I held him and was feeding little and often, hormones all over the place, looking at his little face and sobbing away at the theme song "you know we belong together, you and I for ever and ever etc etc".
There's nothing quite like the first few weeks of your first baby

I had a look at clearing again today and things are already changing - DS's choice of course at Exeter was there when it first opened, but not now. I guess that might be the IB students and those with grades in hand.

@NCTDN The university of Bristol is definitely not a campus uni. There is also university of west of England (UWE) based in Bristol, no idea if that has a campus or not.

@Piggywaspushed when you’re at Bath make sure you have time to see the City. Arrival is 2-3pm then a tour at 4, dinner at 6 then breakfast 8-9.30, talk at 10, finished by 11am. We got the bus into the City on the second day and showed DS around. Just staying in uni accommodation was really good for DS to get an idea of uni life.

Good luck with your release and Covid journey

Even bigger grade inflation this year than last year. Don't know what will happen for our lot, but they are talking about deferrals at to universities which will put pressure on places for 2022. www.theguardian.com/education/2021/aug/05/grade-inflation-forces-ministers-pay-extra-medical-school-places-england

@Piggy I'm sorry to hear your latest updates. I hope your 'release' date will be sorted shortly.
DD is doing the Bath overnight soon. We were meant to be staying with dd1 in Somerset that weekend. She has a really nice student house this year with a hot-tub 😁.
But dc4 isn't too well at the moment, so I will probably stay at home with him.

UWE is a campus uni - multi campus actually. It's main campus us at Frenchay - about 20 mins from the city centre. DS was in lovely halls there this year.

@20newnames I've no idea where I got that from. DD wants to go there and is really keen, but likes the idea of a campus so I must have presumed from that. We're going for a tour next week.

Thanks @20newnames, the info for Bristol is really helpful. We live about 3.5 hrs away so too far on the off change. We are due to be down South in September so may well try to visit then.

@Piggywaspushed - so sorry to hear both positive! What crap timing. Really hope you get to go to Bath at least. I know you were looking forward to that.

Monkey I will not be surprised at all if the top Unis start to introduce their own entrance tests on top of A’Levels. I mentioned this as a possible impact of the grade inflation to the OP who is leading the campaign to have every grade pushed up one grade but they remained convinced, everyone will just merrily walk into any uni they want.

We’ve all managed to test negative ahead of Ds’ camp, despite all the cases Dd was in touch with at the weekend. Her antibodies must be holding up!

Do we think they’ll suddenly bring in number grades for our lot as was suggested? They could spread the grades how they want then!

Crazy good news!
Piggy hope everyone in the family is ok

We made it through our holiday and we are now back home. I can't believe the mess ds1 and Ds2 had left. Every mug, glass, plate and oven pan they used, they just left it and got another out. So there were dirty things everywhere. We have a dishwasher too. Took me an hour to clear up. But I guess it could have been worse. When Ds2 went on both his driving lessons he didn't bother to lock the house up. He's a nightmare like that. One reason I didn't leave the dogs. The burglars can take the house contents but they aren't having the dogs!

DH was meant to be heading back down to the south coast tomorrow to stay with his dd and family. But her dh has just tested positive for covid. I hope they are ok, they refused vaccines so in a way I have no sympathy. But of course I wouldn't want them to get ill.

Hi everyone. Update: I have tested positive. In bed feeling sorry for myself and very 😟

Oh no @piggy.
How are you feeling?

oh @Piggywaspushed - it just gets worse! Really hope you recover soonest. Are the DS well enough to look after you? Am guessing DH needs to stay clear?