Thread 18 - Corona Cohort Enrolling to Year 13 2021, Invasive Infections & Uni Uncertainty

[Orangecinnamon21]

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@Volterra thanks for the tips. We parked in the Guildhall park for a wander round. Loved the quayside and cathedral area and DD was impressed with all the shops.

We were able to park on campus at the uni a just wandered round. DD ventured in to the main building relevant to her course and the lady on reception happily let her have a look round. The library were also keen for us to go in. Lovely green campus with fantastic views.

Has anyone got similar tips for where to park to take a look around Bristol Uni? When I went to an Open Day with ds1 we went by train. Will be doing Bath & Bristol in one day soon...

@Decorhate

Has anyone got similar tips for where to park to take a look around Bristol Uni? When I went to an Open Day with ds1 we went by train. Will be doing Bath & Bristol in one day soon...

For Bristol, all of Clifton is residents parking, but unrestricted in Stoke Bishop, where a lot of halls are. There is a carpark at Trenchard Street which is very well located.

@Monkey2001 Thanks! Not sure we will have time to look at Stoke Bishop too but will bear that in mind

We were in Bristol last week. The city centre was heaving with roadworks and we got stuck simply trying to get out for over half an hour. If there is a park and ride I'd suggest that.

Won’t the buses also get stuck?!

@Decorhate

Won’t the buses also get stuck?!

Bristol is full of "bus gates" as they discourage cars in the city centre so buses can use this unavailable to cars. If you come through Stoke Bishop first, you can come in to Bristol on the A4018, avoiding the city centre.

I’ll have to look into that, we are going to Bath first to drop off ds1’s belongings

@Decorhate if you have somewhere to park in Bath just get the train to Bristol, it only takes 15 minutes. We left the car at Bath uni, got the bus into town then the train. It was quicker and easier than driving to Bristol. Depends on where you are going afterwards though.

[quote 20newnames]@Decorhate if you have somewhere to park in Bath just get the train to Bristol, it only takes 15 minutes. We left the car at Bath uni, got the bus into town then the train. It was quicker and easier than driving to Bristol. Depends on where you are going afterwards though.[/quote]
Not sure I would agree, the university is quite a way from Temple Meads.

Ok the train journey from Bath to Bristol is 15 minutes. Yes it is a trek from temple meads to the university but there are buses. I guess we wanted to do it as a student would. We also wanted to be back in Bath direction for our next destination so it worked for us.

Another option is train from Temple Meads to Clifton Meads which helps a little getting you a bit closer to parts of the university.

@Volterra

Another option is train from Temple Meads to Clifton Meads which helps a little getting you a bit closer to parts of the university.

The station would be Clifton Down, but it would take much longer by public transport and cost more, which is fine if you are checking out the public transport links, but for a quick tour of the city I am afraid that driving is more efficient. Although we do have Voi electric scooters which could be a fun way to see the city -pick up at Temple Meads and scoot to the university, luck up another one later to go back. I have but tried them, but they are very popular.

Oh yes, sorry I must have been tired to type Clifton Meads! Personally I would drive rather than public transport and do your suggestion of coming in the Stoke Bishop side, visit the halls there then over to university . Buh guess that depends from which direction you are coming and not helpful if you are checking out Bath.

I assume you can’t park around the back of what was Dingles anymore or up by Cotham? We need to come and look when DS is feeling better. Thanks for your help.

I've got a lot to catch up on - but just wanted to post before I forgot.

I've just realised that Bristol has changed it's grade request for Biology for 2022!!
When I looked and made a spreadsheet for DD last year it was asking for AAB - but now it's AAA...

I wonder how many other courses across the unis to be amended (I'm assuming to higher deferrals?)

Thanks Heifer for highlighting that. Beginning to feel as if 5 choices is a bit of a roulette wheel. Especially so if 'full & proper' exams are reinstated as our DC have no experience of that.

@Volterra

Oh yes, sorry I must have been tired to type Clifton Meads! Personally I would drive rather than public transport and do your suggestion of coming in the Stoke Bishop side, visit the halls there then over to university . Buh guess that depends from which direction you are coming and not helpful if you are checking out Bath.

I assume you can’t park around the back of what was Dingles anymore or up by Cotham? We need to come and look when DS is feeling better. Thanks for your help.

Lots of Bristol is now residents parking. You can park on the Downs, and should be able to get a space for a couple of hours behind Dingles (now Sainsbury's) or near Union. I think Trenchard Street is less stressful because you pay when you leave (£6 for 4 hours), so not worrying about the meter running out and the top floor has a fantastic view, which is a bonus! images.app.goo.gl/2wfdA26G347djqfn7

To clarify, you should be able to pay to park behind what used to be Dingles. Downs is free, but limited time, maybe 2 hours?

Thanks Monkey, really helpful 😊

Someone mentioned about only putting a couple of choices in early in the application cycle..so I mentioned this to Dd who it seems has finalised her list based on how far away the unis are, how expensive halls are and what provision for lessons are provided.

They are for BA/BMus Music

Cardiff AAB to BBB with interview
Southampton ABB to BBB with interview
Nottingham BBB (eligible for contextual, no interview)
Surrey BBC no interview
Lincoln BBC no interview

Still got to look around Notts, Surrey actual unis but know the areas very well (a possible reason why chosen in addition to proximity to us /her Aunt).
Lincoln we need to go and see.
She is still dead set on being near home, especially now we have the doggo. The two nearest are Southampton and Surrey. Southampton has a great rep for Music so that is fine. My concern about Surrey is that it will be extremely expensive to live in, grew up a bit further up the A3 and my Mum is from there...we moved away because we couldn't afford it!

Any views on Surrey living costs, halls costs seem just about ok.

Forgot the q mark

?

How are things going with Doggo @Orangecinnamon21?

I'm not too far from Surrey but don't actually know anyone whose DC has gone there. Like you I am aware that house prices there are outrageous.

We went on another campus tour this week, the Royal Agricultural Uni at Cirencester. It's tiny! Seems more like a school than a uni. We both really liked it though and had a wander round Cirencester which seemed very nice although the demographic seemed more middle-aged-woman than 18-year-old-student.

He is great @extremelydisorganised

Heard him bark for first time today, so coming out of his shell a bit. Sleeps without fuss downstairs but we need to work on all being out of the house together.

We stayed in a lovely cottage near Cirencester once.. Dove Cottage in Ampney Crucis, good for exploring the Cotswolds. I think if the local town doesn't have much 'going on' the Unions tend to do a good job of arranging clubbing trips etc. Then again all some students need is access to a organised sports/hobbies and good pubs /eats. Depends on personality I guess?

To be honest, DS isn't a party animal but he did love the school prom (they had theirs before lockdown). He doesn't particularly want to be in a big city and said the town seemed fine to him. We are keeping it on the list.

We noticed that the local hockey club was just across the road, that appealed.