Fighting our way through 1st year uni (starting Sept 17)

[HSMMaCM]

Continuing the previous thread.

Exams, assessments, essays, etc.

Support, or lack of it.

Will they all get accommodation for next year and can they cook a balanced meal yet.

Another in absolute agreement with Eve and Kath6144
Strikes will inevitably impact our DC. Many of those striking didn't have tuition fees either.

Well I support their right to strike so going against the grain here! Dd had has been sent an email at Newcastle detailing the action but not sure how it will effect her. Think she might like having some lie ins lol!

Mine is there, tooRed. I have texted her asking whether she is aware. The wat they fall, ie either side of a weekend means that it would be a good time to visit friends or come home if they have work that they can do whilst away.

I emailed DD with the link on the previous page. She was not aware of it but will be asking questions. It's like deja vue for us; my finals in 1989 were overshadowed by a strike and we were not even sure that our papers would be marked. In the event, they were and we were OK. But obviously we weren't paying fees then...

Off to a good start with lectures in 3 new modules for semester 2 yesterday, including animal behaviour which she especially enjoyed.

Vegan pancakes tonight as they've decided to do VeegFebruary. Don't you kind of need eggs for pancakes? Anyway, good luck to them.
As a vegetarian am so pleased DD has landed in such a veggie friendly flat, with four of them cooking together regularly.

Should be looking at her new flat sometime this week after her friends looked round it last week whilst she was home and they decided to go for it on that basis. Apparently is really nice, so think that will be exciting for her. So will be much more in town for second year. Student village has been great though for first year.

My DS has three 6pm finishes this semester! Nothing sorted yet on the accommodation front. I spoke to him about the pending lecturer strikes last night . They are re-balloting at his uni as fewer than 50% voted first time round. He's settled straight back in after a few days at home last week.

I found a good vegan pancake recipe on the BBC Good Food website, using coconut milk.

Thanks simbobs, I'll pass that on to DD, though I realized today that pancake day is next week I think!

Anyone know when our DC need to apply for Student Finance for next year?

Do they have to reapply each year?

Yes , need to reapply each year....no date as yet ( on Student Finance Wales website anyway) but I think it's usually around March/ April if I remember!

Thanks Reallycbb, I'll start checking on SFE.

They should get a letter or email from Student Finance asking them to confirm they need it next year.

Eeek. Suddenly worries how much of the DSA palava we will have to repeat annually. DD still has not completed the additional tests DSA wanted for this year.

Exam results were ok. There seems to be psychological jump for science students on courses requiring A*s. They were used to aiming for 90% so expected to be familiar with almost all the exam content. University exams were tougher and so a bit of a shock, but then 70% is a first. Generally most, including DD, seem to be settling into their courses and signs are that this term will be easier than last. Strikes, if they happen, will be very disruptive.

Dsa carries over, unless you have a particular issue that needs reassessing.

DS said when I asked what, if any provision has been made for the lecturers strikes that they just won't be examined on the bits they haven't been taught due to strikes...

I hope the same does not apply to medics. They might miss out on key bits!

Not sure how it will work for medics. It will be a fair chunk of work to miss for any of them, I'd have thought.

DSA said once we applied for student finance all DSA stuff would stay the same as this year. I hope it does, as DD has an excellent support worker.

Yes I guess strikes will affect science students more than arts - DD only has about 10hours a week in total!

Looking forward to seeing DS tomorrow as he is home for reading week, then we are off to Austria for a few days. This term seems to be whizzing by!

Ooh, Austria sounds lovely ono, have a great time.

There seems to be psychological jump for science students on courses requiring As. They were used to aiming for 90% so expected to be familiar with almost all the exam content.*

This is so true for my dd. She was talking having failed one of her exams, but being OK for the module because she had done well on her coursework. In fact she was nowhere near failing.

It's all a learning process. Not only do they have to learn the subject content, they have to learn how to do university exams.

It's not just science students - it's all high-achievers/perfectionists IMHE!

DS has come home with a ringworm rash on his arm. We've had a 'discussion' about the need to wash towels more often (or at all....)

Agree BTM, all high achievers who attained As and A stars expect to continue to get 90% when they go to uni and have to reset their expectations. DS is having second thoughts about coming on holiday with us in case he needs to do resits. I have tried to explain that universities try very hard not to fail people, we use compensation across different modules and the pass mark is only 40%