The CDE of University Life (2019/20 cohort) - assignments, flat-hunting, Halloween and the end of their first term fast approaching

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread - Obvs the end of term is looming sooner for some than for others? I guess the Oxbridge posse will finish by the end of November or just into December?

Can’t wait to talk properly but don’t want to bombard her with questions either. We’re all at work and school tomorrow so at least by the time I’m home she’ll have had some time to herself.

@Ginfordinner DD is doing Anthropology BSc but did Biology, Eng Lit and History at A level so is finding it very manageable at the moment.

DD did chemistry, biology and geography at A level, but her CFS is kicking in big time just now so she is very tired and suffering from too much brain fog. Given what you have said it does look like Newcastle expet the students to hit the ground running.

I hope she’s not regretting her course choice. I know she finds it really interesting but she’s a bit surprised at lack of work so far. She’s a very able student (11 A|9 at gcse) and A, A*, A at A level so I think she’s used to working much harder.

Also, as neither DH or I went to uni, we have no point of reference.

DD isn't as able as your DD Benjispruce She achieved mostly A & A*, plus 2 Bs at GCSE and AAA at A level, but she had to work really hard for those grades.

Oh don’t get me wrong, she worked hard. I think that’s why it feels a bit weird to not feel challenged. She’s had multiple choice assessments and no essays. Maybe it will pick up next term. The biology they’ve done so far is what she covered at A level.

I don't think this is so unusual. When DD was in her 1st Yr she felt that she had gone backwards in one of her subjects as much time was spent getting everyone to the same level. DS hasn't been overworked yet. Still feeling unwell and not able to eat much at all. That hasn't stopped him going out for a bit to see a friend. If we'll enough to do that he should have stayed at uni! I can see he isn't well, though, and unfortunately he's given it to me... 😩

DD said they recapped biology and chemistry A level stuff at the beginning then suddenly ramped everything up by several gears after about three weeks.

Had a nice chat with DS tonight. One of his flatmates (who he is also living with next year) has invited him and two others to go home with him this weekend. How nice! Obvs, he can't take any washing with him , but they have been promised a roast dinner!
Also - he reports that he has not had any lectures cancelled so far because of the strikes.

That’s reassuring to know mine at least I can now believe my DS is probably telling the truth .

It’s clearly not as academically demanding as some courses, also my DS is absolutely not an A* student . I remember my own uni course years ago, social sciences, barely did any work but my DH did a BioMed degree and that was much more challenging.

Gin and Benji etc hello. Dd doing part humanities at Newcastle. She loves it - probably not as intense as Gin’s Dd but it is challenging and different from A Levels. They have lectures, close reading groups and seminars so she gets her money’s worth! She got the same grades as Benji’s Dd at A Level and is used to working independently but it’s the different style of the essay writing that has taken a bit of getting used to. Definitely not dumbed down nor recapping A Level.

Interesting to hear of all the academic demands on your DC - clearly doesn't apply with DD doing Fine Art - though she does need to find inspiration for the next stage of her project.

So my latest news was that after my visit to Manchester my DD seemed to pick up - was busy putting an assessment together, celebrating a housemates birthday, clubbing with friends from her course and having a friend visit from London who got them on the guest list/backstage pass for a big concert.

This also involved getting her iPhone stolen off her at a nightclub and living without one for 5 days. Despite that blip it all sounded more positive.

Then she had one night where she said she didn't want to stay and she wanted to leave. I was extremely unwell at the time and felt like i was at the end of my tether - she just needs to realise that feeling bad one night is not the end of the world. That tomorrow is another day. Anyway that evening passed.

Today and yesterday she has been house hunting and they have secured a really beautiful house in a cul de sac in Fallowfirlds (literally with better carpets and state of repair than my house). It's so competitive they happened to get into the house first as the estate agent was early, they went through the house and then ran to the estate agents to get signed up - having lost a less nice one in a similar fashion the day before. £115 a week plus bills.

Happily it turns out they hVe got a lot nice house than the housemates who rejected them!

More seriously it's good because it means she's commiting to life there and next year. Phew.

Sounds familiar @Bouledeneige. My DD is very much like that. She arrived home at 11pm. So lovely to see her and hug her. She was full of everything and I finally got to bed at 1am but couldn’t sleep as processing all the information, some unwanted detail about club nights and boy trouble, so I’m weary this morning. She was tearful yesterday but now home she’s wondering why she came home!! Personally I think she just needed to get some perspective, hug us and the dog and eat avocado.So today she is meeting a friend and chasing a Christmas job. I will be trying to stay awake at work.

Boule that all sounds mainly positive. Phew.
Good luck with your day of pinning your eyelids open.

@Benjispruce I found coming home from my first term a real low. Having gone from lots of people around, lots to do and freedom to do (within reason) what I wanted, I was home before any of my other friends, my parents live in a village with not a lot going on and I didn't drive so couldn't get anywhere else. It felt like I'd gone backwards, and I didn't really belong in either place.

@Bouledeneige that sounds really good. Glad she sounds like she's settling down.
I've just sent dd an advent calendar. Dh rolled his eyes and said it would be cheaper for her to buy her own. Men!

hug us and the dog and eat avocado I fully expect dd to do exactly this then be bored senseless after 2 days.

Dd first came home at half term and other Dd and I went back up with her just in case the leaving us all (and the pets) and going back on her own was hard.

....now she doesn’t care (in the nicest way)!

@Benjispruce My dd would definitely say that A Levels were harder than her first year at uni. And I have been surprised at how minimal her exams have been - 2/3 multiple choice papers most years.

Ds does not seem to be overworked either. None of his lecturers are on strike but several of his flatmates are affected & have gone home so he is finding it a bit quiet. I have to say I am surprised at his low contact hours so far. I did the same degree (back in the dark ages) and I was in lectures or labs 9-5 every day.

What are these "easy" subjects? And which universities offer an "easy ride"?

Is it possible the students who aren't being stretched have simply underestimated what is expected of them?

One of the issues might be that A Levels have become harder. My own subject was referred to by an independent scrutineer as a 'degree in tow years' ; before the exam board reduced the content slightly, it was genuinely terrifying!

It is entirely feasible that students could go to at least first year and repeat stuff , especially where unis have neither realised nor responded to these changes, despite being consulted on them , and heavily involved in the reforms. The former students of mine that I have spoken to who have dropped out have often done it out of frustration at learning nothing new. I suspect this affects some subjects a good deal.

That's my concern for DS @ginfordinner. He has missed a week of teaching (perhaps) due to illness, and hasn't even bothered to find out whether lectures were cancelled or not. I despair! He brought stuff home with him but I don't think he has done any work. I know that he is being pulled down by his mates who seem to lack ambition and motivation, and are up until daybreak most days, and missing lectures. He swears he doesn't do this but doesn't appear to be doing enough work to me, but what do I know.

He hasn't really made many new friends and says that is really difficult, as there is no place where course mates hang out, and most people in his halls are not sociable. I had hoped that he would make friends with smart kids on his course and not continue with those from school who are increasingly looking like dead wood. I sound awful, don't I?

You sound concerned not awful simbobs

DD isn't at university with anyone from school, so all her friends are either from her halls or her course. They like to socialise, but aren't the party all night type. They are also very bright, and emotionally mature enough to realise that not working = failure.

DD has always been afraid of failure so she is a worker, although she struggles to be mtivated at times.