University life for freshers (2019/20) - Christmas backpacking (or not) and festive homecomings with all the tinseltastic trimmings!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread.

Thanks. Both antibiotics have got her starting to improve within 48 hrs, better within 5 days. So frustrating.

DD was told that they need 40% to progress. My understanding is that anything they fail needs to be re-taken in summer.

We need 40% across the board to progress, re-sits in the summer but if you re-sit you're capped at ONLY being able to get 40% in the exam. We've had a couple of lecturers who've done us mock tests to get us used to their particular format.

We have to get 66% or something equally obscure in one particular module to continue but that's more flexible about the resit arrangements as it's a departmentally organised one rather than a university exam department run one - and it's phonetic transcription which is a pretty essential skill for a speech therapist.

None of the year 1 marks count for final degree classification - which makes it bloody annoying that I'm getting solid firsts across the board!

Was exactly the same 20 years ago when I did my first degree as well - 40% first year and just survive it essentially.

I've got pretty much enough marks banked from acing my pre-Christmas exams and assessments to be certain I've cleared first year in 3/5 of my modules which is nice to have the pressure off but obviously I've set my bar stupidly high and intend to continue at that level (I missed a first by 2 bloody marks first time around with undiagnosed dyslexia and this is a grudge match revenge mission!)

I'm just at home today as the guy's coming to install all my DSA software which should make life a bit easier for me as I'm really struggling to access a lot of academic texts... I've found free trials for most of what they're installing for me though so I'm pretty OK with what I'm doing!

DD went to the GP and was given another 10 day course of penicillin but she did swab her throat and said she’d call if she needed different antibiotics but she thinks it’s just a bad case. DD says she doesn’t feel as bad as last time at the moment. So that’s £27 on prescriptions so far. Glad she got seen and the swab taken.

I hope this will be third time lucky

Yes me too. Thanks @Ginfordinner.

My DIL had tonsillitis four times last year. The pharmacist says she should ask the GP to refer her to a consultant because it is becoming so frequent.

Meanwhile I am sitting here worrying about this chinese virus. With many chinese students at uni. and chinese new year coming up with people visiting, I am now fretting about students being exposed to this virus.

How is your DD getting on Benji - are the antibiotics working? I hope she feels better.

@justasking111 I was wondering whether our DC had had a form of the Coronovirus... the symptoms sounded very similar to what some of our DC had. I've been worrying about it too. With lots of Chinese people visiting the UK as tourists and quite a high % as students too, the odds are stacked against it not coming here, if it's not already.

Hoping your DD has turned a corner now @Benjispruce. I think the thing is that lots of antibiotics are prescribed blind unless a sample of phlegm or whatever has been taken for analysis. So it's a bit of a shot in the dark, particularly if it turns out that it's not a bacterial infection at all but a virus.

Hi there, I haven’t actually heard much apart from the odd photo/brief text. She’s been in the library lots and had a summative (?) to complete. Brief texts normally mean she’s ok! I don’t think it can be a virus if the antibiotics clear it up each time, they’re obviously killing bacteria just not quite eradicating the last few lurkers. As the the coronavirus, I’m not allowing myself to worry about it. Out of my control.

It sounds hopeful Benji

Poor DD had a horrible curveball thrown at her for her last exam. She had revised and revised, achieved 85% in the mock, and then the exam had questions on stuff they had never covered. She didn't even understand most of the questions. Everyone said it was tough though.

She has a few days off before lectures begin, so we are both having a day out in York, which is about halfway between where we both are.

Any recommendations for afternoon tea that isn't Betty's?

That’s a relief Benji, hopefully that will be the end of it. I’ve now got one of my DDs on way home with a gum, throat and ear infection! Drs here we come!

I thought the swab test at Asda was a national one. My DIL has to be swabbed each time to test if her tonsillitis is bacterial or viral. Tis always bacterial. Seems it is only in North Wales. Would be great if they would roll it out nationally.

www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17386085.new-sore-throat-test-and-treat-service-to-be-piloted-in-pharmacies-across-north-wales/

Here’s a curveball! DD phoned to say she didn’t get the antibiotics straight away as chemist was closed and it was late. Throat felt a little better the next day so planned to get prescription after a lecture. Throat felt better still but got the prescription and held off as tonsils seemed to have gone down. Today she feels fine!!! I’m very pleased obviously but talk about panic over nothing. I’ve told her to keep them safe just in case it returns. Be interesting if the go calls about the swab.

*gp

GP gave antibiotics for tonsillitis! 10 day course! Wish we had that Welsh swab test as internet says only 15-30% are bacterial. Am trying the salt water gargling, fluids and rest overnight before she starts on antibiotics to see if she can avoid taking them as she is exhausted from peer pressure to party combined with lack of sleep due to noisy halls and I am hoping she will pick up with some tlc.

@Baytreemum DD did say it wasn’t as bad as before and no white spots on tonsils like she had before. I think she panicked and thought it was happening again as it was 3/3 days after antibiotics had finished just like after the first course had finished. Was difficult as I wasn’t with her. She definitely had it over Christmas. I’d told her to gargle salt water too . I’ve heard gargling Peroxyl can too. It’s a medicated mouth wash.

Also @Baytreemum DD had really bad ears with the first bout hence which led to broad spectrum clarithromycin but second GP said the ears probably weren’t infected just swollen due to her tonsillitis and gave penicillin.

Random hence-ignore.

Thanks will find out about her ears this morning once she wakes up! Thiink there was an element of bf trouble mixed up in all this too, so hopefully a night awsy from it all will help!

It seems relentless just now. I hope all the ill DC feel better soon.

I am £££ lighter after meeting up with DD for the day. If anyone wants to visit York a sunny weekday in January is the best time to go. It was brilliant. No crowds, friendly shopkeepers just happy to have a chat while we were browsing, no queuing to get into Betty's .

These few days after exams and before lectures start again are a welcome relief for DD and her friends. The hard work begins again next week.

Gargling with soluble aspirin also good my GP said just don't swallow it.

DD so poorly- infected wisdom gum area and throat - now on both metro antib and penicillin plus codeine.... Does anyone know anything about infection around emerging wisdom teeth?

Oh no. Your poor DD. No advice from me, but get well soon vibes.

Ouch. That sounds miserable. Fingers crossed that in 48 hrs she’ll be feeling some relief.

My eldest needed braces for years big teeth small jaws. So when the wisdom teeth started appearing and moving the other teeth they were removed.