University life for freshers (2019/20) - we're hopping towards Easter with a pandemic to avoid **Title edited by MNHQ**

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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Yes I saw that and put it on the family chat

Quick question, will your DC's be doing their industry placements in their uni town or will they come home. my DS wants to come home but I dont want to pay for his accommodation that stays empty for 6 months. It would be nice to have him home.

It wouldn't be practical for DD to come home as there won't be the opportunities. Besides all her friends are in her university city.

Gin

Gin that was to your early Oxbridge joke btw hadn’t realised the conversation had moved on .

Dd1 going back to uni for a few days (as Dd2 had a better weekend - only one seizure). I will be giving her wipes to wipe down the train table as we have banned any more viruses coming near Dd2!!!

@minesawine, surely it depends where they get a placement? DDs friend went for a few and eventually got one in a town she would never have dreamed of living in for a year However she is making the most of it and enjoying it. And another girl got one abroad.
So he needs to apply and see what he can get?!

Yes I agree with @bigTillymint, they have to go where there is an opportunity. DS1 is in a new area of the country and his friends are spread all over even one here in UAE. Not really a good option as very low pay and it seems to be a backward step after the major change of going to uni. One friend did not manage a placement so went straight on to year 3 and will graduate in the summer

Mine I think my DS will be looking for an opportunity either in Nottingham or somewhere completely different (probably near his girlfriend ). But we live very rurally with limited opportunities so really wouldn't encourage him to stay at home. I think you live in a London so obviously loads more opportunities for placements? My DS will be on placement for the full third year so we won't be paying for uni accommodation that year.

To whoever suggested the brownies many thanks, ordered some last night for DS to receive on Wednesday.

Just that was me, hope your DS likes them, I asked mine if he had shared them with his flat mates, he said 'no, too good to share' .

OK, I'm now wondering what happens next re coronavirus. I'm in the US and most colleges have spring break in March, some in late Feb. My DD's college is on the late side - towards the end of March.

Colleges seem to be doing all kinds of different things about traveling during Spring Break.

Quite a few eg Princeton, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Amherst have sent all the students home and are switching to remote lectures (not sure how that works for courses with practicals/labs).

Others are keeping all the students on campus for spring break and discouraging them from going home - seems to be fewer of these.

DD's college hasn't made any announcements yet but has cancelled all university sponsored international travel.

What are UK colleges doing? I guess it would be Easter break there, which is a bit later?

@HoldMyLobster interesting to hear what they're doing in the States. Not heard any indication from DS's university that they're closing ahead of schedule for the Easter break (but having said that, they are scheduled to end the term around the time when we could hit the stage Italy is at now i.e. in a fortnight).

@HoldMyLobster, no news from either of mine about closures, but DS is actually still here but going back tomorrow? Term finishes for him 20th, so I expect might coincide with government announcements on school/uni closures?

My DS has had a lecture cancelled this pm and has come home for a couple of days. I am so relieved to see him well and actually engaging with his course. A silver lining to the strikes. He is even working now! Unheard of!

That's good news simbobs. Sadly, DD's anxiety is getting bad again and she wants to see our GP over the Easter holidays. She can't lay the ghost of her arsehole ex bf to rest.

Some of her flatmates have lecturers on strike and have gone home for an extended break, but her workload is as pressured as ever.

...having said that, they are scheduled to end the term around the time when we could hit the stage Italy is at now i.e. in a fortnight

Right... Italy had I think 3 confirmed cases, 3 weeks ago? My mind is boggling a bit with how different life might be in 3 weeks' time.

DD's college sent an email out this evening saying they are considering all options for next term, and will let us know by the end of the week.

She was considering flying to LA later this week with a couple of friends who live there and hanging out with them for Spring Break. Or she could visit us here in Maine. Or stay where she is. I've no idea what the right thing is for her to do.

Had an email from DD2s school yesterday with an attachment from Ofqual saying they are considering options for the exam period. I can’t believe this is happening. I really hope she can sit her GCSEs as normal.

DD1 was thinking of booking a cheap beach holiday with her block at college. I’ve advised her to hold on. She seemed a bit surprised. I think they’re in a uni bubble as they don’t watch tv and think they’re invincible.

@ginfordinner sorry to hear that. Having an anxious child myself I know how worrying it is, but at least she is talking about it.
Such a difficult time for everyone. The virus concern is bad enough but it could certainly affect exam time. As some pupils had been unable to take their exams in the wake of the Manchester bombing in 2018 we were advised last year that pupils had to be available at school until the end of June in case exams had to be rescheduled for any reason. Maybe they will make a similar request nationwide.

@simbobs yes that was my thought but I know many people who can, have booked a holiday after exam time to make use of the lower non term time holiday costs.
@Ginfordinner

My DS has finally realised that his Easter ski trip may not go ahead and checked the insurance .... fortunately it looks as though he will be covered if the official line is to cancel the trip. I think you are right about the 'uni bubble', many students don't seem to keep up with news or what we used to call 'current affairs'.

Actually, we had already booked a holiday last year, unaware that DS was supposed to still be at school. Fortunately we were able to go ahead with it.
My impression of the level of awareness of the virus among students is that they know about it but think the media is fanning the flames. They don't seem unduly concerned yet as they are not directly affected. DS is aghast at the supermarket raiding parties emptying the shelves where he is.

I’ve heard of a couple of unis who have decided to cancel all contact hours for now - only online lectures. Ds is home this weekend anyway. I’ve told him to bring extra clothes & anything he needs to study from home in case his uni take the same decision in the next few days.

My DS went back to Nottingham last Friday after reading week and had a really sore throat ... he never goes to the doctor or texts me ! But had done both before 7.30 on the Saturday morning! ... he had tonsillitis and one of the lovely girls in his flat went to get him Strepsils and Lemsips ... think he waxx sac a bit worried !

Sadly, DD's anxiety is getting bad again and she wants to see our GP over the Easter holidays. She can't lay the ghost of her arsehole ex bf to rest.

Poor love - anxiety is horrible. I hope the GP can help. It's so hard when they're far away and you want to help but there doesn't seem to be any way to do so.