Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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

970 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 19/02/2020 19:28

Previous thread

OP posts:
Canitreallybehappening20 · 14/03/2020 18:30

What's the reason to close early where there haven't been any cases diagnosed? I promise this is a genuine question - I'll namechange if I'm being very stupid! is it that there are likely to be some undiagnosed cases already so they want to prevent it being passed on? If that's the answer, what is the logical corollary in terms of reopening?

bigTillyMint · 14/03/2020 18:42

At least one case at Durham @Canitreallybehappening20

Canitreallybehappening20 · 14/03/2020 18:47

yes I can see the calculation's different in those cases btm - (or rather, since we know there are now lots of undiagnosed cases, the calculation may in effect be the same!) So then what's the current reasoning about next term I wonder - or perhaps at the moment most are 'wait and see'?

bigTillyMint · 14/03/2020 18:50

@Benjispruce DS is back and thinks Durham won’t reopen after Easter. He’s saying his mates with lawyer fathers are saying don’t pay the accommodation costs for the summer termShock

Alicatz66 · 14/03/2020 18:55

Any Nottingham parents here? DS says they are moving to remote lectures from 23rd ... I asked if he wants to come home but I think he will stay till Easter break. He tells me bugger all .... anyone know anything else ? I've just had a hysterectomy this week so self isolating anyway !!! Last thing I need is a cough !!!

Kuponut · 14/03/2020 20:19

That's pretty much what the local media have been reporting about Nottingham @Alicatz66 - we've just looked on their website as the kids have swimming lessons there and I think the facilities are still open but lecturing is going online.

Witchend · 14/03/2020 22:01

@Benjispruce @bigTillyMint Dd's back, a bit worried as she is feeling a little ropy, but she hasn't a temperature and she's coughed a couple of times, but has been coughing for the last month, so I don't think it's corona. I told her it doesn't meet the guidelines for isolation.

She says that the maths department have unofficially told the first years to be prepared for their exams to take low priority-possibly done on line.
This is because the maths department is so large, they reckon it can't be done easily in smaller rooms so greater risk, and they're going to prioritise the 2nd and 3rd year exams.
They said subjects (or topics) with smaller numbers may well be able to do them traditionally.
She's been told that they are expecting them back for the third term, suggesting people clear is just asking people who can easily (ie with parents coming to pick up) just in case as they can't guarantee it.
They might start the term late, but are not planning on that yet. They only have 2 weeks of lectures next term anyway before exams start, and they may well be done entirely online.

She said about 1/3 of the people she knew were coming home this weekend, and the rest were staying up for another week.

She's actually found it quite reassuring what has been said, and she's usually very good at sifting through gossip to find the reliable sources, so hopefully she's right.

HoldMyLobster · 14/03/2020 22:05

I had a bad day today. I had talked to DD (who is 1700 miles away in Chicago) on Friday and we'd agreed she'd fly back on Wed after her exams. Then today Trump started making noises about possibly restricting/banning domestic flights.

If that happened DD theoretically could rent a car and drive home - some of the rental companies are now allowing 18-25 year olds to rent cars - but there probably wouldn't be any rental cars available if domestic flights were stopped.

And then I just started seeing worst case scenarios like us driving for 2 days to go and pick her up, then 2 days to get back, and us getting sick along the way, and... you can imagine.

Anyway I lost my shit, and DD is now flying home tomorrow.

Then she has online exams Mon and Tues, then a couple of weeks off.

mumsneedwine · 14/03/2020 22:29

@Alicatz66 DD said face to face lectures end on Friday and then all on line. Not sure what happens after Easter (not sure they know yet). Clinical placements cancelled. Mine might stay a bit longer but will def be home earlier.

bigTillyMint · 14/03/2020 22:31

@Witchend, DS said there were rumours they might get a 48hr essay to do online instead of an exam. Interesting that they have said they are expecting them back - here’s hoping.

@HoldMyLobster, I font blame you getting her to fly home under those circumstances. No one can predict anything any more Confused

justasking111 · 14/03/2020 23:30

Anyone with a DC at University of Leeds, they have made some big announcements this evening.

Decorhate · 15/03/2020 07:32

@justasking111Yes my dd is there. Medic so they have more specific issues. They are focussing on getting the final year qualified. DD’s year has been told their placements after Easter have been cancelled. This will mean they probably can’t sit exams this year. There are rumours that they may have to do these placements in the summer (assuming things have calmed down by then) and do their exams in September. The uni are hoping they can finish current placements but Dd not optimistic

Benjispruce · 15/03/2020 07:48

DD and friends are still going about their usual business in a Durham though she did say the library was empty. I didn’t know there was a case at Durham @bigTillyMint, was 0 on Friday. She’s currently trying to fix her phone having dropped it down the loo!!Hmm

simbobs · 15/03/2020 08:10

I have done this and sorted the phone by putting it in a plastic bag filled with rice and leaving it in a warm place. It worked fine afterwards. Now though, people may not have a plastic bag, nor be able to get any rice if they don't already have some, due to panic buying!

Benjispruce · 15/03/2020 08:13

Haha @simbobs I gave her that advice.

blametheparents · 15/03/2020 08:21

@Alicatz66 - DS is at Nottingham. Yes, current situation is all teaching is online from the 23rd March. However, DS reports that many of his lectures next week have also been moved online. His maths exam for Tuesday has been cancelled and has currently been rolled into the summer season of exams.
He is staying at university at present. Some of his friends are intending on going home, but many are staying. He intends to get up and do the lectures ‘live’ so to speak. We’ve spoken about trying to keep some kind of routine and that this isn’t just an extended holiday.
Gym was open yesterday.

Alicatz66 · 15/03/2020 08:47

@blametheparents @mumsneedwine @kuponut .. thank you .. DS does powerlifting so no doubt skulking around the gym touching every sweaty surface in sight !

bigTillyMint · 15/03/2020 09:11

@Benjispruce same happened to DD and she took it to a place in Bristol that rescued it.
DD is also going about normal life there.

DS back last night with swollen glands, worse on one side. Could well be mumps as his mates had it 2/3 weeks ago. He had MMR as a baby, said he has been ill with cold-like symptoms for past 3/4 days. Went off with gf, very chirpy, so it’s either v mild mumps or not that Confused

simbobs · 15/03/2020 09:28

I have told DS to make sure that he washes his hands thoroughly after going to the gym, climbing centre or supermarket. He doesn't use public transport so those are the riskiest places imo.

Alicatz66 · 15/03/2020 09:47

@simbobs .. yes, I'm going to remind DS about the gym hygiene ... he uses the tram as well !! .. he's pretty good on hand washing but I think a reminder won't hurt

Jano69 · 15/03/2020 10:28

DS has decided to stay put in Durham until the weekend. The Durham bubble has burst and they are going out less and giving each other lots of space. I'm constantly washing my hands and disinfecting my phone and telling DS to do the same. Oh how I wish for a some good news to turn round this horrible situation.

simbobs · 15/03/2020 10:40

DH doesn't want DS to come home as he has an underlying health condition which would make him more susceptible to the virus, and super-sociable DS couldn't not see his friends. I hope that his uni doesn't finish early but there is no way that he would agree to stay there over Easter break, nor would I want him to. I am mentally carving up the house into zones that could be inhabited by each, and intending to feed DS in his room. They don't share bathrooms anyway. This is just such a ridiculous situation.

minesawine · 15/03/2020 11:07

Thanks Raptorina for the NTU update as my DS tells me nothing. I will go up and get him as soon as I know whats happening and pack the car up as it may be a while before he returns.

Benjispruce · 15/03/2020 11:55

Oh to have the luxury of separate bathrooms!
DD says gym and bar and library still open so she’s ok- staying until weekend and St Patrick’s dayHmm claiming her 50% genes. Obviously that’s a priority Grin

Benjispruce · 15/03/2020 11:56

@bigTillyMint not glandular fever? Is his throat sore?

Swipe left for the next trending thread