University life for 'freshers' (2019/20) - first year campus life suspended, sitting out/surviving the pandemic and staying on top of studying [Edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

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I know this is very localised but I was interested to see this story in my local paper
www.pressherald.com/2020/04/13/maine-colleges-and-universities-receive-41-million-in-coronavirus-aid/

Apparently over $12 billion in CARES Act funds has been allocated to go to higher education institutions throughout the US.

Hoping something similar happens in the UK.

There's been talk about it already @HoldMyLobster but not sure that there's been any action as yet.

Oh @ZandathePanda that’s so funny!

Is anyone else wondering if house shares for next year will fall apart? One of the people ds was supposed to be staring with has decided not to return next year. And another is French so I feel there is a possibility she may not be back either, especially if lectures are still online in September l

That's one reason I encouraged DS to stay in his current student flat next year, though with a group of friends. If any drop out they won't have to worry about finding other flatmates. Also, his bf, who had deferred is now in two minds about whether to go back to uni at all, and at least there is a room for him if he chooses to continue.

DD’s group of 5 including her all seem determined to go up and live in the house in August if things have improved.
I guess if anyone drops out, it’s up to them to get a replacement as they’ll have signed a contract.

Unfortunately this house was found via a university website and they have been dealing directly with the landlord rather than an agency. I don’t know if they signed a tenancy agreement yet.

That's a total PITA for your DS @Decorhate - could they look to recruit some other flatmates from their friendship groups? I am pretty sure that there will be 'last-minute Larrys' out there who won't have got round to securing second-year accommodation before everything went pear-shaped last month.

@Simbobs that’s actually one advantage to remaining in halls I hadn’t thought off. I was a bit sad DS hadn’t made a good group of friends to house share with come September (preferred private halls), but now I’m thinking he dodged a bullet.

Forgot to add, we are excitedly looking forward to the showdown finale of University Challenge next week. DS has never seen it before but we happened to watch Mondays episode and now it’s all he talks about.

When I say "halls" I am referring to privately managed student flats, promoted through the uni. The downside is that they are, as yet, still having to pay the rent for next term, even though DS has emptied his room and handed back the keys. I don't think they can move back in until September, either.

There's a lot of sudden panic about the reworked assessments hitting my cohort at present - I've done and submitted - not as high standard as I would generally do but should get well over the 40% needed and we still have no idea if the zero detriment applies to our course. Have the ones I deferred to August still outstanding as I prioritised the kids over my own uni work but I'm essentially done.

My finance for next year is right down though as dh had some one off salary stuff going on. Think I get the returning NHS bursaries though so will make ends meet

I know what you’re talking about. Same type of accomodation DS got. DS currently in uni student halls though, so not being charged for next term. He’ll move into the private Student halls next term.

@Shimy glad you've got into University Challenge - I think it may turn out to be the 'sporting' highlight of the year! It's going to be a thriller with cool, calm and smugly collected Brandon vs his polar opposite, Wang. I'm hoping Corpus Christi wins.

It was very hard this week! Virtually no Literature of history questions . Poor Hourihan clearly felt like an uninvited wedding guest!

Brandon has no name other than Brandon, does he?? He's like Prince.

@New we have argument going on about Brandon. I think he’s arrogant, cocky and a bit condescending to his team mates (but love his brain!), ds’s think he’s just confident and enthusiastic. What do you think? Am I just not fully appreciating his brilliance?

I love Brandon. He’s like a border collie.

I like Brandon. he makes me laugh. He is very very cool.

I like that he knows so much about Art.

To be fair, he always points at another teammate when he knows it is their field.

Probably when I was at uni I would have stared at him from a distance and then graduated on to trying to breathe his air by sitting near him.

At a party, Wang would be in a corner talking enthusiastically about intellectual stuff and possibly knocking things over in his excitement.

Brandon would be sat somewhere on a sofa wit ha a gaggle of adoring devotees looking cool.

@Piggywaspushed, @ZandathePanda and @Shimy interesting the way we all have such different thoughts on them.

Brandon just doesn't do it for me but there again I never was part of the #toocoolforschool set! I love Wang's enthusiasm and camaraderie with his teammates!

I agree it was a very hard set of questions. Some weeks I do really well and others appallingly so (I think I got just two questions right on Monday evening...).

DS was looking at private accommodation with girlfriend this year. With all the uncertainty we said they would be better off in Unite halls, who to be fair have waived last terms rent. They have decided thankfully they will be better off in halls.

God only knows how many overseas students will not be returning or starting the new uni. year in September. We could be looking at further lockdowns this winter.

I suspect we will be looking at another lockdown this winter (I've read that the second wave of infections could be deadlier than the first....).

Staying in halls is probably wise for your DS and his g/f, particularly if Unite are being accommodating about waiving rent. I doubt there are very few landlords so generous.

FWIW I was speaking to a university academic this morning (for my day job). She said that they've been advised to prepare content for the next academic year for online teaching.

I suspect the students may be home early for xmas and going back whenever in the new year.

Someone on FB was against her DS taking a gap year in 2020/21, I actually thought it eminently sensible under the circumstances.

I read that thread as well. IMO it is up to the student. No point in getting into debt to drop out two terms later.