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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It also says those that left stuff behind won’t be charged either.

Thanks blame, my DS is at NTU so am sure they will follow suit, but his accommodation is private Halls (recommended by the Uni) so just hope they do the decent thing.

mine so far my DS is being quite happy and motivated; I do a volunteer role In the community which is still allowed as we help vulnerable people and DS has suddenly shown huge enthusiasm for getting involved .

Lighthearted moan - our DS loves playing board games so we are doing that every night when I would love to watch a box set or film .

Thank you .. placemarking for any new developments ... we didn't see this kind of title coming last summer when all we had to worry about was what to pack them off with !!! ( mainly cleaning products they didn't use it seems !!)

@blametheparents . Thank you for sharing .. DS still asleep !! I don't think Broadgate is classed as Uni accommodation is it ? Is UPP ?

Mine still has most of her stuff at Durham . I’m still working so she came down on the train .

@Alicatz66 - It's UPP (I checked!)
DS still has the keys. I am reluctant to suggest posting them as I am sure delivery drivers and the post office have enough to do! Broadgate Park have spare keys which they could use to get in to clean the place until this can be sorted.
Added complication - we had already paid for term 3 so we need to get a refund!

I heard it from your first Benjispruce - thank you so much for letting us know. DS has just checked his emails - no return to Durham for third term and no accommodation charges! I have no idea what he'll do for six months - would love him to do soft fruit picking in the country but so much uncertainty. Have no idea whether I'll keep my job either but currently feel very fortunate to work from home and have a large garden. x

.... and very relieved DH and DS completely cleared his room at Durham last Saturday so no reason to return up north for the foreseeable future. We could never have imagined this in our wildest dreams.

bengalcat - rest assured, I don't think there'll be any pressure to clear the room for some time.....

I’ve just written regarding accommodation at AUB (Bournemouth Arts) not a mention on their websit re accommodation.
No accommodation en-campus in Bournemouth, most is in new blocks in the town run by private companies but let through the university.
I bet they won’t give us a refund of 3rd term.

DS2 at UEA but we left some thing in his room and they need them to be cleared out for a refund.

It all seems very random and unfair, different policy’s for every university, it would be so much easier if the government made them all do the honourable thing and no charges for anyone who doesn’t want to stay in halls next term.

Mines more concerned about work / revision stuff she’s left behind .

@blametheparents. Yes. We still have the keys too ... will try and find out what to do ! Am going to get DS to see what other flatmates doing .. accepted deposit has been lost .. I feel sorry for whoever is cleaning up at Broadgate !!!!

DS in a deck chair in the garden good for him I say

My DD has just settled down to some work after sunbathing and working out! This gorgeous weather won’t last so may as well.
@bigTillyMint I hope your DS is ok.

DD has been home a week and her friend who was isolating with all the symptoms (who is now better and at home) last saw her just over two weeks ago, so that's good.

We're unable to clear her room until at least mid June as she's abiding by the 12 week rule. we could go on our own, but I think she'd want to come. Luckily her rent agreement runs to late July so it's no big deal really. She brought all her books with her (including 2 library books that she'll just have to renew endlessly) and is cracking on with work (although, she has taken over the living room).

All 3 of us are at home 24/7 apart from me doing the food shop, so I'm relishing doing some gardening this year

Thanks for the heads up @Benjispruce! Needless to say DS hasn’t been checking his emails.
He and his gf will be overjoyed

@bengalcat, same here re stuff left at Durham.

I think DSs high temp was a false alarm - no other symptoms and we are all fine. So far!

No work being done here by DS.

@bigTillyMint surely your DS and his gf are now separated???

Dad's uni have agreed to refund some of their accommodation costs. She thinks it'll only be a month but better than nothing, especially as her summer job has gone out the window.

She had two essays to do which have been cancelled. Not sure why, even if staff are self isolating, students have paid for course into May, so there's plenty of time.

@Benjispruce yes.

But I think they think it will all be over before long...

The students have been neglected somewhat by the government a petition has now been set up.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/302855

Ah @bigTillyMint must be tough for young lovers. DD was gutted as she’d started to get close to someone. She now fears it will be lost. Young love eh?

@Benjispruce same for my DD, it's tough x

Signed @justasking111

My two have suffered massively with the strikes 😡

I have JUST finished THE shop. I started at 3pm and went to a big Sainsbury’s half an hour away (we are rural). Police at the doors overseeing everything and they were only letting so many in at a time so had to wait 20mins to get in. Then we all had to do some sort of contortion dance to avoid getting 2m within each other. Got loo roll and bread but no eggs. Then had to go backwards and forwards to unload/pack as they couldn’t help with packing of course. Came back home and sprayed dettox on everything in batches before putting it away. Then Dds and Dh had to eat a random assortment of freezer stuff as it had semi-defrosted .
At least I don’t have to do that again for a while. I can now sit down and have a glass of cruddy wine (no good stuff left).

Placemarking again. Thought I'd lost you.