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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Not all unis are on vacation now. My DS had one more week of term to go, but has done very little since he has been back. I need to nag/motivate a bit, I think. It seems unfair that some 1st yrs have exams whilst others get a shoo-in to 2nd yr.

We technically still have next week to go before the end of term - but there's very little been put online for us - the bulk of our sessions by now were down to be revision/clarification ones anyway or preparation for 2nd year.

I do think it's really unfair some first years don't have any exams whereas others are putting them through the full gamut - I've had to defer mine as my mental health isn't coping well with the combination of lockdown, home-eding the kids and exams. We are still getting the examination arrangements constantly revised and altered with the uni - it's getting pretty frustrating as we can't do anything towards it all and the replacement arrangements basically have us now slogging away on assignments instead but without any resources to do so. Also obviously had my final placement of the year cancelled - which is really annoying since it sounded sooooo freaking awesome and interesting - but to be expected!

As we are now being prepared for a long time in lock down I am wondering whether they will be going back at all.... 😞

@simbobs do you mean ever?

I'm regretting that DS and so many other students have signed on the dotted line for their second-year house shares already.

Well, we have no way of knowing how things are going to develop or how long we will be socially distanced. Obviously I want them to go back in Sept. Mine never did sort out his 2nd yr accommodation. If he doesn't clear his room he is just going to have to stay there again.

Hello! I was on these threads last year but stopped posting in September as DD is taking a gap year, but I still read what everyone is up to.
Can I ask about Durham? I’ve noticed a few comments about time lost due to the strikes and now the Coronavirus. Has Durham been affected particularly badly, so maybe shorter term coupled with lots of striking tutors?
Reason for asking is DD has been offered a place for September, and she has to choose between there and Exeter (& still in the mix for a couple of drama schools but ignore those for now).
It’s very finely balanced at the moment but a poor experience in first year would concern me.

Hi error! My DD is at Durham. She loves it but I’m sure she would’ve loved Exeter too(one of her 5). She loves her Bsc in Anthropology and college life. Her subject was badly affected by striking but that’s probably across many unis. The accommodation is not the best as older is the case in other unis. There are a lot of well heeled students but she’s got a nice group around her. Durham is a pretty, small city. I feel she’s safe there and they go to Newcastle for more life.

RaptorIna I am also waiting for the NTU decision, especially about clearing out their room. I hope I definitely dont have to pay for the 3rd term because I need the funds to pay for the enormous amount of food he is eating.

mine & Raptor there is a statement on the NTU page about accommodation fees for the third term - will not be charged for official Uni Halls.

Thanks Ragwort I did see it, but I thought it was a little unclear (only a little). Whilst DD isn't IN her accommodation, her stuff is It says they'll be contacting everyone directly so hopefully that will say something about people's belongings.

full statement

I have to say, I think NTU have been very good so far re: keeping everyone informed and their decision making. It'll all work out in the end

@errorofjudgement, I echo what @Benjispruce says. DS lucked out with an en-suite room and loves his college - same one and the most sporty which is right up his street. Has made some good friends and got used to mixing with the upper echelons of society Clubbing is a bit limited (easy to get to Newcastle though) but drinking definitely isn’t

He has been badly hit by the strikes but so has my DD at Bristol

We have more or less decided to go and get DS's stuff from his room, irrespective of whether or not we end up paying. If we are going to be under some kind of restriction for the next 6 months that takes us right up to when they go back, and DS would have something else to occupy him if he had his (gaming) computer. Any other renegades? We can go with masks and gloves and don't need to see anyone else.

Well we will have to go to both Durham and Bristol at some point to move their stuff to new houses. Or bring home if necessary

We only have kitchen stuff to bring back so I’m pretty happy for that to be thrown out if needed (we have spare pans and crockery)

But if you have access and have important belongings there I think you’d be ok to go fetch it

@errorofjudgement DD's at Durham too (and Exeter was one of her alternatives). She's hardly been effected by the strikes at all-I think she missed a couple of lectures one week, and that was about it.

I don't think she realised how much she was enjoying it until she realised they're unlikely (read almost certainly not) to go back this academic year.
She went up on Wednesday with dh to fetch her stuff, which was a good call. Long drive, but nothing on the road an she hardly saw anyone even in the distance.
She is at a self catering college, and had a lovely ensuite room and a large kitchen to shar within 6 people.

I think the reason why you've seen a lot of comments, is that it has just happened there are several Durham parents who have posted a lot. Another year you might find the same with Exeter.

Silver lining - next year, DD is still staying on campus. At some point we will need to go and get the things she was told she was allowed to leave there for the Easter break. But that needs to wait until travel is allowed. We may end up having to brink it back only to take it back quite soon after as I imagine they will want to give the place a deep clean before reopening after the students collect all their things.

It is £1k more expensive in halls next year (longer let and no need to empty rooms during any of the hols) but DD will now have next term's accommodation money that they are not going to charge for to help pay for the more expensive year and beyond.

I assume they will still be releasing the same amount of maintenance money despite the majority of pupils now living at home.

DD's first year uni 'experience' has now been shaved down to 16 weeks of face to face tutoring what with strikes and now the pandemic.

I wonder whether “old” unis have more money and so not so desperate for rents? Deffo true for Oxbridge, and probably Durham and others like?

In Oxford (and I assume Cambridge) the colleges are financially autonomous, and vary wildly as to wealth. Some will really feel this. Last figures I heard for Oxford were that the colleges probably stand to lose about £120mil between them, and the University upwards of £200mil.

I can't believe any uni wouldn't be desperate for rent!

@Benjispruce, @bigTillyMint and @Witchend thank you all for responding,
I think I noticed the Durham comments more as I knew DD had applied,
Thanks for your comments, all really positive and lots to think about! But great that you all agree that DC have enjoyed a great first year (so far)!!
Unfortunately the college DD has been allocated isn’t one that she’s particularly keen on, she really wanted self catering. This is fully catered, shared bathrooms, and about 20 minute walk to the main site.
None of these are deal breakers, but put together, and add in that it’s around a 7 hour journey from home......
Decisions, decisions!!

We are a 4 hour drive away and it means you can’t just visit that easily. Trains are expensive (£130 return) but can be reduced using fare splitting websites. DD’s college is fully catered and the food has been quite good. Really quite a smart common room, bar and gym(only £50pa) as it’s a sporty college. I think there’s a theatre also. Great outdoor sport facilities too. The share bathroom is the thing I don’t like as they have. 1 bathroom with shower over bath between 10!! 2 separate toilets without sinks , just hand sanitiser. I think that’s not acceptable. They do have washbasins in a vanity unit in their rooms thankfully. It’s a short walk to her learners site but up and down a hill into town. It’s kept her fit!

Loads of typos sorry! Sausage fingers.

We're about 6hours away.
I think the main issue is that it feels a world away when they first go. You know you can't nip over and help if they're low etc.
Dd got upset in her first week thinking I might not see her room (I did, we visited in February)
It's not the quickest place to get to, but it is easy.

Error if you are 7 hours from Durham, I presume Exeter must be much closer?
I think that’s a big factor. Particularly with the current world situation as lockdowns may/may not become fairly common. It’s the practicalities that become difficult.
Dd is in Newcastle (15mins away from Durham by train) and they have loads of students from Northern Ireland due to cheap and easy flights. If that’s affected it may be a problem.
Not trying to be doom and gloom just being practical if there’s not much to chose between them.

@ZandathePanda yep Exeter less than 2 hours, we’re near Bath
That’s a very good point about if there are further lockdowns. It will be much easier to bring DD home from Exeter.

@Witchend - good to hear your views given you have a similar distance to travel. I’m conscious that we won’t be able to visit very easily, or very often! (Not that I think we would, but certainly in the first couple of terms it can be comforting to know mum & dad are coming over to take you out for lunch, or you can come home for the weekend after lectures are finished on Friday and still be home in time to meet friends at the pub)

@Benjispruce - your DDs College sounds like the one DD has been allocated. Definitely has its own theatre and half way up the hill.
The opportunities for acting at Durham are definitely more than at Exeter, and that is a real draw. Plus of course, it’s Durham!
But.
The whole world feels so out of kilter at the moment, and unlikely to get back to normal anytime soon.
DD was set on accepting Exeter, it’s a great uni and the course looks perfect. Durham have thrown her a curve ball.

Thanks all for your further opinions and advice,

I’d say the course is the most important. DD chose Durham for the course- only 5 unis did it and Durham had a really high rating for her it.