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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Thanks @Kuponut I’ll check with her.

Apparently only about 1 in 7 texts are online.

DD is really struggling to motivate herself. She has watched a few lectures online, and has been told that there will be some online exams. She did exceptionally well in her January exams, so I hope that these will count towards her end of year totals.

She has asked to be woken up at 9 am with a coffee, which we are happy to do, but she then faffs around and messages her friends and does nothing. She hasn't left the house at all since she came home - not even to go for a short walk. She hates any kind of sport with a passion. I envy those of you with DC who will actually take some exercise.

Tricky thing for maths is he had modules for this semester that with the strike and now closedown he's barely started. So exams on those will be difficult - although he is liking a couple of them so that helps.

Are they doing any of his online teaching live? DD starts a maths module next week and she seems to think they will do live sessions via BlueJeans, which is like Zoom?

Hi @Ginfordinner long time no hear. Was a bit worried you’d been affected by the virus as you’re normally quite chatty. That must be hard. I don’t think my DDs would cope without a bit of exercise. Perhaps you can persuade her to take a walk with you tomorrow. Do you have a garden? Perhaps you can persuade her take accompany you on a walk tomorrow.

Sorry, i repeated myself. It’s hard isn’t it? Is she able to connect with friends on a House Party or similar? We are being driven mad by 11pm onwards House Parties! Have to send er downstairs so we can sleep!

She connects with friends all the time. She won't walk with me or DH at all. She just refuses to to any exercise.

We do have a garden, but it has been too cold to spend any time in it.

@HoldMyLobster all lectures are just uploaded - but they do have MASH sessions - walk in support sessions normally - held online via zoom I think. Optional

Hopefully the warmer weather this weekend will entice her out @Ginfordinner

DS is finding the online lectures difficult they are only on audio which he is finding difficult being that he is doing architecture and is used to visual stimulus to get the juices flowing. He has an essay to complete soon but is faffing, missing his girlfriend who is very up and down herself. He has been for a run and tonight a long walk over the hills with the dog.

I do feel so sorry for them all. These were supposed to be their "Halycon days"

My DS has been told that the 1st year exams will not go ahead. He looked at online lectures but although the seminars were meant to be live he claims that when he joined there was no one there. Looks like his first year is well and truly over. Such a waste, such a horrible time for everyone. We watch the daily news briefing and can't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

Not been warm here yet Benjispruce

I'm so happy that my DS seems to be coping so well, I like to think he has my positive attitude rather than DH's negative approach to life . He's out nearly every day exercising, mainly on his own in the cricket nets ... not sure that is strictly allowed but he's not meeting anyone else. He doesn't talk much about his academic work but assured me is 'doing everything on line'. No word yet about exams. He is keeping in touch with his uni friends via various Skype calls or whatever they do and has also set up a Zoom group with local friends. Can't see his girlfriend at all which is sad but he doesn't seem too miserable.

He's cooked a couple of meals and, knowing that DH has had a salary cut & I've been furloughed, immediately told us to stop his allowance. Today he & DH set up a darts board in the garage & he also loves playing board games & cards every night. He is an only child so must be a bit dreary just with us (ancient - I was 43 when I had him - parents) .... still driving me mad by leaving his washing all over though the floor and his room is a complete mess!

@Ragwort, I’m guessing he’s a bowler?! He sounds lovely re money and games

Gorgeous day here. DD dragged DS out for a walk and we are having a “Pub night” - he won the pub quiz and is on better form. Missing his gf who only lives up the road.

Ragwort DD is an only child, born when I was 41. I feel sad that she doesn't have siblings to fight socialise with. She is currently on Skype with her best friend, who only lives a few houses away, and I can hear much mirth from upstairs. She spends 99% of the time in her bedroom, either watching online lectures or Netflix.

Where does everyone live where the weather has been gorgeous?

@Ginfordinner, we are in London

I am an only but the upside is that I have loads of lovely friends

@Ginfordinner we're in Norfolk and it's been gloriously sunny all day today.
DD is struggling with motivation to catch up on a couple of lectures from last term an essay due in May. She's been poorly for two weeks with suspected Covid but has turned the corner and is getting gradually better so I'm just encouraging her to concentrate on recovery, the work can wait for now.

You live in a lovely part of the country juicy. fFrtunately the weather for today is sunshine and 20 degrees, and is looking nice for the rest of the week. I hope it doesn't bring out the idiots this time. I feel sorry for people without gardens or easy access to open spaces.

Its been beautifully sunny in London this weekend . I'm at work but took the dog out by the Thames yesterday - hopefully someone will walk her today . DD so far enjoying the Easter break catching up with Uni set work / lectures and revising for online exams start of next term . She's also online watching films / musicals at the same time as friends and communication by text / zoom ? whatever .

@Ginfordinner, sadly the idiots were already out in force in London yesterday and a local park is now closed

@bengalcat, good on your DD - DS is not working at the level

It must be hard if you do have an outside space. I don’t really see the problem with sitting well away from anyone’s else in a park or on a beach but I guess if they allow that, people take it too far and start meeting up. DD is reasonably cheerful and I am pleasantly surprised. She was so gutted to end her college year but is coping quite well. She’s been studying this weekend as well as breaking off for workouts and runs. We had a Trivial Pursuit night on Friday and a bbq today. The nice weather helps enormously. Hope your DD got some fresh air today @Ginfordinner.

*Don’t have and outside space

I give up!

@bigTillyMint the idiots were out round here as well. We live near the Trans Pennine Trail, and people had driven to the car parks near it to use the trail. We regularly walk on it, and I cycle on it, but I am avoiding it right now because it is just too busy.

She did today @Benjispruce. We have new lambs in the field near the house so she went for a wander down there this afternoon.

Sounds like you live in a nice part of the country too Gin. We live in the countryside too. Not a big supermarket for miles.
Our house is beginning to resemble a wildlife documentary as Dh and Dds fight it out for food. Particularly ice-cream. Of which we now have none. I am doing a big shop once every 2 weeks and we haven’t managed to get eggs for a month. I have learnt to freeze milk!