UEA (2019) dealing with the unexpected and on to 2nd Year

[juicy0]

New thread for the parents of 2019 freshers. Thank you all for sticking around!
At the start of the year we never would have guessed the topics that are currently being discussed in this page but I'm grateful we still have each other to help navigate our way through this with our DC.
With the emptying of 1st year rooms seemingly on hold for many until the end of lockdown our thoughts will soon turn to 2nd year accommodation and whether term is likely to start as normal in September.

That's not on, is it? Sorry to hear it's taking so long.

If it's any consolation (although DS isn't out of pocket), he lost his debit card soon after coming home. He has now phoned three times and still hasn't received it which must be at least eight weeks down the line.

Blimey! That’s slow. My DS had all his accounts hacked (again not out of pocket) so I made him cancel his card and change all his password. Think he got a new card within about 3 days, I couldn’t believe it was so quick.

@NotSorry your poor DS (how annoying). I am going to get DS to write a letter of complaint as it's really not on. I think the first one may have gone missing in the post but still.

I'll be honest I think deliveries have been quicker since lockdown - ridiculous your DS still hasn't got his card

Apparently it's on its way finally.

Many of the universities seem to issuing statements regarding their intentions for semester 1 but I haven't seen anything yet from UEA. Anyone else?

No @juicy0 I had a look on their website yesterday evening but saw nothing!

I sent the UEA a DM via twitter, here is their response:

thanks for your message. We are seeking to deliver as much face-to-face, interactive teaching as is safely and practicably possible, including small group teaching, practical lab classes and so on. We are likely to deliver the content of larger lectures digitally in advance of small group face-to-face sessions. Our Social Media Team cannot advise any further on this, however, please be assured that the University will make contact with students as soon as arrangements have been finalised.

Thanks for sharing that @juicy0. In some ways they are being quite wise as there's still four months twixt now and the start of the new academic year. Time for lots to change.

PS DS eventually heard about going to collect his kit (only yesterday mind) - he's asked if he can get it in August so he can move it straight into his house share.

Thanks * @juicy0*, that seems to be the norm.
DS and his friends, including the local ones, have decided to go for the tenancy together rather than splitting up with some commuting and the other 2 having to cast around for a 2 bed. I am very relieved

Thanks @juicy0

Thanks @juicy0 I hope they do get some sort of hands on learning.

Back to earth with a bump for me on Monday. After 10 weeks home ds3 is returning to school and I'm back to work 3 days a week. I could quite get used to staying home! But some normality is needed now. I'm sure Ds2 and Ds3 will remain in bed most of the day while I work. Ds3 starts his summer job mid July.

@icanbewhatiwant I imagine getting back to some sort of normality is both comforting and scary in equal measures! What summer work has your DS managed to find? DD has been looking but there doesn't seem to be anything suitable. Her normal work as a waitress at a local wedding venue looks unlikely to happen at all this year sadly.
DS (Y10) continues to have virtual learning from Monday with the possibility of some face to face teaching from 15 June but as his school term ends on 4 July I'm not sure how useful that can be. DH will also continue to work from home until at least July so it will still be a full house here and we plan to continue social distancing as much as possible

@juicy0 ds will work where he worked last summer. In a lab testing the crops for disease as they come off the fields. So it is only through harvest, mid July until about 3rd week in sept. Though last year harvest was late and as they employ students they all left for university before harvest had ended.

Ds2 (age 16) had a summer job at our local plant nursery. But at the moment they've decided not to employ youngsters. So he has nothing to do. 5 and a half months with no school is a long time. They weren't set work as GCSEs were cancelled. So a long boring summer ahead for him. I'm glad ds1 has his job to return to though. He needs the money more.

Yes people providing hospitality, particularly large venues will be very hard hit. We have smaller cafes and restaurants near us that have provided a take away service which must help a little.

@juicy0 thanks for sharing the UEA response. I do think they, and every other Uni are well and truly between a rock and a hard place at the moment - and I can't see things becoming any clearer for some time.

That said I was intrigued that Open Days remain front and centre on the UEA website, virtual ones at the moment but the aim for the 5th September one being back on campus. I continue to hope for the best.

@icanbewhatiwant hope your DS3 has a successful return to the classroom (Y6?) next week. Expect something to be starting for my DS3 (Y12) for June 15th - slightly in two minds as he has really knuckled down to the remote schooling, even striking a balance a with the x-box, tik-tok, and house party. I'd say his work ethos has really stepped up a gear.

@boys3 yes ds3 is in year 6. I think he was quite pleased to return. Though he'd never admit it.
Interestingly all the boys in year 6 returned today, 7 of them. But only 3 girls (triplets) the other 5 girls aren't returning. Why boys? Are they more irritating at home?
Our secondary are apparently not having any year 10's or 12's return on 15th. Neither is the other secondary just across the border. They are doing an hour online face to face with a teacher. Whether or not that will change I don't know.

DD (Geog) received an email yesterday regarding teaching next year and module choices which may need changing as the number Of optional modules available (from which they selected last term) is being reduced. Thought I'd post as I know some DC may not check their emails now that their term is effectively over.

Thanks for the 'nod' @juicy0. I think DS originally chose too many from one block so has already had to resubmit once. He'll be delighted to have to do it again! Reduced number of options doesnt' necessarily sound good value for money though (particularly if a module they were really interested in isn't now available to them?).

Yes it will be annoying if modules they really want to do get taken away.
I've said before that ds has had very little practical lab time this year, firstly due to strikes, then obviously the lectures went online March. He says he's missed quite a few things he wanted to do. Never mind. Not much we can do. I'll tell ds to check emails. He made such a fuss about choosing modules as he didn't know what ones to do. He knew what ones he didn't want though!

I will have to get DS to check his email re modules choices, I know he did make choices, although I’m still not sure if he’s going back or not yet.

We are going to clear his room today, it will be interesting to see how it makes him feel. I’m hoping we have the chance for a good talk on the journey.

Good luck with getting your DS's kit today @Itscoldouthere. DS is going to go back at some point next week. How has he been?

@icanbewhatiwant I think in all sorts of ways this cohort have been short-changed by their university experience so far. Sighs.

We were at the uea campus yesterday enjoying a walk around the lake. It was like a ghost town, hardly anyone around, so I wouldn't be too nervous about encountering many people if you're emptying rooms.

There is media talk this morning about 'bubbles of students' and 'virtual freshers'. I can't help thinking that testing students, isolating if necessary, and delaying freshers for a couple of weeks so that everyone can experience it as normal would be so much better. Teaching could then resume with confidence and further tests are are then available to anyone displaying symptoms in the same way as the rest of the general public.

DS' dept (EDU) have sent a letter out today to say that they are aiming to teach as normally as possible. They may have to forgo large lectures but are still aiming for smaller face to face where possible, but with online as a back up for students with health worries who don't want to attend. Not quite sure what will happen in terms of the professional practice in schools they normally do, but I guess they can delay that to a later term if necessary as it continues in the final year, and those that want to go into teaching will then do a PGCE or equivalent.

DS going up on the train to empty his room. DP now saying he'll need to self-isolate on his return .

This lockdown will certainly be a different type of memory for our young people. Rather different to the usual university experience and a challenge to the 'powers that be' to ensure they all get the right teaching and practical hands-on stuff they need to do.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 we went to UEA today, very very quiet, didn’t see or hear anyone else in DS building, hardly any people around, a few walking around the lake but elsewhere a ghost-town. I doubt your DS will encounter my any people at UEA, although who knows what the bus will be like.
DS room was very grubby, I took a hoover, his floor was filthy, had new been cleaned the whole time he was there.
We tried to do our bit and cleaned both fridges in the kitchen, threw out the dregs of ketchup and mayo bottles left behind. It seems like 4 of the 8 have now been to collect there stuff, the last person is going to be left with a random collection of unclaimed kitchen bits.
Our estate car was full 🤦‍♀️
DS was rather sad, but he did take me to see his house for next year, it’s quite a nice looking detached house in a quiet cul de sac not far from uni.
I’m just hoping he gets himself together and decides to go back.