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.

@GoldenRuby excellent news for your DS!

@UEAparent2020; I gather from DS2 that the SU is also campaigning on the Zigs issue. So whilst sense and student politics might rarely be used in the same sentence (in my day at least :) ) this is one where focus might help get to what I we all think should be the right decision.

No timetable for DS2 either yet, which as some on his course do have theirs now he is a bit miffed about. I'd imagine given all the module options timetables come out over a number of days.

If your DCs don't already know if they had annual sports centre membership (and others presumably) then these are being extended to make up for the time that facilities could not be accessed. Which makes the Zigs charging decision all the stranger

Maybe someone in the Accommodation Office has gone rogue!!!

@NotSorry I'm sure they all got them on arrival and ds's gf will have too. But I'll ask ds.

Ds back home for one night while the car is in for a service. I'm a little nervous of what he could have brought home with him. He says no one seems to be social distancing. He's stayed at his gf's a couple of night. I'm trying to not think about it.

Anyone with DC doing geography, have they given you any details about whether there is any face to face teaching?

DS hasn't said anything about this year's timetable as yet - is your DD doing human geography like DS @juicy0?

Ds said he has one online lecture on his timetable. That's a bit worrying.

@juicy0 two hours a week is what he's said!

Are you worried because the rest will be in person @icanbewhatiwant? It's hard to know which option is better really, isn't it?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 no I'm worried that that's all he's going to get.

He said they've been told that's all at the moment.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 yes BA geog. I don't see how 2 hours a week fulfils the UEA pledge to provide as much face to face teaching as possible. They said only large scale lectures would be online with seminars and tutorials in person. DD had a brief look and said most of her timetable Has no rooms allocated so she assumes that means they'll be virtual.
I am incredibly worried, surely our DC can't study for a whole year via zoom with good outcomes? I say that as mum of a very conscientious and motivated daughter but I can't see how it won't just be the most miserable uni experience with reduced quality content.

I think it is going to be very difficult for them to keep themselves motivated @juicy0. I don't think there are many of them doing the BA (human geography) are there?

Well we got the good news we were hoping for and DS has made it into second year.... Phew.... I was anxious!
DS has only been given info about one subject so far, bio/Chem and it's online.
I'm so hoping it's not all online, the last thing DS needs after loosing motivation last year.
Still he seems very happy to be in his house and in Norwich, I took him food shopping didn't get too much but some store cupboard items, then we went to Pizza Express, we were the only people in there, but generally the town felt reasonably busy.
I'm still in Norfolk staying with friends, the weather's been great and I've been having a good time, it's a lovely county.

Well done to your DS2 @Itscoldouthere that's good news. Hopefully if he's very happy in his house and in Norwich that will help motivate him. Are his housemates on the same course - as that could help too?

Agree that Norfolk is lovely (and the driest part of the country too). You have chosen a good time of the year to be there too.

So now you can make your plans for going back to Canada! I expect you will be pleased to put down some roots over there?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 only one of his housemates are on his course.
They seem very friendly but DS doesn't know them that well, he didn't tell any of them what was going on with him not attending uni or having to retake, he does plan to tell them now that he knows he's passed.
I find it hard to gauge as DS is a bit socially awkward and of course not drinking, means he excludes himself from some of the things they do, I just hope he doesn't end up spending too much time in his bedroom.
I'm trying not to over think it or I'll just worry!
I'll have to book my flight now, which on one hand I'm ready to do but also slightly concerned about what's happening with Covid, it feels like it's all moving in the wrong direction.

DS is a bit socially awkward and of course not drinking, means he excludes himself from some of the things they DS the same. Doesn't like parties as he reckons they have no point if you're sitting on the sidelines not drinking alcohol.

Has your DS got support in place from UEA? I do hope so after what happened last year?

I know re COVID - hope you get back to Canada without any issues. The whole of England looks as if it's heading for local lockdowns. Just glad most of our DC are already settled in their second year accommodation now.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I think my DS house isn't a massive drinking/party type house but he didn't go to many things on campus last year that involved drinking and certainly doesn't go clubing 😁
He connected with student support at the end of summer term, luckily he gave permission for me to be involved so I'm going to send an email just to bring him to their attention again.
What would really reassure me would be knowing that his actual department and tutor knew his circumstances, but I'm not sure if a parent contacting them would go down like a lead balloon, so I'm not sure if I should go down that road or not, it's hard to know how much 'backpacking' I should do 😂
Is your DS back in Norwich now?

I'm an emotional wreck today. Talk of new lockdown restrictions is so bloody depressing and I don't see how it doesn't just delay the inevitable. I don't want to live like this anymore it's miserable and I hate what it's doing to our children's experience at school and uni and to families who can no longer see each other.
I'll take DD back tomorrow and be excited for her but today I don't feel like adulting, I feel like getting back in my PJ's with chocolates and a binge worthy box set!
Someone give me a kick up the backside pls!

On another note entirely if any of your D.C. end up having to self isolate and they get stuck for food, prescriptions or anything else I'm local and happy to help.

@juicy0 I sort of know what you mean, the current news is not good and I’m fed up with it too.
I was thinking that it’s so depressing, having gone through the stress about DS getting back into UEA I’m now feeling anxious about what Covid is going to do to their experience.
I do think the best thing to do is to try and carry on normal life as much as possible. I don’t want to sit at home worrying, getting out in the fresh air walking the dog always helps me and not watching too much news!

Thank you for your kind offer Juicy0.
Both of my DSs are back in Norwich and loving it, lockdown or no lockdown, which worries me a bit about precautions.
Geography DS2 does not have a clue which modules he is taking now having been messed about so much.
Hope the remaining moves ( for us and DC) go well xx

DS has been back up in Norwich for about three weeks now and is actually doing some paid work (for about 20 days). Finishes just before the start of term.

I know backpacking is quite frowned upon by universities BUT when one's child's wellbeing is at stake, really they need to be more accommodating. @Itscoldouthere could you get in touch with your DS's tutor and Department and copy in student support (and your DS even if he agrees). I think 'no contact with parents' is their default mode but I am sure that if one has concerns they have a duty of care to take them seriously?

I know what you mean @juicy0. The whole situation is grim but inevitable after a summer of "making hay whilst the sun shines." Thanks for the offer too - very sweet of you.

@sluj shouldn't modules be detailed in e-vision? I know DS chose modules from the same 'column', so had to re-choose (and then it was no longer available). It is a bit of a worry because as with @icanbewhatiwant's DS, they don't want to find themselves having to make do with a module that they are indifferent (at best) about. That's not the way to do well in it.

I think DSs modules have changed so often, he is just losing track. I will attempt to get him to check but he has 2 home friends staying this weekend so might be busy
itscoldoutthere, I would be in touch and say what you need to. Even if the DPA doesn't allow them to talk with you, at least you will have reminded them, which is what you wanted anyway.

UEA 'arrival' podcast (seems to be aimed at freshers and other students) may put your minds at rest re the shape of things to come this academic year.

UEA has the expertise to run the COVID-19 testing scheme (highest number of micro-biologist per capita in the country apparently!). University is 'horizon scanning to put up to speed'.