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.

@boys3 thanks for that. I can't read it online as I don't subscribe.

Ds had his negative covid test result back. So that's good...I'm sure there will be more cases as 1,500 tested isn't only a small percentage of students. But let's hope there aren't lots.

Ds has a f2f lecture tomorrow he's looking forward to.

@boys3 no f2f teaching for dd this term!!

I’d love to know who that’s journalist’s source is - no F2F for DS2 at all this term either

@juicy0 and @NotSorry I read that comment and wondered about its veracity too. Maybe the source (presumably academic staff member) is one who does do f2f on a weekly basis?

@NotSorry @NewModelArmyMayhem18 ive replied to the original tweet so it will be interesting to see if I get a response.

My main interest this week is the decision on A level and GCSE exams next year as I have a DS in Y11. Will they sit them, won't they, Will they be delayed and if so by how long? The trouble is I have no faith in the decision makers in government and I don't believe the headteacher are being listened to.

@juicy0

Let us know if they reply

my youngest is year 13 so I’m waiting on the exams next year information too

Maybe the journalist is in a relationship with a UEA academic, or even does some teaching there herself? It certainly seemed a rather partisan piece compared with the very critical article above it. It will be interesting to see if you get a reply @juicy0.

I think exam seasons for several years to come will be up in the air. I keep reminding DD (just started Yr 10) that she needs to be working hard with all her class/course work and tests too, just in case the way in which their year's GCSEs are ultimately graded is impacted by the pandemic too (at this stage we just don't know, do we?).

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

Had the same convo with DS3 a few times over the last couple of months

Glad it's not only me giving such advice @NotSorry, although it remains to be seen whether DD heeds it - she's not renowned for doing so!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 @NotSorry I've said the same to DS but the problem is that 6 months is a long time to be under constant pressure to be at the top of your game. Let's be honest, lots of teens would only usually really knuckle down after mocks in Jan and even then only start intense revision after half term. We're asking our DC to keep performing 'just in case' and then they may still have to sit exams. I fear burn out and higher levels of stress 😔

Yes...ds2 only really started to work hard in year 11 probably around Christmas onwards. I think some of the gcse grades he was given may have been based of marks over the 2 years, because the mocks at Christmas and in March he got higher grades. I wonder whether things will be back to normal by the time he takes A levels summer 2022.

Ds had his first face to face lecture this week. Lab time next week. He says at the moment he has one of each, each week. I hope it stays that way.

I bet they are sorry they threw out the modular system for GCSE A levels it would have been a godsend for so many students during covid and teaching staff, examiners.

Quite agree @justasking111.

Oops a not so positive news article about UEA in the Daily Fail today.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I saw that article, it can't be true can it?! If it is then it is the most terrible exploitation of helpless students.

I've said it before abs I'll say it again, if any of your DC need help with food shopping, prescriptions or anything else in lockdown please just ask.

I hope it's not true @juicy0 - that's eating out in a cafe prices basically (and for not that much food even!). The universities should not be profiteering at the expense of their self-isolating students (mind you, it's along the same lines as the students paying double for a 'twin' Zigg room).

Thanks for the offer of help - that's really helpful to know.

DS is being the current food lifeline for his self-isolating cousin.

Hardly surprises me after the double room charge fiasco- which I will add is still being charged. Just had the first months bill for £681 for the room!

Ds said his gf's friend will be on heart radio tomorrow to talk about the high prices being charged for meals.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

Oops a not so positive news article about UEA in the Daily Fail today.

All over concrete confessions as well. DS2 contacted us all today and asked us to guess the amount. None of us came anywhere near the £250 mark. Hard to believe it is actually true - as rip-offs and taking advantage go almost PPI-esque and we all know how that ended

@juicy0 did you get any response on twitter? DS2 certainly having F2F seminars, albeit sounding very surreal with the SD descriptions

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

Oops a not so positive news article about UEA in the Daily Fail today.

DS fancied this uni. when we worked out travel costs, distance and time to come home thank god he backed out. The price is unbelievable.

Even £100 for two weeks (given what they're getting) would be expensive for students - these are not salaried workers on City pay packets!

Maybe whoever is in charge of Accommodation is also in charge of the Catering?

It is wrong for students to be treated as the 'cash cow' in this way.

At least UEA have responded quickly and reduced it now to £12 per day. Looking at what they are providing, I would say that is now good value for money.

@boys3 no response on Twitter sadly

Isn't the Campus Kitchen an onsite cafe/restaurant? So £4/meal would be roughly what students pay if they popped in for say, a coffee and pastry at breakfast time, or a meal deal at lunchtime? I can't see why people are outraged by this.

The restaurant is offering an alternative way of getting food - looks like a premium service where food is prepared and packaged for them. Plus daily delivery. Students aren't forced to buy this package. They can still order online supermarket deliveries themselves and if there are no slots available, the SU has arranged priority delivery slots for those who are self isolating.