University life for our soon to be Year 2 undergrads (2019 intake): social bubbles (bursting?), the new normal and hopefully no second wave

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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DS has applied for at least 15 very, very local jobs via Indeed (all of which he would have been able to do) and not heard a peep from any of them - all submitted online. So he's not got one and it's probably too late for him to do so now, given that he's likely to go back up to Norwich in August.

@Ginfordinner well done your dd.

I wish dd had her results, I am almost sure she'll be fine, but I have that little doubt.

They've had a little problem with their landlord in that he wanted them to sign their inventory list. Now. When none of them are around, so can check it. They looked through the terms and conditions and found a clause that said they're not allowed to sign it before they pick the keys up. They were quite pleased with that.

Does anyone know whether the end of year results have been officially given out.

On the subject of modules beyond the first year, certainly DS seems to have had some of his preferred options cancelled and has had to opt for ones he wouldn't have otherwise chosen. A great pity, particularly when some of those very modules were the reason why he chose UEA in the first place!

Ds is expecting his results at the end of the month. I assume this is later than usual. I don’t think he has any choice in modules next year. But it would not leave much time to sort things out if the results were going to cause changes to modules taken. But other departments may be issuing results earlier.

DD gets hers in mid August. Same week DD2 gets her gcse results(must stick up on wine, either way)

*stock

That's late @Benjispruce! Agree with stocking up on wine though although hopefully all-round good news in your family!

I think DS has been told by the 22nd but just checking in case he's got bad news. I have faith in his abilities but always remember the year one of my siblings failed their first year and DParents were none the wiser until DSibling was unceremoniously turfed out - no option to even retake...

Thanks. It is late but Durham often is, on everything!

My DS hasn't mentioned module selection at all. There may not be any choice but if he has missed out it will be his own fault, not mine for not reading this thread for a few days. I have no idea whether he looks at his uni email or even how they contact them. He has had nothing further from the accommodation provider about the 3rd term rent. He is still hanging on to the money, but has reached the point where he really needs some. He has applied for lots of jobs both online and by calling in with his cv, but nobody seems to be hiring.

I will also have to talk to him about next year's rent deposit. He is staying in the same accommodation as last year, but with a group of friends. The location and rent cost made it a no brainer really. All this will have to wait until he comes back from camping with mates..

Am going to order masks, because they will be expected I reckon so better he has them on arrival than trying to buy some when they are out of stock.

Ugh, this house thing is getting worse. Turns out of this girl never pays and the agency don't find someone to replace her, the 3 lads pay her share. We are only his guarantor but we could still end up paying a third of her share...so much for staying within a certain budget. I thought she had dropped out of uni, but she hasn't , just the house share.

Security deposit was due yesterday. DS and DH shouting at each other. The other lads haven't paid it.

Holiday stresses mounting and an unexpected payment of £120 to bastarding Norton because of their bastarding auto renew and DS's legendary failure to read emails (although , to be fair, the emails I did unearth don't state the amount)

I may run away from home...

Be interesting if masks are expected at lectures if they are effectively outlawed in schools!

Apparently nearly 40% of prospective students are worried about accommodation and 76% of current students don't want a return to face to face teaching.

So little about any of this in the media.

Hmmm that girl needs to be made to pay. What at total PITA for your DS @Piggywaspushed. Auto-renews are so sneaky, aren't they?

Have to say that DS is not keen to go out and meet his friends because he still seems to think there's a considerable risk of catching COVID-19, so I can't see how he's so amenable to the idea of going back to university...

That’s awful @piggywaspushed. What does their contract say?

One of DD’s housemates moved into their house yesterday and was shown round by the landlord. He said the oven was ‘hit and miss’. She was on her own and didn’t challenge him on it. The others have a WhatsApp group with him and they’ve asked for it to be fixed/replaced so will see what happens but makes me angry that this guy is getting £2.5k a month and a new basic oven is peanuts in comparison.

Oh fear benji!

DS's contract shows cost of whole house pm (£1600) so all 4 of them divide that cost. If there are three of them , then it is divided between 3 , and it is definitely not worth that!

Annoyingly, he has this mate going next year who would be ideal but has applied for halls. The lad has various anxieties and I think would be better off living with my DS but he (his mum) seem to think he should live with first years to settle in. He already tried uni once at Keele and didn't make nay friends so I am not sure why she thinks it will be different at Lincoln. Fingers crossed for him.

That meant to say dear!

Oh that’s a shame. DD’s contract just has her portion of the rent listed. Hope he finds someone soon. I suppose their asking about in student forums?

The room has been advertised by the agency so hopefully they will get someone. I am not sure there are very active forums for Lincoln or that they will be very proactive about it.

Just crossing fingers really!

@Piggywaspushed That’s really unfair if she has not dropped out but is living elsewhere. She should be liable if they don’t find anyone else & she should be the one sorting it out! Did she not sign a contract?

Yes, she did.

It's all a bit of a shitshow.

She was the one who came in late because she had no one to live with and they needed a 4th person because there were no 3 bed houses.

That's such a pain @Piggywaspushed. I guess there's an important lesson there for the boys not to trust someone who isn't really part of the group.

Your friend's son sounds ideal if only someone can persuade the mother. I am sure it will be much better for him to be living with a friend and be absorbed into a friendship group than risk the same thing happening to him at Lincoln as happened at Keele.

@Benjispruce that's disgraceful re the temperamental oven. I think lots of landlords just see students as a cash-cow, hence all these issues with trying to keep hold of their deposits for spurious reasons (generally).

I agree OP and I think this lad will seek out my DS very quickly anyway and probably be round/ go out drinking! It is also a hell of a lot cheaper!

But I can't hassle his mum by keeping texting.

Maybe your DS needs to do some subtle persuasion @Piggywaspushed. Personally I would have thought it a no-brainer (particularly with all the money saved too).