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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That sounds so stressful Ingles2. I hope your DS2 is successful, both in exams and accommodation. The daughter of a friend of mine hated Durham. She did complete her degree, but ended up with a third.

Thanks @Ginfordinner he's totally lovely and really doesn't deserve all this ... what was an extremely hard working, quiet boy has turned into a stressed, obsessive.. not what I wanted for him at all.
I drink a lot of these days

Hi @Ingles2 sorry to hear about one of your sons and his troubles. DD is at Durham and has her house sorted. They did it very early last year, October/November I think. Have you checked the letting agencies online? DD got hers through an agent as did most of her friends. I think they can stay in college accommodation too if space.

Thanks @Benjispruce .. yes I remember the posts about it then, but ds2 hadn't really met anyone to share with and now there just seems to be expensive stuff left (and he still doesn't have a group to share with, just a friend)
I want him to stay in college with more support tbh now he has MH issues as well as a physical disability .. he's also very young and has only just turned 19. Durham's pastoral support is definitely lacking imo

That’s a real shame. Are they able to accommodate him?

we've asked, literally months ago.. not heard anything! I'm sure they will be able to, HB is enormous, but its the lack of info

I’d email regularly until you get a response. A lot has happened and it might have got buried.

Really sorry to hear that @Ingles2

DS is at Durham and like Benjispruces DD, got organised in November.

Which college is he at? Hild Bede? I would think staying in college might be the best move for him.

Could he restart on the other degree if not move to year 2?
i would also recommend him contacting them frequently until he gets a decent response.

Offering a virtual handhold ingles.

thanks guys... I appreciate the handhold..
Yes Hild Bede, enormous, knackered crumbling pile.. absolutely horrible accommodation, but at least he won't have to worry about sharing, cooking etc. I will get him to email again.
natural sciences transfers is only for 2yrs +, from what I understand..I think he'll probably stay on theoretical Physics if he doesn't get the 60% required to transfer .. I'm right in saying you only need 40% to pass right?

@Ingles2, DD is at Durham and she said that even when they arrived at the start of the first term there were several people looking for housemates from 2nd year and above. There are also accommodation blocks with single rooms available, but they're expensive.

Asked dd and she says there are lots of rooms being advertised on "Overheard at Durham" Facebook page, however if he needs more support then college may well have space for him, has he asked the college or just the uni?

Good news for your DS1 @Ingles2 but really sorry to hear about your DS2 and his struggles. Can he and his friend not find a flat share or is it not common to find them for two? It sounds as if he could do with the support from staying in college but it doesn't sound as if the university is providing it. If you're not getting a response from the relevant parties you may have to escalate your concerns/request for help upwards?

So sorry to hear about the stressful time you’re having @Ingles2. I hope DS gets something soon, infact I’m almost certain he will. There will be many who perhaps have booked accommodation but now deferring till next yr, so I’m sure there will be spaces. MH has really taken a knocking this yr hasn’t it? Also with a DS with MH issues that was very well managed before that has now gone up a notch. Lots of calm talking, reassurance, encouragement etc can he access CBT privately? A couple of sessions might just be what he needs before they resume. Wishing you all the best.

thankyou @Shimy @NewModelArmyMayhem18 I really appreciate your posts..
well as ds said today, maybe it'll all be online and I can just stay here... God I hope not!!!

sorry.. and you too @Witchend :)

@Ingles2, yikes! The sooner we pack DS back off to uni the better.

anyone have info on this years Student loans maintenance dates? And ideally if possible a breakdown of amounts for a minimum loan? Will check with DS this weekend but you bunch are more reliable!

This gives you some of the information @MrKlaw. Not sure about the dates though.

@Baytreemum I think we have to resign ourselves to the fact that when our kids move into their new houses the compliance with social distancing rules will be (ahem) variable. I just don’t think it’s realisric to expect that they won’t have house parties etc especially as the clubs won’t be open till the end of never at this point.

As for teaching, DD (Kent) has been told that all lectures online, but tutorials will take place in the larger lecture theatres so they can be spaced out. Library will be open, but with measures like spacing and control of numbers, study spaces available to book for group work as they were before. Freshers in “bubbles” and no visiting other flats etc (good luck with policing that!). Shops and cafes open on campus with usual rules re masks etc. So as near to normal as possible. We have said to DD - and she accepts- that once moved in her and friends are now a new household so if there are restrictions brought in again about households mixing this may impact coming home for visits etc.

@MrKlaw Ds’ letter says £4289 but does not give the breakdown or the dates. But if your Ds logs into his account he should be able to see the detail. It’s usually around the first day of each term I think

How did your Ds fare in his exams? Does he have to repeat the one he missed?

@VanCleefArpels Thanks for sharing about Kent - sounds pragmatic- maybe other unis will take this approach too, which would be good. Update on the freshers rep here - they are going to wear visors, SD from each other and from households of 15 freshers who will be in a bubble of 30. I guess if students don’t stick to the guidelines legally they are responsible for the consequences of their actions - slightly concerning if a student gets sick or worse and there are legal consequences- this is what was hinted at in the letter we received from the uni, which is what got me worried.

What legal consequences are you thinking of? Being sued for infecting someone else?? There are practical consequences of a student getting ill with Covid (isolation of all housemates for 14 days) but nothing else as far as I can see. I just think they will all be getting tested every other week with the normal coughs and colds going round in the first term (Freshers Flu mark 2)

How easy will testing be for students?I can see my own DS ignoring symptoms. He had a bad cough all winter and carried on with life. He wouldn't be very proactive imo about testing if it was a big faff to get one.

You just book a test online and go to a centre or get one in the post. I think we all need to drill into our kids to get tested if they have symptoms - there’s no shortage of tests, they won’t be inconveniencing anyone or depriving someone else but it’s really important for them to know if it is CV19 or not so they can do the right thing and isolate if required

That’s a very good idea to talk to them about getting a test. Yes, just a bit concerned about liability really.