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

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread

[Ginfordinner]

Well done to your DD RedHelenB. I thought university exams were graded 1st 2.1, 2.2 like they do for finals.

DD doesn't get her results until the 29th.

[HoldMyLobster]

Ooooh good news. DD's university is officially inviting students back to campus for the Sept start.

They will run as much as possible in person - both learning and other stuff - but a lot will still be online only.

They're starting a week early, sending them all home just before Thanksgiving, then having them come back after Christmas/New Year - that way they reduce the amount of travel in late Nov/Dec. A lot of US colleges are doing this.

Other stuff it says...

There will be requirements to social distance, wear face coverings and frequently sanitize hands.

Everyone will be asked to monitor their own health and participate in the University’s contact tracing program by reporting exposure to COVID-19.

The University is working to expand COVID-19 testing on campus.

Those returning to campus from other countries will likely be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

They also have to work out how to house all the students who were assigned to double rooms, as I believe this year everyone will have to be in singles. They're talking about renting hotel rooms for them, among other options.

I'm so relieved. She'd have been so upset if she'd had to stay home another term.

[RedHelenB]

@Ginfordinner she's doing dentistry so like medicine they dont have the traditional 2 2, 2 1 and first.

[RedHelenB]

Sorry for the confusion dd1 is in her 3rd year its dd2 that's in her first. I've posted on the wrong thread!!

[Decorhate]

From another thread (and a quick google) it seems that results are coming out later than usual this year. Does this mean there are no August retakes planned, anyone know? (Just curious rather than worried for Ds 🤞)

[mum2eim]

@Decorhate my DD (Durham science) says results are out 18th August and she chooses year 2 modules on 19th. Retakes in September......I think.
She said results would usually be out before end of term. She’s had a physics group project to do the past two weeks which counts towards year 2 lab results. (Picture a wine bottle, water, cream, washing up liquid, making music and a lot of mess )

[Bouledeneige]

My DD got a high 2:1 and has chosen her options for next year. They have been informed of arrangements for next term and that it will start mid September. She will go back in July or August though to her house and to have some fun.

[Ginfordinner]

Goodness, that's late mum2eim.
DD got an email from Newcastle yesterday. All lectures until Christmas will be online, but they will attend some labs and some seminars with social distancing. They work in pairs for labs and will be given appropriate PPE to do so.
She is hoping that they can all go to their house in August and enjoy some down time together before their studies begin.

IMO it makes sense because they can quarantine/isolate together and will hopefully be fine by the time university starts in October.

[Benjispruce]

Yes Durham results in August, same week as DD2’s GCSE results!

[Jano69]

DS has to wait until mid August for his Durham results too (humanities). He'll probably be living in his second year house at the time his first year results come through! He can't wait to go back. He's adjusted to lockdown and enjoying reading round his subject for pleasure.

[Ginfordinner]

I can't imagine DD reading around biomedical sciences for pleasure

[bigTillyMint]

I have no idea when DS gets his results but I expect it’s August as he’s also at Durham
He’s not doing any work AFAIK and hasn’t got a job so far despite trying (a bit!)

[Benjispruce]

DD has finally got a job after applying for many. Supermarket night replenishment. Eek! But at least she won’t be exposed to customers.

[Jano69]

Well done to your DD Benji - I'm a little bit envious. DS tried to get a job but gave up quite quickly.

[mum2eim]

Well done to your DD Benji. My DD is still doing her supermarket job. She’s now driving the delivery vans and is learning valuable life skills. She was screamed at by an unhappy customer tonight, listened to another one who was upset, had a drop off at what she thought was a drug den! She’s really grown up. Have to say her employer has been amazing.

[Ginfordinner]

In spite of me encouraging her to learn to drive during her gap year DD has had absolutely zero interest in learning to drive. She has CFS and is terrified of falling asleep at the wheel.

This meant that when she was looking for jobs last year it really restricted where she could work. We are rural with hourly trains.

She has been informed by the NHS that is is supposed to be shielding, and I am not encouraging her to find work right now.

[Benjispruce]

Wow @mum2eim that is an experience for her. DD wanted day shifts as she did that at Christmas but she didn’t hear anything back. She is a night owl so hoping she copes better with nights than most. Only 3 nights a week but over £300 pw so I’m hoping she’ll manage a month. @Ginfordinner I don’t blame you.

[Piggywaspushed]

Just checking in. Nothing to add! DS continues to lollop.

I continue to spy on his emails and check with other uni parents via Facebook!

[Witchend]

DD (Durham, maths) says that they've been told results are on 18th August and resists start on 24th, if I've remembered rightly.

They're not very happy about it because normally they would get results around a month sooner, and less than a week is no way long enough to prepare for a resit having done not a lot for over 2 months.
However she suspects/hopes that this means the resits are basically for those who missed exams for various reasons, rather than failing people. I hope she's right on that because it would be very unfair to do that.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Well done to your DD @Benjispruce.

I know DS did very well in one of his modules but he's not entirely consistent. Don't think he's heard what his final end of Yr 1 result is but always insisted that "It doesn't matter as long as I pass". I did try to point out that aiming for a First from a 2:2 position is a big leap....(what do I know though??!).

Yes, DS is lolloping too and although he has applied for a few jobs he's not so much as got a sniff of one yet. I wish he would.

[mum2eim]

@witchend I hope your DD is correct about the resits. A week for revision is hopeless. My DD did say something about an option to take exams in August rather than May but that would be risky as there would then be no opportunity to resit if they missed or failed those.
I’m going to not worry and tuck it away at the back of my mind.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

@Dunlurking
York pickup was smooth. We could park in any of the staff car parks.
One person at a time into reception for her college to collect her key as she had to vacate over easter and hand it in then.
We were over an hour early but they were happy that her blocked was quiet and we could go straight ahead.
No complaints. Just a bit sad to say goodbye to her room, but she's back on campus next year again.

[Dunlurking]

@DrMadelineMaxwell glad to hear it was all straight forward. Thanks for letting me know.

[Benjispruce]

If any of your DC are interested and not aware, Harvard University have made some online courses available for free. If you want a certificate you pay between $40-$100.

[simbobs]

@Mumtoeim I am in awe. My DS is so lazy , has made no effort to find a job as he has his loan to fritter away on beer ans bike/skateboard maintenance. He seems to have reverted to being a 6th Former.