Study in the time of COVID-19 (2019/20 intake): online learning, the rule of six and who knows what's next? Anything could happen!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Following on from the previous thread as our young adults start their second year at universities up and down the land (and some overseas too!).

I think older years are finding it easier. My son (in Bristpol; - 4th year there) is in a private rental with a friend with other friends living on the same street and he says in some ways it is better as they are going to each other's houses and cooking really good food - dinners from scratch and there are no night clubs and pubs shut early so it feels to him a more kind of grown up less drink filled life although I am not sure he would have liked it as a fresher! However his eye issue means a long time on screens makes him feel dreadful and he is 100% online. I just paid £174 for new lenses/optician visit but that never really solves it, just means his prescription is up to date. The optician said have a breach every 40 minutes so hopefully he can do that and I have offered to pay for any physical books or printing of any materials he wants too.

And some of the trashy papers are wasting no time in showing videos/photos of the students who are still partying like it's 1999! The fact that they may not reflect the reality of most students' current approach to socialising is neither here nor there.

Given that BoJo has been a journalist, I would expect that he still has influence with fellow hacks.

@MrKlaw yes DD is has had online tuition since March but she didn’t like it. Most hoped that this term would herald more normality so the disappointment and concern for the rest of their second year is massive. Having said that DD is enjoying her independence and has great housemates so yes that is preferable to being at home but falls far short of what it could and should be. Add to that the fact that the North East students are not allowed to mix households as they have a stricter lockdown. I think she’d be ok if they could mix.
Viaduct mums: last night there was a huge viaduct area power cut(Durham is notorious for them) and this caused student street parties!!

I say party, more of a drinking on doorsteps with candles affair singing.

*plus singing!

Newcastle are temporarily delivering all teaching online for the next three weeks except for teaching that absolutely has to be face to face for courses that have to satisfy accreditation requirements or are essential for course outcomes.

hey everyone :) hope you're all ok...
well this is a bit stressful isn't it! we seem to be fine at the mo though...long may it last..
ds1 is in his 2nd yr house at Lboro, all maths/Econ/Engineering boys and they seem quite happy to stick in their bubble of six. no sign of the virus there yet..
ds2 is in his 2nd year college house at Hild Bede in Durham.. Basically its the same a shared house, but a bit less sharing and more like a studio flat (borstal).. there's 9 in the house, 3 using the kitchen for SC / 6 catered (ds2 is SC) and his corridor friend from last year is there too, so its turned out pretty well..
He's also set up a volunteering society for online tutoring of local schoolkids/GCSE's with support for the uni and 15 freshers have signed up to help him, so he's pretty chuffed...
Am keeping my fingers very tightly crossed we stay CV19 free for the now...
on the down side ds1 is 21 in a fortnight... we've cancelled the celebration!

Waves back at Ingles2. I think a lot of big birthdays are going to be subdued this year. DD has a summer birthday, and actually had a better birthday this year than she expected. Obviously no-one can plan in advance these days, but she will be 21 next summer, and I hope we can do something celebratory for her, and with her.

We were lucky for his 21st and managed to celebrate with DS on the day (Feb).

However, everything since has been cancelled: X2 parent 80th birthdays, a Pearl Wedding anniversary celebration, DS's graduation and our Silver Wedding anniversary, although we weren't having a big party for that but had hoped to go to NYC. Hmmm, like THAT'S going to happen!

DS is still waiting to start his course; he's quite grumpy, I think he's pining for his uni city/friend's.

hello both.. :D
of course it doesn't matter at all, in the grand scheme of things to cancel birthdays, celebrations and family get togethers, but I just didn't realise how much I relied on them as something to look forward to..
no matter, I will be with DS1 on the 23rd come what may :)

I know it is a first world problem, but having something to look forward to is what keeps us going.

I agree, the anticipation is half the fun!

Welcome @Horsemad and great to hear your news @Ingles2.

I am finding it difficult getting my head round DS nearly being 20!

Agree about needing special occasions to look forward to. I am finding it quite difficult to be positive, planning no more than a few weeks into the future at the moment.

@Benjispruce2 DS hasn’t mentioned anything about that, but I’d be amazed if he wasn’t involved!

Sorry to hear of so many missed celebrations. DD was lucky - she was able to have a party for her 21st at her student house during the summer holidays.

And I agree, it’s rubbish having nothing to look forward too

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I hadn't even appreciated DS is nearly 20! It seems like life I passing us by so quickly that the big milestones, previously anticipated, are catching us by surprise!

Welcome to this thread @Horsemad - looking forward to some good advice as you've been there and done it! 😂.

My DS is in his studio in Nottingham. He said lots of his friends have tested positive and have no symptoms. He hasn't had a test but feels fine. He said he will stay put if there is a lockdown. He is quite relaxed about it all but I am so stressed and worried

Thanks@NewModelArmyMayhem18. I have just realised that this thread is for 19/20 intake & mine started in 2017!

I was just intrigued because my DS is now starting a Masters from home & I was wondering how things were in his uni city, as he's hoping to get back there asap, hence me posting on here.

I will bow out now! 👋

Name change, but this thread seems quieter now - is it because people are on the Facebook page? I prefer the anonymity of here.

You don't need to leave us @Horsemad x

@Ingles2 👋

DS (Durham) has messaged to say he has mild covid symptoms and has been tested today - hopes to get his result tomorrow.

He has been in contact with a couple of other students who have recently tested positive so not unexpected.

Not sure how I feel about this.... only time will tell.

@Horsemad you don't need to bow out! Do stay if you want to!

It’s inevitable @Jano69. Hope he’s ok and doesn’t suffer. DD is convinced she’s immune as the only people that haven’t tested posit amongst houses that are positive are the ones that left early in March. DD stayed until the last day and that group are all ok still. She had symptoms when she came home albeit just a cough but others had a fever. Time will tell if she’s right.

Thanks @Jano69 & @NewModelArmyMayhem18. 🙂

*Have tested positive

Oh I really should proof read. Basically, those that remain negative now, are the students that stayed until the end in March. They all had something in the last week/when they got home. In one house there is one boy positive and the others are negative. The positive boy left a week earlier than the others in March.