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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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!

965 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 14/09/2020 17:07

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!).

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simbobs · 15/10/2020 15:12

Sigh... It isn't becoming any easier, is it? DS renewed his railcard today. No idea where he is planning to go, but will probably be visiting his gf at some point. Last year I was emphatic that he should not be in our town without calling in to see us. Now I don't think that can happen, even though he has had covid. Would you you welcome a visit in these circumstances?

bigTillyMint · 15/10/2020 15:46

You can still meet outside within the rules of Tier 2. Not quite the same as having them home for a proper visit though Sad

simbobs · 15/10/2020 16:23

I do see that, but what will have changed by Christmas? DH certainly won't want him here for fear of infection, but again, that won't be likely to have changed by Christmas either.

Benjispruce2 · 15/10/2020 16:48

Can’t believe my school hasn’t had a case yet. Lots of tests but not one. We are a small village school of 90 but close to a large town and most of the children come from all over town.

olliepolly · 15/10/2020 17:09

Thanks Marching Frogs

bengalcat · 15/10/2020 18:27

Simbobs if he self isolates for two weeks then might your husband be ok about him coming home - assuming he wants to - is there room at home for DS to socially distance from your husband

simbobs · 15/10/2020 19:33

@bengalcat he is in and out anyway when at home as he has a lot of friends. He and DH don't need to get that close, but I want us to be able to spend some time together. I usually do taxi duty when he is here, as I worry about him cycling everywhere when I know that he is likely to be drinking. That means that I will be in contact with him, so perhaps I need to make up a bed in the spare room. He has had covid (not tested), but could get it again, and could still carry the virus. I am not convinced that he will completely self isolate before the end of term, but with the best will in the world he shares a kitchen and bathroom with others and they have already disregarded a request to SI.

My initial ramblings were about the fact that he has renewed his railcard which suggests an intention to travel, and what I should do if he shows up here. I hope he doesn't, as I don't think I could turn him away on the basis that he is not a member of our household any longer.

cologne4711 · 16/10/2020 17:59

the universities have power - they can say if you break a rule you lose your place

They could, but as you are obviously aware given your profession and specialisms, their terms have to be reasonable to be enforceable. Imposing higher duties on students than the rest of the population, or not allowing them to move around and meet friends outside when they could if they were at home, is arguably not reasonable. I think a successful court case against them would be feasible if they tried to throw someone off a course for choosing to go home.

Xenia · 17/10/2020 09:21

I certainly don't support any of the CV19 legislation and haven't since March although I don't break it and I don't want the country to fall into disorder. However students just need to be a bit careful as it is not that easy to sue a university and regain your place as lots of students over the years some even accused of cheating when they didn't and that kind of thing have found. I would not rush if I were a student to breach university rules.

I certainly am pleased there are various legal challenges - eg the travel industry has a case or it might be pubs.

Also the German courts this week have said a pub early closing rule had no provable scientific basis and was overturned.

Xenia · 17/10/2020 09:23

I meant to add that the CV Act 2020 is very very draconian which came out in March, probably the worst in peace time ever for removal of civil rights and even the new english regs out last week are really widely drawn Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) Regulations 2020 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1104/made/data.pdf

Baytreemum · 17/10/2020 11:07

Thanks for sight of the legislation @Xenia - I see what you mean....

MarchingFrogs · 17/10/2020 11:18

Xenia, you have no doubt seen that Essex CC essentially begged to be put into Tier 2 instead of Tier 1 (and Matt H and his friends, presumably unable to believe their luck after all the grief they were getting from those pesky folk oop North, gleefully said yes, after only a token show of, Hang on a mo, that will be a joint decision, thank you). We live in one of the Unitary Authorities which are 'not Essex', so to speak, unfortunately the one which has said, not us yet, but we'll maybe think again next week, rather than the one whose leader's response was, I can't believe they have done that, but hey ho. I belong to a couple of all FB groups and unfortunately, intermingled with the (many) posts from people who seem completely ignorant as to which LA they actually live in -'Well, what does it say on your Council Tax demand, ffs?' would probably get me banned - are several saying that 'it's too confusing, we should do the same as Essex'. I despair.

One old boy (we are predominantly 'of a certain age and beyond) has twigged one of the main everyday limitations, though - About my only outing is a weekly game of cards with mates in . Guess we won't be doing that , now...

Looking on the bright side, though, my understanding of the move to the tier system is that once DD's household in Brum is out of self isolation at the end of this week, although they can no longer meet up with their next door neighbours in the pub, they will also no longer risk prosecution by nipping out at the same time to hang up their washing in their shared back garden...

Whiskas1Kittens · 17/10/2020 11:19

Hi all - I used to post on here but have since disappeared and changed my name. I did a bit of a rash thing yesterday, though safely I must add. Ds is in Lancaster and at 11am yesterday (Friday) when it was announced that Lancaster was going into tier 3, I did a typical mum thing and got upset that I wouldn't be able to visit him as planned at half term. Spontaneously drove the 2 hour journey to see him and we had a lovely few hours in a quieter area up the coast. I feel so drained today as I just worry about him being lonely. They have had one tutorial so far, due the second one on Monday. Ds says it was not fab and really he wants more lab work (science). They are due an email from the uni to explain how things will change now Lancs is in tier 3. Seriously if the in person teaching gets lower it will be zilch. He will be paying accomodation for no reason - he doesn't have a social life. He lives with 5 others in a 5 room student private apartment. They are all quiet say hello in passing but all keep themselves to themselves. I told ds to knock on their doors and offer to make them all cups of tea / imagine one of them as his younger shy sister, look out for them. Ds likes being alone but am so scared he will be lonely in the coming weeks. He likes going for walks in quiet areas of Lancaster and he says he can get more work done in his flat so that is a good reason to stay rather than come home. So many mixed feelings today - sadness, ready to shout 'fgs make friends with your corridor students!' / 'sit and watch TV in the communal room' (none of them do). (I would also worry if he was a party animal like I was lol). I know that he is sad that he isn't experiencing real lectures or going to the library easily. He just wants to learn - it's just so sad.

Piggywaspushed · 17/10/2020 11:25

I am sorry to sound grumpy (apologies but my DM is ill and abroad so feeling a bit sensitive and think of certain threads as havens) but can we reserve this thread for posters who have DCs in second year of uni currently.

I am not in the mental head space to turn this into another thread about the rights and wrongs of legislation/ online learning etc unless to express concern/have a whine/be worried about our own DCs.

Don't want to be the thread police but the spirit of this thread is moral support of each other for all uni related issues - backpacks included!- relating to our specific DCs who have been on the journey together.

whiskas that does sound tough. I agree they need to leave their rooms more, but they don't seem to. DS had a TV room in his townhouse last year and he never went and sat in it!

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 17/10/2020 11:29

@Xenia thank you for your insights.

@Whiskas1Kittens welcome back. I think you did the right thing getting a visit in to see your DS. Yes, I think for the quiet and self-contained young people (I have one too, although he seems to be getting on well with his housemates), I think the introduction of these Tier 2/3 restrictions can deny them the very freedoms that they enjoy in life. I hope he is okay over the coming weeks.

It is all so grim and depressing with no end yet in sight.

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Whiskas1Kittens · 17/10/2020 11:53

Thank you both, it is good to speak to people in similar situations.

hopelesschildren · 17/10/2020 12:14

Mainly a lurker, but ds in tier 2 and also in week 2 of quarantine. What has helped him (as suggested a year ago on mumsnet), is his PS4. People are keen to meet up in his room to play!
And I am also guilty of doing the "typical mum thing" in that I have been sending him biscuits and chocolate whilst he has not been able to leave the house

bigTillyMint · 17/10/2020 12:18

Welcome (back) to @Whiskas1Kittens and @hopelesschildren, I do really feel for all our children missing out on their f2f learning and living their best lives. FWIW, mine were delighted when I sent them some chocolate - getting stuff in the post becomes really exciting when you can’t go out Smile

mum2eim · 17/10/2020 12:24

@Whiskas1Kittens I would have done exactly the same in your situation. I really feel for your DS. The restrictions to face to face leaning and uni societies will affect the quiet students disproportionately as this is where they would have got most of their social interaction. If they are not party peeps or live in a very quiet house then they do risk isolation. My DD is in a house of boys so she’s missing female company which ordinarily she would have got by going round to the girls house which she isn’t allowed to do. I’ve suggested she books slots in the library and arrange to meet people outside afterwards.

@Piggywaspushed so sorry to hear about your DM. It must be so much worse having an ill relative abroad when you can’t get to see them.

Piggywaspushed · 17/10/2020 12:38

It is. Not sure I'd be able to anyone what with school and everything but it is tough. She is having an operation today to reduce swelling on her brain.

Piggywaspushed · 17/10/2020 12:39

hopeless I sent mine a tootbrush...

Decorhate · 17/10/2020 12:52

@Piggywaspushed So sorry to hear about your mother & I hope she makes a good recovery.

Perhaps we could ask for the thread title to be amended to say it is for parents of 2nd year students?

I think there are different issues for those in first year (in halls) versus those in house shares in later years.

Xenia · 17/10/2020 13:42

Sorry about the mother too (and sorry about the legal link and I suppose for being on this thread as my student sons are not year 2). Best of luck to everyone.

simbobs · 17/10/2020 14:14

It is really tough when family are going through difficult times and we can't be there for them. We are in Tier 2, as are both DC (2nd and 4th years) and all other extended family members are either in Tier 2 as well, or are in other parts of the 4 nations. In other words it is illegal for DH and me to see any family member in person. This has not stopped my 2nd Yr DS from having his gf over this weekend, but I won't be reporting them.
DS has finished his self isolation but all f2f has been suspended due to the number of infections in the seminar group. He could manage quite well with the online stuff if only the technology was up to standard.

He just received a letter inviting him to take part in a government antibody research survey. Anyone else get this?

Decorhate · 17/10/2020 14:16

My older Dd had an invite to a vaccination trial. Probably different to what your Ds has been invited to. She has decided to decline for now as she is doing her finals after Christmas so does not want to risk getting ill with any side effects