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!).

DD hasn’t mentioned next year’s accommodation either. They’re all getting on but a couple of her housemates are supposed to be abroad next year. Obviously, would be easier if they stayed put.

Some of DD's flatmates ended up without accommodation when their expected year abroad was cancelled. They had already forfeited their places in flats with their friends and really struggled. Unis need to plan well ahead to make sure they support the students, though a crystal ball would be useful...

DD has no idea about next year. Some of her friends are doing 4 year courses, some 3. Some want to go abroad next year. There's no way she will know what she wants to do regarding house shares before January as she wants to go abroad but there is only 1 uni that does the course she is interested in. I think she's going to leave it to chance and if it doesnt work out, go back into college again as her fall-back position. Well done on your DS being so proactive @Piggywaspushed

One of DD’s housemates has decided not to bother with the placement year on the basis that it will be fantastically difficult to find something (worse than usual) in the current climate and esp as most will still be working from home for the foreseeable. She felt it better just to get on with getting her degree and hoping it will be better when they graduate. That’s why they were able to sign up for another year with confidence.

My son in Bristol is definitely not staying their next year because his friends finish (either finish year 4 of a 4 year degree or their one year masters). So he is about to apply for his final year law course in London starting Sept 2020 (and will live at home) when get on with it. Applications opened on 1 Oct for September 2020. As it is the last year of my twins' (and any of my 5 children's) education for which I will pay I want them to apply and to get it over and done with.

.Sept 2021 I mean of course....

It's really not like him mum although he claims it is. there is a new girl in the picture (housewise, not a gf!) and she seems very organised.

@Xenia Another exciting new chapter to look forward to. What subject is his masters? You must be looking forward to the higher education costs coming to an end.

@Piggywaspushed Good on your DS even if it took a little push from the new girl.

Not sure dd has thought about next year. She was considering going back to college accommodations for her last year-apparently they have that option, but not sure whether she might decide to stay put.

I am most impressed with your DS @Piggywaspushed. It's quite unbelievable that they are already having to make Yr 3 house rental decisions less than a term into their second year. It's a tricky one because we don't know what the situation will be like come the next academic year, do we (in terms of the pandemic)? I wonder whether most students would have opted to commit to year 2 house shares had they known what lay ahead (in terms of most teaching being online)?

I suspect that many landlords are worried about next year as well.

DD has had a busy week work-wise. I think she has had too long between exams and studying again. Newcastle started back later than usual because of covid. I hope she can keep her spirits up as we are in tier three and can't travel out of our area (we are rule followers).

Last year we were in the north east a lot as we have family up there and were (and still are) trying to sell late MIL's house. I haven't seen DD since August

@Ginfordinner there may be some bargains to be had - rental wise - if the young people can hold their nerve?

It is hard not really being able to factor in visits - had thought to go up and see DS over half-term but I really think we are all better off staying put at the moment.

It's going to be a tough autumn - and we don't know what the situation will be come Christmas.

When DS was still at school we used to go and see DD during the half term break and stay with family. Now both are at uni, we can no longer visit family due to restrictions, and seeing DC at Christmas seems an awfully long way off. I'm feeling quite gloomy, actually. I have seen some muttering in the press about DC not going back after Christmas. Neither we nor DC would want that, and they would still have to pay their rent. Hope things will have settled down before then.

Has this thread moved elsewhere?

No, I'm still here!

DS is fit and well post covid and back on the streets of Durham.

He's decided to move house for the third (and final eeek) year as a reshuffle is needed as some of his friends are taking industrial placements or a year overseas.

@simbobs Are you feeling a little better in yourself? I feel worn down too by all the restrictions and uncertainty.

@jano69 I'm fine thanks. My DS is already regretting his choice of flatmates this year as some of them are barely house trained, so I'm pretty sure different arrangements will be made next year. He is supposed to be doing a year out next year but I just don't se how they can find placements in the current situation, so he may do a 3 year degree instead. Re the flatmates, I don't want to say "told you so" but 7 lads sharing a smallish kitchen was always likely to be a disaster. The way he has described it it sounds like a biohazard!

I’m still here just nothing to add of late apart from the fact that Durham uni Covid cases are continuing to decline so that’s good.

@simbobs 7 boys and a small kitchen sounds challenging but I'm sure they'll draw from the experience for years to come. DS was in a house of 4 but next year there'll be 5 of them - all boys! So not sure if this is such a good move. He's hoping the weekly rent will be slightly less and the rooms will have double beds!

I think a few posters might be away on half term hols this week.

My DS has a few offers/possibilities for house sharing next year apparently. Sounds like it might be all boys though

He said team sports/training starting up again - hopefully cases will continue to drop.

I’m still here too - DS continuing to enjoy life at Newcastle and seems to have found a good study/leisure balance. There are some tech issues with one of his modules which is frustrating him a bit, but otherwise all good.

*Jano" both my twins are doing law (post grad). They will be both be studying for a year from home next September and I think I am a few years away from being child free.....

That's interesting Xenia. My DS is considering the same. The continued financial support does worry me, especially in these uncertain times.

Good to hear from others on this thread. All sounds doom and gloom again with France going back into National Lockdown. I wonder how long before the UK follows...

UCL will shortly announce all core teaching on Terms 2 and 3 will also be online, so students can prepare accordingly: www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2020/oct/message-ucl-students-ucl-and-students-union-ucl

The heating has broken down in DD's house, and she is overwhelmed with work. Her CFS is making it difficult for her, and she has decided that she physically couldn't manage a placement next year, so she is going to stick with a three year degree.

On the positive side her housemates are still all lovely, and DD has managed to meet up with other friends (socially distanced outside). She has been invited to a liquid brunch for someone's birthday (outside) and they are having a halloween party (just her household) on Saturday.

She says that she and her friends have started discussing about where to live for year 3. The landlord is begging them to stay in the house for another year.

While I have been careful about social distancing and mask wearing up until now, the approaching tsunami of cases is making me even more careful about going to places now. It's my birthday next week, so instead of a meal out it's going to be a dine in for two meal instead.