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!).

It could be really difficult for these young people spending so much time in their rooms online for lectures, and then confined with the people in their household. It's not healthy. I just hope things settle down and that they will get a bit of normal. I wonder whether the drop out rate will be higher this year.

@simbobs I read an article over the weekend which suggested there will indeed be more dropouts this year. DN took a year out (same age as DS) and I can't but help feel sorry for her (she's very sociable) starting university in the current climate.

Dd got her flu jab this week. The local pharmacy offers them, though price has increased to £14 this year. She called the doctors surgery and she is up to date with all other immunisations.

@simbobs

It could be really difficult for these young people spending so much time in their rooms online for lectures, and then confined with the people in their household. It's not healthy. I just hope things settle down and that they will get a bit of normal. I wonder whether the drop out rate will be higher this year.

I agree. I think there will be loads. I have read some heartbreaking stories on FB where students are so lonely as no-one else has turned up in their flat, and they are bored and lonely.

I feel that under the circumstances that universities could do more about getting students to get in touch with other students on their courses. And catered halls seem to be quite a daunting prospect for shy and unconfident students.

There has already been a drink spiking incident at Nottingham, and a fire in a Sheffield hall of residence caused by sunlight reflecting off a mirror.

TBH Nottingham isn't coming out at all well at the moment.

Dd said students were passing the weekend evenings peering out their skylights to see which houses were being ‘searched’ by police patrols for illegal gatherings. Fun times.

This all sounds awful! I was watching Newsnight yesterday where representatives from one uni were explaining how they are trying to make the experience as good as possible for students, whilst simultaneously admitting that it won't be. In reality, though, many have gone despite the pandemic for lack of anything else to do.

For my 2nd year I am more concerned about a surfeit of testosterone in the flat and potential consequences if it has no outlet.

@Ginfordinner, re catered halls, DS said it was really good because everyone went together. I would think it’s an easier way for quieter students to get to know others without having to drink or party - just a normal activity?

@bigTillyMint my understanding is that the students in question are on their own because no-one else has turned up yet. Are the catered halls still flats or are they long corridors with lots of rooms?

At Durham they are on corridors in DSs college.
Must be more than one student in a catered hall surely? Poor DC though if they feel lonely.

DS didn’t really want catered, but no other option at his college, which he DID want
However, he is now glad he had catered as it was sociable and much less effort than cooking for himself - which he has to do this year!

I think the problem is that in many catered halls eg Edinburgh they are making students sit alone to eat at individual exam style tables

Ginfordinner what do you mean about about Nottingham not coming out well. My DS goes back to NTU tomorrow and all seems well. I did see the post about spiking drinks in UoN, which is terrible, but everything so far appears to be positive for him

@minesawine it was upset parents on the FB page and, although this was a problem at other universities, the university of Nottingham seems to be the university mentioned the most. I think part of the issue is that most first year halls at Nottingham are catered, and walking down on your own to a large dining hall to sit on your own is rather intimidating if you are shy.

Thanks for the update Gin. It is worrying and such an evil thing to do.

If rules become widespread about mixing households, does that mean DCs can't come home for a visit?

Yes. Ds and dd2 are both in the northwest, different cities, so at the moment they can't come home and can't visit each other.

If it's still like this at Christmas, I don't think they should come home. I feel I may be in a minority though!

On a positive note . I'm doing a long walk from Bham city centre to home in Harborne... just passed gangs of freshers looking like they are on walks learning Brum !!! They all look very happy 😊 ...

Regardless of any rules about mixing households that might be in place by Christmas I will welcome DD back, the ONLY time I have contemplated actively breaking the rules. I suspect my elderly parents will also consider the position rather than stay alone for Christmas Day.

@Alicatz66 that's good to hear. Not my DD as she's "resting" after an arduous department zoom chat but she's newly deposited in flats near Harborne and we went for lunch on Friday after drop off. I liked it a lot!

@Gymntonic .... we do have lots of nice places for lunch !!!

@VanCleefArpels I think I will feel the same. My older Dd is in her final year of medicine so may be working at Christmas in the future. And it would just be us at home. Have not been able to see extended family since last February. (In different country, would have to quarantine if we went there).

Mine just to reassure you, my DS went back on Sunday, he seems very happy to be back and is giving us lots of positive feedback. We took him back and there seemed a nice atmosphere in the city, plenty of social distancing and 'sensible' behaviour in evidence, although it was early evening when we left .

@VanCleefArpels

I would hope that they won't advise students don't come home for Christmas. It's one thing saying not to go home during the term, but to say they can't go home at the end of term, I think would just put the seal on it for some.
I've said to dd that if that is looking likely to be announced, to come home straight away. She's struggling enough with going, without thinking it could be 6 months before she's home again.

I think there will be lots of drop outs this year from the first years: Firstly those who don't settle due to not being able to make friends/see people; those for whom the thought of not being able to go home for the weekend becomes too much (or they go home and can't bear going back), those who decide that actually waiting a year would be better, and those who received inflated exams results who don't cope when it comes to it.
Plus you will have some of the universities are rather over full so some students may find that they get the butt end-eg of accommodation and it just is enough to make them feel it isn't worth persevering.

The university has no control over adults in private rented accommodation so no question of them being “told” not to go anywhere. They can look at whatever the rules are at the time and make their own mind up in consultation with the wider family

I will welcome my DC back no matter what, otherwise I will cancel Xmas altogether. There will literally be nothing to differentiate it from any other day otherwise. None of the things we would normally do will be possible under current restrictions and we cannot have extended family visits.

Has anyone read the thread about university experience being awful this year? I have to say it’s really depressed me!

I read it following the last post. It does indeed make tragic reading and would have been more interesting if we knew which universities were which. Some actually seem to have more restrictions than prison. There will be consequences.