University 2020 :9: And they're off, making hay while the sun shines.

[MillicentMartha]

New thread, trying to be upbeat!

Old thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3996883-University-2020-8-Use-the-CAGs-don-t-use-the-CAGs?pg=40

He went with a box of liquid tabs for washing tho. That may stump him (or he just won't do any!!)

Which college is your DD at @Justyou?

Alcuin how about yours?

Go well @Collision!

My DD is at James.

@pasanda

He went with a box of liquid tabs for washing tho. That may stump him (or he just won't do any!!)

I sent DS with liquid capsules too - I don't see why or how they would stop them using them. If anything it makes the machines easier to maintain as you don't get soap all over the drawers!

May vary by machine but dd said there was no drawer, you just put the detergent in the drum. Also no Colour Catcher sheets. Ds' uni was same.

DS has colour catchers and a little net bag to put them in so they don’t go astray in the machine (a tip I read somewhere else). He was unreasonably excited to discover that he has £80 worth of free laundry credits in his halls.

DD seems to have become the "mum" for her flat - looking after a pretty drunk flatmate (turns out years of being a young leader at Brownies means she's very good at shouting very specific instructions - "head in the bucket! hands OUT of the bucket!"), but was also asked very sheepishly if she could show another (male) flatmate how to do his washing. She's also had to rescue a pan of pasta boiling with just an inch of water, and explain why that wasn't really going to work.

I'm just glad she's settling in, and has some nice flatmates - I really feel for those who're in a flat/kitchen with people they just don't jell with.

LIZS DS1 only ever had liquitabs for laundry. He just put it in first with the laundry on the top. They worked fine, so I gave DS the same. They're Bold which is supposed to have fabric conditioner included, so I hope they work. DS also has 20+ pairs of pants! though I think he may run out of socks first! He's supposed to be video calling this evening, I'm looking forward to it.

Yep liquid tabs bold here too.!

Well first seminar attended by Dgd this morning. Unimpressed as they were split into a 8 and a 7 and had to sit round 2 metres apart trying to discuss subject in their groups in huge room. Dgd said she could neither hear or understand what people were saying because of masks and the echoed in the room! Definately angry on way back. Think it was the fact that that's the furthest she'd walked since January! (2 miles each way)😁

That doesn’t sound workable. How frustrating for your DGD. Did she get the opportunity to socialise at all?

DS first lesson with his new trumpet teacher had to be online due to the flat quarantine situation.
But was great to hear DS say that it went really well and was "a fun lesson" so think he's been matched up with a great and like minded tutor there which is fab!
His silent mute arrived so he can keep practicing in his room during flat lockdown.
Think the flat roast dinner went well yesterday - guessing they might be wanting to try that again during their second week in quarantine.
Tuned into the live debate on these issues in parliament today and personally was a bit reassured that at least they're being talked through.
They seemed to be almost promising us that our young people can come home for Christmas. And some actual forward planning (shock, horror!) such as moving to all online teaching for the two weeks prior to the holidays to make things safer for everyone before mass student travel across the country. That actually seems quite a sensible idea!
They were also being held accountable particularly over testing capacity - perhaps more Universities would benefit from testing available on site as having a considerable distance to go to get tested was one factor that has so far deterred my DS from getting a test, in spite of living in a flat with 3 people who've tested positive.
Anyway overall happy that contact with his tutor has provided the much needed positivity and encouragement that the situation suggests

shauna No not really they all were rushed off campus and unfortunately none of her group are in her accomodation so no one to walk home with and chat with.

Another one with no idea how many pairs of pants Ds has. I can guarantee it is less than 20 and probably less than 10. In other news he has had his first Arabic lecture today.

Daughters done a physics welcome session today on teams, and then afterwards did a tour of the physics dept again. Met up with her physics people, who had all agreed to wear 'nerd t-shirts'. Daughters said 'I heart maths' on hers :) freshers fair today on line for academic clubs. hopes to join LUphys and astrosoc (physics and astronomy)

She went to a club called Glow last night. 7-10pm. 6 to a table (own household and because theres 12 in their flat they did 2 tables of 6). DJ on big screen and CO2 cannons and lazers. She said it was weird dancing sat at the table but still fun as they dressed up. she got back at 10.30pm and went straight to bed. She had a couple of late nights in the flat prior to last night, so its all caught up with her.

Tried phoning ds as heard minimum since sat . He didn't reply but text saying don't worry I'm alive. I guess I'm happy with that!

Anyone fancy chatting to Keir Starmer about life as a fresher/fresher parent?!
action.labour.org.uk/page/s/call-keir-students

@specialted . Seems like hes coping with homesickness well if theres not much contact. Hopefully if you do a zoom/facetime call you should get more of a run down:)

@specialted we generally arrange a time in advance for a video call. So I text DS and say "Can we arrange a call? When would suit you?" and once he has agreed a time he sticks to it. He has initiated 2 calls (been away 4 weeks), second was because his GF was missing our dog!

@sammyjoanne I am jealous of the amount of detail you are getting from dd!!
@Monkey2001 that's a great idea, I'll try that approach in a few days

@specialted
Its mainly through her younger sister I get the feedback from texts to her. with me its one sentenced texts. it took a few texts from me just to get feedback on whether she got her sfe maintenence payment or not lol.
I get ''mum I booked library slot for tuesday'' . '' settled in well, wheres the drawing pins'' lol.

Actually it went very well.

He’s in Harry French accommodation at Loughborough with 8 lads downstairs and girls upstairs.

I went in with him and started unpacking while he brought everything inside and then dh went for a nosey while I sat in the car.

Left him to unpack and did a Lidl Shop.
All done ✅

His room at home looks rather sad and empty.

Took ds2 to Wagamamas for dinner.

😫😫🙂🙂

Hope everyone else has settled in ok.

@Collision glad it all went smoothly :) its taken a few days to get used to daughter not being at home, but were getting there now. And the youngest (who shared a bedroom with eldest) finally comes down stairs to speak to her old folks in the evening.