Oxford and Cambridge current students - discussion thread for anyone with daughters, sons etc there for Michaelmas 2020 (and not just freshers!)

[DadDadDad]

A continuation thread for those attending Oxbridge for the first time this term, but it makes sense to throw it open to anyone with a DC there (or other family member, or maybe you're a student yourself or teach / work there - all welcome!) Share your thoughts and questions on college life, courses, etc. A certain virus has made it a bit different for everyone this year...

I have a DS who is a fresher at a small Oxford college in a small subject. We will be taking him there in just over a week.

I think they are in such a fortunate position compared to most. Both universities have been geared up to provide support networks within their colleges for years, as the parenting system proves. They've been getting to know each other over the last few months and there willbe familiar faces from interviews, summer schools etc. I'm feeling far more positive about this than those are on some doom & gloom threads, as long as they get there first.

hog unfortunately I think it will be far tougher to keep catered colleges open that usual ‘flat’ operated HOR.
DS going into his 4th year says everyone is very alive to the fact that they might have to turf out

I feel for you all and especially your DC. It's going to be a trial by error year no doubt. Lucky they are even going though- looked like term wouldn't start for this academic year back in the spring. Very good luck to all. I believe so much will be done to make it the best they can despite restrictions.

My DD on Joint Honours is on her Year abroad.

DD has 2 Mums, 1Dad and 3 siblings. 2 of her household are on her course (one in a different year) she already knows them from interviews and open days - with her course everyone takes an active interest in what everyone else is doing. The rest of the household (9 in total) are also included in the chats and they have already organised how to manage the going out in groups of less than 6 so no one is left out and who is bringing what down to the screwdriver and corkscrew.

1 week to go.

Hi all
I'm an uninvited guest DS is an Oxford reject starting PPE at Durham this weekend, but I don't want to leave the thread at least until the first of our children gets married in about 8 years...!
I especially want to hear good things about how coleoptera's twins get on after the rollercoaster last year.

Also it's interesting to hear about what's going on at Cambridge as it's my local and I have several friends there (teaching/PhD)

Greetings to all. My DS starting in C next week and DD back to O the week after.

Slowly helping them get organised (inc buying DS a suit; which part of the long gangly body is it supposed to fit?! And how much weight gain has to be allowed for?) DS college says they should take a thermometer, and three days’ tinned food so have enjoyed assembling some 70s classics for that!

Can confirm that pombears still exist @DadDadDad — in fact they are on the menu for my youngest DD’s birthday party this afternoon. (NB only three little friends plus her brother and me as we are diligent about rule of 6 — in case anyone’s wondering!)
You moving @goodbyestranger? Good luck!

Thanks, @PantTwizzler - I actually spotted them in the Co-op this morning, and did toy with buying some. I think my DW will think I've gone mad if I walk round Oxford next weekend eating packets of pombears.

I'm not sure how they can send them home if there are outbreaks there. It just spreads the outbreak further.
I'm hoping that they can ride it out while keeping our kids mentally well.

I've staged an intervention on dds packing, so we don't have to make 50 million trips back and forth to the car. She now has space to actually take some clothes with her too.

I remain optimistic. It's amazing what you can achieve with a marquee and a few patio heaters.

Glad to see that the best food retailer gets a mention on this thread, not that I have a vested interest. Surely not 😉

Have just ordered DS1 a mini keg of beer from our local brewery. I figure it will be an icebreaker. I offered home made brownies and was turned down!

Hi all. Another one who has a reject who will swing by from time to time to see how you are all getting on. Friend's DD has already arrived at her Cambridge college, so one of the early ones. DS deferred his Bristol place back in early July and will start his travels at the end of October. Meanwhile is working 2 jobs and raking in the cash!

Can I have a reality check please. How much food are your dc taking back with them? dd seems to have ended up with rather a lot. A sign of my anxieties rather than hers. College have promised to deliver food if they need to self isolate.

Mini keg makes me feel much better!

Just to say to @TerfTerfTerf and @SeasonFinale, good to have old friends on this thread and to hear your news.

@OhYouBadBadKitten it is a mini keg so don't get too excited - 5L. Realistically one small, socially distanced household gathering 😉 🍺

It's better than tap water Sandy.

DD will be taking a bottle of spirits and a couple of her favourite Ritter Sport chocolate bars I'm going to stash in a corner somewhere. Am I a bad mother?

That makes you a good Mum. I've stashed some secret chocolate and a bottle of something to drink too in her stuff. Morale boosting stuff is good.

How much food are your dc taking back with them?

• Some biscuits (this is one of his primary food groups)
• Hot chocolate powder and a box of his favourite brand of herbal tea
• A couple of jars of his favourite things to spread on toast
• A small bag of "emergency rations", packets of food where he just needs to add hot water.

He can buy milk, bread etc when he gets there.

I see there have been 30 cases of covid-19 at Oxford Brookes - I hope that's not the start of a wider spread in the city. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-54271361

I live near Cambridge, and so far we seem to be doing well for keeping cases low in the population so far - I'm sure it's as much luck as anything.

I'm sure that marmite, nutella & a packet of mini Colin Caterpillar cakes will find their way into a box.

@Hoghgyni, if your DD has an Aldi handy, their own brand Nutoka is the nearest thing going to Nutella (and less than half the price, so I usually do get two when I'm there, seems rude not to), ditto their own brand yeast extract, which I was delighted to discover recently, as we go through lots of Marmite, too.

And that’s that, off to live her best life! Gorgeous room, garden outside her window, fairly lights,mini bar on her bookcase. Ridiculously proud seeing her name plate on the staircase thing that probably has proper name. Staying the night at DH’s ( and I think DadDadDad’s) alma mater “just in case” but really for us not her. Wedding anniversary tomorrow so good excuse for a bit of Heffers/Gardens/Fitzwilliam before weeping our way home.

DS off back to Ox on Monday. He is part of the committee welcoming freshers to his college. He is very unsure about what they can offer and what it will be like but he can't wait to see his friends. He knows meals now have to be booked and that they are taking freshers around the town, 2 2nd / 3rd years to 4 freshers. He is very worried about being required to police others' behaviour.