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Higher education

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

Original poster

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

999 replies

DadDadDad · 25/09/2020 17:36

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.

OP posts:
hobbema · 27/10/2020 17:16

I don’t know at all if this is the case but it’s possible that some decisions are at college level and not down to individual supervisor, regardless of how robust they are. Agree it’s a shame, somethings are just lost in an online conversation compared to real life .

ofteninaspin · 27/10/2020 17:56

Ah, you might be right there @hobbema. DS’s supervisions have all been ftf so far.

Sorry that your DS is still glum @PantTwizzler. Hope things improve for him very soon.

Original poster
DadDadDad · 27/10/2020 17:57

I think DS was offered the possibility of tutorials in person (there's only two of them doing his subject at his college), but actually doing it wearing masks and 2m apart was less attractive than doing it online, so they are doing the latter. I think he has some language-related class that he attends in person.

OP posts:
Aethelthryth · 27/10/2020 18:30

Interesting. I have heard some say that online is better than distanced and it may be that the tutors in question think it so. DS, being a polite sort of chap, finds it awkward trying to avoid talking over tutors, whilst still wanting to contribute. I daresay he'll get used to it. Have sent parcels of cheese and gin.

HuaShan · 27/10/2020 20:00

DS was having face to face tutorials, he managed 2 before having to self isolate because of 2 symptomatic housemates. Hw is 3 days in and all has gone quiet.

Pepermintea · 27/10/2020 20:08

DS managed 1 face to face tutorial, before having to isolate because of a housemate being symptomatic. Now his college has moved everything online anyway. I don't know if he minds, but has said that they haven't been as good as he expected - but that is very typical of DS!

PortusCale · 27/10/2020 20:10

DS has been lucky to have had F2F supervisions (current plan is for them to continue) is managing to do some sport and hasn’t had to SI yet. It seems there’s quite a difference from college to college.

Ironoaks · 27/10/2020 20:39

@Aethelthryth DS has four weekly supervisions, of which half are face-to-face and half are by video call.

Ironoaks · 27/10/2020 20:41

@ofteninaspin - well done to your DS for taking the initiative with the tennis club

KaptainKaveman · 27/10/2020 20:44

Dd's had quite a bit of face to face tuition and has managed to get onto the Cheerleading team! She's the flyer!

OhYouBadBadKitten · 27/10/2020 21:30

dd will hopefully getting mostly f2f supos.

SnapSnapDragon · 27/10/2020 21:59

DS (O) has had a few face-to-face (or should it be mask-to-mask?) tutorials as well as some online. He's also had some in-person labs. He is loving the in-person teaching and is finding the online stuff quite draining, although it sounds like his lecturers are doing their very best to make it engaging and useful

I think he's living on borrowed time as far as SI goes. Only 2 out of 12 first-year bubbles still have their freedom in his college. He's been making the most of his time, really getting into his sports training (although no matches), and meeting a real variety of people. In fact, I wonder if an advantage of this (otherwise dreadful) covid situation is that it is throwing people together who, on the face of it, may not have thought they had much in common, and letting them discover otherwise.

Pepermintea · 27/10/2020 22:01

Can I ask a non covid, general question? I'm sure I read somewhere that all students have a general tutor who's not the same as the one they have tutorials with, but someone they can go to with other issues. When I asked DS about his"personal tutor" (for some reason I thought that this was the name) he had no idea what I was talking about. Is this a thing, or have I imagined the whole concept? I don't feel that I have explained it very well, but I hope at least someone understands what I mean!

hobbema · 27/10/2020 22:15

DD has a non academic tutor Pepermintea. Met up before teaching started, there for non academic stuff , cake, port, very nice and approachable. Level of support available both academically and otherwise has been most impressive and couldn't be farther removed from DS and DT2s experience ( though both quite happy and making the best of things).

Ironoaks · 27/10/2020 22:28

DS (C) has a tutor (pastoral issues and general wellbeing) and a director of studies (course and academic issues). It might be different at O. though.

dolphinpose · 27/10/2020 22:31

@Biscuitburglar - that's all good advice, thank you. I was actually planning to visit him in Fifth week for the exact reasons you say. I'd heard it's when the novelty wears off and they get a wobble (though DS is very un-prone to wobbles and has been away from home for a month at a time often due to sport.) But as you say I'll take his lead on it.

He's currently in isolation but perfectly happy and says he can't tell the difference much. Has a big bubble of twelve on his staircase and so far they all get on well.

Pepermintea · 27/10/2020 23:00

Thanks hobbema and ironoaks. At least I know that I've not totally made it up! Maybe it's only at Cambridge though and not Oxford?
@goodbyestranger do you know if they have a personal/ non- academic tutor at Oxford? - Or anyone else! I just can't remember which place everyone's DC's are at!

ErrolTheDragon · 27/10/2020 23:09

I thought having a personal tutor was normal everywhere not just O&C ... we certainly had them in an RG 40 years ago. (No cake and port though!)

ofteninaspin · 27/10/2020 23:28

DS (C) has an academic supervisor and a pastoral tutor. DD (O) has one tutor only.
I prefer the Cambridge system. Makes sense to me to separate the academic from the pastoral.

PantTwizzler · 28/10/2020 07:26

I think a personal (once “moral”!) tutor is C only. DD (O) doesn’t have one.

Aethelthryth · 28/10/2020 07:30

If we weren't in Tier 2 and forbidden from visiting other households anywhere I would whizz up to see him, bearing cake, as soon as he comes out of isolation. It's odd, since he was at boarding school from the age of 8 (which puts me firmly in. the tough love camp) but complete self-isolation worries me a bit- I wish they could isolate with their households. At least with the extended freshers' week there was time to make some friends before he was isolated and it sounds as though they're being great about picking up supplies etc

JBX2013 · 28/10/2020 09:10

My daughter is at Cambridge on her MPhil now. Her college is different from her undergraduate college. The 'Personal' Tutor at Cambridge is often important over a period of time. Do encourage your children to nurture that relationship. In Year 2, a family bereavement triggered a big wobble in my daughter and her college was phenomenal in supporting her. Her old Tutor is now a friend and has been very supportive also on career choices and PhD applications.

Covid-19 experience? One frustrated 10-day isolation so far as one of 3 dinner companions, whilst socially distanced, tested positive. Missed some dinners in friends' houses and a sports club social. The blessing was that a lot of academic work got done, as well as speed walking and running in her room - indeed! Got into a Uni sports squad, so very excited about training kit with the Uni crest! Especially likes her new Director of Studies.

Lot of academic work and PhD and funding applications ahead!

KaptainKaveman · 28/10/2020 09:33

My dd (C) has a Personal Tutor who she said seems very nice and is there to support her in ways beyond academia. I must say I'm really glad about this.

ofteninaspin · 28/10/2020 10:15

@JBX2013, thank you for your insight into the personal tutor role. DS has met his once and said he’s very nice. Will definitely encourage him to keep in touch with him.
Good luck to your DD with squad training! DD loves her (O) sports squad stash!

SnapSnapDragon · 28/10/2020 10:17

speed walking and running in her room

Impressive indeed. If/when DS (O) has to self isolate I don't think he'll be able to do any speed walking as he could cover the length of his room in about three paces. Well done her on university sports selection. DS is also into the university squad for his sport. It will be a proud moment for me to see him in his kit, but somewhat bittersweet because it is the wrong colour blue..