University 2020 :10: Empty nests warm vests and covid tests: uni parents 2020

[sammyjoanne]

Carry on from MilicentMartha's University 9 thead
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/a4025020-University-2020-9-And-theyre-off-making-hay-while-the-sun-shines?msgid=101075411#101075411

I haven’t spoken to ds about this yet but what do you think?

He’s at Loughborough in tier 3.

We were supposed to be collecting him on the 9th.

Will we be able to do that?
😩😩😩

Yes, it's in the student travel window.

Agreed with shauna, you can travel to any tier if its in the window. We are tier 3 to tier 3 pick up. We was hoping we was both going in tier 2, and go somewhere for lunch 9after she moved out and joined households again), but alas we will have to make do with a takeaway or service station macdonalds.

DD housemate is doing a viewing today on an 8 bed right in the heart of the city of Lancaster. Its a 3 floor apartment above a shop near the castle end of the city. looks pretty decent inside, so will hear back later whether they are going to sign up, or keep looking.

@sammyjoanne that sounds like the flat above the one ds has signed for! His is second floor 8 bed above a shop! That would be such a coincidence!!

DD coming home from Lancaster on 9th (we'll pick her up). She's signed for a 3 bed + 1 spare room house with 2 friends in Bowerham area (wanted something a bit quieter) and is already excited.
Their townhouse Christmas celebration is tomorrow night and they've done a meal plan and food and drink order between them. She's not a 'dressing up' kind of girl so you wouldn't believe the drama over getting a dress and shoes (4 deliveries/returns in 2 sizes later!!!), all to stay in the house!
She's had a great first term despite the very strange circumstances and positive COVID-19 test in October.

@specialted DD just messaged, they are just about to sign for the 8. they have done the paperwork and sending it over tonight, ready for them the next morning at the letting agents. :)

@sammyjoanne great news!!

@choirmumoftwo that made me chuckle! My dd is the same! Think it's nice they're all making the effort

@choirmumoftwo thats sounds lovely :) DD having christmas dinner on Sunday. They are doing some kind of presentation award thing for the flat and a secret santa.

DS has booked his dates for coming home and for going back to university. He'll be at home for six weeks!

The Lancaster lot know how to be students in Covid times!

@Ironoaks Thats sounds really nice 6 weeks :) Have you got any special plans whilst hes home?
Monkey lol I am sure all our DC are making the most of being students :)

Last orders at 8pm for Lindt Advent Calendars delivery on Monday!

I sent choc advent a couple of weeks ago so DS could count down to end of term

One of the other mums at DS’s flat sent them a chocolate advent calendar each. 😍 He’s got his tests booked and his train home next Monday if all goes well.

@millicentmartha. Snap! DS's flat all got chocolate advents from the parents of one of the boys, and he is coming home by train on the 7th, with a covid test booked a couple of days before. Great to hear all the other plans, especially how other Lancaster crew are doing.

They've been very lucky so far, I reckon, they seem to have had a really good first term despite all. DS is out of the looking for a new home action as he is due to be studying abroad for next year. He's got to make a short list of 5 universities from a list of about 25 in the US, Canada and Australia where he will study for his second year. He's approaching it with a view that all things will be possible by next autumn....I just hope that's right.

We are all looking forward to having him home. He was very skinny when I saw him (his ADHD meds suppress his appetite so I guess he's been taking them most days so he can focus on work) so I'll be taking advantage of him not having to take his pills and filling him up with favourite foods.

Are you all happy to have them coming back for the festivities? I can't wait!

@WellWoman Millicent, Shauna thats nice DC got advent calenders :)

Well woman Thats amazing hes looking at unis for next year. There is a vlogger called Student Vlogs Dylan my DD used to watch on you tube. He went to York and did a year in Australia at Sydney, so your son might find that useful. We plan to go to the US in August. Judging by the rate this vaccines come about and the plans to alredy distribute it, I think its very possible studying abroad will go ahead.

Were looking forward to DD being back for Christmas. Although were are in tier 3, theres lot of tier 3 places we can still go to like sherwood forest, or carsington water, and Elvaston Castle grounds. Think DD may be meeting up with one of her lancaster physics friends for a walk whilst shes home, as he lives about 20 mins from us. Also will be nice for her to see her a'level friends too :) We have bought a new tree thank goodness. The last 4 Christmasses we had a tree with that fake snow on. It goes everywhere and I get covered everytime we put it up. So im very happy that one is no longer being used lol.

Have been lurking since the exam results cluster f* but thought I'd be brave and do a post

Ds has had a lovely first term in his townhouse of 12. Two lots of SI due to cases within the house but he's managed fine and doesn't think he's had covid. Really enjoying his course (paramedic science) even though he gets just one face to face practical a week.

The flat have all cooked Xmas dinner today . Their tree in the picture below needs some work. Fire alarm was set off which led to evacuation of whole quad (200 ish students )

He's sorted out a house for next year. Six bed house that he's sharing with 5 girls. He's even negotiated himself one of the en-suite rooms as the only boy. One of the girls is his girlfriend but he says they have had the discussion about staying friends and not being awkward living together if it doesn't work out

I'm just so amazed at how well he's doing and how much he's grown up. Can't wait to have home home next weekend for a whole month

@Baileyscoffeeandcampfires I almost felt like I'd written that post myself! Glad ds has had a good term. My ds is also having his Xmas dinner tonight and sharing a house with gf next year (have had similar chat about it!). I can't wait to collect him on Sunday, will be so Interested to see how he's changed, if at all!

@Baileyscoffeeandcampfires Aww thats nice to hear an update, sounds like he is having a great time at uni :) He is in a townhouse of 12, is he at Lancaster too? (I know theres some other unis which have townhouses I believe)

And both baileys and specialted, sounds like they know what they are doing when it comes to moving in with gf. Dont think DD has met anyone yet in a bf sense, although she is getting out and meeting people for walks, so shes socializing and getting out and about still despite the tier 3.
Sultans at Lancaster did a deal on Friday night, buy an item, get one free, so could have burger buy and chips for free say. She was queueing with her physics group chat friend from Grizedale whos shes spoken with since April, then more people joined the queue behind and it was even more people from her physics group chat; so they had a good natter whilst in the queue. She said it was nice as she only ever seen some of them online.

DD having Christmas dinner tonight as well. All this christmas dinners they are doing makes me want one. I just got to make do with a quiche and salad for my tea lol.

DD had a fabulous time at her County townhouse celebration last night. I wish I could share pictures but had better not if people can be identified. I think it's hilarious that some of us here could have DC living together without knowing it. They'd die of embarrassment!!

@choirmumoftwo wouldn't they just!! I think I'm fairly sure ds isn't in a townhouse with any of the dc on here but may be mistaken!!

Ta for all the kind comments

Ds is at Hertfordshire, an ex poly but such a lovely campus and very good for vocational courses . Dd is in year 12 and considering herts for accounting as it's such a nice campus

@choirmumoftwo . That would be strange if they were, although Im pretty sure we are at different houses. DD in Grizedale townshoue near to the main grizedale bar. Obviously wont say which house :) , but its round that area. Glad your DD had a nice celebratory night yesterday.
DD is doing a presentation tonight as part of her celebrations and christmas dinner. She is doing a video in the style of disney which includes video clips of the housemates partying.
Baileys, Hertfordshire is such a pretty uni. DD did look at that one, and the accommodation is really nice too.

Not heard anything in detail about festivities from ds2. He is definitely NOT in a townhouse, but a common or garden flat in County Main