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

Ds2 still writing essays, no time for anything he says till Tues!
The Disability service wrote to Ds2 prompted by an email from me. Turns he HAD been lost in translation but they sent an incredibly informative list of services and links and he is now waiting for ed pysch assessment in Feb. Phew.
What worries me is he airily said email about X, but it turned out to be about far far more. Luckily he had learnt his lesson and at least he forwarded it to me for double checking.

He then said that he was also v v busy sorting out his next year accommodation, so I can see what with essays and everything he is preoccupied.
Next stop Tues, our local Xmas Tree Forest, a small grove at the interchange of three busy roads; he likes picking out "the" tree with me.

@Nettleskeins - that's good that it's in process

@Nettleskeins that’s good u contacted them. At least they are going to keep him in the loop and make sure he’s ok. Even though it’s a break students are still busy with work and revision. Hope he gets a place soon. Has he got any areas in mind? DD in the city centre

Well, two essays written and handed in, followed by two days of trying to arrange outdoor rendez-vous with his old friends. A lot of bicycling, I think he has forgotten it gets dark earlier so my heart sinks when he sets off with only a reflector helmet and no other high vis (has lights of course). There is a very nice eateries in bicycling distance where you can sit outside, roof etc.
Now we are tier 3, life seems simpler and much safer.

Both 18 year olds have brought a ride of mess with them though. Orange peel, scarves, odd shoes, (DDS room is unspeakable)and rather less interest in doing chores than when term started. Citing "work" at first, now it is "leave the kids alone".
Still have to get Xmas tree but they are both still asleep!!!!!grrr

Tide not ride of mess.

@Nettleskeins Thats good hes managed to get the essays done. Can relax now before Christmas.
DD just awaiting on a piece of work being marked so she can work out her average score on her coursework and labs. We have been watching Little women and Emma this week. I have 2 more days left before I finish work (back 29th) so I cant wait to chill and relax :) DD has done the pots every now and again and she makes her lunch, leaves us to make dinner. One good piece of news, she had an email last night saying she has in person tutorials this term, so shes so happy about that. She says shes happy to isolate for 10 days before any uni in person contact, since shes got online exams in Jan and will be busy indoors revising :)

Dgd submitted last essay and all coursework completed. Now has exams starting 8 the January. Still hasn't decided when she's going back to uni either before or after exams ( all online) trying to get her to make decision. ( Sigh). But really happy today and lovely to see her smile and relaxed. She is having virtual party tomorrow with flatmates and another Friday with subject mates. She has got booze and snacks in ready!

@Sostenueto thats nice :) she can relax now and not have to think about uni for a little while. And thats a great idea having a virtual party :)

Decorating tree now, Dtwins carried it home. Tho they did give up half way and aged parents had to take over.
Sammy, love Little Women esp 1990s version (although any version will do)

Was just pondering last night whether men liked Jane Austen films to same degree as women, which if not, is odd considering the books are equally popular with men and women. But maybe it is just ds2 that won't watch pyschological costume dramas nowadays, whereas DD and ds1 will.

Loud Hamilton music is now our Christmas default. It is all too much for me, I've had to go to another room with dog

@Nettleskins me and DD were just singing Hamilton songs at the top of our voices!!

@Nettleskeins Well DH loved Downtown Abbey when it was on. We watched the movie not long ago.
DD1 and I love Victoria, and Sanditon and Belgravia. Hopefully they will be back next year. We watched Cranford (2007 version) as well that was on one of the oldie channels on sky.

Hopefuly something will be on at christmas :)

Dgd bought me Downton Abbey box set for my birthday! I was so chuffed! Watched the whole lot when I was bedridden with broken knee!

Which by the way is healing nicely! 5 weeks and allowed to weight bear.

Hugh Bonneville was on Spotlight TV yesterday and was almost unrecognisable. He's lost a huge amount of weight. Downton is very good for wallowing with.

Glad to hear its healing Sostenueto :) Ive just googled hugh Hoghgyni and omg wow what a difference.

I had to check as the voice was right, but the face was wrong!

No university is going to want Tier 4 students back, are they?

This will upset all their plans 😫

Ds2 is now not planning on going back till 25th Jan or thereabouts. He is phlegmatic but also a bit weary of the restrictions at Lancaster, despite the socialising. I think he is beginning to feel they (he and his fellow flatmates)did nothing except drink and work, nothing else "cultural" at all. He is enjoying bicycling round London.

But the cultural desert has followed him here alas...

We now have our own personal "cultural desert" consisting of cider chocolate and football matches. Oh and The NEWS.

Yeah its grim news. hopefully our DC will get back to the unis, even if testing becomes a mandatory thing if it helps keeps infection rates down on campus. 15% of the new variant is in the midlands (according to kier starmer) so if thats the case, it will be rising here within a week or two.

Merry Christmas everybody :)
Revisions underway, but she has said shes taking the day off tomorrow. As my 'desk' is my kitchen table as I work from home at the moment, Ive had to clear every thing away for all of us to sit at the table, so I just hope I remember how to set everything up again lol. Looks like its highly probable that uni students wont be going back in Jan. I wonder if they might make it a ruling that you cant go back unless you have had a test now? Still in tier 3 for now, however we are not spending time with our parents just to be on the safe side. So christmas present dropping was done yesterday, and we spent time chatting at the front door for a bit. Facetime with the family at half past 2 on christmas day, so that will be nice :) DD has been chatting with all her flatmates and keeping in touch.
I hope everyone is doing ok and enjoying their time off with the DC and doing ok :) Hope you all have a great day tomorrow, whatever your doing.

Merry Christmas everyone. What a strange year but looking back, our DC have accomplished so much. It has been great having you lot for company on their journey.

DS appointed himself as Elf-in-Chief, putting up lights, marshalling siblings into activities etc, circling good stuff in the TV guide. His brother is studying for A level mocks after Xmas, with all the uncertainty of not knowing what’s happening with the actual exams. DD is self-isolating until tomorrow due to close contact at school. It is lovely having a household of (almost) adults though.