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

@ClerkMaxwell my d’s uni released fewer stats than usual - apparently there usually told where they rank in the year group - by centiles or deciles or something, and the top 10% get ‘something’ on their final certificate but that was suspended too.

My d didn’t use her books as she wanted to get a proper picture of how she’s doing. She’s happy with her marks but doesn’t want to know how they relate to others as it’s a bit meaningless with different amounts of resources and collaborations in play.

It’s not too bad for the first years but the final years who are sitting exams at home and writing dissertations with less access to supervisors, labs and libraries have got it far worse

DS doing maths, did a mixture of time limited multi choice online exams (where the calculations required were extensive but could be done on paper) and time limited on plain paper exams where the exam was for 3 hours within a set 3.5 hour time bracket to allow for downloading the exam paper and uploading the scans of the answers. He was panicking a bit on the first of these when his laptop went on a go slow but he managed to upload with 4 minutes to spare.

I think with maths open book doesn’t really help, but I can see that it might in other subjects.

These were his end of semester exams so not as critical as finals. He’s only in first year as this thread is aimed at parents of first years. Some posters may have other DC in different years.

Agree DD is first year so results don't matter. Plus December exams are weighted much less when module spans both semesters. DD just stropping as she's applying for summer internships which ask for 1st year marks. Although how companies tell between students at different unis. Where she studies 60% is deemed very good, above 80% unheard of.

Ds has just had essays and grammar assessments rather than any form of exam so far. Dd is third year medic and has had open book exams and a thesis to hand in. Unfortunately they're not doing any practical assessments which is her strength so she's rather annoyed her marks won't be as high as she'd like. But everyone will be disadvantaged in some way at the moment.

ClerkMaxwell, I would have thought that was pretty standard in terms of marks particularly in humanities and early in the year/course. In fact I know some do struggle at first when they are used to consistently hitting 80's and 90's at school and then have to adjust a wider range of results at uni.

@specialted my DD feels exactly the same. OSCEs are her best bit. She just wants to get started in clinical training now. Viva next week, exam tomorrow and then done. V sad to not be getting their half way ball.

@mumsneedwine pm'd you

@mumsneedwine DD is also a 3rd year medic. Until you mentioned it I hadn't realised that they are nearly half way through! DD's OSCE's were also cancelled last year and they did some kind of miniature mock replacements in September, but I think she is feeling quite unsure about how the real things will be at the end of this year. She is in the middle of her second 8 week hospital placement. THey aren't going quite to plan obviously, but she is making the best of it!

@Pepermintea wasn't quite how they planned becoming doctors ! DDs Uni normally have a massive half way ball so bit disappointing. Ours (mine and specialted DDs are at same Uni and met because us mums talked on here) have been doing a degree thing for last few month. Hopefully things will calm down soon and they can get the experience they need. And the fun again

St Andrews sent a letter to all students today because somebody had a party for 40 people at the weekend - the police are involved and it looks like the hosts will be expelled. Looks like there were parties in Bristol and Lancaster too. Hope none of the Lancaster students on here were affected.

Very strange times when it is illegal to have any sort of student party, would have been unimaginable pre-Covid.

I have always thought that open book exams are far more sensible as they are more like real life. The consensus over on the St Andrews thread is that this may be the highest achieving year ever as they have nothing to do but work!

Eeek @Monkey2001 that doesn't sound good!! I think the Lancashire party was at edge hill but I'm sure they are going on everywhere. Just reminded dc that I will not be supporting anyone who gets kicked out!

@specialted there have been parties at Lancaster - see thetab.com/uk/lancaster/2021/01/12/police-break-up-student-party-in-county-townhouse-during-lockdown-22983 and I think I saw something saying there was an increased police presence.

Good idea to make sure students know that it is not worth the risk.

There was one at Bristol. Over 100 people in one flat. DD saw it on social media and just thought 'what a bunch of idiots'. Her bubble of 9 do everything together so just as well they get on.

Dd had heard reports of parties in some of the Edinburgh halls and tighter restrictions and checks were imposed last week with threat of expulsions. Her first cv test was negative, so all good so far.

@LIZS have many students gone back to Edinburgh? I thought both Edinburgh and Glasgow were fully on line for the rest of year so not going back. Hope Pollock is not as sad as it looked for the first semester.

Not sure, dd not been back long. Mostly overseas and medical/practical students I suspect but there is also a hardcore of partygoers who think they are above the rules. I know catering is running reduced opening hours as fewer than last semester. Rent rebates and option to cancel accommodation may also help numbers being lower.

@Monkey2001 Hi that is correct, yeah there was 78 students in a county townhouse. The porters and security have really clamped down on this and the students will get questioned even for a walk if theres more than 2 people. Daughter has also heard about the party as well (shes grizedale college) and what she is doing is her household goes for a walk away from campus to Galgate (the nearest village) and to Lancaster city centre to avoid constant questioning by the porters. She also mentioned theres students that 'accidentally on purpose' meet on the bus, just so they can have a chat because its so strict on campus.

on the good news however the uni has introduced a safety net
thetab.com/uk/lancaster/2021/02/03/no-student-will-be-left-behind-vp-education-launches-covid-protection-policies-23963

There are parties going on everywhere.. Dd showed me her phone last Friday showing which parties would be on. I believe her university are now putting cameras up because the security guards are struggling to contain them.

My dd has stayed home, she's had a few weeks that have been pretty full on with lectures, presentations, workshops etc. I think she'll head back fairly early after Easter if allowed.

DS’s flat seem quite rule abiding. They are happy to socialise within their flat. At least... that’s what he tells me. I know he’s not a party animal at least!

DS went back on Monday - we'd rather he hadn't, because Exeter are still asking people to stay away - but he said he felt "trapped" at home, and we were concerned that his MH would start to deteriorate if he stayed here.

There's a couple of others back in his flat, so he's not completely on his own, but he's not a party-goer, so am hoping he will not get into trouble on that front.

His first test yesterday was negative, so fingers crossed Friday's is clear and then he'll be allowed out of self-isolation.

It's a miserable first year for them all, isn't it?

Yeah we have the same with daughters flat as they are pretty good on the rules. They get on well with next door but one flat, and they have parties, but they go on facetime and project it on to a wall so it looks like they are actually there lol.

DD felt the same @oneofthegiantsisme. She didnt have adequate study space, but she also felt trapped. I think she was used to the independance shes had in first term.So she left before lockdown started on the 2nd of Jan. She had a wobble around after first week because the only places she can go is for a walk, wilkos and sainsburys/Aldi. But shes got used to it now and had her friends for support. She keeps herself busy and also has the library as a change of scenery :)

I have to admit I don't think ds' flat is 100% law abiding but they certainly don't have huge gatherings. Ds also had a bit of a wobble last week and felt v low. It's just so hard for them, all the work but none of the fun of uni. I really really hope they get some semblance of normality for the summer term

DS is enjoying going to the library.
I'm not really sure how he is feeling...I think he would be wary of saying it is depressing in case we summoned him home. It is difficult to just listen without suggesting solutions!
I'm feeling desperate to visit him...but I'm sure that isn't one of his priority "fun things"

My Ds has decided to go back to Lancaster on Sunday. So we are getting everything together Saturday and setting off early Sunday so its not too late/ dark for me travelling back on my own. Can I ask if many have gone back to Lancaster especially the County lot?