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

On the way back from visiting DS. We had a slightly chilly dinner huddled round a patio heater and a very good brunch in early sunshine.

He was on excellent form - happy with his room, his household and his course. I think he’s grown an inch!

His seminars are divided between zoom and f2f 2m apart in masks - he says both have pros and cons. Both his sports are now training, which is helping him meet people from different colleges and courses.

He’s signed a lease for a very pleasant 8 bed house which we drove past. Very near a Greggs, which is apparently a major selling point.

It seems so soon to be thinking about accommodation arrangements for autumn 2021. I think the timescale varies between universities.

DS is planning to stand for a student council thing (a subset of the student union). I doubt he'll get elected because he's only been there 3 minutes and hardly knows anyone yet, but I think it will be good experience anyway.

I agree it seems ridiculously early, but there aren’t many large houses, so if you want to share with a big group apparently you need act now.

We’ve just had a cup of tea in Trowell Services, in honour of Heather.

@Nettleskeins that great hes pushing the boundaries in football and social aspect of it :) And so nice just to get out from inside and get fresh air it just does wonders.
@KingscoteStaff Trowell, thats out local, just down the road off jnct 26 :) DD is in a group of 12, and 9 want to live together and there are currently 5 advised at the moment fort a 9 bed or more on the lancaster university homes website, so they are a rarity. They dont want to split up because of the separate household ruling if that comes into force at any time next year, so sooner the better for them. the uni also holds a housing fair in November.
@Ironoaks very true. I thought it was too early, but with the dynamics of the group and large number DD said they want to get a good one early so they dont have to split.

Kingscote, ha ha re Gregg's. Ds1 in year 3 is over a Costa - that was his flat's USP. He did worry the general public buying coffee on way to work (!) might wake him, but alas that doesn't have seemed to been the case

Im looking out at the leaves whirling in this squall, and wondering what the County Oak is doing outside ds2 window

@Ironoaks

It seems so soon to be thinking about accommodation arrangements for autumn 2021. I think the timescale varies between universities.

DS is planning to stand for a student council thing (a subset of the student union). I doubt he'll get elected because he's only been there 3 minutes and hardly knows anyone yet, but I think it will be good experience anyway.

There’s always posts for first years so its not unlikely he will get a post

There’s always posts for first years so its not unlikely he will get a post
True, but he isn't standing for one of those (that would be too obvious). The post he is standing for is open to all undergraduates. Whatever the outcome, it will be a good opportunity to get to know people.

DS's flat of 13 are considering looking for an enormous mansion to accommodate them all. Or two houses nearby.

He's got the idea that at his uni everyone shares with coursemates, but as he hasn't met many that's not an option. I've suggested he go with the flat mates as they all get on so well.

DS found himself being made first year course rep in his department. His tutor asked if he would be interested and the next thing he knew was an invitation to the meeting lol. Good opportunity to get your face known and get the inside scoop, especially in these times.

@ShaunaTheSheep DD is planning to share with 6 of her kitchen group/flat for yr2. Uni have advised properties come online in Nov (uni approved properties which is good).

@Nettleskeins aww i cant tell you about the county oak, but found this lovely little article in the tab; photos of the town and campus this autumn :) thetab.com/uk/lancaster/2020/10/23/these-are-the-best-autumnal-pics-of-lancs-2020-and-honestly-im-in-love-21296

Thumbs up for 'The Study Room' in Lancaster (next to Bella italia on church street) The 6 girls in her house went there last night and they really enjoyed it. Said it was very nice food.

Dgd wants to get in same accomodation if she can because it will be cheaper for her and location is brilliant. If not then she will consider sharing with present flatmates but all is determined by cost. If she get CAS again from uni then all will be better. 3rd yr is abroad where costs significantly lower.

@Sostenueto sounds great :) convienient and saves movey. So a win win situation. Fingers cross she gets it :)

DS city has just been moved to Tier 2. For those who are ahead of us, what was the impact on DC of moving to Tier 2?

Thanks Sammyxx

DS1 has just text. They’re now isolating as someone in their flat has tested positive. He said he’s fine but they don’t know when the isolation starts and finishes. If we want to arrange a grocery delivery, does anyone with a Lancaster student know how it gets to them please? We don’t do online food shopping here (because DH prefers to do it himself and is a bit of a Luddite ) so I’m doubly clueless. Sorry if this has been asked and answered before. Thanks.

Fortunately he did a big load of laundry yesterday so at least that’s fine

@LetUsPrey hope ds is ok. I sent an Asda delivery to ds , there was plenty of availability and I put the flat number and grizedale college and my sons mobile number down. They phoned him when they were outside the college and asked which flat he was in. Was all v straightforward apparently.

Excellent. Thanks specialted, that’s good to know. I’ll get on to that tomorrow.

Not sure about the Tier 2 SnapSnapDragon. Feels like we just went to Tier 3!

Tier 2 meant no socialising outside your household, but they could still go to the student baron their 6. Tier 3 has meant only being able to go to the shop or out for a meal, (if you can afford that!) with your household. DS hasn’t had any F2F teaching at all. It’s a bit grim, but they’re coping. He’s not been able to meet anyone in a club or society or on his course.

Avoid Iceland deliveries. I tried to organise one for ds1, twice my card was refused and they refused to discuss it cos I was not the name on the delivery (a delivery I had set up and arranged)!! Loony data protection. Then D's tried on his own with a different card and password and email and phone no, and his card failed twice too!! And poor fellow was left wondering if the food was going to arrive; it didn't. I knew those next day slots were too good to be true.

I did ds2 grocery shopping for him by hand went to Lancaster hotfoot. Now that I have experienced ds1 grocery heartbreak (v expensive too to get takeaways) I don't feel so helicopterish in retrospect..

But I will know next time.. Asda on first day of selfisolating

Ds1 was in third year btw, Ds2 a fresher.

@MillicentMartha did you listen to this yesterday? I wondered if your DS was one of the Freshers being interviewed!

@LetUsPrey, the Test and Trace people should let the person with the positive test know when their isolation period ends, so for the rest of the household, it would be 4 days longer (14 days from the onset of their flatmate's symptoms / date of test if for some reason they had a test when asymptomatic..Presumably, they will get this information themselves soon, anyway, as they will be named as contacts.