Study in the time of COVID-19 (2019/20 intake): lockdown restrictions, relaxation of rules and repeat... And will the Grinch government cancel Christmas?

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Carrying on from our previous thread.

I believe these threads have probably been running since the summer/autumn of when our DC were about to start/in Year 13 (so 2018)?

@simbobs a couple of my DD’s housemates have to share bedrooms with siblings at home. Their rented house is a far better environment for them in all sorts of ways. Hence they are staying till the end of term and will shoot back in the new year.

DH is picking up our DS (NTU) on Thursday ... already having the argument about who is using the car on Friday - DS only insured to drive mine, not DH's .

picked up DS on Sunday. Bloody M4 closed two junctions for the 'smart' upgrade so took ages for what is normally a simple trip. He also seems to have brought back almost everything - including the clothes horse 'because mum liked it' :)

He's currently thinking He may head back in time for exams in Jan rather than wait until Feb, but that may be impacted by Uni, not sure yet. Apparantly the exams are much more tightly timed this year - 2 hour exams you get a 3 hour window so you have setup/admin time to prepare. He may want to ensure quiet time or simply being around his peers as he's with another person doing his course.

Thinking about next year's house too. I figured they'd try and just roll this house forwards but looks like they're going for a 6-person house with three of the current house and three from another.

Mine is being so awkward about pick up timings that I am tempted to leave it until tomorrow! I told him that I don't want to drive in the dark as we go over silippery hills.

OK, so I went and got him. I can't help but wonder whether I have brought back the right one. All the way home he spoke about essays, projects and seminars - more strange than I can express. He is apparently here until 3rd week of January, so it looks like exams have been replaced by assignments. Unless he has missed something, which he insists is not the case.

He does seem to have brought home his body weight in washing, though. Some things never change!

Meanwhile

Nottingham house party with 'up to 150 guests' raided by police www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-55217937

It’s so ridiculous - they will start working life with a massive debt in the form of fines. How do they really think they are going to get away with it! Mind bogglingly stupid

@simbobs mine bought back a lot of washing but was apparantly planning to do a big load but someone was using the washing machine. He offered to do it himself back at home but he'll find it difficult to schedule it in around our normal use, so we'll just do it (I don't think that was planned by him)

He does seem more 'studious' than last year. He said part of that is the course it more interesting this year- choosing his own modules helps. And partly these exams are more serious rather than 'just pass' for the first year.

It always seems to be Nottingham doesn't it. I'm sure students at other universities are getting together, but Nottingham students seem to be very blatant about it.

Poor DD is really struggling with constant migraines at the moment, and falling asleep at her desk. She has an exam on Thursday. I hope she doesn't fall asleep in the middle of it.

@Ginfordinner it sounds like your DD is badly in need of a break. Hope she is ok.

I find the news from Nottingham apalling. DS was asking earlier how they are meant to pay fines if they have no money, and I thought it might be on account like a student loan, but I'm not sure. We are all fed up of this pandemic but it will never be over if everyone doesn't play their part.

This is why the fines are pointless , they are not going to send students to prison for non payment of fines. They could leave them on file and collect them via an attachment if earnings if and when they start earning enough but the reality is they will likely not be collected

Any fines can be collected by way of a payment plan (if mummy and daddy don’t pay up) which could be as little as £1 a month for the rest of days. But their credit rating will be shot which will
Impact ability to rent, take out loans, mortgages etc. It’s not like students in Nottingham didn’t have fair warning that the fines really would be levied

I feel a bit embarrassed that my DS is in Nottingham, it's certainly in the news all the time, for the wrong reasons. I really hope he isn't going to any parties, he says he isn't and is generally fairly well behaved so I hope we can trust him .

DS tested negative today, home on Weds. A seminar has been changed to Weds at 4pm so he’ll either have to do it in the car or as soon as he gets home 🙄. It’s interesting that your DD has been told a return date @zandathepanda as DS has just had a very vague email saying there will be a staggered return and they’ll let them know specifics in the next few days. I hope his isn’t too late as he will be desperate to get back.

My DS said he restarts 3rd week of January, but I would have thought that is the beginning of the 2nd semester. I'm not sure what is happening to the end of semester 1, which should be the beginning of January. He has some assignments due in during this period but he says exams have not been mentioned. He had some at this time last year.

I'm confused. Asked DS about when he's planning to start revision for his exams in Jan - I know they have a revision week from the beginning of Jan but I was hoping he might get a bit more in after a break for Christmas. He's not always been the most self-motivated.

He said he's starting today - if he does 3-4 hours per day he can keep on top of things for exams and still have time to relax.

Uni is doing him some good it seems :)

@Ginfordinner

It always seems to be Nottingham doesn't it. I'm sure students at other universities are getting together, but Nottingham students seem to be very blatant about it.

Poor DD is really struggling with constant migraines at the moment, and falling asleep at her desk. She has an exam on Thursday. I hope she doesn't fall asleep in the middle of it.

It could also be that Nottingham police are onto it and other areas are ignoring it.

Hope your dd is okay. Migraines are horrible especially when trying to do exams.

Nottingham (both universities) is renowned for being 'party central' though, isn't it?

DD said there is quite a strong police presence in her area of Newcastle. She and her friends are just being sensible. Even without restrictions they wouldn't be getting up to much as the workload is immense for all of them.

It really does always seem to be Nottingham, but my DS didn't know anything about the partying. I called him to nag him and he didn't have a clue. He and his friends have been mixing, but going to each others studios for drinks rather than going out on the town.

@Zandathepanda I know you're on the year 12 thread and a few others too. Do you know if there's a new one?

Not been here for so long! Nothing to report but a question to ask! (yes to yours btw ican)

DS has horrendous ingrown toenail. Chemist no help. GP is in Lincoln... can he still make an appointment with our local one?

Oh God I can’t even post on the Year 12 one in case I say something I shouldn’t! It’s past the point of dark comedy with the school and hit full-on horror.

You have to do a temporary resident form at the doctors. Good luck getting an appointment! Dd collapsed at school and is feeling really dizzy - won’t see her, just prescribed tablets for dizziness. The doctors may help if you can get a good photo and email it maybe?

In the meantime magnesium sulphate paste from chemist after a hot bath will draw nasties out. We have a good pharmacist so that’s a shame they can’t help more. You could try a podiatrist?

Yes, podiatrist good point : we do have one locally.

The pharmacist gave us witch hazel a while back which did very little. Will try your tip.

The year 12 thread certainly reveals how disrupted education is : DH' s school fully closed yesterday (private school) and their fellow boys' boarding school closed today. I soldier on...

@Piggywaspushed, is it infected? If so he needs to get ABs from GP. Both mine have had them. DDs seems OK now - using ingrown toenail fluid from Amazon to grow it so it can be cut straight....

DS had on for years of wearing footy boots which squashed his toes I think. He had a minor op to cut it in the end but no probs since.

I think definitely see the GP

I think it possibly is. It is definitely that 'footballer's toe' thing. It's black..