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)?

Lecturer has responded fair do`s. No face to face teaching until 28th January at the earliest. I suspect the VC sent out the e mail before everyone had their ducks in a row. That is a relief in one way but he will want to go back because his beloved is there. There are three foreign students arriving in their flat of 7 to start a course. They are supposed to self isolate for 14 days when they arrive. The last lot who all quit the flat last term as soon as they found somewhere to live

Oh sorry @simbobs that does make it more of a hassle (and less safe).

@simbobs travel fur education is allowed

My DD will be going back to her private rental as will her housemates (all coming from tier 4 to tier 4. They are no risk to anyone except themselves as they have not been out at all over the holidays. They all feel it’s better for their mental health and sense of independence to go back to the house. It will certainly be better for my mental health not to have to hear sibling squabbles for any longer than necessary 🤪

Letter here explains the background to the decisions.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948669/Letter_from_Michelle_Donelan_to_higher_education_providers_.pdf?fbclid=IwAR15azIomnTuuPPst_NXUKXnFbRxk948oDvUKGMWsXtn5RC5vKW027IV78k

Why can’t you travel by public transport? I think uni students are exempt as it’s returning to their home. We’ll take DD to train station and her uni house is a short walk from Durham station so quite straight forward. Most of her house have booked their travel, mostly by train over the coming week.

@simbobs I think taking your DC back to uni is allowed.

@justasking111 thanks for sharing the official information. Much more useful than the rumour mill.

Unless they are fully ensuite and picnicking in their rooms there is no way that others in the flat can avoid the risk of infection from overseas students in the scenario described, so presumably the domestic students should not return until the foreign students have completed their isolation period?

That letter makes it pretty clear that most students should not consider returning until 25th Jan, but from the thread obviously a lot are going earlier. Very hard to know what to advise DS.

Well unless someone is going to reimburse January’s rent, I don’t think they can stop students returning.

This is when my DS wants to go back, but if he felt that he needed to go sooner because we didn't have appropriate study space /wifi or had others to take into consideration, then I would support his return. After all, they are still paying for the rooms.

DD says that the internet is faster at university then our rural outback, and she will go back when her friends return. The university have emailed the students to basically say don't return unless you have to.

DD has just had an email to say her group to start blended learning from 25/1 but she’s going on 8th with her housemates.

Durham have said if you choose to go earlier they support your decision.

The idea that there will be any F2F teaching this term (practical subjects perhaps excepted) is for the birds.

@simbobs in DD’s uni international students are isolating in en-suite rooms and having food delivered to their doors.

DS always had it in mind to go back when he did and indeed returned ahead of the edict being issued. I fully supported his return. He is sensible, has only been fraternising within his house share bubble, and will otherwise not be a risk to anyone.

I don’t see why face to face would be unreasonable at universities where they are testing on return. They’ve missed enough. I still don’t know why lecturers aren’t protected behind screens and let students carry on. It’s not rocket science.

Happy New year everyone. Not been on for a while but have been reading the thread. I am taking my DD back tomorrow. She is desperate to go back, can't work at home, wants her independence and also some degree of structure to her day. She's just getting irritated not being in control of what time she eats dinner, or do what she wants to do. She is a lab based subject so I guess that's allowed and she has pretty much self isolated while at home. One of her housemates arrives on 6th and the others I think a bit later.

Happy New Year everyone. My DD1 is going back on Sunday as they have been told they have to be back for f2f clinical skills and anatomy which is such a relief as she had nothing live last term and it was grim. No way to train a doctor she said. DD2 returns the week after as she has a job taking food to isolating students to give her a bit of contact with others despite no f2f.

Happy New Year! I have been reading this thread too. Apart from the extra mess, I'm happy for DS to stay at home as long as he likes. I think he's enjoying having his meals cooked for him and his laundry done. He may feel differently of course when we're all back at work and DD is doing online lessons. I've suggested he books a train ticket home at short notice when he's decided he's had enough of family life.

@Benjispruce2, DS says his lecturers stand behind a glass screen

Just catching up so happy new year everyone 🎉🎉🎉. DS1 back to Uni tomorrow as has COVID test next day- he has clinical exams in two weeks and has to be clear for x number of days beforehand. DS2 (4thyear physics) does not have to be back until after semester 1 exams - so feb and no news yet about DS3 ( imperial). More concerned about DS4 (sixth form) as no news yet about school and mocks. Feel like we’re on a rollercoaster with a blindfold on.

My DS goes back on Friday even though I want him to stay at home longer now Notts is tier 4. He has his own studio but I do worry about him being on his own until maybe Easter. He has exams mid January and says our house is too distracting.

I'm glad I'm not the only parent with DC that don't want to stay.

My DS seems in no hurry to go back, he probably has it too easy at home .... we are Tier 3 so slightly more options ie golf for him here.