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)?

Tough DS has left Wales nearly at uni. now. Thank god we decided on the spot to let him go.

Given how zealous the Welsh police seem to be, I would have thought that students travelling from England into Wales may find themselves turned back too...

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

Given how zealous the Welsh police seem to be, I would have thought that students travelling from England into Wales may find themselves turned back too...

Friends in our welsh force, many are off sick or isolating, so we are short staffed. So many ways in and out of Wales it will be difficult, the high profile snowdonia media exercise was the exception.

Glad to hear your DS made his decision @justasking111. There's quite a long Welsh border to police isn't there? It would be difficult.

I have just read on that FB group (WIWIKAU) that UEA is offering a January/February rent reduction for those who aren't in their halls accommodation.

Well what a couple of days! My brain is exhausted with worry about work(primary school)to back in to school today with all in masks and not being able to hear each other and trying to learn Microsoft Teams, plus the worry about DDs and what they’re missing. I had a cry this morning over my breakfast! Tiredness probably and I know others are experiencing much worse, but it actually helped to let it out. Anyway DD’s still going on Saturday as she had already booked her train. She’s been only with us at home for the last 14 days so very low risk. A couple of her housemates travelled by train today and said there were several students doing the same.

@DrMadelineMaxwell DD was swapped to the box room too after 18 years of a double. Luckily she has a desk/study area on a landing but at uni she has a huge room with double bed which she’s missing.

PM briefing-Go Rachel from Reading! The answer was waffle as expected but thanks for flagging up the question.

@Benjispruce2 he didn't really answer the question at all did he?

No but Boris doesn’t really answer questions does he? On the rare occasion that he does, he changes his mind within hours.

Just emailed my son's accommodation provider in Newcastle ( he's in partnered accommodation rather than halls) to ask about rebates. Their answer was that they will not be providing rebates for this term as 'he could be utilising his room'. I sent them one back saying 'he has been told specifically by the university and the government not to return' but no response.

@justasking111

Tough DS has left Wales nearly at uni. now. Thank god we decided on the spot to let him go.

At the moment the police seem to mostly be patrolling around places where people are going to exercise and turning them away if they aren't local - even if they've only travelled a 5 minute drive. So it's the country parks and hills/mountains they are focusing on more it seems.

@Labellesauvage123 we had exactly this kind of response from DS's accommodation provider last year during the first lockdown. He did get a discount in the end but only because he didn't pay, then couldn't pay as he had insufficient money left and they caved in. Most other students had already paid their rent. The partnership providers don't quite seem to be covered by any of the rules governing other types of accommodation, and quite bluntly stated that if students were getting their money then they should not miss out.

Update - DS has now heard from the university itself saying that he will not have to pay rent while he’s not there, so presumably they’re picking up the bill. Good old Newcastle! However, in other developments he has emailed his personal tutor to ask if he qualifies as being exempt from the guidelines as his autistic brother makes it very difficult for him to study at home ( he moved out to a neighbour’s house for A Levels!) . The reply was yes, absolutely. So he may well go back earlier if at least one of his flatmates also goes back, which is likely I think, as also exempt for different reasons.

@LaBelleSauvage123 Newcastle were brilliant about accommodation fees in the first lockdown. DD was at Park View, and they wanted the students out because the halls are right next to the hospital, and they used them for NHS staff who couldn't go back to their families.

Apparently some returning students at some universities have been told to go home.

Took DD (medic - so “allowed”) back today - she’s in private rental and 3 others (non-medics) already back. She has already started online lectures and has some F2F later this month and first placement next month, hopefully. Had rapid test at uni as soon as we arrived (negative). Really glad she will get some semblance of normality and will be with her friends - we had a lovely time over the extended hols but she needs to be with fellow students not boring old mum and dad. Motorways were pretty quiet this morning (not so much on the way home). I know they will be sensible (tho she had CV 3 months ago) but I am sad not knowing when I will see her next.

Ds decided to drive back today. It was a last minute decision. It's only 40 mins. away. I suggested he went the yesterday, but no other housemates wanted to go back. Now one other has decided to go today as well, ds's gf has also joined them. All 3 of them have been at home all over Christmas so I'm sure they are all safe to go in together.

Ds is pleased to have decent internet again and no brothers arguing.

I'm just watching the news. Over 60,000 new cases today! I'm glad that DD is staying put for the time being.

DS still wants to go back on Saturday. One other friend is there and others planning to head down at the weekend. I’m ok supporting him with that - I’m worried about his state of mind if he stays cooped up with us and the year two exams are important (and he’d just found his groove after a shaky first year). I want him to keep in touch with friends as things change quickly but I dont’ think he’ll be at any greater risk there than here, nor be any extra risk to the place he’s going. They all tested negative ahead of coming back and he has literally not left the house all Christmas.

I feel a little uneasy as the guidelines say to stay where you are where possible but I think this is best for him. And we’ve literally done everything possible to follow the rules since March last year which I know isn’t an excuse but in my mind does mitigate things somewhat

my dd went back to private household yesterday.
i was sad but resigned.
she is an adult who needs her own space.

Totally agree @MrKlaw.

As DD has exams next week and the week after I think losing a day for travelling and the disruption of moving households and settling in/shopping etc is something she can do without just now. After managing to catch up with all of her lectures and assignments she has finally been able to start on some revision.

Only two of her housemates have moved back, neither of which are her closest friends.

She was a little disgruntled with the feedback from her last essay. They lose points for going over the word count, and all the comments are "good point, you could have expanded on this to add ....", but she couldn't because she would have gone over the maximum word count.

I am taking my DS back on Friday. We had planned to go before the announcement then I tried my hardest to get him to change his mind, but he wants to return and I have to respect that. It will be a sad drive home once I drop him off.

@Ginfordinner I know what you mean about the word count issue. This is a new thing for me, as we actually wrote essays long-hand and were given a guidance length, if anything at all. I assume that it cuts out waffle but can limit students' ability to make all relevant points.

I have checked the new English regulations in force today which modify the main statutory instrument (the one that had included the Tier 4 London lockdown from about 19 Dec). They just tinker with the law so no change about rights to move house and that kind of thing and nothing specific about students.

@Xenia that’s reassuring!