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)?

I hope your son feels better in time for his presentation simbobs. Some of DD's flatmates in halls were really skanky, and she definitely didn't want to share with them this year. Her current household are all pretty considerate of each other, and they have only had one big bump along the way with one of the boys in the house. I think it was a wake up call for him because all has been fine since.

I messaged her to ask how lockdown was going and she sent me a happy picture back of them enjoying bonfire night in the garden.

That sounds lovely @ginfordinner. DS had requested a mixed flat last year but was with 3 other boys some of whom he hardly saw. I think he thought that living with a group of mates would be more fun.

I am not convinced girls are necessarily cleaner in the kitchen though! But yes, not properly wiped down worksurfaces will be an issue. FWIW I am not sure there is often a fair distribution of cleaning donein young people share flats/houses.

Hoping your DS is feeling better today @simbobs. If not he should let his tutor know that he's not 100%.

You are right @NewModelArmyMayhem18. The skankiest flatmate in DD's halls was a girl.

@Ginfordinner same in DDs first year halls flat. But (following her sharing with different friends subsequently ) DD is still close friends with her.

@simbobs I hope your DS is fully recovered now - food poisoning is horrible.

Interesting that some in mixed flats are looking to change to all boys next year, and vice versa for others. My DS is currently with 4 boys but there'll be 5 boys next year.

Good to see some returners to this thread. I'm often tempted to do a name change as I'm sure my DC could identify me on MN without too much effort which sometimes freaks me out.

DS fully recovered from food poisoning incident - if that is what it was, rather than a 24hr bug, and said his presentation went well. Despite lockdown he got on a train and came home last night., saying he just needed to get away from the flat for a bit. We are aware that he shouldn't be here but as he has had Covid we are a bit more relaxed than would otherwise have been the case. I'm not sure how long he will stay but he can easily work from here as it is all online. I still can't believe how much he eats!

@simbobs That's great he's made a full recovery. I'm sure your DS is not the only student to return home during Lockdown 2 and a common sense approach for those who've already had covid.

@Jano69 mine definitely know my MN name so could easily stalk me

@simbobs, I agree with jano. On that WIWIKAU group it looks like nearly all freshers have come home - what a shame they aren’t staying and having some sort of uni experience. But obvs they need to do what is best for their MH

I, too have had to change my MN name when I realised that DD knew what it was.

I have no idea who DD plans to share with next year because two of her best friends are hoping to do a year abroad. The boy who had been a PITA has calmed down because he is afraid of having no-one to share with.

@bigTillyMint. On that WIWIKAU group it looks like nearly all freshers have come home

This is so untrue... Most of the freshers are staying putt. There are long posts where someone's child has decided to come home for whatever reasons... but if you look at some of the specific posts relating to lockdown.. Its probably 90 percent of students staying until Xmas

@Frazzled6, that’s great - I must have only seen the posts where people are worrying about their freshers and wanting them home!

The freshers we know are all staying, but most have already had a “gap year” and are fed up of being stuck at home

My nephew is a fresher at Leeds... he is having a great time with the people in his flat ..... no intention of coming home .. they have had to isolate but are still fine !

I think DC might stalk me too ... I think I need a name change !

As far as I can see within England the law does not prevent you (a) moving home which probably a student is and (b) going somewhere to protect your mental health (which probably applies to many students needing a break at home). www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1200/pdfs/uksi_20201200_en.pdf

I know one of my sons before Easter was keen to maintain the routine of university, home for holidays only and he kept that up, came home a week after March lockdown started when the Easter holidays began, went back for the last month of term (although he did do his final exams here in our house as did his twin who stayed home for the summer term entirely) and went back for his start of term (early September for his law course). I expect he will come back after the December exams for the Christmas holiday but this is his 4th year and he is not a fresher and it is his friends (and loving Bristol) which keep him there.

I spoke to someone yesterday whose fresher child came home when they were the only one left of 6 in a shared first year self catered flat! No wonder she came home.

My DS isn't a fresher but I don't feel that he is putting anyone at risk by being here, and moreover, the risk will be the same at Xmas, too. If he needs or wants a break then it is fine with me. He has not fully moved back as that would require assistance from us. He will return when ready and stay put until he end of term or whenever works best for pick up. He is going out for a socially distanced walk with a friend, but I don't know how he is going to manage with his gf. We have made it clear that she cannot come here, and I don't think he is welcome at her house either during lockdown. Luckily she is at school and work a lot of the time.

DS been told to SI for 9 days (and his whole house) so I guess he was got by the last night out before lockdown!

@Xenia, thanks for that.

@Piggywaspushed

I am not sure how DS is going to eat. I just went on t my Ocado and Asda accounts and they have no delivery slots.

Amazon

@Piggywaspushed have they let the Uni know ? Most have a form to fill in. DD then received food parcels which kept them going for 2 weeks.

@Piggywaspushed food was all free 😊

Oh no @Piggywaspushed. Sorry to hear that about your DS having to self-isolate.

Deliveroo do deliveries from Aldi (for a fee) in some areas but not sure if Lincoln is one of them.

Glad to hear your DS is feeling better @simbobs and that his presentation went well.

I ahve told him to tell the uni and Lincoln d do boxes. It's not really stuff he would use (tuna and pasts , for example) but it'll ahve to do. It's more milk and bread that is the problem. Amazon also don't do milk and bread!

Hopefully his one non isolating housemate will help them all out or his mate in different accommodation can drop stuff round.