Oxford and Cambridge current students discussion thread

[sandybayley]

Starting a new one as we filled it up!

Can't believe DS1 will be home in 2 weeks. Must remember to adjust the Ocado shop for when he's back. I suspect we may end up with a few days of his favourite meals 😊

I don't understand why they have to leave students hanging on until after Easter to find out if they can go back or not. I think it's likely that they will be back in Oxford for Trinity, D1 will have to go on the train as hotels won't be open for us to stay over, so wondering when to buy her ticket.

@JulesJules Exactly, students need assurances. And in order to get there, some of our DC have flights to sort!

@JulesJules, I too need to stay the night somewhere in order to do a drop-off/pick-up. Hotels are open. When I took DS down in January I stayed in the Marriot Courtyard on the outskirts of Abingdon. I had to fill in a form explaining my reason for being there, which I listed as "dropping son off at university".

@SnapSnapDragon Oh that's interesting, thanks. I thought they were closed until May 17th.

@JulesJules some are still open. I'm lucky that I can do both round-trips in a day as long as 8 hours behind the wheel is allowed. I have also collected both in the same trip but it's not ideal.

@Unescorted, glad I'm not the only one. I bet none of these keyboard warriors would dare to say it to my face if they had the chance!

Not wanting to derail this thread but if anyone has experience of a DC spending a year abroad I would love some advice. I could ask DD1's bf's DPs but as I haven't met them yet, it might be a bit odd. DD2 has the most amazing offer for next year and I just want some practical tips etc, the further the better!

Most likely not. I find myself getting irrationally wound up by people who haven't read the post properly and pile in after projecting their own insecurities. Ahhh well.... maybe I should get an alter ego on MN.

DD seems to have lucked in with her friends - they are all really good with developing friendships over social media. They have set up Teams groups so they can all "sit" together while they are working by working across 2 screens. I had a gallery of them watch me make DD's birthday cake earlier. They will be joining us for cocktails tomorrow which could be messy.

DS2 (O) has heard from Oxford about Trinity term, he says but I think he's misinterpreted the communication and thinks there's a chance he'll be allowed back.

It appears to say what we already knew - that only students with a practical element to their course are allowed back, not arts and humanities like his course. It also seems to say that residency requirements for Trinity are exempt - thus, according to what I'm thinking - implying that arts and humanities students won't be going back.

Have any others seen this communication and what do you make of it? DS2 is so so desperate to go back but I think it's preparing the ground for not allowing them back at all. (Not sure yet about Cambridge still).

@mutterphore. Yes, I’ve seen this email. DD spoke to her tutor yesterday so was expecting this today. He implied that “all being well” humanities students could probably return for the second part of Trinity. Residency requirements are not in place so I suppose it whether the students think it’s worth going back for 4 weeks?
Also, the fact that students already in Oxford are being told they now can’t leave for the vac is slightly alarming.

DS has been selected 8th in the ballot for second year accommodation; must be his lucky week. It means he'll get a good choice of room for next year. Not so much in the third year when the order is reversed, but hopefully they will be spending less time in their rooms by October 2022.

If arts and humanities may not be back at all or may only be back for four weeks, how on earth will they select rooms and a 'household' for next year? DS1 (C) hasn't yet made proper friends and barely met anyone in his college for the 6 weeks he was allowed out of his room, last term.

Quite a few updates have been made on the Oxford website today:

MENU

A student working alone in a library.

Current students

Things are different this year, and we understand that this may be challenging at times. However, we are committed to ensuring your time at Oxford is as rewarding and fulfilling as possible, within the constraints of the pandemic.

These pages provide the latest information about COVID-19 for all students, from education and student life to travel, visas and accommodation. They will be updated on a regular basis, so please check back often.

The information on this page is for current Oxford students.

If you are thinking of applying for study at Oxford, please go to the applicants section of this site.

If you are an offer holder, please refer to our FAQs forundergraduate offer holdersorgraduate offer holders (2020/21 entry).

_Latest updatesArrangements for Hilary and Trinity terms (updated 26 February)

Teaching, learning and assessments (updated 26 January)

Returning to Oxford (updated 26 February)

Residency requirements will not be in place for Trinity term, so you do not have to be in Oxford. However, we encourage you to return for in-person teaching where possible.

You should review the ‘teaching and learning’ section above for guidance about in-person start dates. Your department will confirm specific arrangements for your course in the near future.

Students on non-practical courses

Please remember that if you are on a non-practical or practice-based course, the Government will not issue guidance on your return for in-person teaching until 5 April at the earliest.

We realise it will be disappointing for you not to get more clarity at this stage. However, we are committed to reviewing these arrangements as soon as possible after we get more guidance from the Government, and we remain hopeful that a wider student return will be possible in Trinity term.

Apologies. That posted more than I anticipated.

@mutterphore

If arts and humanities may not be back at all or may only be back for four weeks, how on earth will they select rooms and a 'household' for next year? DS1 (C) hasn't yet made proper friends and barely met anyone in his college for the 6 weeks he was allowed out of his room, last term.

I’d imagine it will be much like last year when students were all home for Trinity. It was all done online then loads of mad swapping around done afterwards. It’s so sad for them all.

Looks like DD (finalist, science subject) might be able to return to O on April 12th subject to changes to government roadmap.

The Oxford update ( this page: www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/students ) also says:

The Government currently advises students to minimise travel. Its guidance states that you should not leave your term-time accommodation, unless you can demonstrate that you have an exemption from the national restrictions on leaving home. As the guidance currently stands, at the end of term, and during the Easter Vacation, you should not leave your Oxford accommodation to return home or travel unless you have an exemption.

Does anyone know where to read the government guidance being referred to? DS is in Oxford and I assumed that returning home when term ends would be a valid reason to travel, but it sounds like they expect him to be stuck there...

DD believes that the colleges have to allow them to stay, which isn't quite the same.

www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Travel

You must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse (for example, for work or education purposes).

If you need to travel you should stay local. This means you should avoid travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live. You should reduce the number of journeys you make overall.

The list of reasons you can leave your home and local area include, but are not limited to:

•work, where you cannot reasonably work from home
•accessing education and for caring responsibilities
•visiting those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
•visiting hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
•buying goods or services that you need, but this should be within your local area wherever possible
•outdoor exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)
•attending the care and exercise of an animal, or veterinary services

If you need to travel, walk or cycle where possible, plan ahead and if you are able to do so avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practise social distancing while you travel.

Avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support bubble. See theguidance on car sharing.

If you need to use public transport, you should follow thesafer travel guidance.

At least, I assume that's what it refers to.

Oh dear...DS1 (C) has now seen that Cambridge are saying they may well have all students back for the summer term - at least, the way it's phrased is more positive than the way Oxford have phrased their advice.

If DS1 (C) can return but DS2 (O) isn't allowed, then it's going to be really, really tough for DS2 next term. He's the one who is most longing to return....What a shambles.....

Althpugh the same document also says:

If you live at university, you should not move back and forward between your permanent home and student home during term time.

Which sort of implies that it's okay to do it during the vacations...

I must say that when I mentioned to DD the other day that it was possible that she was not meant to come home for Easter, she said she hadn't really thought about Easter anyway. But she is living in a private rental and at a different university, which can only decree whether she may or may not be on the actual campus, not where she is when she isn't physically there.

DD1 messaged today to say C have said not to travel home at Easter. DD is seriously fed up as she needs her summer clothes. I might just take them to her but my advice is to wait and see what transpires. If the school reopening goes tits up, who knows?

This Easter hols thing is a bit tricky for those in residence. I expect a lot were hoping for a break from their rooms for a little bit.

Ugh, what’s that thing about it’s the hope that kills you? DD and a crowd of (C) buddies have bought tickets for Reading festival and now looking like it will/might be possible to go back for Easter term. They’ve all put up with so much, trying to keep a lid on expectations.

I really really hope they get the spring and summer they are all hoping for. They all need it so much.

I see Cambridge are talking about extending their teaching term. I thought that was interesting.

It could also mean an extra £700 - £1000 rent.