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Original poster

St Andrews into 2021 (new thread)

944 replies

Newgirls · 11/12/2020 15:16

Ok can’t think of a catchier title! If anyone can send the other thread over here pls do!

Prospective and existing parents etc all welcome here. Transport, accom, cloaks, choirs, beaches and more to be discussed. Next year will be better surely!

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hollypocks · 13/08/2021 00:12

@Newgirls, @AChickenCalledDaal, @Monkey2001thank you so much, he’s had an email today and now setting up with his St As account so he’ll be able to access information. I’m actually alumni myself (met DH there too) so will be so fantastic to have DS in such a beautiful place.. Slight concerned on accommodation front, saw the article in the Telegraph today citing lack of rooms. The next few weeks will no doubt speed by…

Original poster
Newgirls · 13/08/2021 08:36

Ah it will be so amazing to be back there for you!

I hope the first year acom is ok. They should have given the Dundee residence to 3-4 years and saved the in- town acom IMO but we shall see what happens.

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hollypocks · 13/08/2021 09:08

Indeed, I wonder how over subscribed they actually are. I was fortunate enough to be in halls for all four years!

idsisatwat · 14/08/2021 14:59

Can’t believe they’re back there in just 3 weeks. We’ve got a B&B booked, as we’ve been there and back in a day the last couple of times - which is exhausting!
DD is at East Sands this year, and looking forward to going back

Original poster
Newgirls · 14/08/2021 16:55

What a fab location at east sands!

Mine is getting the train on her own so no trip for me sadly. I do wonder if we shall all meet up one day!

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AChickenCalledDaal · 14/08/2021 22:14

My younger daughter starts sixth form on 3 Sept, so DH is driving DD1 up to St A's and I will be here making sure she actually gets out of the house in time. Hoping to get there in half term instead.

Monkey2001 · 15/08/2021 19:19

Just putting all the dates on my new year planner. I am a bit confused about when the end of year is. Is the hall accommodation contract until Saturday 28th May this year? I am hoping that if it is a normal year there is lots of fun stuff after the year end.

Also, there is talk of golden tickets and Fresher events selling out on the FB page. Can anybody with students who experienced normal freshers advise whether it is worth buying anything before you go, or is there plenty that they can do ad hoc. DS does not do social media, so won't know he should be doing anything and I am sure we all want our second years to get the legendary St Andrews experience!

KatySun · 15/08/2021 19:57

I hope there is plenty you can do as hoc. DD is not on any social media and is anxious enough about starting (she is first year) without the added pressure of having to book stuff now. It will be a shame if they are expected to book stuff before they have even got there.
She did get her arrival slot booked though, thanks to the heads up on here 👍

idsisatwat · 16/08/2021 08:45

I hope there’s plenty of ad-hoc stuff to do too. As they didn’t really have a freshers last year. I did see on the parent’s fb page that anyone can join in - not just first years.

@Newgirls yep! I’m very jealous of her - living right by the beach. But am very impressed by yours getting the train! With all her stuff?? We had a car full when we emptied DD’s room

Original poster
Newgirls · 16/08/2021 09:18

She still has stuff up there from Jan! So only taking one case. Her stuff is being moved for her by the hall of residence. If I have to go to help I’ll be delighted 😀

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Original poster
Newgirls · 16/08/2021 09:20

I think it’s only the fashion show that’s booked up already? Prob mostly to those who have friends in it. I can only assume that has been delayed and long over due. Hall events and union events etc will be their main entertainment so those will all be avail when they turn up. Also the society welcome events as and when they happen will be avail to all I’m sure.

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Puffins12 · 16/08/2021 13:08

De-lurking. DD 2nd year DRA contract appears to end on the 21st of May, i.e. a week before semester end. Any connection to Jubilee weekend next year? According to semester dates on university site, semester 2 starts a week earlier than this year, 1 week February break, Easter weeks are revision weeks and exam weeks start TWO weeks earlier than this year. I had been thinking about asking the university why semester 2 has been so compressed with no real mid-semester break.

Monkey2001 · 16/08/2021 14:53

I think there is a big golf competition there this summer, could that by why? I guess it gives them more of an opportunity to raise funds from rent Andrews a couple of financially difficult years.

AChickenCalledDaal · 16/08/2021 17:17

I think the change in dates for this year is a permanent shift. Apaprently there was a consultation on reviewing the academic year, during 2019/20, and I've heard it claimed that it went rather under the radar as far as students were concerned

This link says Semester 2 exams finish 10 May, so that will by why the contract ends on the 21st.

It does seem astonishingly early to finish for the year. And pretty intense without the Easter break.

Original poster
Newgirls · 16/08/2021 21:58

Wow I hadn’t realised so early - mid may!

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Monkey2001 · 16/08/2021 23:06

I must encourage DS to do something with his summer next year. This year he has passed his driving test, but apart from that, there has been an awful lot of sleep!

Original poster
Newgirls · 17/08/2021 08:04

Hopefully it will be a time for travel - even if just around the UK!

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Monkey2001 · 17/08/2021 08:49

@Newgirls

Hopefully it will be a time for travel - even if just around the UK!
I agree that would be nice! What has your DD done with her summer?

Anybody here with DC who have used their summer well?

Original poster
Newgirls · 17/08/2021 10:32

Yes she’s been working and going out a lot which is great as did so little of that last year. She’s been happy at her job so very fortunate 👍

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AChickenCalledDaal · 17/08/2021 17:34

DD1 has done some volunteer work in a local primary school. But that ended up being only about three weeks, as the DBS took ages.

Other than that, mostly sleeping, reading fan fiction and obsessing over Marvel characters. Not to mention introducing 16yo DD2 to various vaguely unsuitable Tumblr posts.

It's been a positive time in terms of DD1 and DD2's sibling relationship, which has been a plus!

Monkey2001 · 17/08/2021 17:54

We have had really positive changes in sibling relationship but started in first lock down for us. They respect eachother, which is lovely!

Original poster
Newgirls · 20/08/2021 08:33

Morning! Did you see on the fb group that halls will require students to wear masks in all shared spaces, corridors etc. I guess they don’t want high cases but also if they are going to pubs, union etc what is the point? I feel frustrated for them - I hope it isn’t going to feel draconian. I guess they will just go out more?

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Monkey2001 · 20/08/2021 09:42

That is rubbish, sounds like they won't want events in halls then. St Andrews website also says still no overnight guests, which I think is ridiculous and cannot believe that students will not spend nights in eachother rooms! DS planning to smuggle his GF in anyway.

I thought a while ago that new relationships would be very Victorian with 2m distancing and no time alone inside together if you follow the rules!

Dahliafairy · 20/08/2021 09:55

I also spotted in the advice that students may be required to self isolate if someone in their household tests positive. Given the change in advice from the Scottish government on isolation I hope that the university doesn’t impose harsher rules?
Interestingly, in Scotland it seems you have to isolate whilst waiting for the results of a PCR if you’re a close contact - I don’t think that’s the case in England?

Monkey2001 · 20/08/2021 10:12

@Dahliafairy DH was pinged on Sunday and I looked it up - if you are fully vaccinated you can have a PCR test and if negative no need to SI, so he worked from home whilst waiting for results. Bit stupid as news last night said you can still get a high viral load post vaccine and my understanding is that it may not show on a test until day 5 anyway.

I also hope they will be more moderate in their measures this year.