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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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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Monkey2001 · 11/02/2021 12:55

@Alittlewornout I am astonished that he has resisted going back to a private flat if his GF is there. Given that you are so close it seems reasonable to go if he wants to. Early on there was allowance in the rules for seeing a non-cohabiting partner - is that still the case?

Alittlewornout · 11/02/2021 13:11

@Monkey2001 I know, its been really hard for them but complicated by the fact ds girlfriends sister is now staying there( they are from the US) as she cant now return to her UK Uni. He has also had a wee job which will finish at the end of February so I think will go up then. I had both girls on Christmas day ( as was allowed) itcwas lovely to have house full of young people for a short while.
Will need to check the rules on partners because if allowed he may pop up and surprise her for a few hours at the weekend, if the snow melts!!!

Monkey2001 · 14/02/2021 00:11

DS getting very irritated by Americans being very loud whilst organising social events. He said he has met people from all over the world since he started at St Andrews, but only the Americans seem to just not get what the UK is trying to do to control spread. I can't help wondering whether the university has been so relaxed about Americans returning because they need the fees. The last communication did not talk about the university position on international students, it focused on the Scottish govt rules, ducking any suggestion that they might be trying to control their return.

Over on the FB group there is another girl travelling from US to St A, arriving tomorrow. The double standards, seeing so many students back all over the place is so frustrating.

I told him that in England Boris wants schools back, then non essential shops, then hospitality. DS said hospitality makes no difference for him as his friends have not come back. I hope they have a really amazing September, but am still keeping things crossed for April/May. I can't see how the university can stop students coming back if the travel restrictions go, certainly can't stop the ones in private accommodation.

Original poster
Newgirls · 14/02/2021 09:55

The us thing is eye opening. My friends in us are travelling around, all at school etc so that’s why they don’t get it. Plus paying a fortune I guess so feel entitled.

Without them tho the town would be very quiet I guess.

I’m still gutted about it all tho dd seems ok. If all adults will be offered jabs by sept surely there should be more normal. I’m not convinced by St. Andrews though - they seem reluctant to find solutions and seem to be ditacted to by staff who surely should have the jabs soon?

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Monkey2001 · 14/02/2021 11:07

I have been going through the rules on the website again and St A say that the policy is to apply the govt rules. The govt guidance still says that return of students is under constant review, but is unlikely to be before 1st March. Scottish numbers are looking good, primary schools are going back next week and they are reviewing secondary schools every 2 weeks. I am refusing to give up on the idea of UK students being allowed back for the end of the semester, although of course they may not want to go as all teaching and assessment will be on line, but I hope it will be their choice.

Original poster
Newgirls · 14/02/2021 15:17

I wonder how many will go if it’s online? Prob 2-4th years, more than first years?

Dd thinks she might as well save the money now if no f2f. Tho she’d go back if it was f2f of course.

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Monkey2001 · 14/02/2021 16:52

@Newgirls I hope that quite a few go back. Some will find home more acceptable than others. Nice for your DD that she will save some money, I assume it must be over £3k saving, so that is great. Is she looking for private accommodation or just planning to stay in halls next year? I know people have been encouraged by the student association to apply for Uni accom as a back up even if they want to move out.

Original poster
Newgirls · 15/02/2021 09:22

She has applied for uni accom so let’s hope that works out.

Not sure how much per term - 2.5k per term for accom so well worth it to an 18 year old.

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AChickenCalledDaal · 15/02/2021 10:32

I think DD would probably go back if it was permitted. The sense of disjoint around being simultaneously at university and at home is quite strong. And they are very aware that they had only just about settled in and will be basically starting all over again in Sept. (Hopefully in the same hall of residence, but we wait with bated breath for that decision ...)

I'm also getting very frustrated with the US parents, talking of "loopholes" and the air of entitlement that their children should have what our children cannot have. Maybe I'd feel the same if I was paying through the nose for midnight tutorials, but it's still infuriating to hear about students sloping back through the back door and probably making it even less likely that UK students will be able to return.

Heffapotamus · 15/02/2021 14:00

@AChickenCalledDaal

I think DD would probably go back if it was permitted. The sense of disjoint around being simultaneously at university and at home is quite strong. And they are very aware that they had only just about settled in and will be basically starting all over again in Sept. (Hopefully in the same hall of residence, but we wait with bated breath for that decision ...)

I'm also getting very frustrated with the US parents, talking of "loopholes" and the air of entitlement that their children should have what our children cannot have. Maybe I'd feel the same if I was paying through the nose for midnight tutorials, but it's still infuriating to hear about students sloping back through the back door and probably making it even less likely that UK students will be able to return.

My sentiment entirely.
Original poster
Newgirls · 15/02/2021 17:30

Good post on fb but possibly one of this thread posters?! 🙌

I’m more worried about uni staff refusing to switch to f2f in aug than Americans spreading germs tbh. I hope everyone gets jabs so the kids can get on with uni life.

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Original poster
Newgirls · 15/02/2021 17:30

By not but!

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Monkey2001 · 15/02/2021 19:00

Wow, that is powerful stuff. I wonder if the admin people will let it stay, some people are going to be very offended even though it is all true!

idsisatwat · 15/02/2021 21:11

I’ve read that post too! It’s so frustrating for our DC to be following the rules and staying home, even though many of their friends at English universities are returning. And i agree, it’s very galling to see the Americans talking about loopholes and how to avoid quarantine.
It’s hard for all the students, whether they’re here or abroad.

Original poster
Newgirls · 15/02/2021 21:13

Goodness that has tackled the elephant in the room!

We’re all so sick of this mess aren’t we

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Monkey2001 · 15/02/2021 21:28

On a lighter note, what would your DC think if you sent them valentine chocolates?!

idsisatwat · 15/02/2021 21:32

@Monkey2001 they’d think I’d gone mad Grin and then promptly scoff the chocolates
I did send her chocolates for her birthday and also some for exam season, but just some Lindt bars & a few Ferrero rocher (it was some deal from groupon)

Monkey2001 · 15/02/2021 22:08

It was the very posh heart shaped chocolates and flowers that was strange to my British mind! I am in the process of putting a big box of snacks and treats together, including some home-made favourites for DS's birthday which is in a few days. But if I had sent what looks to me like romantic gifts he would also think I had gone mad!

Wbeezer · 16/02/2021 00:48

Mine would think that was "cringe" too.

Original poster
Newgirls · 16/02/2021 12:13

Waspy American parenting is very different from our Brit parenting 😬

I need to find a personal realtor too...

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Original poster
Newgirls · 22/02/2021 09:31

Monkey the Americans on fb are driving me mad. Anti vaxer. Some v privileged ‘surely my offspring can’t be in the wrong’ etc. I guess it shows that all types exist and can’t be argued with.

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Monkey2001 · 22/02/2021 11:45

@Newgirls you should see how outraged they are on the remainers at St Andrews page. They were offended by an assumption that people would expect them to support their kids in understanding the laws which apply to them, and so many are saying their children went back after Christmas because they should not have to be in their bedrooms because that is not where their lives are now. There is no understanding of the disparity between the treatment of the UK students and the internationals. Can't they see how wrong it is that people were allowed back from America, South Africa and Peru, but not from the UK?!

I am so sad for our students. DS can't face staying in St A for Spring Break with all his friends still away, so he is going to come back then even if it means he is not allowed to return for the final 3 weeks of teaching. His birthday treat was a curry for dinner, eaten in his bedroom whilst on a zoom call with us and his girlfriend. It is so wrong.

Fingers crossed for good news on accommodation today, I think Accommodation Services must be having a very difficult time!

Monkey2001 · 22/02/2021 12:53

DS got the accommodation he wanted, some good news at last!

Good luck to those waiting.

Original poster
Newgirls · 22/02/2021 13:38

Very happy daughter here - phew relief!

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Original poster
Newgirls · 22/02/2021 13:39

And yes quite - I think you were very restrained and measured. Oh well. Let’s hope all this is the old news soon.

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