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Higher education

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

Original poster

UEA (2019) Surely 2021 (and getting on for halfway through our DC's degrees) things have got to get better????

764 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 26/12/2020 17:35

New thread following on from the previous one.

Lots of Star and Glitterball into 2021.

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Thread gallery
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icanbewhatiwant · 04/05/2021 18:54

@MarchingFrogs yes it was a bank holiday. But Ds said pre covid it was still quite busy. Hopefully it will be again soon.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 05/05/2021 19:33

@Itscoldouthere how are you getting on and most importantly how is your DS2 doing?

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boys3 · 17/05/2021 19:23

First return to a F2F seminar for DS2 this morning. Received a very excited FaceTime about it - the fact of it being back withreal, in the flesh people, as opposed to the subject matter. Although I’m sure that was good too.

Hopefully a first small step back to a more normal uni experience.

sluj · 18/05/2021 12:19

Almost back to normal - good news 😀

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 18/05/2021 12:52

Yay! Progress. Did you hear that UEA is giving all those in uni halls a free month at the end of their contracts this summer? It's a gesture (seems more generous than most others that have followed suit though) but it made me remember why DS was so keen on the university in the first place

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sluj · 18/05/2021 13:16

I hope they get to have a great time with their month.
DS1 (and us) is disappointed that there will be no graduation for him this year so that will be 5 years at UEA ending with a bit of a disappointment. On the other hand, he has had an email saying he passed his degree, so that will have to do Shock

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 18/05/2021 13:28

Congratulations to your DS1 @sluj but not good to no graduation ceremony. A particular snub/anti-climax after five years of study.

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NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 18/05/2021 13:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

icanbewhatiwant · 18/05/2021 17:19

@boys3 that is great hes had f2f. Ds said he won't have anything f2f now, just end of year exams. He has 3 in June. That's it for the year then.

boys3 · 18/05/2021 21:59

@sluj congrats to your DS to start with.

I'm a bit disappointed for all the DS graduating both this year and last year. Whilst I get the covid constraints I would have hoped given that graduation is the culmination of at least 3 years' effort, and a real milestone for all those young adults that Unis would plan something later on this year or even into next year to formally have the graduation celebration.

Yes it might require a number of separate days' events. Perhaps not everyone would be able to make it, but I'd imagine a very large percentage would.

I hope Unis - not just UEA - are considering this. I realise that its outside the norm but is it really that much to ask given the what Covid has put everyone through?

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 19/05/2021 06:45

Totally agree @boys3. Graduation is kind of the 'icing on the cake' of one's undergraduate career isn't it? Just another student 'given' experience dashed.

The cynic in me would say it's another money-saving venture by the universities at time when the onus should be on them to 'steop up to the mark' in some way to make up for what the students have missed out on for the past 15 months or so.

Sorry, rant over.

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sluj · 19/05/2021 08:19

We are disappointed with the lack of graduation especially as other unis are managing it this year. Unfortunately for DS1 he starts his 1st NHS job in the Midlands in July so is unlikely to be able to make a graduation at any other time, what with shift rotas and travel etc. Hopefully DS2 gets his UEA graduation next year but it will be a bit sad for his brother 😢

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 19/05/2021 08:32

Graduation is in a way the 'last hurray' in the transition from childhood to adulthood with responsibilities for many young people nowadays, particularly if they're going on to hold down responsible jobs immediately.

You would have thought with all that open space on campus, UEA could have organised something?

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Itscoldouthere · 24/05/2021 09:14

Hello UEA peeps, sorry for lack of posting but it’s been a busy stressful time for me.
I’m in UK and actually in Norfolk at the moment, went to meet DS yesterday and we went for a walk around the lake at UEA, quite a lot of students around and evidence of things going on. There is a large outdoor bar area with lots of picnic tables and an additional study tent (as lack of room in library apparently).
It was nice to be back at UEA.
DS has only just submitted his deferral paperwork, not sure what happens now but in theory if approved he will defer till 2022.
I’m pretty sure he won’t go back but he’s trying to keep ‘doors open’ he’s still considering a different course at another university (for 2022) and there is a possibility that if he is deferred he can apply for a transfer rather than a brand new application through UCAS, but it’s all just things to consider at the moment rather than real plans.
DS is also considering trying to get some work but I’m not sure if he will really be able to put his thoughts in to action. I’m trying to support as much as I can but it’s difficult, I wanted to get into his room and help him sort it out ( it’s a tip) but he doesn’t want me to.
I’ve been trying to find somewhere to buy in London and it’s all super stressful.
We are now planning to come back to UK for the next year or so, as it seems like the only solution to support DS.
Not ideal or what we really want to do but can’t see any other solution, just have to hope it all works out somehow.
Hope all your DC are coping with exam stress and also hope they can get to have a bit of fun once the exams are done (and if this rain finally stops 🤣).

sluj · 24/05/2021 12:09

It's good to hear from youitscoldoutthere
Sounds like your plans have changed dramatically. Its so true that you still worry about your children even when they have grown up. It does sound like an opportunity for your DS to take stock and perhaps a job might give him a focus for now. I hope it works out for you all

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 24/05/2021 17:14

@itscoldouthere good to hear from you but sorry to hear you've been having a stressful time of it, particularly with supporting your DS2 and having to look for somewhere to live (good luck with finding something suitable). How is your DS2 doing in himself? How is DS1 getting on?

You never know what will happen. It could be that taking a year out (and having to work for a living) gives your DS2 a change of perspective. Hopefully, the time out will give him the headspace he needs to plan the way ahead - even an apprenticeship.

Good luck with helping him sort out his room.

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Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 25/05/2021 13:05

For those of you with dogs, thought you might find this article amusing (it's about Crocs for dogs!).

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Itscoldouthere · 26/05/2021 23:58

Those dog crocs are very funny.

I didn’t get anywhere near DS bedroom, a cup of tea in the kitchen was as far as I was allowed!
I’m trying to slowly push him along with getting his CV together, but it really is slow, if he doesn’t want to deal with it he just doesn’t answer my calls! Very frustrating.

icanbewhatiwant · 27/05/2021 11:31

Great to hear from you @Itscoldouthere welcome back to England. Sorry to hear things aren't great with Ds. I hope you get somewhere. I guess, frustrating for you, he wants to do things at his pace.

On the plus side I expect you've been able to have your vaccine now you are back.

juicy0 · 01/06/2021 22:22

It's been a scorcher in Norwich today and I headed out to the UEA lake this evening so our dog could cool off. It was lovely to see so many students outside enjoying themselves! Lots of bbq's, picnics, ball games and most importantly laughter and smiling faces :)

sluj · 02/06/2021 08:15

That's nice to hear Juicy0, UEA definitely comes into its own in the sunshine 🌞
And more to come this week 😀

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 02/06/2021 08:53

Yay! That's good to hear @juicy0!

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Itscoldouthere · 02/06/2021 12:35

UEA is lovely on a sunny day, must be so nice seeing student out and making the most of it.
I’ve only got a few more weeks here, finally managed to find something to buy in London so now 🤞🏻 that it all goes through without too much stress.
DS is still being very elusive which is really driving me mad, I’ve not managed to speak to him since I visited over a week ago. I’m wanting to arrange something for his 21st birthday which is just before I go back to Canada, but he just doesn’t answer my calls, it’s so frustrating and slightly depressing ☹️
Makes me feel rather unloved

juicy0 · 02/06/2021 15:10

@Itscoldouthere good luck with finalising the house purchase in London 🤞🏼
It's so frustrating but when they don't communicate, especially when you're trying to organise something lovely, but it is hard not to take it personally and feel rubbish. Let's hope he gets in touch soon x

juicy0 · 02/06/2021 15:12

On a separate note we've had a bit of drama this term with a troublesome housemate who has been bullying DD and as a result she has decided she no longer wants to live with them next year. She doesn't have an alternative at the moment but she's optimistic she can find a room before September. It's risky but she has been so unhappy this term that she feels she has no choice.