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

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

New thread following on from the previous one.

Lots of and into 2021.

Welcome @Allfurcoatandnoknickers

I replied to you on the other thread, my DS is doing Economics at UEA. I was also very at the poster who dissed UEA too - my DS ended up there through clearing and in all honesty I think it was the best fit for him in the long run. He was on campus en-suite - the village was full by the time we applied for accommodation as he was in clearing. Anyway he currently shares a house with 2 people in his old halls and is changing house in September to 2 other people in his old halls. He’s about to go into his 3rd year, can’t believe it has gone so quickly!

@NotSorry glad that you think it was the best fit for your DS. Our DS feels the same. As he has commented more than once, he prefers being top-end in his student cohort than struggling to keep up (as he reckons would have been the case if he'd got into his firm!).

Where have the last two years gone. How time flies!

I wonder if this continued 'banging on' about Russell Group universities is why so many young people end up being unhappy with their choices, particularly if over-influenced by parents' views?

DS went to a very high achieving state secondary school (so no pupils heading for post 92 universities). If UEA was good enough for others in his cohort, it's good enough for DS too!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

I've had young people (a bit older than my DS) ask me where he is studying and when I said "UEA" they were envious as they wanted to go there and didn't get in. One of my clients went there (as did his wife) and can't speak highly enough of it. He is now in his 60s, retired and studying for his 3rd degree - it hasn't held him back!

Thanks for the welcome! It's so lovely to hear all these positive stories. I thought it had a great feel both on the campus, the surrounding area and the city.
Our DS is older, and I've seen the damage done to children who have been very unhappy with their (parent's) choices.
Our DD is very much her own woman and will absolutely not be influenced by anyone else - especially me!!!
@NotSorry so lovely to hear of your clients who is studying for their 3rd degree - wow!!

Hello again lovely UEA people and hello to Allfurcoatandnonickers.
I had to look on that UEA/Cardiff thread, I’d forgotten about how ‘sharp elbowed’ some parents are 🙄 it’s so nice it’s not like that on this thread, you lots are always so helpful and supportive.
Both my DS are coming to stay with me tonight, I’m so pleased, really looking forward to seeing them.
I’m due to go back to Canada in a week, I’d been thinking of changing my flight as it sounds like they may get rid of the compulsory 3 day hotel quarantine requirement, but it’s sounding like they won’t make changes till July and I don’t want to be here that long, my husband and dog are missing me.
I suppose at some point soon I will no longer be a UEA parent, DS has submitted his deferral request but I don’t yet know if they will accept it, in theory he would return Sept 2022, but I don’t think he will.
I hope you will let me stay on this thread or will I have to be deferred as well 🤣

@Itscoldouthere have a great time with your DS!

Please stay on this thread - you have honorary status even if your DS2 doesn't return to UEA. Once a UEA parent always a UEA parent!!!

No deferring for you itscoldoutthere, you are stuck with us. Hope you have a lovely time with your DC.

UEA students have an in joke that UEA stands for University of Easy Access which annoys me no end. I have to remind them both that they both put UEA first ahead of other RG offers and so will most others at UEA. They were bowled over by the campus and atmosphere at UEA and never looked back.

DS1 is having his last 6 weeks at UEA before he starts his first job as a foundation doctor and will miss UEA and Norwich ( even more than he realises at this point)

Ahh thank you @NewModelArmyMayhem18 @sluj I’d miss hearing about the goings on. I love that ‘once a UEA parent’ saying.

I’ve just been talking to AirCanada about my flight, they had rebooked me via Toronto as all direct flights are cancelled, but I want to land in Montreal as you have to do 3 days in hotel where you first land.
I’m now looking at possibly going via Brussels but have to check all rules to make sure I comply with everything, flying really is so complicated now and all the extra cost etc make it so complicated, let alone the stress of actually being in an airport/ aeroplane, Covid has changed everything.

My DS was saying some of his housemates are now finished for the year, I think they will be floating between Norwich and their family homes for the summer, my DS will have to stay in Norwich although he may visit his brother in Bournemouth. I hope the house buying will go through ok and I will be back by the end of September.

DS told me he’s just booked his 1st vaccine for 18th June, I think it came through from the doctors on campus.

My Ds is coming home Sunday - his girlfriend leaves for her home country that day so I think he’d rather be here with all mod cons. He had his last exam last week

No pushing of the Kimpton Fitzroy London Group here - fun fact, when I told a friend that DS1 had chosen Birmingham and her response was, Ooh, Russell Group, I had to just smile politely and go away and look it up... There is a bit of an age gap between us and I had been blissfully ignorant of the whole coffee morning in a posh hotel thing for university big-wigs that had obviously sprung up at some point between my graduation from one of the eventually to be founder members and growing a DC old enough to be applying to university.

For years I thought RG stood for really gullible

We are fortunate to have a whole raft of excellent Unis in the UK. Just more than the self appointed 24.

And how many RGs have Concrete Confessions?

Or a dedicated thread like this?

I rest my case.

@boys3 and @MarchingFrogs

If any of your DC's are still in Norwich, the campus med centre is doing vaccinations. My DS had his yesterday.

My DS is having his next Friday. He is still only 19 so Norwich must be well ahead of the curve. He is really pleased and so are we.

Do you know which vaccine your DS had, @GoldenRuby?

He didn't say and I forgot to ask! Have sent him a WhatsApp and will let you know as and when he replies

That's good news @GoldenRuby. DS2 had his first dose last week (although came home for that). Through our local PCN so date for second dose confirmed at same time.

@sluj DS had the Pfizer jab.

Thanks for flagging up that UEA are already offering students vaccinations via the campus med centre @GoldenRuby. Good news. And again, it's another 'positive' for UEA generally.

Thanks @GoldenRuby. I will be glad when DS has his. That will be everyone in our immediate family.

My DD will be 18 in October, so will be very relieved when she can get her jab too as it looks unlikely that they are going to expand the roll out to under 18s any time soon.

Yes Ds is having his next Thursday. The day after my second vaccine. The only thing is when he needs his second one he will be back home doing his summer job. I don't know if they can book somewhere else. He said no option to book a second one. That's the same as our health centre, we had to just wait for the text. Good job Norwich isn't that far away, so he can drive back.

@GoldenRuby do you think they will roll it out to younger children? I'd be happy for my 17 year old Ds to have it. But not so keen on my 12 year old having it.

I think medically there seems to be growing noise that it is ok for older teens, but the Government I think said yesterday that this isn't on the cards due to supply issues. Of course if all over 18s are jabbed by end of September things may change then.