So where does this leave UNI students?

[RainingBatsAndFrogs]

Can they go back if they have not already done so?

Nearly all DC's flatmates are back already.

We had a similar discussion here, but the other end of the dining room table got cleared off. The rationale is that the laundry angel appears, food and wine is better and free cheaper. Why go back to a room, with 7 people she isn't overly in love with when she can have 3 people she knows she can put up with.

It appears that DS has decided to stay here for now inspite of previously saying he would go back some time in the next couple of weeks (lectures don't restart until 1st week of Feb and he doesn't have any exams). He announced this evening that it is cheaper for him to live here - and he has meals prepped for him and a laundry service. At least his rent at his Uni house isn't that expensive! A friend's DD rented a flat share in London to do her masters from last Sept and has been back home since mid October. Her rent for London flat is extortionate especially as she's not even living there.

Both my uni DC's have gone back. Both are in rented homes. One has been told that she shouldn't be back, however the libraries are (or were) open, and she needs to use the computers there (specialist computer software needed)
DC 2 is a trainee teacher and was told to be back for classes this week, but the whole group has been told that school placements are cancelled, and they will most likely have to do another year or else they won't have the necessary experience to qualify.

most likely have to do another year or else they won't have the necessary experience to qualify.

A lot of that is going to happen. I moaned about this risk 8 months ago. All types of professions. It's not like we have a massive shortage of HCPs already, right? Oh wait...

Medics are still doing placements. Hoping they get the vaccine soon.

My Dd wants to travel back into self catering halls tomorrow. University haven't said if this is ok or not, but two of her flatmates are back already.

My heart wants her to stay with me, but I know I can't make her, so I'm heading to bed feeling quite fragile about it all.

I Know that in reality she will probably work better in her flat than at home - home atmosphere isn't great, two of her flatmates are on courses which overlap with hers so they'll share some online lectures etc. So far the flatmates have all been sensible and careful, realistically there is no more risk to her by being there than there is to her staying at home.

But still, I am worrying about what's best.

Mine both went back last night Their decision

Mine will be going back in the next day or so. I will take her so she doesn't have to use public transport. There are lots of reasons she will be better off not here at her parents house. She's a 3rd year adult with her own private rented accommodation. I'm not a rule breaker and nor is she, and I'm not sure this is breaking the rules, but she won't stay here for the next 6 weeks that's for sure.

DS had his train booked for tomorrow (Wednesday).

He is sensible and is in a privately rented flat with one other boy. Although it's a 5 hour train journey I feel inclined to let him go.

Dd just heard from her personal tutor. Assumption is to stay put, wherever they currently are, but will have 1 to 1 to check they have access to all they need to study remotely and review situation.

Also posted under the Coronovirus topic

Everyone needs to be aware that the rules are different in each of the four countries.

We live in England but DS1 is studying in Wales. He returned to Uni on Monday and is using the facilities there already (having been tested for Covid this morning). Were he doing the same course in England he would be staying at home.

DC 2 is a trainee teacher and was told to be back for classes this week, but the whole group has been told that school placements are cancelled, and they will most likely have to do another year or else they won't have the necessary experience to qualify.

Interesting - have they been told what will happen about fees, who will finance their additional maintenance costs etc?

DS gone back this morning before the storm hits. We were not keen but he was desperate to get back so for his mental health waved him off with a smile. Dad has taken him so no public transport.

@justasking111 my daughter is going back at the weekend. There's no way she will stay here until February. She's a sensible adult who needs to manage her own life. Her mental health is much better when she has a bit of space. She likes her own space and will be on her own in private rental. She can't wait for the peace and quiet and WiFi that works to get stuck into her dissertation and final modules. She can't do that here.

@Unescorted

Teaching will be online unless tehy are studying for a future critical care worker & they will have to abide by lockdown rules from midnight tonight.

from gov.uk

No different to home then, in terms of lockdown; but at least at university they have teenage housemates to socialise with rather than fussy mum and dad. I think most students will be better off at university to be honest, apart from those who are nervous about being away and not being able to see family for the next three months.

DS1 isn't allowed back. His residence won't be open until end of Jan - and that was announced before yesterday's news, so maybe it won't open at all this term.

DS2 could go back but after the horrible time he had living alone last term with no one else from his flat showing up, he has cheerfully decided to stay put.

I am sad for them. Living at home is not the uni experience we hoped for them. But with any luck it will be safer to return by Easter.

DD went back on Dec 29th as she has a part-time job. However only one in her flat and only one other person in entire uni halls. The rest have been told to stay where they currently are for the moment. She got a message this morning that the warden wants to do an essential household visit and room check so she's wondering if she's going to be turfed out. Frantically running around cleaning the flat whilst getting ready for work (DD is messy). Hope they will give her notice if they close her halls as she wants to keep her job so will switch to private accomodation.

I'm glad I found this thread. Dd is due to go back on Thursday but would rather stay here. I feel like a mean mum but I can't cope with her here till mid February at least. She's lovely and house trained but I need my space and she needs to be socialising with other young people in the flesh (2 housemates already there). Not to mention we are getting through milk and toilet rolls at an alarming rate.

Grumpy

Also posted under the Coronovirus topic

Everyone needs to be aware that the rules are different in each of the four countries.

We live in England but DS1 is studying in Wales. He returned to Uni on Monday and is using the facilities there already (having been tested for Covid this morning). Were he doing the same course in England he would be staying at home.

One of the most sensible and accurate posts I've read on MN in the past few months.

DS had already returned to his house share before new lockdown announced. Two others also did so, but the ones who are not already there are not expected to return for a while.

(England, same tier when the moves happened. DS very unlikely to pose a risk to anyone as I am CEV and he saw no-one during his time here)

@lljkk

most likely have to do another year or else they won't have the necessary experience to qualify.

A lot of that is going to happen. I moaned about this risk 8 months ago. All types of professions. It's not like we have a massive shortage of HCPs already, right? Oh wait...

I'm on a healthcare course. We were told at the start of this year that the regulations regarding placement hours had been tweaked - so we need to do X amount of hours of practice based learning, and then I think it's like 25% of that needs to be clinically dealing with patients and that can be done via telehealth or depending on the service you're placed with's delivery model. I was sceptical but actually I have really enjoyed the virtual practice based learning - allocated to a clinician and working through case studies, developing resources to support an individual and training information for their care staff about their needs, and interpreting assessment information etc. Before the current shutdown that was the way they were going to work it out.

I'm so glad that I found this thread! DS wants to go back, he needs to use the library which is open and, for his mental health, he needs to go back to his private rental. Two house mates are already there, he's been for a lateral flow test today - negative which I knew it would be as he hasn't left the house since the beginning of December when he came home. I will need to drive him as it's about 2 1/2 hours and he's got too much stuff for the train. I told,y mum that I was taking him back and I've had her ranting down the phone that I'm not allowed to do that, I'll get fined and turned around etc.

DS2 is totally chilled and unbothered by it all. His uni is 6 hours drive away and he came back just before 2nd lockdown. Said he would not return until most places had reopened and looked like they would stay open, so Easter at earliest. He was in nice student accommodation and gets on with his 3 flatmates, but felt it was pointless living in a city when nothing was open. At home we have always been in a lower tier, so until last week he has been to theatre, cinema, restaurants, gym, tennis etc. Has access to his car and can still meet friend's individually outside, can go to work, walk the dog, go for a run in the countryside etc. DS1 is also back home with partner, so there are other young people in the house for him. No fussing from me, I leave them all to it. He has plenty of time in the future to socialise with his peers.

Dd went back today - private rental, shared with coursemates (also heading back), so much more fun and they study together- much better environment for her, and I know they are all sensible.
Echoing a pp, train was very quiet apparently, no queues for taxi , so I am generally v comfortable that this was the right thing for her to do. Even though its a jni in the south east! And luckily no grief from my dm, who asked about it but agrees with me :)

Oh and I told her if anyone asked to say our broadband wasn't good enough for her to study - not that I had the slightest expectation anyone would.