Some of our young people are half way through their degrees (2019/20 intake): lockdowns on repeat, light at the end of the tunnel with vaccinations (?) and the legacy of COVID-19

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose is all I can say!

@simbobs, that’s awful re taking marks away, etc. Very unnerving for all. So difficult with group tasks. I remember DD had to do some, but I’m not sure if they counted. I can’t see how they can justify making them still do them when online

It seems so unfair that students are penalised due to the actions of others. DD was extremely lucky with her last group of 4 that she ended up with the three of them being pretty proactive, and just one quiet student. Although, she said that English wasn't his first language, so maybe that was why he was quiet.

That is so unfair taking peer review into account. You could be in a group with a bunch of people who think they're great and are frankly deluded about their contributions?

Were the young people allowed to choose their own groups @RampantIvy? It could be quite intimidating working in a group if you neither know nor like your fellow students. Or worse still, end up with a really academically 'mixed bag' group.

No they weren't @NewModelArmyMayhem18. The university always allocates groups and lab partners. Fortunately one of the girls in this group was already a friend, and the other girl was nice (and organsied and focussed). They got good marks for the presentation they did, thank goodness. I believe it really was a team effort, apart from the quiet one, from what DD says.

@Simbobs That sounds really awful. Students can be spiteful sometimes and allowing them much power could be detrimental to those on the receiving end not to mention the integrity of the 'peer' review. DS hasn't mentioned anything like that and is too 'nice' to report a weak member.

I kn3my DS gave full marks to all of his group and thought that they had worked well together. They weren't allowed to choose their own group, and he liked the format. However, a group is a group, and they should all have the same results for the work. This particular lecturer seems to have made a hash of allocating marks. I wouldn't be surprised if it was spite on his part as DS called him out on it.

@simbobs, I wouldn’t be surprised - think there was some spite involved in my DDs diss mark last year.

Why is there a need for such spiteful behaviour? Do you think young people are much more competitive these days (and it's a way of beating down the competition) and regard everyone as an academic rival? Maybe it's always been a thing but I just didn't notice it when I was a student (mind you, I don't recall any group work at all back in the day). It's very depressing. Maybe I'm naive though.

I've never been entirely convinced by the peer review process myself. Controversial statement but I've put it out there now.

I've never been entirely convinced by the peer review process myself. Controversial statement but I've put it out there now.

It isn't controversial at all. I agree with you.

When DD was at school they had to do extended science projects in years 8 and 9. The best ones got nominations from the teachers, then the pupils voted for the bext project. DD had nominations for a couple of projects, but she never won anything because it was based on popularity, not on how good the content was.

No, not sour grapes, honestly. It was no coincidense that the "cool" students always won.

Hi @RampantIvy I was thinking more at higher institution academic research level but it seems to apply across the board. Shameful that something that's supposed to be academically rigorous is anything but!!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I think that type of behaviour has always existed but more so now. It’s a much more competitive environment with more people fighting for everything and it starts right from primary school. Fierce competition for school places, catchments, 11+ or other entrance exams, internships, graduate traineeships etc. It’s learned behaviour.

A friend who is a senior project manager mentioned they had observed new graduates trainees in the last 5-10yrs just seem so much more ‘sharp elbowed’ with bit of spite thrown in with how they behave when working in teams. Fresh graduate trying to assert themself by being patronising too more experienced team mates. Taking on work belonging to someone else e.g dealing with clients that aren’t theirs behind their team mates back and sneakily going to top manager to show the ‘extra work’ they have done. I think DS just found it all really weird and thinks they seem to be spending more time ‘reigning in’ the new recruits than she remembered. I’ve gone off on a tangent now but you know what I mean re: spitefulness in some students.

I agree with you about the competitive nature and sharp elbowed nature these days. It's like dog eat dog. So depressing.

That's really dismaying to hear @Shimy. It probably has always existed but maybe also reflecting the cultural norms of recent years the Tories being in power for so long

Finally, exams are over. DD has been to a party, spent today at the beach, is off to the cinema tomorrow, and is planning day trips to Edinburgh and York.

In short, doing all the things she should have been able to do post exams last year.

I hope everyone else's student DC can relax now.

Unfortunately that may depend on where you live. I have been disuading DS from joining in with plans made by some of his friends as it involves going to areas s with high covid case numbers. He is doing plenty of socialising outdoors, though.

DD is still in her university city. Her home friends have moved on, so there isn't much for her to do here unfortunately.

DS is enjoying being back in Durham, who have put on lots of events post Monday so fingers crossed they can go ahead.

My DS still in Nottingham after finishing exams (only one??), having a great time with his mates and picked to play for the First Team (cricket) so was over the moon . Still no news on Camp America, looking less and less likely so probably back home soon and his local pub job ... which is a great holiday job, tourist pub on the river, lots of young people work there and very well run..... and still looking for a placement year job but may end up trying two or three shorter internships if he can find them. Main thing is that he is remaining positive and cheerful which we are very grateful for as we know so many students are struggling.

My son in Bristol says he has noticed a lot more people getting covid again although he either never catches it (despite living and breathing across and vice versa his flat mate who had it last year) or else he had it but never knew. he has been post exams since mid April and now his friends are finishing exams it is a very relaxed end to their 4 years in Bristol. he has another month although may come home sooner if everyone has left earlier. His exam results are next week however so if he's failed any papers it will be resits which I think are in July or August although those could be done from home online.

@RampantIvy

DD is still in her university city. Her home friends have moved on, so there isn't much for her to do here unfortunately.

Same for DS. He has a job in his uni city whereas if he was here he would be hanging around going nothing whereas there he is working & enjoying time with his mates.

Completely unrelated. !! But if any Birmingham Uni parents are in Brum Winterbourne House and gardens are well worth a visit ... went yesterday !!!

Still 3 weeks to go till DD exams - it’s tough on medics when everyone else is either enjoying uni life post exams or has gone home!

Last exam today for DD then she's finished year 2. What a crappy year it's been.

For the first time I'm actually grateful degrees here take 4 years, so she has a chance of 2 good years.

ZZ - what is your DD’s planning for next year - f2f or blended? My nephews (one at Uni in California and one in Chicago) are having full time on campus with normal f2f classes for everyone who has been vaccinated.

@Parker231

ZZ - what is your DD’s planning for next year - f2f or blended? My nephews (one at Uni in California and one in Chicago) are having full time on campus with normal f2f classes for everyone who has been vaccinated.

Good question. I actually just checked and it's "Depending on the specific requirements for social distancing and capacity limits in classrooms, there may be some classes that continue to be remote delivery; however, our aim is to host as many classes in person as possible."

Both DDs have already provided proof of vaccination status as requested in order to be allowed to attend next year in person.

DD1 really needs university life to get back to normal. She's made the most of everything but it's been so tough. Masking/socially distancing in Chicago during Jan/Feb/Mar was absolutely miserable.

She was back there briefly last weekend, everything was much more open and the weather was gorgeous, and I think she's finally starting to believe things will be OK again.