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Higher education

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

Original poster

So, EXETER UNI, how do you suggest my SHIELDING child

63 replies

Jux · 21/01/2021 00:41

get into the Library to consult the texts they need in order to do their 2nd year work? When such texts are NOT available online?

Please?

Please explain how 2 hours a week of online f2f taught time is worth £9K? Especially without Library access.

OP posts:
corythatwas · 25/01/2021 21:01

The problem, of course, is that universities forced to find extra money during a pandemic cannot make any savings on buildings or amenities- those loans still have to be paid. The one thing they can save on is staff costs.

corythatwas · 25/01/2021 21:03

But re the OP, I can only add my voice to those saying let her contact her library and see if they can help. Rare books can be digitised and as a pp pointed out this is not a problem confined to students: many, many scholars are in similar situations with deadlines loaming and libraries that can't be accessed. There are ways around and a trained librarian may well be able to copy material that you wouldn't be able to copy yourself.

Cairnterrorist · 25/01/2021 21:42

@Xenia ah. You don’t need a laser printer for a law degree.

Phphion · 25/01/2021 22:57

This is an informative (but very long and detailed) report on where student fees are spent: DfE Understanding the costs of undergraduate provision

The gist of it is that nearly all courses cost more than the fees Home students pay. Also that, since universities generally have little ability to sell off their buildings or equipment, loss of fee income will very quickly lead to cuts in staff working in directly student-facing services, including, but not limited to, teaching staff, and in resources in these areas.

Back on topic, I would also approach the course tutor who has recommended these books and ask if they had at any point been able to get scans of the books for their own use. Often you can't just make these things freely available to all students due to copyright but they might make an exception for one student who approached them directly.

corythatwas · 26/01/2021 09:49

Back on topic, I would also approach the course tutor who has recommended these books and ask if they had at any point been able to get scans of the books for their own use. Often you can't just make these things freely available to all students due to copyright but they might make an exception for one student who approached them directly.

Absolutely this. We've all been revising our course lists anyway to try to avoid any material not available online, but I will admit that in the cases where this could not be avoided, I have been stretching copyright laws to the limit.

The best advice is always: get in touch. Get in touch with the tutor to ask for advice. Get in touch with the library. But I would start with the tutor.

burnoutbabe · 26/01/2021 09:58

i di a law degree and my laser printer has been a godsend. But I like to print things out to read/make notes on.

Xenia · 26/01/2021 11:42

I was replacing the twins' earlier laser printer which broke and it is quite helpful to have a fast colour laser printer (my own laser printer is only back and white - for work). Hopefully their new one will last at least 10 years!

Original poster
Jux · 26/01/2021 17:22

@unmarkedbythat

This weirdness on MN, that once someone is a legal adult it is preposterous for a parent to continue to care, assist, guide, parent... Such an odd way of looking at life and relationships.
You are so right!
OP posts:
UnityUnited · 26/01/2021 17:33

Not odd at all. You can continue to be a loving parent but let them get on with their life as a fully functioning adult. I am interested in where some parents draw the line.

corythatwas · 26/01/2021 17:49

Not odd at all. You can continue to be a loving parent but let them get on with their life as a fully functioning adult. I am interested in where some parents draw the line.

This. If the dd is to get on and do well in her studies, and later in life, she needs to take the initiative and contact her tutors/library etc herself.

The right kind of parental care and love here is "Oh dear, that sounds difficult, what are you planning to do about it?"

Original poster
Jux · 27/01/2021 16:37

Which is basically what I did; I did have some frustration at not being able to poke my nose in and sort it for her! So I brought my frustration here; far more sensible

OP posts:
CBear99 · 27/01/2021 17:13

As an update the books my DD requested from the library at Exeter at the end of last week arrived today - 2 parcels- and she hasn't had to pay any postage. I thought that was pretty good in the circumstances.

MrTrellis · 27/01/2021 18:27

That’s brilliant for your daughter. We need to clap for library and estates staff!

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