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Higher education

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

Original poster

DD wants to go back to halls..

43 replies

Glastonbury2020 · 13/02/2021 15:42

DD is in her first year and was living in halls. She has been home since beginning of Dec and the uni have given a rent waiver until 20 Feb.
She told me this pm that her and her flatmates (8 in total) have decided to go back then.
Although I get why she wants to go back, I know she shouldn't be. There are some students in other flats back already.
Any of your gone back?

OP posts:
CheeseAndBaconOatcake · 13/02/2021 15:45

Mine's going back next week, several friends kids are too.

ihatethecold · 13/02/2021 15:49

I think if they are in halls they need permission to return.
I know at my closest university that’s the case.
Obviously different if they are in their own student accommodation.

Fantasmic143 · 13/02/2021 15:50

Mine went back before lockdown, just after NY. I think he has mixed feelings about being back - everything is online and not all inspiring and there is little to do, like for everyone. The uni experience has been so disappointing for him and I feel really sad.

HenryIV · 13/02/2021 16:30

Mine went back at the start of January. Uni said everyone was welcome, but they could have a rent rebate or cancel contract completely. There are 6 in her flat who went back together and she's having a much better time there than stuck at home with me on her own. Everything is online but she's benefiting so much from the social aspect that it's definitely been the right decision.

Original poster
Glastonbury2020 · 13/02/2021 16:35

Thanks all! Makes me feel better that we're not doing anything illegal! I'll happily take her back for her own mental well being.

OP posts:
HenryIV · 13/02/2021 16:54

Just being with others in her hall and having some sort of student experience has really helped DD. I think she'd have been utterly miserable by now if she hadn't gone. It's not illegal, just down to the uni really, so if they're allowing students back into hall then go for it!

ufucoffee · 13/02/2021 17:04

Living in a university city, I am sorry to say we don't want them back for as long as possible. So many of them took no notice of rules relating to COVID and students were blamed for the high levels of infection in the city. Not saying your daughter won't be responsible OP but so many won't.

whatisthislifesofullofcare · 13/02/2021 17:07

Mine are going back the end of Feb and hoping PM will announce that its ok to do so in his 22/2 briefing. Ditto the Y11, she’s hoping school re opens.

fatisnotafeeling · 13/02/2021 17:10

My DD is going back after the 22/02, she has had a rebate from Dec until then but needs to be there for upcoming possible exams.

We have DD10 DS8 and DS 10 months here so it's hard for her to study as we just don't have the space.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 13/02/2021 17:14

Living in a university city I would like to say that we need our student population long term to stay viable, and that they shouldn't be made to feel unwelcome - so long as they have a half way decent support structure for students still in place.

LindainLockdown · 13/02/2021 17:44

Living in an university city I am very happy to welcome back students who need to return for whatever reason.

My own son went back to his university hall of residence in January, he has paid to live there after all.

AllMyPrettyOnes · 13/02/2021 17:45

@ufucoffee

Living in a university city, I am sorry to say we don't want them back for as long as possible. So many of them took no notice of rules relating to COVID and students were blamed for the high levels of infection in the city. Not saying your daughter won't be responsible OP but so many won't.
Not up to you is it Grin
SusannahSophia · 13/02/2021 17:47

My DS went back on 4th January and his 7 flatmates were all back within a couple of days. They are in Fallowfield in Manchester, massive student village and I’ve been keeping an eye on the case numbers there. No higher than the rest of Manchester.

CheeseAndBaconOatcake · 13/02/2021 17:49

@Ihatemyseleffordoingthis

Living in a university city I would like to say that we need our student population long term to stay viable, and that they shouldn't be made to feel unwelcome - so long as they have a half way decent support structure for students still in place.
I agree, we both live in one and have students in others.
Bluntness100 · 13/02/2021 17:50

I think the key thing is when she goes, she can’t come back till restrictions are eased. So maybe for about six or ten weeks, as if they are all going home they risk spreading it.

mootymoo · 13/02/2021 18:07

Dd wants to go back next weekend and thinks I'm terribly mean for not wanting to drive her. I will but a bit concerned about being fined for a non essential journey

titchy · 13/02/2021 18:13

Mine went back a week or two ago with our blessing. Needed company their own age. It's perfectly legal for them to do so by the way. Maybe not advised, but not against the law.

LindainLockdown · 13/02/2021 18:22

You can travel for education purposes.

tinkywinkyshandbag · 13/02/2021 18:24

My DD has been back a couple of weeks now. She says she is more able to focus on her work there (plus having more fun with her flat mates than she would with us...)

Xenia · 13/02/2021 18:26

It is not against the law to go back. My son is post grad and came home for Christmas a bit early s had mid Dec exams he did at home and went back a bit later in January but is basically sticking to terms as I have paid over £7000 for his rent and the state has not chosen to refund it so far !!!

LimaFoxtrotCharlie · 13/02/2021 18:27

@ufucoffee

Living in a university city, I am sorry to say we don't want them back for as long as possible. So many of them took no notice of rules relating to COVID and students were blamed for the high levels of infection in the city. Not saying your daughter won't be responsible OP but so many won't.
I live in a university city and students are welcome to return here
hamstersarse · 13/02/2021 18:29

Ds went back in Jan

It’s all fine and they’ve dribbled back into his flat over the last few weeks. It’s their home now, they can go babk

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 13/02/2021 18:33

One of mine went back at beginning of Jan, other one going back this week. They really NEED to go- I live in a uni town to and they are all very welcome here too.?

worstofbothworlds · 13/02/2021 18:35

Living in a university city (and a lecturer) I would like to tell @ufucoffee to politely stay out of it.
Our students have been very responsible and we had low COVID rates through the autumn after a blip when they travelled in but we weren't under local lockdown.
About 1/3 of my first year tutor group are back and they have told me they have made really close friends with their flatmates so while it's not the first year they'd anticipated, I think it's a proper independent experience.

ClerkMaxwell · 13/02/2021 19:19

DD went back on 29th December as she has a part time job in uni city. Her uni has asked all returners who haven't f2f teaching scheduled to certify which extenuating circumstance they were claiming necessitated their return with a mild threat that if you didn't have a good reason you could be breaking the law. DD doesn't think that there was any check whether reason given was valid. She certainly wasn't questioned and neither was international flatmate.