University 2020-2021 Part 11: Final Furlong For First year Freshers..........Then Freedom Follows

[sammyjoanne]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4058013-University-2020-10-Empty-nests-warm-vests-and-covid-tests-uni-parents-2020?pg=20

This is a follow on from the previous part 10 thread.
Named because its heading into the summer term.
''Freedom follows'' as in end of year for summer break, (hopefully end of covid restrictions too)

@specialted Thats great news your son is feeling better. I think Grizedale bar is opening today with the canopy outside too.

@chopc
In my case, there was no change of study space situation from Lockdown march 2020 to January 2021's.
The only desk is the kitchen table and I use for work as I WFH. So the only place is their beds (which both DD share a bedroom).
Not ideal if they both had a lecture/lesson at the same time.
DD1 is first year uni and DD2 is year 11. DD2 has had it tougher as she's had to spend both lockdowns at home and has to do her work, lessons on team sat on her bed. If DD1 was also at home as well, having lessons and lectures at the same time would be impossible.

@chopc

I suppose current first years wouldn't have had to follow a full schedule from home. However current year 13's have - wonder if Uni's will accept the same reasoning from everyone or only those who had to attend school due to various reasons during lockdown

When you say accept reasoning what is it you mean? I only ask because my son and all of his school friends just went back to halls, no one to my knowledge has had to give reason to anyone.

@TunstallTansy When you say accept reasoning what is it you mean? I only ask because my son and all of his school friends just went back to halls, no one to my knowledge has had to give reason to anyone.

Again, huge disparity between different Unis. Some have been more strict than others, some have just accepted a "tick box" answer to "are you returning for one of the following reasons?" Yes/No? Some have asked students to tick which condition applies. Some have followed up asking for more detailed information. Some that took back keys in December have refused to hand back the keys without all kinds of invasive questions.

@TunstallTansy I think @user1497207191 has explained the gists of it. I think govn guidelines have stipulated you can return for mental health reasons, no place to study etc

As this years year 13's have largely done a whole year online, I was wondering if the same reasons will apply.

However all hoping there will be no need for them not to attend university in person

[quote chopc]**@TunstallTansy* I think @user1497207191* has explained the gists of it. I think govn guidelines have stipulated you can return for mental health reasons, no place to study etc

As this years year 13's have largely done a whole year online, I was wondering if the same reasons will apply.

However all hoping there will be no need for them not to attend university in person [/quote]
We have to hope that unless social distancing remains a legal requirement in September, that Unis will be fully back to normal in September with all the usual lectures, tutorials, seminars and other F2F teaching.

Even if some element of SD remains in place, it would be good if the Govt provide some exemptions etc so that Unis can operate in the same way as schools have re-opened, i.e. exempt from SD but other precautions in place, such as testing, ventilation, etc.

I think a key difference between Y13 and uni is the tech. Most sixth formers will just be using the tech for writing essays, looking at online books, downloading worksheets, etc., so pretty "basic" IT that most laptops/tablets are capable of, even older ones.

With Uni, the IT resources needed are far higher. My son really struggled earlier this year when WFH because he's doing a Maths degree and they have to do complex modelling using computer programs. He's got a nearly new MacBook and a nearly new Windows Laptop, but neither could cope with the programs he had to use. He tried our local library, but their PCs were older/lower spec than his own laptop. His MacBook had a good enough Spec, but he just couldn't get the program to load, spent literally hours and days trying all kinds of things, with really poor help from the Uni's IT dept. So, basically, he's not done any of it. He went back to Uni this weekend and has a session booked this morning in the library on one of the Uni's computers to make a start on catching up. His course isn't one of the courses that's been "flagged" by the Uni for allowing students to return to campus to do it, so really he shouldn't be there, but what else can he do??

@chopc I understand the guidelines, it was the practicalities I was questioning. My so , nephews, nieces, friends etc. Went back in January/February but never had to justify anything to anyone, no questions asked, they just went back. I'm intrigued that different universities have done differently.

It is only Collegiate Universities (eg Oxbridge, Durham, St Andrews) and may be some others in Scotland that have controlled access to catered college accommodation. All other Universities have had little say in whether or not students returned, whether they be in Uni run self catered Halls, Private Halls or Private rentals or have they even known whether they are there or not in most cases!

St Andrews is not collegiate, but they have put out a very strong message since January making it clear that students should not be going back, the mental health reasons threshold was pretty high, and they are giving full accommodation refunds. This is what they currently say. I think it is harder to "sneak in" to catered accommodation, so it may be easier for universities with catered accommodation to enforce the rules. In reality, when people tell them they are going back, they do allow them, they just put out a generic message saying don't come back.

Yes it wasn’t meant to be a definitive list just trying to say it is a minority

@user1497207191 I think he has a very good reason did returning!

I took dd out for lunch today (it's her birthday) and uni is thankfully only just over 1hr away. Lovely to sit outside in the warm sunshine. Leamington was still fairly quiet but all the outside eateries looked to be full even on a Monday.

The campus looked a lot busier today.. Dd said a lot of students returned over the weekend. Household is now up to 8 out of the 12 (two of which have dropped out this year, so 10 will be a nice number if the other 2 housemates return).

@Daisysway glad you got to have lunch with dd on her bday.
Ds just had 2.5 hours grizedale football training. I'm so happy he's actually managed to do some college sport and have a little bit of normal uni life.

DS and friend found a flat for next year. Paid £1330 each rent and deposit. It was a scam. I feel so sick and upset. I was leaving them to it and if I'd done it there were signs something wasn't right and I think I'd have dug deeper. I'm do stupid.

@Interviewedundercaution that is so sad. They are very young to navigate such complex stuff.

@Interviewedundercaution please don't feel stupid, scams these days are so sophisticated and even harder to know what's going on from afar. Big hugs to you

Interviewedundercaution that’s awful. Sorry to read this.

@Interviewedundercaution aww this can happen to anyone these scams. Its all so scary now days. Did they pay by credit card? If they did they maybe able to re-coup some of the money back.

No, I paid by BACS. Have spoken to the bank. They will try to get some money back from the receiving bank but I'm not hopeful.

@Interviewedundercaution got my fingers crossed for you lets hope x

From what I can gather from ds Lancaster is a very good place to be at the moment. College bars open (outside), ds playing tennis, football and social cricket. Lots of lying out on the fields listening to music with drinks etc. BBQs. So pleased he can have a little taste of student normality. Hope some others are having fun too.

@specialted

From what I can gather from ds Lancaster is a very good place to be at the moment. College bars open (outside), ds playing tennis, football and social cricket. Lots of lying out on the fields listening to music with drinks etc. BBQs. So pleased he can have a little taste of student normality. Hope some others are having fun too.

Yes, it's good in that it has it's own lovely grounds so it's a nice place to be in good weather.

The way they've treated their students is not so good though. DS got an email last week reminding them they're "banned" from the college facilities such as the common room, college study areas, etc - not even being allowed to use their "college" building even in a socially distanced way. That, after the £18 per day food parcels for isolating students, heavy handed campus security, only a pack of loo rolls per flat when isolating as "support" etc., and barely any staff/lecturers on campus - not so good!

@user1497207191 yes I appreciate Lancaster has not been good in some aspects. I'm just happy things are going well so far this term, trying to focus on the positives and hope things improve for everyone. It's just so nice to hear ds so animated about what he's done so far this term.

DD2 (not fresher) at Birmingham also rang me really excited this week due to a totally different feel, able to go onto campus for socializing and outdoor events put on by the Uni, walks in the park, use of the gym etc. More of her mates also arriving and able to meet them freely outdoors. I pray that this continues so they can all leave for the summer with some better memories.

Also have a happy dd. F2f tutorials started again today as well as labs.. In fact I think she has a lab everyday for the next few weeks whilst they catch up.

They seem to have been out to Spoons, out for all you can eat brunch and even visited a local funfair!