DS1 (C) is disappointed to be given his last choice accommodation for this coming year. He's only just found out.
On the one hand, it's great that the college guarantees accommodation for three years (although have requested fourth years consider living out this year as they've got no space this time).
It's taken this long for the college to allot rooms, most of which are en suite and DS1 assumed his would be too but unfortunately he and the two friends he wanted in his household have all been given the worst possible rooms in the worst block and with shared bathrooms/ toilets.
Both DS1 and one of his friends need en suite for specific reasons but after a whole week emailing the college requesting to swop rooms and offering all the necessary evidence for needing an en suite, (all whilst we were on holiday too), he had no reply at all until last night when finally he got a response - a resounding negative for any room changes.
He's tried to find another student willing to swop with him but so far no good either. The college allowed so many extra students to have places last year that they've just got too many in this cohort but don't seem to have taken into consideration special requests, including his Muslim friend who also need an en suite for religious reasons. Everyone else he knows has got one of the best en suite rooms in the best second year block. So it does feel a bit unfair.
After a rather restricted year as a Fresher last year, given all the Covid related limitations, DS1 had hoped for a better year this time. He's looking on the bright side as best he can - that at least the college is providing accommodation on site but meanwhile, DS2 (O) had already got his top choice, en suite college room allotted last term at O, weeks and weeks ago, whilst DS1 has had to wait until almost the last moment for his own disappointment.
DS1 (C) also still hasn't received his exam feedback from his old DOS (got a new one for this year) which was supposed to come in August and supposed to involve individual online meetings for each student. It's not surprising really though, given how long it took to get essays marked last term but as the new term will be starting shortly, it'd have been better for students to have last term's exam feedback before now, although DS1 was very happy with his results nevertheless.
As usual, DS1 is being as nonchalant as possible about everything and it's me who's rather incensed about his accommodation situation. There's always the chance that another student might still agree a swop as DS1's room is the cheapest in college but rather doubtful.