University 2019/20 intake: vacations, vaccinations, va-va-voom restored and virtually into their third year

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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Sometimes it's difficult to know you're onto a good thing until it's too late, isn't it?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

I can't imagine DS setting foot in a nightclub in a month of Sundays, and I suspect he's not often to be found in a pub/bar either. Anyone else think that the Govt underestimates how many young people these days are not in the clubbing/drinking/partying zone – ever?! Clearly not something those ex-Bullingdon Club types looking at you BoJo could understand!

Not sure which COVID vaccination DS had but sure he could have his second jab soonish (within a couple of weeks?)

DD1 and friends went to a nightclub at the end of upper 6th when they were all old enough (one friend wasn't 18yo until then) to "check" that they wouldn't like them. They said that they felt they shouldn't just write it off without trying. The reality lasted about 2 hours, but apparently that was long enough to form a valid opinion.

They haven't been back.

Mine are firmly in the clubbing camp as was I back in the day. I loved dancing more than drinking.

So did I @Benjispruce5. I used to go out clubbing two or three times a week, and often used to just drink water. DD gets panic attacks in crowds and hates techno music. There are a couple of clubs in Newcastle that she likes though, but they aren't very trendy

Same! We went clubbing every weekend in sixth form (18ths held in clubs we had been going to for years ) and then went 2/3 times a week at uni, and then at weekends when I first moved to London.
Both mine go clubbing - DD loves it, DS seems to be happy with the “clubs” in Durham which are very tame

DD didn't turn 18 until after she left school. Clubbing wasn't an option for her at school. Even at 21 she looks about 16.

I have always loved dancing too @Benjispruce5 (it has always been the way I've felt most 'free' if that makes sense?) but both of mine seem very against the idea even though they love music and have very eclectic tastes.

At least your DD1 tried and decided it wasn't for her @MargaretThursday. Not sure DS has even done that.

I feel they're missing out on one of the main joys of life. There's still time for them to change though...

@RampantIvy, one of DDs friends looks a bit like her and turned 18 at the start of September in Y13 (DD not 18 till end July) so DD used her old provisional….

Obviously DS2 has hardly had the same possibilities in the months since turning 18 that his (5 and 2 year, respectively,) older siblings had, but has occasionally emerged from his bedroom to spend a day out with friends when we have been permitted such luxuries. He is yet to experience clubbing, but did rather boggle us the other evening by not only going out for a meal with a group to celebrate a birthday, but also moving on to the pub with them afterwards.

DD turned 18 right at the beginning of yearb13 and soon got into the local 'scene', such as it is. DS1, being a June birthday, only really got into it after A levels, but seemed to make up for lost time when he got to university.

Not really related to this thread but I think we have some Bath student parents on here. It was lovely seeing Tom Dean (Bath Uni) student winning a gold yesterday!

And in other news, my middle child goes off to her US university next month for her first year, and has just discovered that due to a fire in the hall of residence she had been assigned to, she currently has no idea where she'll be living or who with. Less than a month till she moves in.

She's found other students in the same situation to chat to. Her university usually has enough accommodation that almost all students can live on-campus, and it's what they generally expect to do, and now she's quite upset that she might have to live off-campus.

I hope the university finds them some on campus accommodation @ZZTopGuitarSolo.

DD has just come back from a summer ball in Newcastle. She is being very careful because they went to a busy nightclub afterwards (yes, I know), and she is worried that she might have acquired the virus, sim ply because it was so busy. She is self isolating in her room for the next couple of days and until she has two negative lateral flow tests.

She is moving into her next house next week.

RampantIvy everyone Dd knows who has had it in Newcastle (and that’s a lot) has tested positive after 2 or 3 days on a lateral flow test (except one who was day 6 but Dd thinks was suspect). I think the student population must be reaching herd immunity levels so fingers crossed she should be alright after day 3.

Thank you @Zandathepanda.
They are trying to sort out utility bills for when they move in, but can't come to any kind of agreement. The bill splitting companies are such a rip off, so they are wanting to set up accounts with the individual utility companies themselves. They are leaving it a little late IMO.

The way Dd has done it is everyone takes a utility then they all set up standing orders with each other. It’s a bit of hassle setting it up initially but then it’s done.

I suggested that to DD, but she thinks the gas and electricity will be with the same supplier, and it will be three supplierrs between the four of them. I will mention it again.

Fortunately DS has a contract with utilities included, though I believe that they have to pay the extra if they go above a certain amount. I just hope that someone is monitoring it. I so wish that he had not moved there so soon. Some of you will recall that he had to self isolate 2 days into his job; now he hasn't managed to get back in, probably because of completely inept management rather than anything to do with him. Now he is back to starting to look from scratch, so earning no money to pay his rent and having living expenses on top of that. Not much fun and not his fault. Sigh...

My DD is in Newcastle and had covid back in September as well as her first jab, so hopefully she will be ok.

Oh god @simbobs

Fingers crossed for your DD @RampantIvy

DS has just got his deposit back, minus about £200!!! We have asked him to find out why - he wasn’t even there at all for the Spring Term

That's awful @bigTillyMint. Landlords really do seem to take the 'P' where students are concerned!

Mind you, loads of students aren't that great either.

@bigTillyMint don’t bother with to and fro with the landlord - just invoke the dispute procedure with the deposit protection company - details will be on the certificate

@bigTillyMint That sounds so wrong. Can you challenge it? My DS reckons on getting about half of his back because, although he was not there for the last 5 months, they claim to have no proof of that. Ludicrous!

@simbobs presence in the house or otherwise shouldn’t impact deductions from the deposit. If there’s any query over any of the deductions use the deposit protection scheme dispute procedure

Thanks all. It now seems that the returned deposit is correct, just DH who got it wrong (TBF, was going on size of deposits paid for DDs houses/flats and the one he’s moving to next term)

That’s good @bigTillyMint. DD just heard here will be returned minus £24 each for cleaning. Don’t remember that In contract but cba over such a small sum.