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

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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@Benjispruce3, DSs housemate got it last April and has it now (well, just out of isolation today!) - Delta variant. Both PCR confirmed, so can get it twice

@Zandathepanda, I agree, the Guardian one is odd and student satisfaction is very hard to measure/compare!

With any “satisfaction” surveys people who are dissatisfied are far more motivated to participate so they are automatically skewed.

I don't think student satisfaction plays a big part in the CUG table. TBH I'm not really sure what the table positions are based on.

I agree that The Guardian table is bonkers @Zandathepanda.

I just had a quick glance at the CUG table – all the universities seem to have circa 80% satisfaction levels which seems strange! I think many incentivise students to complete the relevant paperwork even if it is only with free food/drink!

I have only just realised that DS has deliberately not installed the NHS covid app on his phone to minimise the chances of being contacted. One of his mates has been contacted by Test & Trace and has to isolate for 10 days despite being vaccinated and having a negative test. Bit daft imo.

Oh dear @bigTillyMint. Just spoken to DD who is basking in Durham sun while I freeze! She’s testing daily and still negative. Apparently there’s a festival in place of the summer ball so she’s determined to stay negative for that. Her friends had headaches and felt a bit lousy for a day or two with Covid this time. She gets jabbed in Newcastle tomorrow.

DS gets jabbed tomorrow! DD has just had hers.

@simbobs, I know loads of people working in education who have done that.

DD says she will wait until she gets home to get the vaccination.

Are the walk-in clinics just for the first dose or are they likely to offer them for follow-up ones too, do we think?

Good that the Durham colleges are doing something lovely to mark the end of the academic year. If ever there was a need for something to look forward to this summer is it.

You can go to walk in for second jab too so worth keeping an eye out in order to get done before a booked appointment- my kids wer told any time after 5 weeks post first jab

Thanks for confirming that @VanCleefArpels. I can see many students would be more receptive to a walk-in option. Certainly, it would fit better for DS who is not the most organised!

@Itscoldouthere hope you are okay back in Canada and are out of quarantine now. Is this your first summer over there (I've kind of lost track? Hopefully, you'll get the opportunity to do some travelling. How exciting!

I think walkins for both first and second, but my two booked theirs.

Yes belt and braces for my two- booked second jabs but if they can get a walk up sooner they will go for it!

given the often 2-3 year gaps between children - anyone on here have a year 12 prepping for next year? I'm finding it way harder to get my DD actively involved compared to DS. She's more wishywashy on the course she wants, which leads to uncertainty on which uni, and all this virtual open day stuff doesn't help.

Is there a simple way to see which unis are doing in person open days this summer? I might book a couple of nearby ones to try and get the ball rolling

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I’m back in Canada but in quarantine, everyone arriving by air has to book a 3 day quarantine hotel (which cost me $1100 for one of the cheapest ones). You get tested at the airport and have to stay in the hotel till you get your result, then you are allowed to travel on to your home/final destination to do the rest (14days).
I got my negotiable result back the morning after I landed so managed to get a flight back to Montreal that day (I had to fly and hotel in Toronto) I’m now on day 6, have to fill in an app everyday, have been phoned and told I may be visited. You do a day 8 test where you have to phone a medical professional who watches you doing the test. You have to stay quarantined till day 14 even if your day 8 test is negative.
It’s a bit over the top, especially as the rules are changing on 5th July, if you are double vaccinated (which I am) you only need to do a PCR test before flying then no quarantine required at all.
It’s all rather dull, I’m dying to get out in the sunshine and walk my dog (who is very confused) it’s so green everywhere, when I left there was not a leaf on a tree.
Anyway it’s nice to be back, although no signs of border opening up anytime soon, so no chance of DC visiting us here.
DS1 has an extension for his final project of the year so he is working away till the end of the week trying to finish. I then hope he finds some type of summer job as he’s run out of money and we have to keep having to sub him.
DS2 had his covid jab at UEA on Friday but not spoken to him to see how it went.

@MrKlaw I know Kent is doing campus tours

UEA were doing in-person campus tours (not able to go in anywhere, although the shops are open, as is the Sainsbury Centre now. DS2 (who was going to firm UEA anyway) and I went on a tour near the end of April, more to actually get out and go somewhere, really (it's 'only' just over a 200 mile round trip for us), then popped into the city for a mooch around. We went back to the Sainsbury Centre for the Bill Brandt / Henry Moore exhibition last month, which was very good, btw, even if I did scoot round at a fair link, the quicker to be out into the fresh air again and get my mask off...

*lick...

@MrKlaw DD2 is y12 and still unsure as to what course/uni. Although until now she wasn’t sold on uni at all. I’ve booked a virtual tour of York as she’s mentioned Socioligy there but she’s also mentioned Manchester and Bournemouth .
DD2 had to be on the ball by this time as she’s applied to Oxford so that has to be in early. We went to Durham on 30/6 I think.
DD1 has been jabbed!

*She had not she’s

York’s virtual open days are this weekend by the way.

@Benjispruce3 yeah she seems not certain about it but also not certain what she’d do otherwise.

Sounds familiar @MrKlaw. Bath is a contender also. What are your impressions from your DS?

He has enjoyed it and the town is lovely (and small enough to be walkable) but hasn’t had much hands on time with strikes and Covid. They’ve been decently supportive though

Thanks @MrKlaw I’ve been to Bath many times and love the city. Is the campus close to the centre?