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

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DD just on the phone with the exciting news that she is actually attending a lecture this afternoon!! First since first year. Everything back face to face on her course, she’s delighted!

And yes the hoops to jump through for any job application let alone the grad schemes is quite ridiculous. When I was applying for training contracts in City law firms in the very early 90’s I hand wrote a letter and stapled my CV to it 😀

DD still not heard about her grad scheme interview. They said Friday so does that mean she’s unsuccessful? Surely they’d still tell you and offer feedback?
@VanCleefArpels that’s great but sad they’ve only just gone f2f. Which uni is that?

@VanCleefArpels

DD just on the phone with the exciting news that she is actually attending a lecture this afternoon!! First since first year. Everything back face to face on her course, she’s delighted!

Which university is this? Everything was F2F for DD last term at Newcastle.

DD had her first in person essay exam since A levels last week (other in person exams weren't essays). Unfortunately she had a panic attack in the middle of it, then had another panic attack in the middle of a lab practical the next day. Fortumately the practical doesn't count towards anything, and the supervisor told her that she would marked as having completed it.

Seminars have been f2f since Sept, it’s just lectures that have now been put back to normal.

@Benjispruce5, sorry your DD hasn’t heard yet - could it be that they were starting to inform from Fri?

DS was F2F last term, currently online but going to F2F next week I think

Sorry to read this, @RampantIvy. Hope she is ok.

Sorry to hear that @RampantIvy - do you think it was the being back F2F after Christmas that triggered it?

I don't know. Her anxiety is sky high just now. All her other essay based exams have been online until now, but I have no idea why she panicked during the practical, and neither does she.

She is already stressed about her dissertation.

That’s a worry for you @RampantIvy. Does she have any coping strategies she can turn to? Anxiety and stress seems to be so common these days. DD is feeling overwhelmed with deadlines and trying to complete a Christmas online job that was delayed due to the company’s errors. That’s the causing her to feel pessimistic about everything. I’ve been her sponge tonight so she’ll probably feel better tomorrow. Last night was DD2’s turn. She’s in the middle of y13 mocks and also fed up with school as she’s lonely and hates 6th form. Some of it was exacerbated by lockdown, I’m sure. Meanwhile e have a Covid outbreak at work and everyone is testing daily so that feels like Russian roulette. Trying to think glass half full, as it is.

I'm so sorry to hear that your DD is struggling with anxiety @RampantIvy. Your DD has always impressed me with her resilience in the face of a chronic illness. She's immersed herself in uni life and excelled at her studies despite the challenges her CFS presents. I hope she can get through this. January is such a gloomy month.

Aw, thank you for the support everyone. DD is such a worry. IGood luck to your DD's @Benjispruce5.

I think as parents we will all be saturated sponges by the end of the academic year with snow white hair and gin hangovers

@RampantIvy sorry to hear that. I would imagine it would be discombobulating having to do a practical in person rather than from the comfort of one's one (home) space? Hope she's feeling more confident and better soon.

@Benjispruce5 and everyone else, I feel your pain about being a sponge - I feel like I’ve been one for 10 years. And still potentially 2 years after this till DS finishes studying

I've got the 'sponge' feeling majorly at the moment with DD (doing her GCSEs this year). Less so with DS who is much more self-contained.

More sponge feeling her. DD is coming home for a little while because she is struggling to stay awake and do any work where she is. She says she feels more motivated at home.

Here not her

Hope a bit of home comfort helps. DD still hasn’t heard anything about her grad scheme telephone interview and has had no acknowledgment from the other 4 she has applied to.

@Benjispruce5 that's frustrating news.

DS is home for a week before going back to Norwich for the start of the final semester of undergraduate studies! Still no clearer about what he's going to do next .

No more info about the graduation ceremony date as yet. Champing at the bit to get everything sorted out.

Grad ceremony? Wasn’t expected to hear anything about that for a long time. When do they normally say?

What do we have to sort out?

University of Nottingham are intending on holding in-person graduation ceremonies this year. I do hope so!
Would also be good if they could confirm a date so that it can go on thr calendar! We are filling up with plans already as I would like to make the most of this year after the previous two!

Somewhere to stay, booking time off around the graduation date, outfits, buying the tickets to attend, potentially fighting about which family members get to go (it's going to be an issue if only two guests are allowed!).

@Benjispruce5, how frustrating re grad schemes - hope she hears soon.

If you hear anything about Durham graduations, let me know - DS is useless

@RampantIvy how is your DD doing at home? I hope shes getting the rest that will help her. It's so full on at the moment for them.
My DD returned to Durham a few weeks ago after last term at home. Still wobbly but improved but I can see the stress is affecting some aspects of her life (food and sleep). I'm glad she's getting out socialising now and she seems to be keeping on top of the work. She took her cat back with her. She adopted her in October and the cat is now being spoilt by anyone who comes to the house. She seems to be the house support animal!