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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

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

990 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 18/06/2021 10:34

Previous thread

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 10/07/2021 15:24

Oh god! @simbobs

I think it’s going to be happening to everybody all summer

simbobs · 10/07/2021 16:05

@bigTillyMint I know! Just when he was trying to stand on his own two feet. He is hoping to get the government support money but he is rather a recent employee so I don't know whether he qualifies. We can't let him starve, obviously.

RampantIvy · 10/07/2021 16:14

DD has had some best friends bail out of her 21st birthday due to having to self isolate Sad

simbobs · 10/07/2021 18:03

That is such a shame @RampantIvy! Unfortunately this is now the world in which we live.

RampantIvy · 10/07/2021 19:06

I know @simbobs. She is disappointed, but not upset though. Another friend forgot that she had been invited and is going back to stay with her boyfriend. DD is upset about that because it was thoughtless.

Zandathepanda · 10/07/2021 22:37

Dd can’t go back up to clear stuff out her room as there’s more positives in her house.
Another set of friends have covid too. They are annoyed because they haven’t had the jab as they’ve been isolating or positive.
WHO have said NE England the worst place in Europe for Covid.

simbobs · 10/07/2021 23:08

That's where my DD is, having just moved into her next year's flat. I really want her to come home now.

RampantIvy · 10/07/2021 23:10

It does sound grim. I expect that the summer ball will be cancelled then. At least they should get their money back this time.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 11/07/2021 10:02

I think those young people who are testing are being diligent. I'm not sure DS has so much as looked at a LFT in the past 18 months.

To miss one year of special events is bad enough but when it's heading into a double whammy, it's really sad. All those 'what ifs' of what might have happened but hasn't because of pandemic restrictions.

OP posts:
minesawine · 11/07/2021 19:33

Hi all. First post in a very long time. My DS is nearly half way through his summer internship in the City, which he is enjoying, sort off. He said its made him realise he doesn't want an office based job when he graduates. Not sure what else he will do with an Economics and Business Management degree, but I'm sure he will work it out. He has his accommodation until mid August and travels back and forth between Nottingham and home because they are flexible about him working from home. Can't believe this time next year it will all be over.

RampantIvy · 13/07/2021 17:34

Bl*y covid. Most of DD's friends have dropped out of her 21st birthday due to testing positive or being in contact with positive people.

It is what it is, and I hope she makes the best of it with the friends who can still come.

simbobs · 13/07/2021 17:44

That's awful @RampantIvy! But there's an awful lot of it about. I hope she can make something of it and then maybe have another get together when things have calmed down.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 13/07/2021 18:34

Oh no, sorry to hear that @RampantIvy. Such a PITA. I think the 'window' of very low COVID numbers has been and gone already (at least for the next few months). So disappointing though.

Good to hear your DS has a summer internship, @minesawine. Good for him.

OP posts:
chocolatenutcase · 13/07/2021 22:51

@RampantIvy I'm so sorry to hear that. So many people are testing positive now. We are supposed to be going on holiday to see my dad and I'm so concerned we won't get there if we come into contact with someone positive at a friends 25th wedding anniversary weekend next week. I'm just second guessing everything I do now.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 14/07/2021 13:11

It seems that we are all really going to have to think very carefully about what we do and when over the summer to keep risk of catching COVID as low as possible. I can imagine so many plans are going to go pear-shaped.

OP posts:
simbobs · 14/07/2021 22:15

A second member of my DS's student household has now tested positive for covid. They are so fed up with it. My DS has not caught it, fortunately, but is worried about money as he is unable to go to work.

VanCleefArpels · 14/07/2021 23:05

@simbobs your DS should be able to claim sick pay if isolating due to a household member having Covid

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/coronavirus-getting-benefits-if-youre-self-isolating/

simbobs · 14/07/2021 23:28

@VanCleefArpels thanks for that. I will have a proper look in the morning. He was only on day 2 of the job so is not entitled to sick pay. He said that he would need a letter from the employer saying that he is not entitled to sick pay in order to claim other monies, but they said that they do not provide this. In any case, it is now that he needs money and it would take time to pay out. Easier to call on the bank of mum and dad. Can't let him starve...

VanCleefArpels · 15/07/2021 06:58

I know it’s a frustrating process but still worth claiming even if it takes a while to get the cash - DD is also working and I fully expect her to get told to isolate any day now as her colleagues are dropping like flies!

simbobs · 15/07/2021 08:31

I can't work out how he would claim @VanCleefArpels. He isn't entitled to SSP, and can't claim ESA as he has not worked much before so doesn't have a full year of NI contributions. There is no way that this is likely to be the only time that he is asked to self isolate, either. This time it was down to a housemate, but he is working in a warehouse and masks are apparently not always worn, even though they are supposed to be. As things stand he will not be able to pay next month's rent so is going to have to pay all arrears when his loan arrives.

VanCleefArpels · 15/07/2021 08:46

@simbobs

All employees are entitled to SSP as long as they earn at least £120 a week- this link tells how to claim in the event of self isolation due to CV

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-sick-pay/

blametheparents · 15/07/2021 10:09

@simbobs - Sorry to hear about you DS. There are so many young people affected. It is easy to forget that when you don't have youngsters at school or uni.
The lack of employment for all students across the last 18 months has been tough, no doubt. Lots work in hospitality which has been closed for long periods of time. Due to timings etc my DS was never entitled to furlough pay. Though, like all of his generation, they will be paying it back during their working years!

@RampantIvy - I hope your DD can enjoy her 21st. Whatever she manages to do, I am sure it will be special.

DS got his 2nd year results - averaged a 1st for the year! He is now very happy that this counts for a third of his overall degree classification!

RampantIvy · 15/07/2021 10:18

Thank you for the good wishes everyone. DD enjoyed her birthday in the end. She had a two part celebration, with some coming over for a barbecue the night before and some coming on her birthday itself for a night out in the local town. In the end there were 4 drop-outs due to covid and one who "forgot"

Her best friend is paying a for a short break in Blackpool (I know Grin, but she loves Blackpool), which she was really chuffed about.

Well done to your DS @blametheparents

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 15/07/2021 15:06

Glad your DD has been enjoying her birthday celebrations. Oh to be 21 again!!! I've never been to Blackpool but I'm sure it's worth a visit. Bet there are lots of hidden gems!

OP posts:
Zandathepanda · 17/07/2021 15:18

Sajid Javid isn’t going to win many votes amongst this age group by saying he’s only got mild symptoms as he’s double jabbed is he?!