Oxford / Cambridge - current students support / chat thread

[DadDadDad]

Continuing a thread for anyone who wants to talk about their sons' and daughters' experience being a student in Oxford or Cambridge. (Or nephews, granddaughters, sisters, uncles - or if you or they have now graduated but you want to share your thoughts - all are welcome!)

I have a DS in his second year at Oxford, studying a small humanity in a tiny college.

Over to you...

Thanks @Sunndowne - her would-be college has sent through a 'meet the college' online invite for tomorrow night. It's not the same as an overnight stay in Oxford but at least they're trying 😊

Oh 💩 @pepperaunt ☹️

Pepperaunt it's going to depend on households. (Been there, done that for what felt like most of last year.) In all seriousness, I suggest your DC gets in a supply of stuff they would like to have in their room if they get trapped, especially as they may not have anyone on hand to squirrel in supplies. Either that or grab them early.

Thanks @SandyBayley @HewasH2O Lateral Flow negative and PCR results due tomorrow morning. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Just seen on Oxford website that there are 2 suspected Omicron cases at a college. Crikey, that’s a worry!

www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/health

Last year you had to self isolate if members of your household tested positive, but of course this term the vaccination rules apply. DD never had a positive LFT, did have a positive PCR and is still suffering the after effects now.

She's at a formal tonight and isn't planning to come home until around 15th or so. I would be gutted for her if she had to spend another spell in SI.

But the vaccination rules won’t apply if Omicron is confirmed

I’m quite worried about the impact this could have on students in residence - if Omicron takes off then it could be back to the same situation as last year.

I’m picking up DD1 on Sunday and DS1 on Thursday. DD2 has online interviews (O) on Monday and Tuesday.

I’m trying not to think too much about the possibilities of further COVID-related disruption to the DC’s education and start in life.

Me too, @pantjog, I can't bear the thought of a return to last year's watered down version of Oxbridge. Yuk.

But, the party goes on for the time being - literally. DS is at some huge event for university sports teams tonight, probably with a fair few DC on here. And tomorrow it's the start of the Varsity Ski Trip. I may as well prepare his bedroom for a long quarantine when he gets back.

Lots of lovely news on the thread. Brilliant news on your DD interview @SandyBayley, hope she aces it and can enjoy a lifelong oneupmanship with your DS. Also, @Cliff1975, I'm very pleased that your DS's college are being so supportive. A weight off all your minds I expect.

I feel very sick about the thought of covid disruption coming up. dd has had a really good term. I can't bear the thought of going backwards.

I feel the same. DS's first year was not much fun at all and he is just settling now and enjoying things other than work. He was ill with flu for 2 weeks when he first went back which he found difficult - if he needs to isolate again next term because of rule changes he will find that very difficult.

Chaotic few days here helping to organise (very naturally disorganised) DD1 from a distance, for the Varsity ski trip, with the added fun of sorting last-minute private Covid tests which have just become a requirement for travel to/from France. I know at 19 I should just leave her to it, but it would be a lot of money down the drain if she was chucked off the coach at the border due to not having everything she needs... DH is now en route to Oxford in the car for a 7 hour round trip to collect the contents of her room, and will hopefully double check she has all the essentials...

Envious of all those with students coming home this weekend, we took D1 to Oxford mid September and helped her move into her 2nd year house - am really missing her. She's staying for another week so I've got fingers crossed she doesn't get pinged, trains all booked etc

That's useful to know mini. I'd have hoped 19-year old DS would be able to keep on top of covid rules but may just have to check. Talking of expense, we sent down his skiing things a few days ago via DHL and it didn't arrive. Shipment on hold - aargh.

I'm getting jealous of all those DC coming home very soon. DD1 won't be back until the week of Christmas, although she seems to be mad busy with lots of sports and social events now, so she might actually get some work done in the next fortnight.

As you are all so lovely, would you mind giving me some perspective on DD2 please? She is currently on a "year abroad" from a UK university and enrolled at a university in Tokyo. However, due to Japan's strict visa requirements as a result of Covid, she can't go in person. The Omicron variant has further scuppered things. DD2 is living in a student flat in her UK university city but is weighing up whether to give that up and spend the next 2 terms at home, which her contract allows. What do you all think? Pros of coming home are: saving money, could get a p/t job to do alongside her studies which are all in the early hours of the morning, having most cooking/laundry done for her. Cons are: living with "oldies" - me, DH and my DF, crap wifi, not being surrounded by other students, out in the sticks although she would have access to a car. Any wise words would be very much appreciated. I have just told her that it's her choice and which ever one she picks, she has our full support.

Congratulations to your DD @SandyBayley on her interview offer!

How disappointing for @Malbecfan's DD not to be able to travel to Japan.

@SnapSnapDragon, DD was also at the huge party last night with her blues squad. I doubt very much that she has made a start on her packing ready for an early pick up tomorrow morning.

She has managed to book a lovely looking airbnb 2 mins from the entrance to Kew Gardens for next week. Thankfully it is fully funded by her department!

Oh, that's a tough one @Malbecfan. The saving/earning money is tempting. But being in the sticks myself, it's desperately dull here for youngsters once they've had a taste of something livelier. My eldest is staying with us for similar reasons, having left for brighter lights a few years ago, and tbh I think he finds it hard going.
It's only for a couple of terms, though. Would there be scope for her to stay on someone's floor in the student flat from time to time? The occasional escape is helpful for both parties, I find.

Thanks @DahliaMacNamara. Yes, I think she would be able to stay with friends in her uni city from time to time and DD1 is always happy to put her up in Cambridge, so she would see uni life. It would also only be for 2 terms as I've just signed my life away as her guarantor from the end of August. She was sobbing down the phone earlier but I know she unburdens to me and puts a brave face on elsewhere.

Thanks @ofteninaspin, it is a pain. Sorry for derailing to everyone else

Malbecfan, no need to apologise at all; so sorry to hear about your DD2's disappointment at not being able to get to Tokyo. A similar scenario happened to a friend's son (Oxford, studying Chinese) who was supposed to be in Beijing for his second year - that was scuppured by Covid but he did manage to spend Trinity term in Taiwan instead. It must be quite disorientating and lonely for your DD2 studying remotely in the early hours when everyone around her is on UK time.

As to what's best to do, as Dahlia says, as long as there are regular and frequent opportunities to visit her uni city and maintain her friendships there, I can definitely see the attraction of being nurtured at home for a couple of terms while saving money. She could even put aside some of the money to book an AirBnB/hotel or something in her uni city for the odd weekend as a treat to look forward to.

Malbec would she have the same opportunities at home to continue playing her sports? DD would slot back into our local teams for tennis, but would have to stop rowing unless she took up gig racing. Anything quirky like cheerleading would be scuppered here.

Would it help or hinder plans for house shares in the next academic year?

Malbec, in normal circumstances I would be encouraging her to stay in university town and soaking up as much as possible of university life, because it's so fleeting and there will be time to pay back her loan later. However, her quasi-night shifts may change the equation and for me it would hinge on how much an impact this is having. If it means she is unable to go out and enjoy time with friends, or worse, is causing her to feel left out and lonely then home might be better. Poor her though. Covid (and associated politics) has taken so much from our DC

Interesting thoughts @SnapSnapDragon and @HewasH2O. DD isn't really the sporty type. She plays a bit of badminton and goes for the odd run but I don't think she's played badminton this term. We have a massive common up the road where the Marines train that she can run around on and we do go for walks there together.

We're going to talk it over after the weekend. Thanks for the perspective.

Hello malbecfan. I think I'd encourage her to continue staying in her university town.

Good luck to all the DC going on the varsity trip.

Apparently some have got stranded at Bristol airport on their way to the Varsity trip without the right test results in place.