Another path- the first year ......

[chopc]

Apologies if I didn't tag anyone. Hopefully have inckueded all current posters

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Computer science
@Majaso12 -Imperial - Biochemistry
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial -Physics
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - Open
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -modern languages
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History
@Notagardener LSE
@Revengeofthepangolins UCL - History
@raspberryrippleicecream ? -Maths
@derekthe1adyhamster Birmingham- Computer Science
@Vargas -Durham -Geography
@AvocadoPlant Exeter -History

Happy Mother's Day all. DD came in this morning with a lovely card, a bunch of flowers and a BIG hug. Coughed in my face for a good 2m then promptly tested positive shortly afterwards in preparation for a big lunch for the extended family.

Oh well, I must be one of the few people who haven't had covid yet so guess it's my time....

Oh, and obviously the family lunch got cancelled. 😂. Hope it's been a better day for you guys.

Jano69 sorry, you did make me smile a bit, even though I do feel sorry for you all having to cancel such a nice family event

Let's cross fingers

@jano69 oh no!!! What a bummer!

@jano69 that's not great although you have done well to avoid covid.

Happy Mother's day everyone. I have had a lovely long chat with my teenager today and my card is be coming via snail post!

Happy Mothers’ Day everyone!

My lovely dd sent me flowers and chocolates and FaceTimed this morning from Bristol. Dd1 sent a card and Dd3 wished me happy Mother’s Day and is in a good mood so that’ll do me 😂

Happy Mother’s Day all x
Oh dear @jano69 .. you never know perhaps you have a super duper immune system and will still manage to avoid. I haven’t had it yet either >

Oh dear @jano69 I hope she doesn't have it too bad and fingers crossed you don't get it. Some people seem to be immune. Out of our family of 5, only dd2 has had it (twice!). Dd3 has been exposed so many times and never got it!

I've started a thread about this already but does anyone on here know anything about BTECs? I need consider options for dd3 in case she doesn't get the grades for A Levels (or if she doesn't want do to A Levels). She's a keen dancer like her oldest sister but not as strong and I don't think she would get into auditioned courses. She could do a BTEC in performing arts which would suit her and I understand you can get into universities with it.

For those DC who haven't started their Easter holidays, further strikes at uni next week?????.....

@Notagardener Wow. It must be so difficult for the students.

I don't even mind so much for Dc2 who is in her third year but feel sorry for dc1 who is in his third year and has only had 1 term of normal lessons/lectures etc.

I am sure the strikes have impacted on my DS this term - History depends a lot on self directed learning and if the little contact they do have it taken away, it makes it very difficult to stay motivated with no structure to your days. I am sure in the higher years you may welcome to the study time but not in the first year when you are still finding your feet

Chopc yes, both dc1 and 2 do a humanity course.
I'm not the only one but still remember calling dc1 , in his first year, on a Wednesday afternoon March 2020..., telling to pack up everything as we were going to pick him up in the evening and he would not come back at all....
How true was that.....year 2 was not much better

@chopc

I am sure the strikes have impacted on my DS this term - History depends a lot on self directed learning and if the little contact they do have it taken away, it makes it very difficult to stay motivated with no structure to your days. I am sure in the higher years you may welcome to the study time but not in the first year when you are still finding your feet

The strikes have had a huge impact on DS (History), the timetabling of seminars has not helped, there can be a week of none then five in one week - with DS not finding out a seminar has been cancelled until he turns up. The strikes have given him weeks with literally no timetabled hours. It is very demoralising. Most of his written work is yet to be returned from this term.

@Notagardener 😔

@Braveheart35 ....... thanks for posting ...... you know what it's actually a relief to realise what he has felt like is normal given the circumstances (even though I wish both our DC felt uplifted with oomph)

I think @Braveheart35 DC also at Durham no?

@Notagardener how does DC1 feel about graduating this year? Does he feel ready for the next step?

@chopc

I think *@Braveheart35* DC also at Durham no?

Yes @Durham

Makes me pleased that DS1 (also Durham fresher) is doing joint honours rather than straight history... although it remains to be seen how valuable the Russian element of his Russian and History degree will be!

He seems to have really enjoyed his history modules since starting at Durham....particularly the African history one. AFAIK only 1 essay has been marked from last term as yet....

@MidLifeCrisis007 is that normal do you think/ know ? To have one one marked piece of work per term?

DS1 at UCL has had a whole 3 pieces marked so far this year, history also. Quite how students who can't already do it learn the skills, I really don't know

[quote chopc]@MidLifeCrisis007 is that normal do you think/ know ? To have one one marked piece of work per term?

[/quote]
I try to not to "hover" now he's at uni but AFAIK he did 4 essays last term and 4 essays this term for history. He's only had 1 of this term's essays back so far.

Obviously history is only half of his degree. Thankfully, his Russian studies haven't been impacted by the strikes and the cohort is tiny by comparison.

He is incredibly happy at Durham despite the strikes and covid disruptions. He even confessed the other day that he's glad he didn't get into Oxford as his mates there aren't having as much fun!

Just discovered this evening that my UCL history DS1 has had strikes Mon -weds for the last 4 weeks so has only had his Thursday seminar and that is only alternate weeks anyway. Hmmmm

Revengeofthepangolins, that's so unfair.

I'm also surprised at the amount of work being marked. My DD had submitted five essays before any feedback which caused some stress as she wasn't convinced if she was on the right track.

I think she has submitted another three essays since being back after Christmas. No more lectures now just revision and exams in May.

On a different note my DD got caught up in the fiasco of P&O ferries yesterday and was stuck 12 hours in Dover on the uni ski trip. Thankfully she has just arrived in resort and there is snow so she has cheered up!