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Original poster

University 2019/20 intake: Gearing up to graduation (for some but not all)

995 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 16/02/2022 14:18

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ZandathePanda · 03/05/2022 16:54

@RampantIvy Dd told me - there are several of her friends on different courses who have been told by email about an hour and a half ago. She was in the library so saw a few tears from people. None medical so hopefully not more stress for your Dd either. Hope her friends are ok too.

icanbewhatiwant · 03/05/2022 21:20

Ds got his extension on the dissertation. But he told me no one could get his data charts correct. So goodness knows what was going wrong. I don't know whether he did it correctly in the end, it was handed in today. He sent me a message to say he'd accidentally sent a pdf file instead of his dissertation. He couldn't make more things go wrong of he tried. I think he sorted it in the end, but he doesn't reply to messages. It's his 21st birthday tomorrow. So dh and I are taking him out to lunch. I've made cakes for him and his housemates. Hopefully he will fill me in on how much dissertation was done in the end. He still has the presentation to do yet.

@ZandathePanda thanks. Things sound stressful for dd2 with A levels too. I hope she gets on ok.

LouisCatorze · 04/05/2022 07:03

@icanbewhatiwant, you never know, your DS may have had lots of 'blips' on the way, but his dissertation could still come really good in the end. I'm sure he'll have a lot to impart in his presentation. Sounds as if the software he was advised to use wasn't up to the job though. I wouldn't be very impressed with his academic dissertation supervisor for having advised him to use it. Hope he has a great 21st birthday celebration too.

icanbewhatiwant · 04/05/2022 11:03

@LouisCatorze thanks. His original advisor suggested how to collect and input data, the software to use etc. then he didn't answer emails or help Ds in any way, then went abroad for several months. Ds was eventually given a new advisor who couldn't understand the data etc. either. Hence getting an extension. I am seeing Ds shortly, so will find out whether he got it sorted. I know he spoke to someone else who suggested a different way, but that didn't work either. I will be glad when his degree is finished, I hope he gets the grade next wants. Ds2 will start university in sept. He is very different to ds1 and will just get on with it, he wouldn't tell me if he had any problems, but if he did he would get them sorted.

simbobs · 04/05/2022 14:16

Gosh, this cohort have had such a difficult time throughout their education, not just at uni, but it sounds like it will soon be over for some. Whew! I am in awe that so many of them have managed so well, and hope that none your DC are affected by the strikes.

My DS insists that he is going back to uni to complete his course next year, though he has yet to apply for finance. I am pretty sure that his course does not require a dissertation but I could be wrong. When I did one it was just marked like any other piece of course work.

He just joined us on holiday which was lovely as we have hardly seen him at all this year. He is having difficulty with a gap at the end of one tenancy and the start of the next. He could come back home but then would lose a week's work, and we would have to go over twice to move things around. We also have to go and empty DD's flat, which may take more than one (6 hour round) trip. No other option, but she is moving back home and there is just nowhere to put all the additional stuff! It all has to happen at the same time, too. The thought of the fuel bill alone is giving me a headache.

bigTillyMint · 04/05/2022 14:51

@simbobs, does she need all her stuff if she’s moving back home? We/DS will be binning his bedding and crockery which was old stuff from here 3 years ago! So less stuff to bring back on 10/12 hour round trip. Luckily the same weekend as his graduation!

simbobs · 04/05/2022 15:40

@bigTillyMint good idea, but much of what is there is wanted and there is limited ability to dispose of it. The biggest problem is the desk and chair that she had to buy, can't leave and can't sell as she is no longer there, nor is there anyone else who could hand them over for her even if she wanted to give them away. I will probably end up having to go up on my own to maximise the space in the car. It needs more thought...

ZandathePanda · 04/05/2022 15:56

@simbobs Dd’s flatmate left what she couldn’t fit in her car in front of her student flat with a ‘free to a good home’ note. She went inside to collect her last few bits, came out and everything had gone! She was in a prime student area but it was a bit spooky

icanbewhatiwant · 04/05/2022 16:44

@simbobs can you hire a van? Ds said 2 of his housemates parents have hired a van for pick up as they've bought furniture. Ds has a fair bit of stuff. He will do 2 trips in his fiesta. But we aren't far away. If he were further it would all fit in Dh's X3 with the seats down. Must admit I'm not looking forward to all the gear arriving home, it'll be dumped for me to sort.

RampantIvy · 04/05/2022 17:35

We will have to do more then one trip to bring DD's stuff home. Her room has so many plants it resembles a garden centre.
I'm sorry that your woes with your DD are still continuing @simbobs.

DD has been to her "mystery module" lectures that were added on this week, and was horrified to learn that they are all maths based. This is for an extra in person 3.75 hour exam. Maths is her weakest subject, and she hasn't been able to stay awake in these lectures. She said that the lecturer went at too fast a pace for her to pick anything up, which is a problem for her with maths. She needs time to understand stuff. I think this exam is the one she will worry about the most.

None of the students liked this module.

LouisCatorze · 04/05/2022 17:45

I can imagine that leaving too much 'kit' behind (even good quality items in good condition) could result in a deduction from the deposit, constituting 'rubbish removal'. This happened with DC1 and a load of detritus they didn't get to the tip before they moved out last summer. On the other hand, I get the impression that a lot of the home furnishings in student rentals are legacy ones from previous tenants.

LouisCatorze · 04/05/2022 17:56

Not nice to shoehorn in a maths module at the 11th hour. Just when the students should be starting to relax with most of the hard studying behind them.

RampantIvy · 04/05/2022 18:01

Just when the students should be starting to relax

No chance. DD has exams from My until 10th June.

LouisCatorze · 04/05/2022 18:25

@RampantIvy that's a tough gig. DC1 finishes at the end of May.

bigTillyMint · 04/05/2022 21:06

That sounds pretty mean @RampantIvy
DS has something to submit on Friday - there was a seminar about it but as he is here, he missed it and the tutor said they couldn’t send him any advice 🤔 But at least he finishes completely at the end of May.

LouisCatorze · 05/05/2022 08:30

Just imagine potentially hitting your academic 'Waterloo' for one of your last modules ever, that you've not even chosen to do. Vicious.

RampantIvy · 05/05/2022 14:31

You have hit the mail on the head @LouisCatorze. No-one chose this module. It is for the whole biomed cohort and none of the students are happy about it.

LouisCatorze · 05/05/2022 14:39

Do you know what type of 'weighting' it has towards the degree awarded @RampantIvy ? Really hoping that it's not a high tariff one. Is there no way the students can complain?

RampantIvy · 05/05/2022 14:50

Fortunately it is just 10%.
This degree course certainly has a very painful sting in its tail.

LouisCatorze · 05/05/2022 15:08

Was it always a given that there was going to be a 'surprise' module at this stage, or is this something that the lead course academic has dreamed up for the 'fun of it'?

RampantIvy · 05/05/2022 16:08

No idea, but DD only found out just before the Easter break.

Benjispruce4 · 06/05/2022 16:26

DD just FaceTimed to say she has had the email about possible marking strike on her course. She’s gutted and now demotivated with her diss to finish, I’m furious! How can these lecturers stick the boot in to this cohort?
😡

Benjispruce4 · 06/05/2022 16:30

Anyway she’s vented to me and she’s off to a birthday party tonight having just finished a very hard summative and needs a break. Apart from those stresses she’s really enjoying the last couple of months of uni and looking forward to her college fun days that they missed in 2020 and some in 21.

RampantIvy · 06/05/2022 19:30

Oh no @Benjispruce4. I hope they don't go on strike. What is a summative?

Benjispruce4 · 06/05/2022 19:50

A summative is an essay that counts towards final grade. She’s had several due alongside her diss so it’s all go. She doesn’t have exams though.
mum hoping this threat is the leverage the lecturers need to get some response from the university bosses. Surely they won’t allow students to leave without a grade or graduation??