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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: Gearing up to graduation (for some but not all)

995 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 16/02/2022 14:18

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icanbewhatiwant · 16/03/2022 19:02

Thanks. Maybe Ds is just making a fuss. But he seems to need more advice. I'll find out more at the weekend when I see him.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 17/03/2022 07:02

I don't think it sounds as if he is making a fuss @icanbewhatiwant but he's clearly not where he'd expect to be by this point in time. It sounds as if he's putting a lot of work into catching the mice but that's not entirely going to plan which is impacting on him writing up his dissertation. Presumably he could start writing some parts though?

If I were him I'd be definitely going into tomorrow's meeting with tutor and asking: a) he can base his research only on the mouse dropping collected to date; b) if he needs to reach the magic 100, can he get an extension (but he needs to think in advance what is realistic in terms of how long it's likely to take him to reach collect those extra 30 'samples'. No good getting a month's extension if he's still unlikely to collect what's required by then...); and c) if there's someone else who can guide him in his final few weeks of research/writing it up?

Good luck to him!

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Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 17/03/2022 07:03

I would have thought there might be a PhD student or two in the department who could offer some support?

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bigTillyMint · 17/03/2022 11:16

@NewModelArmyMayhem18, that’s a good suggestion - DDs MSc diss tutor put her in touch with a PhD student because he didn’t know how to work the analysis software that he had recommended! The PhD student was really helpful

RampantIvy · 17/03/2022 12:15

Poor DD has just found out that the university has added on another module and she has 5 more lectures after Easter and another 3.75 hour in person exam. She thought lectures were finished.

She has finished her first draft for her dissertation, but is over the word count (as she always is). I went over it last night, but cannot suggest what she can cut out.

I'm so sorry your DS is still struggling with his dissertation @icanbewhatiwant. I responded on the previous thread about it. Is there someone at the university who is in total charge of handing out the dissertations that he can contact? The level of support he has had is very poor. Or could he contact his personal tutor or course director?

Notagardener · 18/03/2022 18:36

I don't even have clue when dc1 has exams, lectures, what is happening with his dissertation. Whatever information I get is from looking on the uni website.

But he did send me a message the other day....to tell his blood group is O+
Okay.........

RampantIvy · 18/03/2022 18:46

I have had many calls from DD over the last few days. Her anxiety levels are sky high. She emailed her first draft of her dissertation to her tutor today.

Your DS must be a lot more laid back than DD @Notagardener

icanbewhatiwant · 18/03/2022 21:02

I'm seeing Ds tomorrow as it's my birthday. We are all driving to Norwich for lunch and to go bowling. We haven't been out with all 3 dc's for a few years. They used to argue nonstop, so I'll see if they've grown up a bit. I'm sure I'll hear how Ds is getting on with his dissertation.

Notagardener · 19/03/2022 07:14

Well, I checked the uni website yesterday and they have published a date for graduation

. I messaged DC to "safe the date".
DC: "I'm not going to be there"
Me : " oh, where will you be"
DC: I may go traveling "
Me: " so you might still be able to go"
DC: "honestly, I have no idea"

So I know he is moving to another house in the summer, and that his current contract finished mid aug. So asked him when his new contract starts, is he going to be houseless for a bit, or have 2 different rooms to pay for a while??
Answer " no idea"

Me: have you decided, are you looking for work or doing a postgraduate course?
No reply...

Notagardener · 19/03/2022 07:15

"save" not ""safe". ..

Benjispruce5 · 19/03/2022 08:15

@Notagardener haha that’s a bit like messages between DD and me. I don’t ask anymore as she’s an adult and can do what she likes. I know she was unsuccessful with a few grad jobs and I’ve heard ‘travelling‘ mentioned but don’t know where to or who with. She’s home tomorrow so I’ll hopeful find out more.

Notagardener · 19/03/2022 08:30

Benjispruce5, at least I am not the only one Grin. I do know he has a good set of friends, so not (too) worried as such about him.

MarchingFrogs · 19/03/2022 09:42

This will be us with DD, currently on year abroad, next summer. She is actually quite good at getting herself organised when decisions have been made (having collected her freshly-visa'd passport on the Wednesday afternoon, she had already booked a flight for the Friday by the time she got back home a couple of hours later, for instance), but getting to the decision can take some doing. I have no idea exactly when the semester finishes in France, or what she intends to do between then and the start of term back in Birmingham, let alone what the current plan is for 2023. Apart from 'do something', of course.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 19/03/2022 10:17

Happy Birthday @icanbewhatiwant!

@Notagardener @Benjispruce5 @MarchingFrogs no idea what DS will be doing next. I've decided to back right off, at least until he's finished his dissertation.

@RampantIvy what a pity for your DD to have an extra module to complete.

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icanbewhatiwant · 19/03/2022 21:53

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 thanks. I'm in denial about my age. It was great to meet up in Norwich today with Ds1. The other ds's came too. We had lunch and went bowling. Had a good catch up with Ds, he said he still hasn't caught all the mice. He's up to 90 caught. He is doing it this coming week then not catching any more. He met with his supervisor and spoke a bit of what he's to do next he showed him how to get the worm eggs out from the droppings. Ds found it really difficult to do and asked to meet him again. The supervisor hasn't replied, but Ds has had an email from someone (didn't hear who) saying the supervisor is far too busy and heading to Africa next week, so would Ds like another supervisor, he said yes please. So hopefully that will be better. He needs to finish it all my mid April. He's booked the lab over Easter, I hope he gets on ok.

RampantIvy · 19/03/2022 22:06

It's awful how some dissertation supervisor's are so unsupportive. One of DD's friends has a supervisor who never replies to emails and who can't look at her friend's draft dissertation because he is off sick with covid. The completed dissertations are due in on Thursday.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 20/03/2022 08:17

Good to hear you had a lovely time with your family (and DS1) @icanbewhatiwant. I'm assuming the boys got on better than previously? Sounds as if your DS has reached a turning point in his research, particularly getting a new supervisor. Hurrah! Fingers crossed for him.

DS was ill last week (reckons he had COVID again :-( ) so has got a five day extension on his diss. submission date. But it sounds as if he'll not necessarily need it. I did ask him what his supervisor had to say with his draft but he hasn't seem him recently and doesn't seem set to! That, I find a bit concerning! DS has form on not achieving quite what he's capable of for not completing coursework quite according to 'spec'.

@RampantIvy I guess academics divide into those who take their teaching roles very seriously, and those who will always prioritise their own research/career development over supervising their students. It's a bit of a lottery for sure.

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RampantIvy · 20/03/2022 12:56

DD's supervisor is a doctor who works on covid wards three days a week. I'm amazed how much time he made for DD and the other student who is doing a similar dissertation. She has had her first draft back now and just needs to make the amends and format it ready to hand in this week.

icanbewhatiwant · 20/03/2022 13:45

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 sorry to hear Ds has been poorly. I hope he's in the mend.

Yes the dc's were ok together. Ds3 refused to speak or even acknowledge Ds1. But they didn't argue anyway.

Yes...Hopefully Ds will get more advice about his dissertation now. I don't think he's started writing any of it yet. He's not got that long really.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 20/03/2022 16:15

Thanks, @icanbewhatiwant. He seems to be on the mend. I don't think he looks after himself as well as he should be doing.

No talking/arguing could be regarded as an entente cordiale for siblings. Hopefully things will improve as DS3 gets older!

Hopefully a practical, quantitative research study will probably be easier to write up, with all the info fresh in your DS's mind. Good luck to him with the final push.

@RampantIvy, that's good to hear for your DD.

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Benjispruce5 · 20/03/2022 16:18

That’s good @RampantIvy I’m glad she’s nearly there.
DD missed her train home as she went out last night Hmmso will be home tomorrow now.

RampantIvy · 20/03/2022 16:19

She must have had a good night then @Benjispruce5benj Grin

RampantIvy · 20/03/2022 16:20

Not sure what happened there Blush

Benjispruce5 · 20/03/2022 16:30

Ha ha I like it! I did think a morning train was ambitious as she’s always a last minute packer.

VanCleefArpels · 22/03/2022 10:56

So the marking boycott starts next week at DD’s Uni, just as she has 4 essays due in the first week of April 🙄. The boycott covers all work and exams. Any sympathy one might have had with UCU in terms of their campaign about working conditions and pensions is lost - this is truly unforgivable. The students are not told which (if any) of their course moderators/lecturers are on strike and have been given some wooly reassurances that their degree will be awarded based on past marks of course work and/or exams. DD worried that this devalues the award. God what a bloody mess