1. The new ‘live and learn’ bubble system is comprised from members of shared accommodation. One of the first things many students stress about is what to do if you don’t get on with your respective grouping. If things are getting desperate and you’ve tried all you can, you can apply for a transfer. You may be asked to isolate in a temporary room for a short period before you move to your new permanent room and household. The room you’re due to move in to will need to be cleaned and disinfected before the transfer, but you’re not destined to spend the foreseeable future with anyone you really can’t.
2. Once you’re in your bubble you can still meet and mix with other students from other bubbles as long as social distancing is observed. However keep one eye on the government guidelines with this as it may well change in the near future, especially if a second lockdown is likely to happen.
3. Whilst travelling back to your private accommodation for studying may not always be convenient, only try and use the campus study areas when absolutely necessary. Yes it’s an inconvenience, but it’s far more convenient than a two week stint in hospital!
4. If you’re outside of the university campus with members of your bubble, make sure you each carry a copy of your home address with you. That way, if challenged by a member of the public or a police officer for not socially distancing, you can produce proof of being part of a legal grouping.
5. If you live in a household that’s privately rented with tenants not from your university, that household is then classed as your bubble and social distancing must be observed when meeting anyone else outside that household.
6. Live on your own? Don’t worry, you can form a ‘support bubble’ with another household from the university. Just as your local support desk for more information.
7. Quarantining for international students is really simple. All the quarantine requirements will be in line with government regulations. Just notify your university in plenty of time and your accommodation will be made available for you early on.
8. If you’re worried about getting a dose of bubble boredom, remember to keep one eye on your universities event circuit. Institutions up and down the country are creating new and exciting goodies to keep you entertained and informed including student ice breakers, on campus tours, online quizzes and scavenger hunts to name but a few, and don’t worry they’ll be plenty of face-to-face activities too.
9. In the case of an infection, both the person experiencing sysmptoms, and the rest of the bubble will have to self isolate for the required amount of time. Each university will have its own support team and online learning facilities to take advantage from so don’t worry about your grades or final degree suffering adversely if you find yourself in this position.
10. Each bubble will be able to:
- Travel to and from campus and around the city together
- Sit and eat together in your accommodation and other venues
- Socialise within your accommodation, outside and within any bars, restaurants or leisure facilities that are allowed to be open
- Studying together in your accommodation and any University open learning spaces.
