Durham University

[NotEnoughTime]

Hello.

How many of us are waiting for their DC to hear back from Durham? My DS applied back in October last year and is getting very down now he knows that others who have received offers are being informed that they will be told soon re college allocations.

I am usually a 'no news is good news' type of person but even I am finding it hard to be upbeat as I too am fed up

I wish they would just let him me know soon if he is going to get an offer or a rejection and then he can get on with his life and his A Level revision without this hanging over him.

@WinterRobin, is she still in the alternative accommodation or did she manage to change?

@LeiatheSchnauzer she got offered the catered accommodation about a week before she moved in. She’s not gone back tho after Christmas. Her halls were pretty horrible to isolate in when the majority of her household got Covid. No shared communal living space, just a kitchenette that’s a cupboard and shared loo and shower. Food was left in the stairwell. The self catered accommodation was much nicer and en-suite, but the catered experience of going over to the dining hall is an opportunity to socialise. The experience this year has been so far from normal though. Each household has a time to go to the dining hall and you can only mix with your household. There does seem to be a Huge difference in the standard of accommodation and experience. My dd’s halls are basic and noisy.

@WinterRobin, that sounds very disappointing. How does she feel about going back once she is allowed to? What kind of food were they given? Was it hot?
Dd1 has really only put down catered amongst her choices and I am.worried that this scenario will be repeated again this year.

What a shame @WinterRobin . OK last term's experience was unprecedented and Durham could be forgiven for less than ideal conditions. But hopefully they have had the feedback and will make the rest of the year good - especially for the first year DC's as this is their year of living in the college where they can make their mark

@chopc my dd is currently at home. They were told not to go back unless you were doing certain courses, medicine, nursing , social work , education, or had special reasons to return. 😢

How does your DD feel about it @WinterRobin ?

My year 13 son had a disappointment with getting rejected from Cambridge. I am really trying to get him to be enthusiastic about going to Durham but I feel especially in Durham, the firs year in College is SO important to get established but now I am thinking this is the same for any first year living in halls in any university?

My university experience was never about getting a degree - but then again I knew I would have a job at the end of it and didn't need to apply for vacation schemes or internships etc (healthcare).

@chopc my DD is first year at St. Cuth's she wanted self catering so is in Parson's Green - my understanding is that St.Cuth's on the Bailey is catered.

@tava63 that's right. But there was no option on the form to state preference.

Don’t worry chopc - as soon as the results are out and your DC has confirmed they are going, they’ll get a room type preference form.

Noted @KingscoteStaff

Hi Dd had her college allocation today and luckily had st cuthbert which was her no 1 so she is happy, hope all dcs had their choices. @tava63 how does your dd find st cuthbert?

An inside knowledge on the music practice rooms at Castle? Dd says there are some but unsure how many ..and do students have to book them? Dd has just been allocated Castle for next year

Just had a look out of idle curiosity and found this:
castlejcr.com/the-bailey-court-music-rooms/
(Two rooms and a concert standard Grand, it would seem)
and this, re the terms of use:
www.castlejcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MusicCode-of-Conduct-2.doc

Two of the shared rooms in Castle actually have uprights in them - possibly kept for college musicians/singers??

Thankyou @MarchingFrogs . V kind of you

Thanks @KingscoteStaff.. that sounds fab for those students!

After the first year do students still physically go into their colleges?

Just to add to the link @MarchingFrogs sent, I know that if you have singing ABRSM grade 8 (or above eg: ARSM dip) you can use the music rooms with an accompanist (not necessarily a Castle person) for rehearsals. And to @chopc yes they do continue to go their colleges after first year - the bars are popular (cheap), formal dinners are still accessible to non-freshers, lots of official dinners and meetings are held in college (eg. annual club dinners), choral scholars eat in after services, and many have a regular music rehearsal booking (as above).

Thanks for extra info

Do students use bikes a lot in Durham? Is there a place to store the bikes?

No chopc they don't. There are a few about but not many.

Thanks @goodbyestranger

Ski trip definitely cancelled...

DS had been holding out for that! Now busily spending his returned deposit on Amazon.

When was that supposed to have been @KingscoteStaff ?

Your DS had a good first term but still chose to be at home now rather than return to Durham?

Easter hols.

He’s not choosing to be at home, they aren’t meant to go back unless they have labs. 3 out of his household of 18 are back - 2 for labs, 1 due to lack of WiFi at home. No bars no gym no sport no Ftf societies no communal eating no chapel no choirs no music.