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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Durham University

999 replies

KingscoteStaff · 19/02/2021 11:03

A continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying for Durham or alumni or staff! Share your thoughts and questions on colleges, courses, etc.

Assemble! @Baytreemum @WelshDaff @WinterRobin @janinlondon @MarchingFrogs @ChildOfFriday @tava63 @Terfterfterf @TonTonMacoute @Suki2 @Quair @Greyhair59 @bpisok @Jan069 @999caz @nipersvest @mum2eim @witchend @chopc @alterego2

Who have I missed??

OP posts:
chopc · 02/09/2021 18:40

That's so useful @KingscoteStaff - bought loads of hangers from B and M.

chopc · 02/09/2021 18:57

@KingscoteStaff did you also mention that the dryers in the halls are good and you don't need detergent?

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 02/09/2021 19:19

Hatfield washing machines (operated with a card you top up at the porters' lodge) have liquid automatically dispensed. I don't know what you'd do if you had an allergy to their liquid???

Their driers are free and very efficient - I think they do this to prevent the need for clothes airers and the consequent humidity and possible mould.

We took up a 4 gang extension but the one plug point was miles away from the desk so DH had to do an emergency run to the market to buy a longer one!

4 overdoor hangers were very useful for coats + gown + laundry bag.

Personally, I would have wanted a second lamp so one could be on the desk and one by the bed, but DS wasn't bothered.

OP posts:
Longtimenewsee · 02/09/2021 19:50

Thanks so much @KingscoteStaff.. really useful

chopc · 02/09/2021 20:14

Ditto @KingscoteStaff

What did students do about ironing? I can't imagine boys doing any but I am sure they won't want to wear a creased shirt for an occasion? I got some crease release spray which I hope will be sufficient

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 02/09/2021 21:20

Ironing out of my experience, I’m afraid -DS lives in sports kit mostly. Also they hardly had any formal occasions last year - I think he wore a suit once and a dinner jacket twice in the whole 3 terms.

OP posts:
par05 · 02/09/2021 21:46

Hi dd has be reallocated to her 2nd choice college which is a relief ! She did have st cuthberts originally, now has Josephine butler, but she is happy with that. Hope everyone dcs have heard now x

Longtimenewsee · 02/09/2021 23:19

Good news @par05. Glad she is happy Smile

chopc · 02/09/2021 23:33

That's good news @par05 . Finally can move on to the next stage

I have booked overnight accommodation on 25th for DS as well as the two of us so feeling a little easier about the moving in slot

Greyhair59 · 03/09/2021 00:23

No!!

Braveheart35 · 03/09/2021 06:06

Has anybody allocated to Stephenson college heard anything about moving in slots? DS says not, but I’m not convinced!

Longtimenewsee · 03/09/2021 07:21

Oh no @Greyhair59! So unfair on these kids. You both must be at your wits end. I hope you hear soon x

Peaseblossum22 · 03/09/2021 07:52

@Greyhair59 have you tried contacting them direct, after midlife’s experience and given that the deadline has now passed I think I would be going on the offensive

SpringSparrow · 03/09/2021 08:23

@Greyhair59 are you just waiting for room allocation or is your son changing his college as well? I thought you’d said previously that your ds started last year but had had an agreement to restart this year?
I’ve been on the thread a while but have name changed!
I think a lot of people are still waiting to be allocated their actual rooms.

Bluebellwoods1 · 03/09/2021 08:52

DD allocated Stephenson and hasn’t heard regarding moving slots .

MidLifeCrisis007 · 03/09/2021 14:54

Can you please help?

DS is trying to fill in his enrolment details. On page 1 of Personal Details under college it says "not a member of a college".

Do any of your DC have this problem or is their college shown?

He's made numerous phone calls but no one can help. Here's hoping the Student Records department will respond to his email some time before 25th September....but I wouldn't bet on it!

Peaseblossum22 · 03/09/2021 15:18

Could he continue his enrolment so that modules etc are all submitted and then email his college or call them, I understand the college staff are in this week . We got very confused about whether or not to tick the boxes beside the module selections ‘for approval’ and I don’t think ds ever worked out how to work out if they clash or not. Have to say I’m not very impressed by some of this stuff surely it’s possible to make it more user friendly.

Hope you are feeling better by the way

MidLifeCrisis007 · 03/09/2021 15:26

He's loathe to continue doing anything until the college thing is sorted as he feels he's agreeing to be a nomad by doing so!

He tried ringing the college. It's not something they can help with. Sigh.

Yes, feeling better now thanks but annoyingly DD got told to do another PCR as a close contact of me (in error it turns out as you shouldn't do a PCR test within 90 days of testing positive) and when that came back as positive was told she can't go back to school. So term started yesterday without her. Oh and DS2 tested positive yesterday too so that's his return to school delayed as well. Life is one frustration after another at the moment!

Peaseblossum22 · 03/09/2021 15:47

Oh no , sounds like you could go with Flowers.

Has your ds been able to apply for his modules , not sure if it differs between depts , ds had to do his by today . We had a three hour discussion/wobble about his choices yesterday only to stick with the ones he had originally chosen , Hmm There must be an easier way .

Greyhair59 · 03/09/2021 16:19

Yes, starting over so same college. He has chosen modules so should be ok but still that little niggle of doubt. He has chased them up....

libbytrois · 03/09/2021 16:26

@Peaseblossum22

Could he continue his enrolment so that modules etc are all submitted and then email his college or call them, I understand the college staff are in this week . We got very confused about whether or not to tick the boxes beside the module selections ‘for approval’ and I don’t think ds ever worked out how to work out if they clash or not. Have to say I’m not very impressed by some of this stuff surely it’s possible to make it more user friendly.

Hope you are feeling better by the way

Ah we had the same issue about modules - did he tick both sets of boxes? Only selected one set here about a week ago, but haven't had confirmation. So thinking needed to do double tick Grin
Peaseblossum22 · 03/09/2021 17:14

He did both! It said thanks for submission the first time, and then he went back in and ticked it same thing . I think he’s just assuming if there is a problem the dept will contact him

Vargas · 03/09/2021 17:32

Ds can't do any module choosing or anything else until his password comes through...

Vargas · 03/09/2021 17:39

And no moving in slot for us yet - Van Milderts.

MidLifeCrisis007 · 03/09/2021 18:28

DS has ignored the fact that he's not linked with a college and pressed on and chosen his modules (He's History & MFL so 60 units each).

It's all beginning to feel a bit real now!