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Higher education

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

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Original poster

Durham University

999 replies

KingscoteStaff · 18/09/2021 06:46

The continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying to Durham, or alumni, or staff!

September 2021 finds us packing, unpacking, meeting old friends and new, and all with our fingers firmly crossed for a positive year!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

chopc · 28/09/2021 20:33

DS seems to be quite comfortable and meeting new people. Haven't spoken to him yet but his texts are quite upbeat

But I will endeavour to actually speak to him tomorrow

LeiatheSchnauzer · 28/09/2021 20:58

Hope today has been better for those who haven't been happy. I have had a couple of messages from dd, she sounds like she is meeting people and having fun so that has made me feel a lot happier. Haven't spoken to her yet, like @OnTheBenchOfDoom it feels like it might be a bit hard for her and for me.
When I was a very new fresher (not Durham) I was very homesick and unhappy for the first week or so. Speaking to my parents from the payphone after a week nearly broke me, I cried very publicly! But a few weeks later I was having the time of my life.

MidLifeCrisis007 · 28/09/2021 21:01

@OnTheBenchOfDoom

Ds is communicating by texting, does not want to talk or facetime as he feels it will be too hard. They were at Klute last night, he said he feared for his safety as it was so crowded that when everyone jumped you feared an elbow to the face

He is glad he has experienced it but I don't think he will be in a rush to go back. He has said he is looking forward to starting actual work, the routine of the timetable.

His flat is half girls half boys, they seem to be a mix of from everywhere. Ds is Yorkshire and proud and from a state school. He is in South college which he chose purely on least likely to share then en-suite.

Klute?! That's a baptism of fire for a fresher! It was voted the 2nd worst nightclub in Europe by FHM and then the worst night-club in Europe burnt down leaving Klute in that ignominious spot!

It was a dive in the '80s. Rumour has it, it's just as bad now!

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 28/09/2021 21:12

Ah Klute. Durham just wouldn't be Durham without it. Other clubs and bars may come and go but Klute will always be there to welcome students with its cheesy music and sticky floors.

myrtleWilson · 28/09/2021 21:26

If you DC were one of the 400 freshers in Revs last night (and again tonight) - not sure what college it was... my DD says sorry if she (waiting staff) was a bit grumpy but she was due to finish her shift at 9 but left at 11.30pm Lots of happy looking students in fancy dress roaming up and down South Road most of the night!

WhereIsMumHiding3 · 28/09/2021 21:30

I'm loving reading these posts!
My second year student son is enjoying joining in freshers week as he & his friends missed it last year due to lockdown/ tier 3 or whatever Durham was last year.

He's double vaccinated and regularly LFTs (& had COVID in 2020 at home in final A level year)

I can't wait to hear about it as students need social side as much as the academic side ! Durham colleges are usually great at facilitating all round experience including clubs and sports 🥰

WhereIsMumHiding3 · 28/09/2021 21:31

@myrtleWilson

Lots of happy looking students in fancy dress roaming up and down South Road most of the night!

Sounds wonderful! And your DD was fabulous to stay on to cover past her shift end. !

Ekofisk · 28/09/2021 21:37

Ah Klute. Durham just wouldn't be Durham without it. Other clubs and bars may come and go but Klute will always be there to welcome students with its cheesy music and sticky floors.

Oh yes. Dominic Cumming’s uncle has a lot to answer for.

CeliaCanth · 28/09/2021 21:44

Klute!! That takes me back. It looked like it was on its last legs in 1983-4 (ish) when I was in sixth form at school in Durham!
DS was apparently at Wiff Waff last night…

Bluebellwoods1 · 28/09/2021 22:43

My DD was at Klute last night and said it was ridiculous how many students were there , she was saying that she is very tired both from late nights but also exhausted from meeting so many people she thinks all of the people in her flat are lovely which is a relief .

This is her 3rd day , so still very early but so far all appears to be ok

Gizmo98765 · 28/09/2021 23:10

Which college is she in @Bluebellwoods1?

Vargas · 28/09/2021 23:30

Can't wait to ask ds if he's been to Klute yet!

Ekofisk · 28/09/2021 23:36

A trip to the Bigg Market in the depths of winter will be a rite of passage.

jano69 · 29/09/2021 00:44

Loving hearing what all your lot are up to. DD was at Wiff Waff on Sunday and the famous Klutes last night. She has messaged to say she's met some very nice people which is a relief. I'm following the Collingwood Freshers stories closely on Instagram! She had her first formal tonight and is currently in town. I think she's probably overdoing it..... but hey, I'd probably be doing the same if I was 18 again.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 29/09/2021 06:37

I did think Klute on the first night of freshers literally would be a baptism of fire especially as he has never been to a nightclub. He is not a dancer, loves music but enjoys chatting and being part of a conversation more. Ds is at South.

To everyone who has children that are upset it just shows how lovely their home life is doesn't it if they are missing it and you. Still awful when they ring you upset. It is why Ds won't actually speak to us at the minute. I am not sure Dh and I would be able to hold it together if he did so in a way the texting is better.

Ds's mate from school/sixth form told him his Mum was counting down the days till he left which was really sad and he couldn't wait to leave. He is at Van Mildert so they have met up already and he seems to be okay.

Ds went up to the sports and physical activity fair and has joined a couple of clubs. He says he is getting used to the kitchen but the flat have had to leave notes twice to one student who keeps not washing up.

par05 · 29/09/2021 07:18

Glad dcs are enjoying, same with dd she's enjoying meeting people, her flatmates are lovely and all help each other. She's keeping us upto date with whatsapp msgs and does facetime her siblings regularly her early wobbles seems to be gone now, and waiting for the routine to start of lectures.

Bluebellwoods1 · 29/09/2021 08:34

@Gizmo98765 she is in Stephenson College , they were woken up by the 2nd years banging on pots and pans at 5.30 - 6 am , making sure they were up for Matriculation !! It spooked her but we agreed she is very tired so she was going to try and snooze to be able to enjoy today.

Gizmo98765 · 29/09/2021 10:30

Thanks @Bluebellwoods1 from your description it sounded like a nice friendly college. I will have to check that one out.
That banging early morning would be quite scary.
I am dreading the wrench next year as DS is really good company (most of the time).
Although with covid and one thing and another my DS has led a very sheltered life in terms of alcohol, partying and socialising much outside of school. So Uni will be a real baptism of fire with one thing and another.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 29/09/2021 11:01

@Bluebellwoods1 ah I thought everyone knew that they woke you with pots and pans. Well they do at JoBo as I saw a video from a previous fresher's week. They also play those whilst you walk up to the cathedral so I am sure that they will be there at the race course today too. Not great when you are hung over

Delphigirl · 29/09/2021 11:13

Well this is depressing

Bluebellwoods1 · 29/09/2021 11:31

@OnTheBenchOfDoom she had noted they did this at the Cathedral but didn’t know re the early morning call .
@Delphigirl totally agree very depressing !!

SpamhappyTootsie · 29/09/2021 12:06

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when pots, pans and car horns woke DS at 5.30am . Finally, payback for the Amazing Non-Sleeping Boy Years (0 - 4 iirc)
His first Formal today too. Going to be a loooooong day

chopc · 29/09/2021 16:55

Have all the History DC's been told about a book which needs to be read by Friday? I am convinced it's a joke but DS thinks it's serious 🧐

Braveheart35 · 29/09/2021 17:31

@chopc

Yes! DS was told about it during the summer. He bought it, sat on the shelf and now he has to read it for Fri, for a discussion!

chopc · 29/09/2021 17:52

Oh dear ......@Braveheart35 🙈
This was the first DS has heard

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