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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 · 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
11
SpamhappyTootsie · 01/10/2021 09:50

Such a big deal is made of ‘normality’ and the excitement of FW this year, I really feel for last year’s Freshers who have to observe it all happening when they missed it.

chopc · 01/10/2021 10:25

I know @SpamhappyTootsie . Can the freps not campaign to put something on for them?

Longtimenewsee · 01/10/2021 17:35

Can someone explain to me the difference between Duo and blackboard learn ultra pls. What is each for? If blackboard is where your modules, assignments etc appears.. then what is Duo for?

chopc · 01/10/2021 17:45

How do you know what you know @Longtimenewsee ?

Longtimenewsee · 01/10/2021 18:09

Lol I know nothing Chopc .Grin Dd trying to explain to me why she can’t get to ‘my timetable’ because there are 2 systems and it’s on s different system apparently. I have no idea

Braveheart35 · 01/10/2021 19:47

DS had a history intro seminar today. Was told the course very oversubscribed, which has led to delay in releasing timetable & confirming modules. Good news - the increased numbers would not be used as a reason to go online. Seems it will be f2f, which is good news.

LeiatheSchnauzer · 01/10/2021 20:17

@SpringSparrow, I am sure that when your dd arrives everyone on her landing will be pleased to get a new face and hopefully she'll be able to have a happier halls experience. It is sad she didn't get to move in at the same time, must be so frustrating seeing all the pictures. I hope move in day goes well!

SpringSparrow · 01/10/2021 21:19

@LeiatheSchnauzer aw thank you! We are still driving, about 45 mins from Durham now!
@Longtimenewsee I just asked my dd. Seems a bit complicated but last year it was everything was on duo, but they have switched over to blackboard learn ultra for this year.
There’s some information about My timetable here
www.dur.ac.uk/cis/mytimetable/
From there my dd has a link to view her timetable. However last year, she said it didn’t work for her though. She had to write down all her modules and it was the same for all the people on her course.

Longtimenewsee · 02/10/2021 00:18

Thank you @springsparrow. The old/ new system makes sense .

Peaseblossum22 · 02/10/2021 14:06

Durham admin strikes again , one if ds modules if s still in limbo because he applied for it through the enrolment system ( as instructed by his dept) but it turns out the dept in which this module is situated uses a different system which he didn’t know about. They now won’t let him on the module , but he hasn’t got a replacement . He’s waiting for a reply from his personal advisor but says he’s tired and stressed ( has also been having fun though) . I’m sure it will all work itself out but its hard missing them, just want to give him a hug .

Bonkus · 02/10/2021 15:01

Thanks for sharing @Peaseblossum22

My DS also has a module that has not been confirmed yet and this may be the reason why. I have asked him to check with his advisor.

Thanks again

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 02/10/2021 15:13

@Peaseblossum22 Tell him to pop into the department in question on Monday and ask the admin staff for help - there may be a waiting list for the module he wants if others swap. Also, get him to check if there’s a very similar module waiting for him in the 2nd year options.

DS feeling very Re-Freshed and is in Lidl’s buying apples to make a crumble tomorrow!

@SpringSparrow hope your DD got settled in ok!

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Peaseblossum22 · 02/10/2021 15:22

@KingscoteStaff thank you , it is actually a history module , I think they have been somewhat less than helpful in their response . Of course he probably should have checked their website but he just followed the instructions he was given, I know everything is very over subscribed this year but it’s also quite an overwhelming amount of admin/new systems for freshers too. Also he wanted to do a second year module next year but you have to have done a first year history module to be allowed to do that. I will tell him to go into the dept .

@Bonkus what subject is your dd doing? Ds has emailed his personal advisor , but is waiting for a reply , I’m sure it will sort itself out, he may just have to accept he’s missed it , but you would have thought someone would have contacted him to say there was a problem .

Longtimenewsee · 02/10/2021 15:48

Dd also had the problem with a module . Have to say.. the admin seems chaotic

Peaseblossum22 · 02/10/2021 16:04

Utterly , mind you ds1 was at another northern RG university and it was just the same , right hand didn’t know what left was doing . I finished my masters a couple of years ago at Birkbeck and the admin was much better although possibly only because my course had a very good administrator , and I do think the cohort was mostly mature students who were polite and businesslike but we’re not easily fobbed off . My ds on the other hand is painfully polite and is worried about being ‘that student ‘

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 02/10/2021 16:09

Apparently the best advice from the current 3rd and 4th years is to find the member of the admin staff in your department who knows everything, make friends with her (including buying biscuits) and you won’t go far wrong!

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Longtimenewsee · 02/10/2021 18:06

And Dd still does not have a campus card! So Cannot access library etc. Was told it would be Tuesday.. then told she would get email to say when to collect. Still not got it Confused

chopc · 02/10/2021 18:32

Seems like students really need to be on the ball at Durham? Is it just this year?

Longtimenewsee · 02/10/2021 18:51

Thanks @KingscoteStaff. Dd has done a lot of emailing this week to try to sort things out. Managed the module choice but now she has lectures finishing at 1pm at mount joy and then starting at elvet riverside ( is that right name? ) at 1pm too. Hmm

Braveheart35 · 02/10/2021 19:17

@chopc

DS still has no timetable. Anybody else doing History? No confirmed modules, no confirmed registration from the Uni to SLC, as the History dept has not confirmed modules. His course supposed to start Monday! He’s going round in circles!

SpringSparrow · 02/10/2021 19:26

@KingscoteStaff thank you. She’s actually moving in tomorrow.
I’m finding it really cold in Durham. People are wearing big coats and hats. We are from the South and it feels like a different season up here lol.

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 02/10/2021 19:32

The first chilly week is normally when the College Stash puffer jackets go on sale!

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SpamhappyTootsie · 02/10/2021 19:38

Eeeeh, it’ll be a cold day in Hell, let alone Durham, before DS buys a puffer jacket. #tekyourcoatofforareyounotstoppin

321zyx · 02/10/2021 19:46

@Braveheart35 @chopc DS is also doing History and doesn't know what's going on, where he's meant to be etc. Have only had 2 brief conversations with him (one was how to operate Hall washing machine - how was I supposed to know, not having seen it!) however he says there seem to be 3 or 4 different online systems for the various modules, syllabus, timetable etc........

chopc · 02/10/2021 19:49

@Braveheart35 when I spoke to DS earlier he said he has his time table. First lecture at 9am on Monday. 5 contact hours next week. Don't think I remembered to ask him about modules .......

Can your DS ask the other History DC at his college?