Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

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!

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea

Glad that things seem to be starting to fall into place. If it is any comfort I'm starting a masters at Teesside and it is pretty much a shambles too. Teesside is university number 3 for me and none of them have been particularly hot on the admin!

Agree with this - my DC’s departmental office lost an important part of a group project that had been handed in (and a receipt issued) and then denied everything. Their group lost a shed load of marks. DC’s personal tutor, who did try hard to rectify the problem, said that it wasn’t the first time it had happened.

@Ekofisk oh gosh ...... 🙈

Not Durham, so you can breathe easy.

If current experience is anything to go by I wouldn't be surprised if this happens in Durham as well @Ekofisk

The history department is open for queries twice a week for an hour - online! 😮

@chopc

That’s really inadequate. Where did you hear that?!

In an email sent to DS which he screenshot and sent me when I advised him to talk to someone

Glad to hear things are starting to work out for all your dc. Dd seems happy, despite freshers flu, and has signed up for societies. Still no campus card though; she is told everyday that it should be here tomorrow so not sure what more she can do. Her college seems equally frustrated by its lack of appearance.
She is getting on well with her room mate but I am a bit disappointed that Trevs have suddenly stopped talking about switching rooms each term. She may not have been so open to sharing on her form if she had known it was definitely going to be for the whole year. She isn't too worried by this though, it is just me!

Hi - sorry if chat about current students, but DD very interested in applying to Durham but long way away & worried whether most students go home at all during term time as wont be easy for her? In my day (not Durham) people never really went home but that seems to have changed & didnt want her to worry if lots did. Also what is pastoral care like? Thanks

@LeiatheSchnauzer .. I hope the campus card comes through soon . I’m glad her college are supporting her with this . Dd similarly felt supported and the porters were aware too.
@pin123 early days for Dd but I don’t expect to see her until Xmas unless we go there for a quick visit. Dd seems to think that people don’t really go home ( lol .. perhaps that’s what she's just telling me !) . Can’t fault general care so far and welfare team were very present during freshers week putting on events within college.

@pin123 Been very impressed so far with pastoral care settling DS into uni. Seems to be something for everyone to do. Long journey for us and only going to visit if DS asks otherwise pick up at Xmas. Appears so far that most students are staying. Most lectures on DS course are Face to Face.

@pin123 I am not expecting ds to come home in term time. We are thinking of going for a one night visit in November. Will take him out for one or two meals depending on his schedule. We are in London, and I am not planning to pick him up until June. Luckily he would rather take the train where possible, as it's faster!

@pin123

Hi - sorry if chat about current students, but DD very interested in applying to Durham but long way away & worried whether most students go home at all during term time as wont be easy for her? In my day (not Durham) people never really went home but that seems to have changed & didnt want her to worry if lots did. Also what is pastoral care like? Thanks

We're 5 hours away. DD will be coming home this term to see the dentist (had toothache, so emergency) but that's the first time. One of her housemates has been home a few times because she's local, but the other is from a similar distance to her and never has either.

@pin123 Last year people seemed to only go home if it was local, but then again it was Covid times so they weren’t allowed to go home. My dd came home at Christmas and was in one of the subjects told not to go back. Tbh I wish she had chosen a university that was closer. We are about 5 hours away.

DS showing no signs of wanting to come back before Christmas. Tbh, I think it held me back a bit when I came home for the weekend in my first term (not Durham, 7 hour train journey back on a Sunday) so although he knows the option is there in an emergency I haven’t encouraged a “come home if you’re a bit lonely”:attitude.
Pastoral care looks good from what I’ve seen, with the Tea and Toast evening sessions in the first week etc.
We’re about 2.5 hours away, he’s not a fan of public transport, so I don’t think we’ll be seeing him!
Holding off on a visit just yet, thought we’d see how he felt after a month or so. I wouldn’t want to spark off homesickness by visiting (with the dog) so trying to gauge whether he feels settled enough for it just to be a nice thing to pop in while we have a short break in the area. I am desperate to explore that part of the country though!

@pin123 DS had excellent pastoral care from his college last year - and it was a year that needed lots! I think the collegiate system means that there are a few more people looking out for anyone who is noticeably withdrawn, and there are opportunities to make friends in less high stakes college societies. Apparently the best social last summer was the Hatfield/Mary's mixed lacrosse team!

We went up at the October half term because we were attending a wedding in Whitby, but probably would have visited once anyway.

I’m thinking of doing the same as @SpamhappyTootsie . From a purely selfish point of view , I’d quite like to visit the area plus maybe a day in Durham to take Dd out for dinner and for maybe her sibling to see where she’s living would also be nice .

Some ideas of how we can spend a weekend in Durham will be well received here.

We are going for 2 nights at the end of half term, taking an interesting detour home at the end of our holiday in the Lakes. Looking forward to dd2 getting to see where dd1 is.

chopc

My DS has recently started at the University of Durham. When we originally visited Durham we did a tour of the Cathedral and a boat trip on the Wear which was very nice.

Durham City is a nice place to just mooch around. It is very pretty. There are lots of lovely cafes and teashops there too if the weather is 'inclement' which I'm sure it will be in October

Thank you @NotEnoughTime

Zen has a good fun vibe chopc.... great food too! We went just before the pandemic and would like to go again soon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUuZb7YKQpE/?utmmedium=copyy_link

Thanks @jano69

lol- True to form (in that I generally only get communication when something has gone wrong or there is no one else in the vicinity whose head she can peck) - Dd just FaceTimed me from the laundry room with tumble dryer confusion.
@chopc- I’d quite like to visit the coastline near Durham and the botanical gardens in Durham itself. I think a short stay at the coast might be good with a day trip over to Durham to take Dd out for dinner.

We always go to Zen jano69. Can be hit and miss on the food front although more reliable at the w/e, but good atmosphere. Big plus is the draught Singha :)

@Longtimenewsee - the Northumberland coastline is beautiful. Usually not that warm near the coast even in summer but big skies, beautiful views and big sandy beaches.