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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
chopc · 24/10/2021 15:59

@Vargas I assume students can leave before term ends and depending on their accommodation, can return before term? Look at the contract. I knew DS has to empty his room every holiday as it's en-suite. If self catering and non en suite I think there is more freedom

chopc · 24/10/2021 16:01

Calling all History DC's parents - my DS said he has on average approx 5 contact hours a week. And as far as he knows, there is only one piece of written work to be submitted by December. Does this sound right?

Longtimenewsee · 24/10/2021 16:10

It must say on his accommodation licence @ Vargas. It says on DD’s that she has to be out by 10am on the 11th
That’s a great idea @NotEnoughTime. I know she has a friend in same college but different block who doesn’t have to vacate .. and lol if we are stuck, I may hold you to that Grin

Vargas · 24/10/2021 16:37

@Longtimenewsee and @chopc Thanks for that, I've had a look at his Particulars of Offer and it just says it runs from 25th Sept to 10am on 25th June. I can't see anything about Christmas or Easter. I'll leave him to it...Smile

chopc · 24/10/2021 16:40

@Vargas yay! So we can all store stuff in your DS room over the holidays? 🤣

Vargas · 24/10/2021 16:46

@chopc - Grin.

I guess this is the benefit of having a tiny non-ensuite room that no one else would want to stay in....

SpringSparrow · 24/10/2021 18:28

@chopc my dd isn’t History, but I asked her and she said your son can check what assessments are due by checking the faculty handbook. It all depends on which modules he has chosen and how they are assessed. A lot of modules are assessed by formative essays but others have different assessments like oral presentations and book reviews and large independent projects. Last year my dd had to submit six formative essays by December in English.

NotEnoughTime · 24/10/2021 18:39

Please feel free Longtimenewsee :)

chopc · 24/10/2021 18:45

Gotcha @SpringSparrow . Thank you for the info . We are just coming back from visiting him so will lay off for a little while

MidLifeCrisis007 · 24/10/2021 20:45

[quote Vargas]@chopc - Grin.

I guess this is the benefit of having a tiny non-ensuite room that no one else would want to stay in....[/quote]
And up 3 flights of stairs!!!

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 24/10/2021 20:46

DD has just come back from a few days staying with DS and had a great time, despite DS deciding that the best way of entertaining his sister was for her to watch him play rugby! He did also take her to the ski society social at Babylon, which was an experience…

With regard to end of year dates, watch out for the irritating situation where the second year house lease starts on July 1st, but the first year hall term finishes on the 24th June.

OP posts:
MidLifeCrisis007 · 24/10/2021 20:54

I'm in Durham tonight with DD. We thought it would be nice to stay over to visit DS en route to Scotland. We couldn't believe how busy the city centre was....we tried and failed to get into 5 restaurants as all were fully booked. We eventually got a table at the Lebanese on the Bailey. DS and DD are going to hit Klute later which makes me a little nervous!!

chopc · 24/10/2021 21:06

@MidLifeCrisis007 was that Lebaneat? That's where we had lunch this afternoon!

MidLifeCrisis007 · 24/10/2021 21:22

[quote chopc]@MidLifeCrisis007 was that Lebaneat? That's where we had lunch this afternoon! [/quote]
Yes! Small world. Sorry to have missed you by a few hours!

Bonkus · 24/10/2021 21:50

@MidLifeCrisis007 @chopc
Nice to hear you had good visits with your DC. We plan to go next weekend - any suggestions for nice restaurants?

Also are any of your DC choosing to wait rather than commit to YR 2 accommodation now? My DS says he wants to wait a while I hope he won't end up with either no decent flat or no one to share with?

chopc · 24/10/2021 22:11

Well my DS already lost out by not being sure as his corridor mates were so desperate to sign up to a house they went ahead without him when he didn't commit. He has a group to share with as he already had good friends in Durham but I will be giving a weekly nudge to get it sorted so he can focus on the rest of the year. Such a shame. Like your DS I think it's way too early .........

chopc · 24/10/2021 22:12

Lots of quaint restaurants but can't recall the names - sorry 🙈

Vargas · 24/10/2021 22:15

I've booked Zen in a few weeks, ds says he's heard good things and I think there was a recommendation on this thread too. It's Thai and near the prison.

Bonkus · 24/10/2021 22:32

@chopc He also lost out with flatmates, and has tentatively committed with other friends but just seems unwilling to make the leap this early. I like the weekly prod approach - will try it also. Thanks

Thanks for the suggestion @Vargas

clan17 · 25/10/2021 11:40

@Bonkus. DS waiting to see where his friendship group settles after Xmas hols. I had a look in spring this year out of curiosity and there were still lots of good housing available. I have read on student rooms that lots of students rush and then drop out of there groups and it is better to wait. Only time will tell.

SchnitzelVonCrummsTum · 25/10/2021 13:59

Really feels too early for them to be signing contracts, though I understand the pressure. Lots and lots of houses left, and some landlords will not even advertise until December as the older and more experienced students will wait until this point to start their house hunt!

Fruitygal · 25/10/2021 14:16

My 2 DSs waited until mid Dec - mid Jan with their house searching and never struggled to find good properties with great friends. Especially in 1st year so important not to jump into 2nd year house groups too early.

chopc · 25/10/2021 14:59

Thanks for the input @SchnitzelVonCrummsTum and @Fruitygal - that's is reassuring to know. Will hold off the weekly prod for now

Bluebellwoods1 · 25/10/2021 16:57

DD came home this weekend which was lovely, she is also considering accommodation for next year , she felt that due to all the accommodation problems this year people are keen to have secured somewhere. Heating is now working in her flat.
She is almost recovered which is great and I sent her back with oodles of Vitamins , I think I will visit end of November but we shall see.

Longtimenewsee · 25/10/2021 17:56

Can some more experienced parents with dcs in yrs2&3 perhaps give some ideas about different areas of Durham for renting . Dd says she has been told that the area near the viaduct is more expensive /party central and that gilesgate is quieter/ cheaper? Any thoughts?
She’s just starting to think about people to live with and areas .. I can’t see anything being sorted imminently