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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
321zyx · 29/10/2021 19:57

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea - thanks, I hadn't found that one, I'll investigate further.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 29/10/2021 20:21

@Gizmo98765 South has its own bar as does Snow but then they have a shared bar too. They have music rooms same as above, individual and joint, a joint gym and an outdoor multi-purpose sports thing. There is also a dance/yoga studio.

As they are self catered the kitchens have dining tables and sofas for a place to hang out. It is a lot more effort looking at collegiate universities as you look at each college. Here is a page of clicky links for all the colleges here

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 29/10/2021 20:31

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea thanks for that. Hadn't thought about the market, I will recommend. He is a big fan of walking so doesn't think anything is far, he is just used to living near several supermarkets so plenty of choice but lots of small shops too like greengrocers and bakeries. It has made him appreciate why we chose where we live.

SpamhappyTootsie · 29/10/2021 21:29

@OnTheBenchOfDoom

Can I ask the self catering lot where you shop for food if you are in the hill colleges?

Ds is in South College (although they are talking about renaming it already FFS, surely this comes when they decide what to name it, who chose South? It doesn't even fit in with any of the other college names, rant over) he says the Tesco Express (was the metro) is not that great for choice.

DS and flatmates get Tesco deliveries topped up with occasional trips to the Tesco in town (the Express one, I think, as he said it has limited stock).

@321zyx We chose one from cottages.com, with the usual filters of enclosed garden, parking etc. I always worry until we get to a new cottage but it is ok, small but cosy. About 30 mins away from Durham city though, half term week not being ideal for choice at short notice!

Meery · 31/10/2021 07:44

Sorry to jump in again but an update from my post a couple of weeks back.

Dd is out, taking a break on medical grounds.

The friendship issue was starting to resolve itself, turns out that dd did quite like her landing mates after all, and she was making other friends in college that also were on her course. I still decided to go up at half term to see her, catch up and ensure that the gp appt that she needed was made. I know that there have been issues with the surgery being overstretched, but We called one morning, dd was triaged within the hour, and had face to face gp appt late morning. They could not have been more helpful.

Student support at the college were fantastic as well.

So after a whirlwind couple of days and tough, emotional decisions, we packed up her room and drove home. This is not where she or I wanted or expected to be, but it’s for the best.

Thank you for all your kindness, please keep sharing your news, especially the Trevs parents, look forwards to rejoining you all in 2022.

Ps please may I ask that I am not outed on this, thank you

Fruitygal · 31/10/2021 07:51

@Meery so pleased your DD was so supported by GP and uni. DD has applied to Durham for 2022 ( everything crossed as her favourite) hopefully she will get to go so roll on 2022 for both of them! Sending a hug if that’s allowed on MN . Tough decision but sounds like the right one.

SpamhappyTootsie · 31/10/2021 08:08

Tough decision indeed, Meery but does sound like the right one for the current time. I hope your dd rests and recuperates and 2022 is a new start for her.

Bluebellwoods1 · 31/10/2021 08:19

@Meery sounds like difficult decisions but pleased that your DD was supported , hope she is able to relax and start to feel better .

GoTrevs · 31/10/2021 10:23

Sorry to hear that @Meery but it sounds like a wise move. All the best to your DD for the future.

chopc · 31/10/2021 10:52

@Meery sorry to hear about your DD. Wish you all the very best.

libbytrois · 31/10/2021 11:43

@Meery sending your daughter best wishes and hope she recuperates well. From a fellow Trevs parent xx

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 31/10/2021 13:14

@Meery Well done for swinging into action! Hope your DD feels stronger soon.

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 31/10/2021 13:37

@Meery I have been where you are except that it was in the second year, I wish we had had the courage to take an early decision as you have. Best of luck to you and your dd , she is very lucky to have such a supportive mum.

Longtimenewsee · 31/10/2021 15:41

Best wishes to your daughter @Meery. I hope she makes a good recovery. Look forward to hearing all about her return to Durham next September x

LeiatheSchnauzer · 31/10/2021 19:08

Big hugs to you and your dd, @Meery, hope she is better soon x

SpringSparrow · 31/10/2021 19:11

Aw @Meery sorry that things haven’t worked out for your dd this year. Well done on being so proactive and I’m glad to hear that your dd was getting good support from the college and the GP and that she was beginning to make friends. That will make things easier when she returns next year.

Peaseblossum22 · 01/11/2021 08:12

Ds sent us a very short clip of the unplugged night in his college bar on Saturday night .No masks and they all looked like they were having fun. i found a longer clip on instagram , he obviously sent it for a reason , he had been very quiet on the music front so i was worried he was intimidated but he's obviously fine Blush

NotEnoughTime · 01/11/2021 11:32

Meery well done for supporting your DD through this-it must have been a very difficult decision. I hope she will be back next year with a spring in her step. Best of luck to you both Flowers

I've just returned from a lovely weekend in Durham visiting my DS. The weather was dreadful most of the time and my train journey home turned into a bit of a saga BUT I'm so glad that I was able to see him, meet some of his friends and see how well he has settled in to student life.

It was hard saying goodbye to him all over again but I feel so relieved and grateful that he has found his feet and is enjoying life in Durham. I know that there will be ups and downs over the next three years but for the moment he is making the most of all that Durham has to offer and is happy and that is all I can ask for Smile

Longtimenewsee · 01/11/2021 13:19

Aww @NotEnoughTime. So glad you had a good weekend (despite the weather) and you could see that he is thriving . Your post pretty much encapsulates what a bittersweet time it is for us even if it’s all going as well as it can. x
I have only seen Durham in glorious sunshine.. so I have a very rose tinted view . We are going in a few weeks .. until then ( in my head at least) it’s always sunny there Grin
@Peaseblossum22.. that sounds ace.. good on him

myrtleWilson · 01/11/2021 15:28

@OnTheBenchOfDoom South was always intended to be a temporary name for the college I seem to recall. I think there was discussion of possible endowment or similar with new name (there was a petition about naming it after famous Durham/NE woman - I think the Mowlam college was mooted at one point. I imagine with covid renaming hasn't been a priority. On the original planning application for the site there was inclusion of a supermarket (albeit a 'local/express' sized one) As Sainsbury's local is on the Durham Road on the other side of South I can see why they didn't take up that option - maybe Tesco and Co-op etc decided it wasn't worth it...

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 01/11/2021 16:24

@Meery sorry to hear your DD is back home but if it is the best place for her then better that than struggling on. My sister managed 5 or 6 weeks before returning home in her first year and went to uni the following year. Best thing she ever did though. I hope she recovers and has a brilliant start in 2022.

@myrtleWilson thank you for that, I love a bit of local knowledge. Just gutting that they are called Southies and have freshers' t shirts with that on and yet the name will be changing so soon plus the road sign etc.

That Sainsburys is still a 30 minute walk away, same ish distance to Tesco express. Ds has resorted to ordering a Tesco delivery for variety of food choice. He says the number of delivery vans for both Tesco and Sainsburys is huge. Silver Street Tescos was a metro and is now an express so the stock they have is different. I think we will fund Ds a Tesco delivery saver. I know that supermarkets consider all their customers but the students at the top of the hill with no cars (no parking even if you did have one) would have been a prime customer base.

SpamhappyTootsie · 01/11/2021 16:34

@NotEnoughTime same here, a largely soggy weekend visiting DS! We dodged the rain enough to explore a bit of Durham and the surrounding area and will definitely come back - DS welcome to join us as we plod round castles and across fells, or not, as the mood takes him Grin
We have to leave tomorrow, which is a shame as the weather is meant to improve.

NotEnoughTime · 01/11/2021 17:16

Longtimenewsee I hope Durham is sunny when you visit and not cold and wet but why not cover both scenarios and take a bikini AND a pair of wellingtons with you? Grin

SpamhappyTootsie It is such a compact and beautiful city-so easy to get around on foot. I think it has a lovely vibe about it.

SpamhappyTootsie · 01/11/2021 17:20

@NotEnoughTime

Longtimenewsee I hope Durham is sunny when you visit and not cold and wet but why not cover both scenarios and take a bikini AND a pair of wellingtons with you? Grin

SpamhappyTootsie It is such a compact and beautiful city-so easy to get around on foot. I think it has a lovely vibe about it.

It certainly has. I’m not a fan of cities at all, or even large towns, but it’s got the option to drop down to the river to get away from the crowds (apart from Prebends Bridge, which drove me batty with all the sudden stopping to take photos!) and I really enjoyed it. DS seems to have picked up lots of shortcuts on his travels.
Longtimenewsee · 01/11/2021 18:37

[grin]@NotEnoughTime
@SpamhappyTootsie .. that river walk is gorgeous. I bet the trees are looking beautiful atm as well