Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

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

January 2022 finds our DC packing their big coats, checking the forecast for snow and wondering when Michaelmas actally is...?

Assemble!
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She chose mixed, and middling not quiet or noisy x

@Fruitygal Thanks. Maybe that's another email to be found. DS is still not organised about emails.

I think the preference forms very depending on the college. Dd’s college had shared rooms for instance so the form asked how happy she was to share

@Longtimenewsee Thanks that may explain it then.

@EwwSprouts which college?

My son starts at Collingwood this year (despite being a child of Aidan's parents...the treachery).

Could I ask when the move in date is typically given? And also what time period it is before the Monday of Freshers' Week e.g. is it usually the previous Saturday or Sunday?

I think it’s generally the weekend before, although we were also given the option on request of the Thursday or Friday . Last year we only got about 10 days notice but it was particularly chaotic last year because of the high numbers , hopefully it will be more organised this year .

Thank you

DD1 has just graduated from Durham (Collingwood) and just wanted to add that she got given a shared room despite saying she was unwilling to share. There was much panic and it was nearly a deal breaker but a quick email explaining that she was very unhappy got her moved So don’t panic if that happens.

Looking at dates as need to book time off work as we live 5hrs plus from Durham. Which days are drop offs? Thursdays Friday Saturday Sunday 22, 23,24, 25?

My DD is joining St Johns and has been told she will get a moving in slot for 24th or 25th. Sounds as if this may be quite strictly adhered to, as they talk about the Bailey getting congested.

Waiting John Snow moving in dates and wondering if they need a gown first week as it is gowned college and also how much money they need to join the gym and take part in Freshers activities the first week without going bonkers.

@Wordlewobble DS preordered his gown and it was there for pick up on arrival day. I’m pretty sure he had a formal in the first week (Josephine Butler ).

@GoldenRuby 2 years ago we had timed slots for the Bailey colleges - we had to go to the Town Hall first and get labels for the car windscreen and then when the Cathedral struck the hour we all drove up in a posse!

Hatfield had room for about 8 cars to park on their tennis court and unload - I think the Johns people parked on the road and carried stuff in through the gate.

There will be hoards of 2nd Year Freps to help with the kit lugging!

DD is going to Trevs after a gap year. Anyone heard anything from Trevs? Any other people doing Economics?

@Wordlewobble gown for Ds was pre-ordered and you select a length as some children are much taller than others. Cost last year was £53, JCR membership was £150. I can't remember but I think it was handed to Ds with his ID keycard and laundry card when he registered. He needed it for matriculation which was on the Wednesday I think. Make your child aware that they wake them early on that day with pots and pans a banging so don't over-do the booze the night before.

@Fruitygal last year for us it was the weekend before Freshers starts so 24th/25th this year. A lot of people travel up the night before, stay over either in Durham or close by then drive and drop. Some then choose to stay a second night or because you are relatively close, a wee trip to Scotland.

Last year for South we had a timed slot on the Saturday, arrived, parked not on the car park at the front which was already busy but were directed to an entrance further up and parked up where we could. We literally opened the boot, several purple t-shirted Freps basically help remove all your stuff from your boot and put it on the bench/floor whilst Ds went to reception to register and find his room. Dh moved the car onto the park and ride car park outside of Butler as the uni rent the entire back section for move in day. Once Ds came back the same helpers helped to carry all the his stuff up to the room! Dh found us half way through all the stuff being taken up. We took turns staying with the stuff outside, luckily not raining.

There was a big party atmosphere, music playing, mascots out on the main road with big signs saying hoot for South (owl mascot) or beep for Snow etc. You couldn't really feel sad at that moment. We went out for lunch then came home but for us it isn't that far away.

Rent payment dates were 1st Dec, 1st Feb and 1st June. HTH.

Sorry, we parked up in the middle of the South accommodation blocks. There is a road that runs through.

Thats really helpful @KilaJumana and DS is very tall so will likely need a longer gown. Hopefully this information will all be communicated to us shortly.

DS is definitely ready to go off to Uni now. We will miss him like hell but know we have done a fantastic job by the lovely young man he has turned into. He’s worked hard for his A levels and he’s worked during the summer to build up a small pot of money to help him at Uni to make his Maintenance Loan go further and we will also top it up.

@KingscoteStaff thanks, that all sounds very organised. We are coming up from the south east but have friends nearby so will plan to stop with them overnight before our slot so that we don't miss it.

@Wordlewobble you are welcome. Although I was prepared for it I wasn't fully prepared for it if you know what I mean. We messaged pretty much daily, kept him abreast of stuff happening here plus memes and anything we would normally share. We have a family discord channel. We also face-timed every week. He had a Tesco delivery every fortnight and meal planned.

Some people there are on ridiculous allowances most are not. I hope he has an amazing time.

@Wordlewobble if you go on to the jcr page for JS there is a Levy of £135 for 3 years that gets you a discount on the gown etc;

haven’t done it yet but will do in the next couple of days ..

@Wordlewobble DD has the opposite issue with gowns 😂

DS has gone away with mates for a week so the chance of him looking at emails now is a flat zero.

@Fruitygal DS is joining Stephenson.

@KilaJumana Thanks for all the info about moving in. Glad to hear there's a buzz.

@EwwSprouts definitely was a party celebratory vibe. We arrived a bit early so went and parked on the park and ride and were greeted by some very enthusiastic pom pom waving Butler students who still cheered us even though we weren't coming to their college. Lots of loud music, loads of Freps milling around all smiles and excited to welcome new students. It truly was a mad, manic but great day.

That sounds a good idea with the delivery’s. We have a Morrisons delivery pass and could order delivery’s for DS as it sounds like a but of a trek but I can imagine their is one chance of DS meal planning unless their is an organiser in his flat and he is always hungry.
The party atmosphere sounds good it may provide a distraction from my tears.