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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Sounds far more civilised!

College hockey is a big thing at Durham. DS is loving it - and plenty of mixed hockey played too.

DD just FaceTimed - 3rd time for DH and first time for me as I’ve been at work the other times. So nice just five mins and this has been the longest FT of the three nice to see and hear her super happy and knackered but buzzing. They had matriculation today on 3hrs sleep so all knackered and having a flat night in.

@MidLifeCrisis007 I shall tell him to seek that out too, thanks.

@Fruitygal Your DD is spoiling her parents! Getting by on messages here. Very reassuring to see a face to confirm the super happy I guess?

@EwwSprouts first time seeing her today which was lovely but a quick five mins to tell us about Ring of FIre, celidh, matriculation after 3 hrs sleep 😂DSs had one video call per week for 15 mins plus very short texts!😂😂

Actually spoken with DS this evening. He's doing okay and putting himself out there. Even went a club one night. Enjoyed the first formal. Met his academic advisor who he claims said don't work too hard in year one?

@red4321 It's not to be. He was disappointed not get a call back to the hockey trials part2. Thought he was doing okay in the drills etc so thinks the other trial must have had better players. He'll have to do well in the inter college matches.

Has signed up to try college lacrosse!

@EwwSprouts - glad you managed to have a catch up, it's so nice to hear from them, isn't it?

DD told me the same thing about 1st year work 2 years ago. It doesn't count towards the final grade so is viewed as foundation stones rather than something vital. Although, if your DS wants a year abroad he will need to meet a minimum level - 2.1, I think.

@alterego2 It is! Thanks for putting my mind at rest. I wondered if DS was easing me into him not quite getting the balance of study and sport right. He hasn't really thought about a year abroad yet. He's a late August birthday and I think he found the idea too intimidating back when doing the UCAS application but luckily the option remains open until Xmas year2 in his dept.

EwwSprouts sorry to hear that. My son said over 100 Freshers were at the trials which must have made it really tough for everyone. I'm sure there'll be other opportunities though, particularly through college hockey.

Hope they've all enjoyed (and survived...) freshers' week. I was sent a photo of the 'college drink' which was a disgusting luminous colour with two shots balanced on the top. It's better not to know sometimes...

Tell him not to be discouraged at not getting through the trials. If there's lots of people it can be really hard for them to pick them out in such a short time.
I used to play tennis at uni, and that's easier for trials, as well as not having as many people. But there was always a couple of people who got in who very quickly became clear they weren't up to the standard and also there were people you later came across who hadn't got through the trial who you thought should have.

It can be as simple as the person who was choosing looked at him at the particular moment he missed an easy shot-the only one he missed the entire time.

Thanks for the kind messages. He's not one to stew and will enjoy the other opportunities to play.

🥍 lacrosse sounds fun @EwwSprouts ! Friends child got super good quickly having never played but played 🏑.

DD off to watch F1 and have Sunday lunch birthday thing for a flat mate in the pub - several from the flat love the F1 so should be fun

@EwwSprouts the only thing DD told me about their advisor/tutor was he gave them kit kats!!?!😂

@Fruitygal A KitKat would have been worthy of a mention here too. He met his advisor solo so probably a different academic? I think the freps have been great at helping the freshers break the ice. DS seems to do as much with the flat below as his own.

Particularly if it was one of the orange kitkats.

Ooh yes. But the green tea ones are to be avoided at all costs.

Good grief. Who came up with that innovation?!

@EwwSprouts DDs session was supposed to be four of them but one was a no show

The Japanese I believe. DH brought some back from a business trip. Bleurgh.

@Fruitygal That sounds more sociable. Wouldn't want to be the no show at first meeting though!

The thing that impressed DS most on his first meeting with his academic tutor was that his sugar bowl had a handle with a spoon CHAINED to it with some plug chain!

@KingscoteStaff Cultivated eccentricity or desperate measures?

Well, many undergraduates had helped themselves to sugar over the years and the spoon was still there, so…

Lol @kingscote love this !!

DD just FaceTimed while we were carving the roast !! Having a little party this evening for flatmate …..