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!
@LostToucan @tinkywinkyshandbag @OnTheBenchOfDoom @TheSilveryPussycat @MargaretThursday @MrsTabithaTwitchit @CeliaCanth @Ingles2 @OlivePenderghast @Tinseltrauma @alterego2 @nipersvest @999caz @jan069 @Beetlesand @par05 @chopc @LeiatheSchnauzer @janinlondon @Baytreemum @MidLifeCrisis007 @SpringSparrow @Revengeofthepangolins @Greyhair59 @oppie1234 @Braveheart35 @Meery @Vargas @libbytrois @WentworthMillerMad @allonenow2 @Suki2 @TerfTerf @bigTillyMint @whoatethelastbiscuit @cluelessly @GoTrevs @Peaseblossum22 @WinterRobin @PhoebeFriends @Longtimenewsee @321zyx @clan17 @wewereliars @sub453 @Bluebellwoods1 @Peasepuddingplease @SpamhappyTootsie @fruitygal @clan17 @instanthistory @Motherknowsbest100 @OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea

I thought they finished on 25th but I’m probably wrong !

Dd has to be out of her hall on the weekend of the 18th @cyclamenqueen as per residential agreement . So I’m presuming that is the end of term then !
Has your Dc had a good term?

DS finishes on the 17th, for 5 weeks, but expects to be doing a lot of revision in that break. Must admit, after all but ticking the days off the calendar forlornly in the first term, the end of this term has sneaked up on me! Better get all the craft stuff out of his room

When are their exams then?

I think they start a couple of weeks after they go back after Easter holiday @NotEnoughTime.

Thank you Longtimenewsee I'm hoping to go to Durham for the couple of bank holidays in early June so hopefully the exams will be over by then.

www.dur.ac.uk/student.registry/student/assessment/exam_timetable/

You're an angel. Thanks very much Longtimenewsee

Shame my DS didn't think to tell me

Ds said his exams are May and June so we assuming there will be much studying going on when he is home for 5 weeks. We are picking him up on Saturday 19th.

Strikes have caused issues with one topic in particular and no way to catch that up, so he is pissed off. Others on his course didn't have striking lecturers so they weren't impacted. Each group was assigned different topics so it isn't even like he could watch anything the other groups had access to as it isn't the right topic.

He came home for a weekend a couple of weeks ago which was lovely. He and his brother (yr11) are best mates so it was heartwarming to see them back together and back into their usual chatting and laughing. We do facetime Ds every week and are in contact during the week just keeping him up to date with stuff here and him with stuff there. But I cannot deny having him physically home was wonderful. Roll on the holidays.

That sounds lovely OnTheBenchOfDoom

I adore seeing my two DC together as well when oldest returns from university. As you say Facetime and phone calls are a great substitution but nothing beats meeting up in person

My DS has had some striking lecturers too so I presume he will have lots to catch up on during the holidays as well. I have booked a couple of family days and evenings out over the Easter break so I really hope he won't be too busy to be able to go on them

DS (yr 2) has a week of a mini-internship, but apart from that is planning to earn some money in the evenings and complete his 2 coursework-assessed modules during the day. His sister will be revising for A levels, so there will be a study-friendly atmosphere!

Hi everyone,
My DD is a 2020 graduate, and we are delighted that the graduation ceremony will finally take place at the end of the month ..... There is also a graduation dinner at Josephine Butler college that we are attending.
I realise it's a very trivial question, however what is the etiquette in terms of outfits please? I have a dress and blazer for the ceremony, should I change into something more dinner-ey for the evening?? We may also end up at Clute..... Thoughts please?

Congratulations to your Dd @wormshuffled. Very glad that her year are finally getting to graduate. Sorry .. I have no advice about suitable clothing .. I really wouldn’t have a clue either!

Dd is hoping to visit friends at other unis ( who haven’t got such a long break) over Easter . We have a few days out planned and I’m going to remind her to sort student finance for next year. I think there is lots of coursework to do too by the sounds of it

Just a quick note re: exams and strikes - DC should be aware of this, but there is an important phrase in the communications students have received which they need to be aware of:

“Students will be responsible for learning material covered through mitigations, but they will not be tested by examination on it.”

Broadly, the way I understand this (speaking as myself, not as the university) is that material affected by the strikes will not be examined (or, IF included in exams, it will not be compulsory to do those specific questions, for example), but the resources will be available for the students to cover the topics through self-directed learning as desired. This means that students revising over Easter shouldn't need to 'catch up' with strike-affected topics in order to do well in the exams. If they are feeling that they need to do this for the exams, and particularly if they are feeling stressed about it or unsure, they should chat to their department.

Again, just my personal interpretation as someone involved in undergrad exams. There is lots of help and reassurance available so DC should not worry in silence.

That’s really reassuring @SchnitzelVonCrummsTum.

Another word of advice as 1st years choose their options for next year is to check REALLY CAREFULLY whether there are modules which are facilitating courses for potential 3rd year options. For example, DS has had to do quite a dry course on research technique this year as otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to do a particular type of dissertation next year.

For a boy who doesn’t normally think further ahead than the next sporting fixture or the next meal, sorting this out was a major breakthrough!

@KingscoteStaff thank you , I will share with DD , she is home end of next week which will be lovely.
She was cross as they had a fire alarm test yesterday which woke her early morning! then she said it was 8am.. I reminded her this was not early morning at all !!
She will revise over Easter as well as visiting friends who are not returning for Easter.

Thank you to both @SchnitzelVonCrummsTum and @KingscoteStaff for that advice.

Can anyone shed light on what happens after first year exams? Ds1 has now got his timetable so his last exam is 25th May. Will there be any lecturers/tutorials etc after that or is he free to return home when he wants? His college tenancy runs until 25th June.

When I was there it was party time, summer balls, events , some prep stuff for year 2 plus module choosing meeting with personal tutors , but generally having a good time. Obviously it might be different now

I asked Dd about the end of term. Dd is really looking forward to the last few weeks. Her course has lots of directed time so it makes sense I guess. She reminded me that we did a offer holders tour last summer in early June just as exam period had ended. I remember that students seemed to be really making the most of the time to relax.. meeting with friends..sunbathing on palace green and picnicking by the river.. out on boats etc. She says there are college days and events and balls to look forward to.

That sounds ace @Peaseblossum22 I don't think he is bothered about a summer ball but I think just chilling, attending events, exploring Durham (he loves walking) and choosing modules all sounds like a chill time.

also thank you to @Longtimenewsee I clearly typed very slowly and missed your bit. Sounds lovely.

I only remember a leisurely final year after exams not first or second year weirdly. Mind you it was a million years ago.

I've just spoken to my son about this too. I really hope that he enjoys the last few weeks after exams just chilling out and having fun.

This is meant to be great fun (even if you have no interest in rowing) :

durham-regatta.org.uk/

As pp mentioned there will be Summer Ball's and some even go for a day out at the seaside!

Oh to be young again!

I remember post exams as utterly wonderful, sunsoaked days. Summer camp with Dusagg the Scout and Guide group just relaxing, going for walks, sitting round the camp fire and singing. Castle Day, the June Ball, just lots and lots of relaxing with friends. Brilliant.

@wormshuffled Hi my DD will also be graduating this year. I am also planning on a dress and blazer or a suit for the ceremony. As far as I know DD's college doesn't have a dinner, but I would say that a more evening-y outfit would be nice, nothing over the top and definitely low key so as not to embarrass the DC!!! Same goes for the ceremony outfit- smart but low profile!!!!

I saw this on the "I Love Durham" Facebook page. It's too good not to share!