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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

599 replies

EwwSprouts · 21/06/2023 22:09

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

June 2023 End of term for all. Hopefully young people are brim full of plans for summer fun and jobs to pay for it!

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]Previous thread (fingers crossed!)

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19
grass321 · 31/08/2023 20:45

EmmaStone · 31/08/2023 20:18

DD finally heard - she's been reallocated from Chad's to Trevs. She's quite disappointed, but I'm sure once she's processed, she'll be fine. Relieved that things are finally moving on at last!!

If it's any consolation, I'd rather be in Trevs than Chads... And after the first year, it's not so relevant (unless, like my friends, you take up permanent residence in the college bar...).

It is disappointing not to get your first choice but you end up meeting and socialising with people from all the colleges on your course or through the Uni sports and clubs.

EmmaStone · 31/08/2023 20:59

Thanks All, I'm of the opinion that they're all happy wherever they end up, and I think once she's got her head around it, she'll get really excited about it all (and I think the reality of likely sharing a room in Chad's wouldn't have been great for her - of course she could end up sharing at Trev's, but less likely). Hope others get their allocations v v quickly now!

Trumporange · 31/08/2023 21:06

Can anyone with a year 2/3 student tell me about their experiences of sharing a room in first year?

lastdayatschool · 31/08/2023 21:23

Agree with @grass321 - all the cool people live(d) on the Hill

Ofcourse44 · 31/08/2023 21:32

mine has heard - been reallocated to Hild Bede which was 13th on her list. She pretty sad… anyone know it and can say positive things?!

KittyMcKitty · 31/08/2023 21:47

What subject is your dd doing @Ofcourse44 ? The principle of HB is in the Sociology Dept and from his Instagram seems really great.

Ofcourse44 · 31/08/2023 21:56

She doing modern languages.. It’s under renovation so half are now located on a site miles away and half in main building. She now so stressed about being in the miles away one.. she hasn’t been told yet …

KittyMcKitty · 31/08/2023 22:14

That’s self catered isn’t it - hopefully they’ll keep people according to their original catering preference.

SpamhappyTootsie · 01/09/2023 06:22

@Ofcourse44 are you a member of the Parents Of Durham Students FB group? There’s a new post on there from a parent whose DS was reallocated to Hild Bede. He was part of the winning University Challenge team from the last series, as were 2 of the others. It’s worth a read, very reassuring.

Fruitygal · 01/09/2023 06:38

My DD has friends in Trevs from her 1st year and says the place is super friendly.
Once she’s up I’ll ask her about any top tips x

grass321 · 01/09/2023 07:21

Ofcourse44 · 31/08/2023 21:32

mine has heard - been reallocated to Hild Bede which was 13th on her list. She pretty sad… anyone know it and can say positive things?!

Hild Bede is nearer the town centre than many of the hill colleges. Also near any lectures held in Elvet (I had quite a few despite my department being based at the science site).

Nice leafy site and it's pretty around the racecourse. Used to have a great rowing team and it's one of the nearest colleges to Maiden Castle for sports. From memory it's one of the larger colleges so lots going on.

MFLDurhamMum · 01/09/2023 07:43

DD has been reallocated and she's sad.

She wanted Bailey, gowned and catered and was provisionally allocated to Castle and very excited.

She's ended up with Stephenson which looks as opposite as you can get, most certainly not the 'Harry Potter' experience she was hoping for.

We hugged, she ate ice cream and is now coming to terms with it.

Good luck everyone and fingers crossed for anyone still waiting.

KittyMcKitty · 01/09/2023 07:49

Oh I’m sorry I don’t know why the bother with provisional allocations when so many are reallocated. Your dd’s choices / reasonings were basically the same as my dd’s - I’m so sorry for her BUT I’m sure it will work out x

Aaarrrh · 01/09/2023 07:59

Dear MFLDurhamMum, so sorry to hear this. Can she connect with other freshers? it’ll be the people she meets that will make her college experience special. Hard at the moment though, I’m sure. Sending all good wishes!

MFLDurhamMum · 01/09/2023 08:01

Thanks @KittyMcKitty, I'm sure she'll be fine and will focus on the positives!

Good luck to your DD, sounds like she's done amazingly well.

MFLDurhamMum · 01/09/2023 08:05

@Aaarrrh Thank you, now she knows where she'll be I think she'll be a bit more proactive. It's the not knowing which is the worst! I'm still Confused at the whole allocation process to be honest but having 1st year guaranteed accommodation isn't to be sniffed at. They'll be stressing about where to live in year 2 very soon.

Fruitygal · 01/09/2023 08:48

@EmmaStone Trevs !! DD up and telling me this …. Friendly bunch of people, Good location for library, great bar that’s friendly, lots of hexagons ?!!? and the best cheese toasties at Durham uni!!

Fruitygal · 01/09/2023 09:06

@MFLDurhamMum I know @EwwSprouts son was in Stephenson last year and made loads of friends.

Stephenson and Josephine Butler are next door to each other and have two bars between them. Super friendly and busy bars.

What course are they doing?

MFLDurhamMum · 01/09/2023 10:57

@Fruitygal that's good to know, thank you. I changed my username for this thread Grin - DD will be doing MFL.

DD seems fine this morning, she's pretty resilient and currently baking with a friend.

I'm sure they'll all have a great time wherever they end up.

KittyMcKitty · 01/09/2023 12:07

@MFLDurhamMum your dd sounds great I’m sure she’ll thrive. If any dc are missing any log in info dd did a live chat with the IT Dept this morning who were great and sorted out her missing info.

EmmaStone · 01/09/2023 12:14

Fruitygal · 01/09/2023 08:48

@EmmaStone Trevs !! DD up and telling me this …. Friendly bunch of people, Good location for library, great bar that’s friendly, lots of hexagons ?!!? and the best cheese toasties at Durham uni!!

Excellent news! Will pass this on to DD, thank you!

lastdayatschool · 01/09/2023 13:15

@MFLDurhamMum The only bits of Harry Potter filmed in Durham were in The Cathedral (The Cloisters and Chapter House IIRC) so recommend your DD go and take a look.

My mum is a tour guide (a lot of them are 80+ ex teachers lol) and comments annually how they suddenly get a lot of students in June of their final year, who've never visited the cathedral apart from matriculation.

It's a fantastic building with tons of history - not all massively religious- and well worth a visit.

And, if you get my Mum, she'll entertain you with stories about the Northern Saints and the Prince Bishops for as long as you let her 🙄

MFLDurhamMum · 01/09/2023 16:24

@lastdayatschool We visited the cathedral the evening before offers holder day. It's beautiful, plus we found the cloisters and DD took some selfies. We didn't have a formal tour but I'm sure DD will go back and perhaps find your mum!

A choir was singing, they were so good that initially I thought the sound must be coming through speakers! It was such a lovely atmosphere (even though we're not religious). DD was already in love before we saw anything else Grin

Ofcourse44 · 01/09/2023 17:29

Mine now rallied and busy on some chat and researching new college. Doesn’t have room allocation yet but hopefully they will come soon!!!

SpamhappyTootsie · 01/09/2023 18:56

@lastdayatschool I hope I meet your Mum next time I visit! I go at least once every time we go to Durham and I will always remember the sense of calm it gave me the first time after we dropped DS off and walked into town to let him unpack and settle in. I sat there for a while and thought “Yeah. It’s going to be ok”.
I have never paid to go to the museum bit. Going to do that in Oct when we go.