17 things only a Durham History student will understand

Summative clashes and no job prospects: 17 things you’ll only understand if you’re a Durham Historian.

1. There’s no such thing as a key course textbook to rely on for all the answers…

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2. And the books you do need are trapped in ridiculous, immovable shelving units

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3. Everything’s a little bit decrepit, just to emphasise that you are doing a history degree. No shiny Calman Centre for us

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4. At least you can roll out of bed ten minutes before a seminar due to the department’s convenient town location…

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5. Although asbestos conveniently forces everyone out to Ushaw before exams

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6. Every social requires enthusiasm and an impressive historically-themed dressing up box…

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7. But if you do go, you’re rewarded with the legendary ‘I <3 History’ t-shirt

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8. You get nearly as many field trips as Geography due to the distinct lack of old stuff in Durham.

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9. You’ve discovered that Horrible Histories actually covers everything with total historical accuracy. And songs.

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10. You always have the suspicion that all the professors got together to arrange all of the summative deadlines in one week, just for kicks.

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11. Apart from that one late module, which expects you to stay in Durham over Christmas to hand in your paper copy. Happy holidays.

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12. The only compulsory Conversations module is essentially a practise dissertation

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13. You’re a valued member of any pub quiz team due to the assumption you know everything that happened before this century…

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14. Before the awkward fall out when it turns out you don’t know ALL the answers

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15. Still, everyone assumes that you can only be a history teacher with your degree…

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16. Until you too realise that you aren’t actually qualified for anything

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17. But hey, at least we’re better than Oxford

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