15 pieces of advice on how to throw yourself into everything and thrive at Durham

Not every university experience is the same, but everyone can make the most of their experience in similar ways. Now as I enter my final year of studies, I think I am more than qualified to comment on how to make the most of Durham.

Six pieces of advice on academics

1. Work hard, but not too hard in first year. Do the necessities: Attend your seminars, go to your 9ams, hand in your summatives on time. It’s easy to fall behind and slip into Durham’s social bubbles, but keep yourself grounded.
2. Utilise your academic advisors, seminar leaders, and lecturers to the maximum. They exist to help enable and fulfil your degree – do not see them as an obstacle. The sooner and quicker you become familiar with and known by your department, the more smooth-sailing your degree will be.
3. Contact hours! I started using them to my advantage more in second year, yet still found myself somewhat reluctant. Do NOT be reluctant. Whenever you have a question, query, or want some reassurance, arrange a contact hour.
4. Sometimes the mantra that first year “doesn’t count” can be slightly cliche, yet use that to your advantage! Be inventive, attempt modules slightly outside your comfort zone, formulate niche arguments in your essays. First year is the only year you can have as much academic freedoms and face minimal repercussions from it – that is something I definitely took for granted.

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5. Work in your college library, the Billy B, the Student Union, Palace Green Library, and Durham’s cafes. I’ve always found I would return to the same place but it became too repetitive. Work in certain places depending on how productive you need to be, how sociable you can be, or based upon the work you are focused on. I’m still yet to become a frequent regular of Palace Green library, and can only suppose I will definitely be as a finalist!
6. Figure out when you work best and factor this into your life schedule. For me, I find little point in working early in the morning when I know I’m more of a night owl – you can only make the most of university when you discover more about yourself.

Six pieces of advice on social life

1. Make the most out of the first few weeks of university a.k.a “The Fresher Era”. But, do not convince yourself these weeks are the “be all end all”, because they’re truly not. In retrospect, I found the fresher period quite difficult. Do not fool yourself into thinking you’re “behind” anyone else – you really are not.
2. College balls, events, and formals are essential to being a Durham student. Some colleges have formals more frequently than others, some have balls more pompous than another, yet all these experiences are in themselves a once in a lifetime event.
3. Clubbing isn’t for everyone, so don’t feel pressurised into the idea you have to go. In all fairness though, I can guarantee Jimmy Allen’s really is everyone’s cup of tea.
4. I wish I got involved with college sports, not even at university level. If I had, then Wednesday night socials would be the pinnacle of my week. Make sure it can become yours.
5. Not every “social scene” needs to involve alcohol. And they do not need to occur strictly at night either. Go to cafes, gardens, visit the cathedral, take a tour around Castle. Durham is saturated in rich history and culture, don’t let it be wasted.
6. Enjoy living with friends! While at first it can be strange to adapt to, living with friends is an exciting time of life, whether living in college or private accommodation. I’m most certainly going to make the most of my house this incoming year, hosting dinner parties and board games nights.

Three pieces of advice on extra-curriculars

1. Try out that college sport, apply for your college bar job, find a new hobby.
2. Try not to be intimidated by how sports-heavy Durham can be, and the experience many students obtain at a high level. Not everyone is cut out for DU sports (I for one being a prime example of this). This is where colleges come into the mix – get involved in college sports!
3. Last but not least, become a student journalist for The Durham Tab. There is no better way to become fully immersed within the Durham culture, scene, and bubble than being the very person who reports on it. I can guarantee you’ll adore it.

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