Welcome to Durham: Everything you need to know about starting out

Results Day stress is finally over, and now you can focus on what your new life at Durham is going to look like. It can seem daunting to move away from home to an unfamiliar city. But this is everything you need to know about the uni before moving!

First off, looking towards your very first week at Durham, there will be an awful lot to throw yourself into. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to go to everything, or burnout is inevitable. You don’t need to do everything. You just need to give yourself the chance to find what makes Durham feel like home.

One key thing I’d recommend is making an effort to get to know your flatmates. It seems obvious, but breaking the awkwardness by having a laugh, suggesting going down to the bar, or all going to an event your college is throwing is the best way to set yourself up for a good first year experience. These are the people who will be there when you need each other most. So it’s worth getting to know them early on.

Next, drag said flatmates to the big DU Freshers’ Fair at Maiden Castle. This is your opportunity to see what Durham has to offer outside of academia, whether it be sports, societies, newspapers. You name it, it probably exists. Sign up to absolutely anything and everything; you can always try things out and keep what sticks.

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With Freshers’ Week planned, the next question on your mind is likely to be: But what is Durham actually like? Outside of the typical university bubble, the city itself has so much to offer for students, including some of the best spots to study.

From the main University site you’ve likely visited on open days, there are bookshops, walking spots, and many, many cafés always just five minutes away, albeit likely up a very steep hill (typical Durham). My personal favourite bookshop and café all rolled into one is Collected on the riverwalk. There’s nothing better than walking into town from a lecture, getting a coffee, and having a browse.

Learning to love spending time with myself, as well as living with others, has been the most valuable part of my university experience. I’m so grateful to have met so many amazing people and to know so much more about myself too. Work-life balance is so important and tricky to get right when you’re used to the busy stress of A-Levels. But if you follow at least one piece of my advice, you’ll be on track for one of the best years of your life.

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