Hi! I thought I'd check out posts related to St John's, Durham, because I know that this time last year I wanted to know a little about the place I'd be studying at for three years before I came. I'm a student here now, just finishing my first year, and I have to say my time at St John's has been great and that the friends I've made have been some of the best I've ever had.
To address some concerns about the college:
1) Religion. Yes, the college does have a Christian ethos, but don't forget this is not uncommon for an educational establishment and plenty of schools have Christian backgrounds. Yes, there are probably more Christians per square meter in this college compared to the others (because of its image and because of the fact that a priest-training centre is tied to the college), but it's certainly not overbearing. I'm not religious in any way, yet this has never affected my time here. Furthermore, I'd have thought that only about 40% of the students are particularly Christian, and even then only a small minority will ever strike up a conversation about their faith without you leading them there mischievously in the first place! The Christians here are certainly not dogmatic; most of them are funny, intelligent, and able to see both sides of an argument. They're also really nice people in general. Being joint with Cranmer (the priest training centre) is a real benefit of this college as you're able to chat with 'real' adults who have often had very interesting careers before deciding to become priests, and who are able to provide useful information about careers if you ask them. Plus, there's never a time when you have to attend a Christian ceremony, so if it really isn't your cup of tea, you're not going to be forced into doing anything you don't want to. You're definitely not going to feel left out, as most Christians go off to various different churches, not to some secret room in college, and 95% of the things average Johnians do in college have nothing to do with religion. So, DON'T PANIC!
2) Gowns. Oh my gosh, without meaning to seem unsympathetic, I really don't understand your concerns! They're basically really fun capes similar to the sort Harry Potter would wear. By wearing one, you're not being initiated into a cult! They're just part of a tradition that all universities have, only instead of wearing them just for graduation, we wear them at (optional!) formals and a few other times a term. I personally feel proud to wear mine as it's a symbol of the achievement of getting into Durham, and looks snazzy at the same time. Formals, by the way, are really fun, and are similar to normal tea except you wear smart clothes and get some better nosh. You're not expected to recite a Latin grace or comment on the vintage of the wine or the size of your country estate. Much more likely, you'll get progressively drunker (or not, nobody cares if you don't drink and there are no drinking games at formal), talk about the inter-college football match, and complain about the profound boredom and tiredness your felt in your morning lecture! John's is one of the least intimidating environments you'll ever inhabit in your life, far less so than the real world, as everybody is happy to talk to anybody else, and you're going to love it! And for God's sake, no, the college is not full of 'posh' people, nor are formals compulsory examinations in etiquette! They're optional, once a week or less, and apart from the clothes, very informal! Think of them as like going out to a fairly cheap restaurant on a school trip.
3) Sharing a room. Cannot really comment on this as I had a single. As far as I know, John's has the best system out of any college for allocating shared rooms, and so few people ever have problems with their roommates. If you really don't want to share, explain this on the form you get sent, and if you have a legitimate reason, you'll get a single. Shared rooms are bigger and more sociable, though if you want to work at 3am, you probably will have to go to the library. A new accommodation block has just been built with ensuite, though I'm not sure whether freshers will live there. I personally don't feel the need for an ensuite: I don't have one at home, so how is this any different? Also, shared bathrooms contain copies of 'Loo News', the infamous college gossip mag, which is hilarious, harmless, and almost entirely fictitious!
4) Catering. College meals are pretty good. At the very least, you'll never go hungry, because the amount you get given is huge. The quality is meant to be the best in Durham, and I'd say there have only ever been one or two times I haven't found something at least fairly reasonable. If you're really desperate for self-catering, wait until your second year, when you'll live out of college in a house or flat. The Catering Staff are also very friendly and do great themed nights on Fridays.
5) Location. Great. Central but quiet.
Hope that helps. Email me at Your email has been removed for privacy reasons - if you wish to exchange contact details, please use the Private Messaging system. if you have any more questions about SJ, and don't listen to people who don't know what they're talking about!
Cheers