Durham University

Durham

Hi! St Chad's + Maths Fresher

Firstly, hello to everyone on TSR!

I'm coming to Durham in October, and as the title might suggest I will be in St. Chad's and will be doing Mathematics!

Like most people, I have plenty of questions! So I thought I'd share them here...

Fresher's Week: Both St. Chad's and DSU seem to have plenty of events on! Am I right in thinking the best plan of action is to wait until I get to Durham, then decide what events I most like the look of, then sign up/buy tickets for them?

Fresher's Week 2: I'm going to be heading out of Durham for Saturday 7th October. (Leaving early hours of Saturday and returning just after midday on Sunday). Will I be missing lots, or anything very important?

Guests: What are the general rules of having non-Durham guests in college?

14 Passport Photos!: Sorry, just wanted to express my exclaimation!

Mathematics: There seems to be a lot of lectures and tutorials for 1st year Mathematics. Please re-assure me that these aren't overwhelming! Also, I read from a NatSci page that there is a workbook for those doing one of the Maths modules, how come I haven't heard anything about this? Should I get it done anyway?

Catering in College: Is it possible for me to opt-out of some meals? (And maybe get a little money back for that?)

That's all of the questions I can remember right now. Apologies if some of the answers are obvious or elsewhere. Any help much appreciated!

Neil

Reply 1

ChrisH2107

NeilD

Yep, there'll be tickets available and you can see what your new-found friends are up to.

NeilD

Fresher's Week 2: I'm going to be heading out of Durham for Saturday 7th October. (Leaving early hours of Saturday and returning just after midday on Sunday). Will I be missing lots, or anything very important?

Depends upon Chad's events. I would suggest it is far from ideal, but you will be able to accommodate it I imagine.

NeilD

Guests: What are the general rules of having non-Durham guests in college?

Again, I'm not from Chad's. Procedure is probably to sign them in at the Porter's lodge, and perhaps pay for the privelage. In reality, with a little smooth talking where required, you can probably ship as many skanky whores in and out of your room as you wish, room-mate permitting.

NeilD

14 Passport Photos!: Sorry, just wanted to express my exclaimation!

Yep, they must use them though!

NeilD

Mathematics: There seems to be a lot of lectures and tutorials for 1st year Mathematics. Please re-assure me that these aren't overwhelming! Also, I read from a NatSci page that there is a workbook for those doing one of the Maths modules, how come I haven't heard anything about this? Should I get it done anyway?

Not a mathematician. One will soon help.

NeilD

Catering in College: Is it possible for me to opt-out of some meals? (And maybe get a little money back for that?)

Chad's person required here.

NeilD

That's all of the questions I can remember right now. Apologies if some of the answers are obvious or elsewhere. Any help much appreciated!

Neil

Welcome!

Durham University

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Reply 2

NeilD

Thanks for the answers.

Received a pack from Mathematics department this morning - which included the workbook. Yay!

Neil

Reply 3

Christo

The maths week isn't too hectic, really. It gets worse in the second year. :frown:

And just remember that even if you do seem to have a lot of hours, you can always whine at the arts students who dander down to the odd lecture every second week or so.

Reply 4

arkbar

I heard us arts students don't even get up until 3pm half of the time...

Reply 5

Itchynscratchy

Don't blame you really, I wouldn't

Reply 6

Sooz

Hi! As a about-to-be-second-year mathematician at Chad's I seem to be perfectly qualified to answer your questions!

Yep, definitely wait till you get to Durham, cos I don't think anything actually sells out and you don'twant to buy tickets and then find that not many others are going.

You won't miss anything really important I expect just lots of fun!

On having guests in college then you are supposed to sign them in and I think possibly they should pay, but no-one really takes any notice of this at all so it's fine having guests.

14 Passport Photos! I know! (Although it was only 12 last year)

Yes lots of lectures and tutorials but not that much work outside of these so first year isn't too bad really

Yes you can opt out of lunches and/or weekend teas, but you don't get that much money back. Also, meals are a great time for socialising so I wouldn't opt out of them on that point.

Any other questions you can think of just ask.

Reply 7

NeilD

Thanks for the answers!

Regarding guests; I meant both having them stay overnight, and/or just for coming into the JCR/bar.

I was thinking about opting out of meal more on a one-off basis - for example if I'm away for a weekend on a DofE trip or similar...

Thanks,
Neil

Reply 8

Alphie

No, you can't opt-out of one or two meals now and then I'm afraid. Good question though. In any case, the meals are only worth something like £1 each so it's really not worth the hassle!!