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How did everyone find the open day?
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dobbs
However Hild Bede reps are ****ing stupid - yet again that college proves to be completely lacking in the welfare department...
The university PLEADS for colleges to make sure that reps do NOT wear their Rep t-shirts if they go out to a bar/club on the Open Days...to the extent that this year they have said that colleges will be fined if they know reps wear their t-shirts.
I know it's good to show your college presence and of course the people on the open day know their reps, but it's all about not encouraging drinking, especially on an open day.
Trevs were at Walkabout, but we didn't wear our rep t-shirts and we had stupidly drunk Hild-Bede reps coming up to us asking if we were all "OK" and "Having a good night" to which we had to continuously explain we were Trevs Reps, not Hild Bede people.
To top it off, the few Hild Bede reps who were wasted and kept hauling themselves onto the stage, "dancing", and then being chucked off by the bouncers weren't exactly giving a good impression.
The university PLEADS for colleges to make sure that reps do NOT wear their Rep t-shirts if they go out to a bar/club on the Open Days...to the extent that this year they have said that colleges will be fined if they know reps wear their t-shirts.
I know it's good to show your college presence and of course the people on the open day know their reps, but it's all about not encouraging drinking, especially on an open day.
Trevs were at Walkabout, but we didn't wear our rep t-shirts and we had stupidly drunk Hild-Bede reps coming up to us asking if we were all "OK" and "Having a good night" to which we had to continuously explain we were Trevs Reps, not Hild Bede people.
To top it off, the few Hild Bede reps who were wasted and kept hauling themselves onto the stage, "dancing", and then being chucked off by the bouncers weren't exactly giving a good impression.
Well said. Leaving aside the potential irresponsibility, I can't say I was impressed by the open day experience or at least the college part of it. Some reps seem to think it is an event for them, others seem to think that those attending are impressed only by drinking as if it was some sort of novelty. For everyone I spoke to who thought it was awesome there was someone underwhelmed. Bit more `professionalism needed in some colleges. Nothing necessarily wrong with the idea of drinking, clubbing etc on an open day but no need for it to be the focus as it seemed to be for some of the reps.
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Clanger
Well said. Leaving aside the potential irresponsibility, I can't say I was impressed by the open day experience or at least the college part of it. Some reps seem to think it is an event for them, others seem to think that those attending are impressed only by drinking as if it was some sort of novelty. For everyone I spoke to who thought it was awesome there was someone underwhelmed. Bit more `professionalism needed in some colleges. Nothing necessarily wrong with the idea of drinking, clubbing etc on an open day but no need for it to be the focus as it seemed to be for some of the reps.
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I assume they're just trying to provide what they would want to be provided. Some applicants such as myself wanted to go out clubbing and experience some of what life may actually be like at university; something which no other university open day has ever offered and so I don't see what's wrong with the reps having fun as well. As long as there are some reps who stay in and watch films etc with people who want to do that then surely it's fine for others to go out and have fun with those that want to.
jonnylan
I assume they're just trying to provide what they would want to be provided. Some applicants such as myself wanted to go out clubbing and experience some of what life may actually be like at university; something which no other university open day has ever offered and so I don't see what's wrong with the reps having fun as well. As long as there are some reps who stay in and watch films etc with people who want to do that then surely it's fine for others to go out and have fun with those that want to.
OK fair point,but you seem very easily satisfied. The way I look at it is that I go clubbing most weekends and don't particularly need it to be part of an open day. I can see a city centre full of drunken 16 years old any Saturday night so seeing a few 19 year olds drinking isn't that exciting. Seems to me like part of it is a relic of a boarding school culture in some colleges. Speaking to people yestedary I'm not convinced that all the colleges provide enough information and opportunity to see what a college is actually like. I was quite happy to pester people, ask questions and find out about the college but I know that not everyone will do that. I suspect only a minority really want the clubbing and drinking. A case of the tail wagging the dog? If that is all a Durham college can muster for an open day then it says quite a lot about the place. I would have liked the chance just to have spent a few hours chatting over a few drinks to people more informally without all the attempts to entertain that were inflicted upon us.
I went out and enjoyed it, though I felt the same about the Hild Bede reps at Walkabout, and I don't think I'd have minded staying in either. The main impetus of the open day for me was seeing the English department and I absolutely loved it.
I just feel a bit tentative because although I really liked Trevs' ethos, and most of the reps were friendly and informative, some did, as you say, treat it as something for them. One of them was very bubbly and a bit OTT when giving a tour with one of their friends, and then ignored the open day people afterwards. (I do feel a bit awkward saying this as Dobbs was one of the Trevs reps, but you were very helpful Dobbs and I put you in the friendly and informative camp.)
I got on really well with some of the people I met which was nice, but at times it did feel a bit like school. I'm slightly worried that if I go I'll end up feeling like I live in my current Sixth Form common room, which I tend to avoid as some people seem to dominate it and I don't feel I can really switch off. But as I said before, I know an open day is an artificial situation and that college life is probably a lot more comfortable in reality. And I don't want to base my perception of an entire university on a couple of people on one night, as some things like someone going through my bag, finding my camera and looking through my photos while I was getting them drinks really shocked me but obviously has absolutely no relation to what my college experience will be like.
It may be that I've focused for so long on getting into Durham, and worried so much about meeting my offer, that the actual experience has left me confused. Maybe I'm just messing with myself, but I just can't make up my mind on how I feel about it. I remember telling everyone else how much I loved it (and myself), yet now I'm ambivalent. The food was really good yet I think I may prefer self-catering, my room mate was a lovely person I had a great chat with yet I think I might not want to share, and I danced in the bar and went out to the clubs yet I think the social side might not be me.
Bah. I think I'll give my brain a while to sort itself out. I really shouldn't let myself forget how much I love the course and Trevs as a whole. Hopefully I'll have balanced things out by the time I've got my last UCAS response in.
I just feel a bit tentative because although I really liked Trevs' ethos, and most of the reps were friendly and informative, some did, as you say, treat it as something for them. One of them was very bubbly and a bit OTT when giving a tour with one of their friends, and then ignored the open day people afterwards. (I do feel a bit awkward saying this as Dobbs was one of the Trevs reps, but you were very helpful Dobbs and I put you in the friendly and informative camp.)
I got on really well with some of the people I met which was nice, but at times it did feel a bit like school. I'm slightly worried that if I go I'll end up feeling like I live in my current Sixth Form common room, which I tend to avoid as some people seem to dominate it and I don't feel I can really switch off. But as I said before, I know an open day is an artificial situation and that college life is probably a lot more comfortable in reality. And I don't want to base my perception of an entire university on a couple of people on one night, as some things like someone going through my bag, finding my camera and looking through my photos while I was getting them drinks really shocked me but obviously has absolutely no relation to what my college experience will be like.
It may be that I've focused for so long on getting into Durham, and worried so much about meeting my offer, that the actual experience has left me confused. Maybe I'm just messing with myself, but I just can't make up my mind on how I feel about it. I remember telling everyone else how much I loved it (and myself), yet now I'm ambivalent. The food was really good yet I think I may prefer self-catering, my room mate was a lovely person I had a great chat with yet I think I might not want to share, and I danced in the bar and went out to the clubs yet I think the social side might not be me.
Bah. I think I'll give my brain a while to sort itself out. I really shouldn't let myself forget how much I love the course and Trevs as a whole. Hopefully I'll have balanced things out by the time I've got my last UCAS response in.
Wow. Just got in from the Open Day, and it's left me completely amazed.
Unlike Open Days/Interviews at other universities this one left me with a sense that I could actually live there, which was nice.
The reps at Mary's were awesome, all really friendly all of the time and I got a real sense that being a part of the college is like being part of a family. The building was fantastic and it's honestly fair to say that every single person there was sound. I loved it.
The academic side of things (Modern languages) was fairly interesting, although I ended up wandering round Elvet Riverside for the whole of the second taster session in order to just have a look at the bits they hadn't showed us. I do that at every uni, if I get a chance, just sneak off and have a look at the corridors and the real university. I wasn't disappointed - it all looked fantastic.
Before Open Day I wasn't sure between UCL and Durham but there is no almost no doubt in my mind where I'm going. Fantastic experience, lots of great and friendly people and I can't wait for October.
Unlike Open Days/Interviews at other universities this one left me with a sense that I could actually live there, which was nice.
The reps at Mary's were awesome, all really friendly all of the time and I got a real sense that being a part of the college is like being part of a family. The building was fantastic and it's honestly fair to say that every single person there was sound. I loved it.
The academic side of things (Modern languages) was fairly interesting, although I ended up wandering round Elvet Riverside for the whole of the second taster session in order to just have a look at the bits they hadn't showed us. I do that at every uni, if I get a chance, just sneak off and have a look at the corridors and the real university. I wasn't disappointed - it all looked fantastic.
Before Open Day I wasn't sure between UCL and Durham but there is no almost no doubt in my mind where I'm going. Fantastic experience, lots of great and friendly people and I can't wait for October.
Knotty
Wow. Just got in from the Open Day, and it's left me completely amazed.
Unlike Open Days/Interviews at other universities this one left me with a sense that I could actually live there, which was nice.
The reps at Mary's were awesome, all really friendly all of the time and I got a real sense that being a part of the college is like being part of a family. The building was fantastic and it's honestly fair to say that every single person there was sound. I loved it.
The academic side of things (Modern languages) was fairly interesting, although I ended up wandering round Elvet Riverside for the whole of the second taster session in order to just have a look at the bits they hadn't showed us. I do that at every uni, if I get a chance, just sneak off and have a look at the corridors and the real university. I wasn't disappointed - it all looked fantastic.
Before Open Day I wasn't sure between UCL and Durham but there is no almost no doubt in my mind where I'm going. Fantastic experience, lots of great and friendly people and I can't wait for October.
Unlike Open Days/Interviews at other universities this one left me with a sense that I could actually live there, which was nice.
The reps at Mary's were awesome, all really friendly all of the time and I got a real sense that being a part of the college is like being part of a family. The building was fantastic and it's honestly fair to say that every single person there was sound. I loved it.
The academic side of things (Modern languages) was fairly interesting, although I ended up wandering round Elvet Riverside for the whole of the second taster session in order to just have a look at the bits they hadn't showed us. I do that at every uni, if I get a chance, just sneak off and have a look at the corridors and the real university. I wasn't disappointed - it all looked fantastic.
Before Open Day I wasn't sure between UCL and Durham but there is no almost no doubt in my mind where I'm going. Fantastic experience, lots of great and friendly people and I can't wait for October.
Hey, I was at Mary's too - what did you think of the rooms? And the food?
And did you go to the Love Shack? Wish i was 18, had to stay in, was on that quiz machine in the bar all night, forgot Casino Royale was on, walked in late to the room it was playing in and then had to sit on the floor at the front cos ther were no chairs left!
How did oyu find it overall?
Surprised not to see any woodspeople went on an open day and reported. I was going to be a rep, but realised I had to get home and do some damn work!! Hope anyone who went to Collingwood had a good time. Wish I could have been there, but hopefully Ill be one of your fresher reps if you decide to come to Durham! Whoop
Periphescence
Hey, I was at Mary's too - what did you think of the rooms? And the food?
And did you go to the Love Shack? Wish i was 18, had to stay in, was on that quiz machine in the bar all night, forgot Casino Royale was on, walked in late to the room it was playing in and then had to sit on the floor at the front cos ther were no chairs left!
How did oyu find it overall?
And did you go to the Love Shack? Wish i was 18, had to stay in, was on that quiz machine in the bar all night, forgot Casino Royale was on, walked in late to the room it was playing in and then had to sit on the floor at the front cos ther were no chairs left!
How did oyu find it overall?
I was in the lower Williamson block (that's right, yeah?!
) and it was a tad cold but the beds were quite comfy actually and I wasn't cold when in bed. That's the only time I spent in the room, but the Ustinov rooms were fantastic. Where abouts were you?The food...I can actually still taste the lasagne now, haha, even after brushing my teeth about 6 times. Eugh gross blah blah. But it wasn't too bad.
I didn't go to the Love Shack, 18 in 2 weeks
so instead we stood and played pool for a while, and then just went and walked around Durham..sat on some swings like chavs and talked for a while (3 of us) and then went back up.All in all though I adored the atmosphere at the college and everything about it. For the first time since 2005 I'm actually sure where I want to be in October 2007 and looking forward to it. Wow, awesome
I was at the Josephine Butler open day and it was great. Everyone was really friendly and I had a great time eating in one of the student flats, although I think my hosts now have enough spare rice to feed them for an entire term, haha. The Butler bar is amazing! Not 18 yet though, so I couldn't have a drink, but it was still great fun.
I missed breakfast because they ran out of bowls, but I ate in town later so it was okay.
Durham is definitely going to be my firm now. If I don't get the grades I'll be absolutely gutted.
Everyone was really friendly and I had a great time eating in one of the student flats, although I think my hosts now have enough spare rice to feed them for an entire term, haha. The Butler bar is amazing! Not 18 yet though, so I couldn't have a drink, but it was still great fun.I missed breakfast because they ran out of bowls, but I ate in town later so it was okay.
Durham is definitely going to be my firm now.
If I don't get the grades I'll be absolutely gutted.generic hybrid
I was at the Josephine Butler open day and it was great. Everyone was really friendly and I had a great time eating in one of the student flats, although I think my hosts now have enough spare rice to feed them for an entire term, haha. The Butler bar is amazing! Not 18 yet though, so I couldn't have a drink, but it was still great fun.
I missed breakfast because they ran out of bowls, but I ate in town later so it was okay.
Durham is definitely going to be my firm now. If I don't get the grades I'll be absolutely gutted.
Everyone was really friendly and I had a great time eating in one of the student flats, although I think my hosts now have enough spare rice to feed them for an entire term, haha. The Butler bar is amazing! Not 18 yet though, so I couldn't have a drink, but it was still great fun.I missed breakfast because they ran out of bowls, but I ate in town later so it was okay.
Durham is definitely going to be my firm now.
If I don't get the grades I'll be absolutely gutted.out of interest, who were your hosts?
I was at History and Josephine Butler, but I couldn't stay the night. The hosts and staff were all really lovely, and the college was all new and shiny (I'm a child at heart!). The other applicants that I spoke to were all a bit odd though, but I'm not going to judge the place on that. Overall, I liked it, but I wasn't really screaming OMG I LOVE YOU on the train back home!
heninacoop
I was at History and Josephine Butler, but I couldn't stay the night. The hosts and staff were all really lovely, and the college was all new and shiny (I'm a child at heart!). The other applicants that I spoke to were all a bit odd though, but I'm not going to judge the place on that. Overall, I liked it, but I wasn't really screaming OMG I LOVE YOU on the train back home!
can't disagree with you, the reps were great, but I too thought some of the other applicants a bit strange. Can't decide whether all the weirdos apply to JB, so they don't have to socialise, or whether I am the odd one out! Only negative, I would starve if I had to live on the "meal" and breakfast provided
i absolutely loved it at castle!
arkbar
What did you feel about college life was not accurately expressed on the open day?
Arkbar,it isn’t so much the accuracy of information, more that I was contesting the idea that all prospective students are interested in is the social life. Given that most colleges claim to be a bit more than rooms with a bar then I expected a bit more thought to be put into how to present the college to would be students. I wanted to know a bit more about the support systems, about college sport, about how accommodation is allocated, clubs and societies etc. To me they are slightly more useful in deciding about Durham than knowing the words to a college song! I found out what I needed, mainly by going off and doing my own thing, visiting Maiden Castle sports centre etc. If the JCR had been a bit smarter they would have facilitated it. All they needed to do was provide a bit of time with reps just to chat and some structured opportunities for those who were interested in specific aspects to find out more. I’m not arguing to cut out the social side, but for recognition that it isn’t enough just to put on a boozy night out preceded by a quick tour of the college, a meal and a speech. If that counts as ‘the college experience’ then it’s hardly worth bothering with.
Like many other people attending I’m holding offers from other highly rated unis. I’m a gap year student with my A levels already completed successfully. From Durham’s point of view it needs the open days to convince people like me to make it first choice.
I thought Van Mildert was really great. The reps were friendly and all the banter between them was quite amusing to listen to, and although they did take us to Loveshack and wear their reps t-shirts the whole time, none of them came across as being particularly ******ed and they all helped us get home at the end, so that was fine in my book!
The one thing I would say about it was that I struggled to concentrate the day afterwards, when I was trying to find out the things that really mattered about the course and the like... still, gathered enough from the talks and the philosophy handout to decide I much preferred the course to Warwick's, and that therefore it's the only place for me if I "fail".
The one thing I would say about it was that I struggled to concentrate the day afterwards, when I was trying to find out the things that really mattered about the course and the like... still, gathered enough from the talks and the philosophy handout to decide I much preferred the course to Warwick's, and that therefore it's the only place for me if I "fail".
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