The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

There's 10-15 days uni shutdown in dec vacations. I understand that even the ppl with 38 week let have to vacate their rooms.
So what do students who've stayed back, not gone homeor anywhere else, do during this period? Where do they stay? There must be people staying back ryt?

I'm not entirely sure about this, but I seem to remember reading that one or two colleges stay open over christmas, and that everyone who stays over the whole of the holidays moves into rooms in those colleges, self catered of course. I assume they can leave most of their stuff in their own colleges. But don't take my word on this- it might be on the website somewhere, it might not..

A lot of the international students move into Aidan's over Christmas.

What is the catered food like? Do they do a range of meals and how many do you get?

What is the catered food like? Do they do a range of meals and how many do you get?

There are three or four dinner options a day (unless you're vegetarian, in which case there are usually only one or two), plus a couple of different vegetables and some type of potato. It's all pretty much standard school-dinner fare, but usually a decent version of it. Lunch tends to be better food - pizza, panini, wraps, fish and chips. Or sandwiches. There's always fruit and yoghurt available and dessert in the evenings. You can get a packed lunch but you have to order in advance. You get all meals provided, so breakfast, lunch and dinner every day Meals are on a three-week rota, which changes slightly every term. As far as I'm aware it's standardised throughout all the colleges, although quality may vary.

I saw your post about doing a foundation year by the way - it's fantastic that you've managed to get into Durham despite your earlier grades, well done! Which college have you got into?

There are three or four dinner options a day (unless you're vegetarian, in which case there are usually only one or two), plus a couple of different vegetables and some type of potato. It's all pretty much standard school-dinner fare, but usually a decent version of it. Lunch tends to be better food - pizza, panini, wraps, fish and chips. Or sandwiches. There's always fruit and yoghurt available and dessert in the evenings. You can get a packed lunch but you have to order in advance. You get all meals provided, so breakfast, lunch and dinner every day Meals are on a three-week rota, which changes slightly every term. As far as I'm aware it's standardised throughout all the colleges, although quality may vary.

I saw your post about doing a foundation year by the way - it's fantastic that you've managed to get into Durham despite your earlier grades, well done! Which college have you got into?

I forgot to add, are meals are provided 7 days a week?

thank you!

So you would recommend Vodafone and not giffgaff? I mean giffgaff is amazingly cheep .

I've never even heard of giffgaff, so I couldn't comment on its coverage.

Hi all. I'm currently working on updating the Durham University forum FAQ thread - would you be able to tell me if there are any questions or pieces of information I should really add to it? Thanks.

Hmph. Hild Bede's an 8 minute walk from the Bailey. That's not distant from the other colleges at all, its a shorter walk than the Bailey to most of the Hill colleges.

Also Queen's has applied psychology too.

Could you add Full collapse and the new DJ society nights to the nightlife post?

But it's a really good idea to update the FAQ, it looks excellent and I hope this post doesn't seem negative!

Don't know why I had that comment in, given that I started with "nearby". Thanks!

Updated Queen's, Full Collapse added. But I'm afraid I can't find any information about the DJ Society nights!

I think they're starting next year, I've only heard about them through facebook invitations so maybe just ignore it for now!

Yell at me if you find out that it's becoming a regular feature.

How is the Durham grant paid?

I get it once a term by direct debit.