The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

There are loads of shops in town that sell bedding. You really should be able to find one without getting a bus.

If you're able to carry a sleeping bag, why not bring your own bedding instead?

Your other option is to order it online and get it delivered to your college. People get stuff delivered to college all the time.

Being a scout I have a great quality sleeping bag which is very compact; it's certainly smaller to carry than a duvet! The thing is, I can only bring one big suitcase on the plane, so space is an issue, and I think it'd be more convenient to buy one there anyway.

I'd like to bring my sleeping bag anyways because I know there's a Scout&Guide society at Durham and I'd love to join, plus I might always need it

Thanks for the info! Amazon is always an option for everything I need, but I'm glad I can find stuff easily!

Just a few questions after reading Freshers handbook (I'm staying in Hatfield college if it makes a difference)

1. Am I allowed to bring a mini kettle for my bedroom? (The freshers handbook only mentions no toasters/ microwaves)

2. What are other essentials out of the following: ironing board, clothes drying rack, laundry bag, desk lamp (or are any of these provided?)

3. Within Hatfield, I'm sure I've read that wifi can be only be used in study areas and libraries but CAN'T be accessed from bedrooms... How do I browse the internet from my bedroom? I have a Macbook - does this mean I will have to buy a thunderbolt-ethernet cable adapter to use that? Will internet work in the bedroom then?

4. Will I always be guaranteed a place at my own Formal dinners within Hatfield since I'm catered accommodation? (The sentence "sign up for formal a few days in advance - places are first come first served" has scared me a bit)

5. Can any Anthropology students tell me the names/author of the books I'll need for the core modules? (Just saw a comment that you can view the available library books online... Anthropology is my subject - http://library.dur.ac.uk/search/d?SEARCH=anthropology&SUBMIT=Search)

Musical Question - does anyone have any idea if and how I could borrow/rent/buy a Double Bass? I really want to continue playing but have been borrowing one from my school for the past few years (and have to return it!) and don't have my own

x

Bring a door stop. People will stick their heads round your door and talk to you if your door is open. It's a really easy way to meet people. Also, they'll tell you they are going to eat so you'll have people you can eat with.

And I don't have a reading list/ not sure where to get one so I'm scared in case I turn up and everyone has read something I haven't...

when will the last lesson end everyday? is there lessons on weekends?

A simple question for English students. Do we study the six modules stimultaneously, or are they split through the terms (two per term)?

Hi, I was wondering if students would receive insurance coverage from NUS/other student groups when in the UK?
I'm asking because I know that healthcare if covered(to some extent) by NHS...unless I'm wrong on that count too

I'm an International Student if that helps =)

Simultaneously. You will have one lecture per week for each during the first and second terms, and during the first few weeks of the third term. After that you are on revision/exam leave for the remainder of the year. You also have two tutorials for each module in the first term, and two in the second term. Most are examined by one three-hour exam in your third term (with the exception of English Language and its History, which is coursework assessed).

Don't worry - barely anyone will have read ahead, and the ones who have will probably find that it was completely unnecessary. ><

But if you want them, look up the modules you intend to study on the Durham website - it should list the recommended reading somewhere there.



Lectures run Monday-Tuesday, 9-6 (or 6:15?), unless I've forgotten that much already. Lectures tend to be sporadic, as timetabling is very complicated, so there's no guarantee. It should be possible to check your modules, and the timetabling for them in advance, if you do a little searching of the Durham website.

And as far as I'm aware, the only time that anyone has academic commitments at the weekends is if a lecturer is really desperate to reschedule something, and it's possible to have exams on Saturdays.

Thank you for your prompt response... so lectures on Mondays and Tuesdays only, then what about Wednesdays to Fridays?

Also I am a bit concern about the DUO log in details... the fresher's pack did mention that students will receive these information after they sent their reply about their intention (accept/reply) to the uni..I have sent my reply stating that I am going to accept my place offered as soon as I receive my confirmation from UCAS (15 Aug) but up to the present moment, I still havent heard from the uni. is that normal?

my another concern is the LFA classes offered to student...I will be doing Psychology (Applied)I want to take up the japanese language course which is on Wednesdays between 4-6 pm, will the lesson time clash with my psychology lessons?

my another concern is the LFA classes offered to student...I will be doing Psychology (Applied)I want to take up the japanese language course which is on Wednesdays between 4-6 pm, will the lesson time clash with my psychology lessons?

Thanks. Sorry to be irritating, but I have a few more questions:
-How large are tutorial groups?
- How many essays, and of what length, must we complete every week?
-Are we allowed to eat during 3hr exams?

Thanks in advance.

Wednesday afternoons (from 1pm) are free, to give time for sports and societies, so there shouldn't be a clash. In later years you may have placements on Wednesdays for some modules, but as far as I know nothing for first years (except one-off lectures that have been rescheduled).