The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

Reply 700

*River

15

Walk

.

Reply 701

Aula

18

Ah, but the Netherlands is as flat as can be.
Durham is quite hilly, and the quickest way for me to get to lectures (from Aidan's) is to walk, 'cause the quickest way is through steps and suchlike, which I wouldn't be able to cycle down very well...

Reply 702

River85

17

RadiantJewel

Is it really that uncommon to cycle? How do people go from the hill colleges to town/department then? I am Dutch so I cycle pretty much everywhere hehe.

It may come as a culture shock, I don't know how used you are to cycling in this country. However, this (unfortunately) isn't the Netherlands and we don't have the same respect toward cyclists. Indeed there's great hatred towards many of them.

Many cities aren't suitable for cycling, especially old and mediaeveal cities like Durham.

That's not to say people don't cycle, it's reasonably popular, but walking is still the easier option.

Reply 703

RadiantJewel

I am going to miss my bike when I come up to the UK! :-P Thnx for the replies guys

Reply 704

Lell

16

Drivers don't respect cyclists here. Or pedestrians.

Having said that, some cyclists are ...*expletive*....I was in my car the other day and there were two cyclists side by side, in the middle of the road, so I couldn't overtake....it was SO INFURIATING.

Reply 705

River85

17

Lell

Drivers don't respect cyclists here. Or pedestrians.

Having said that, some cyclists are ...*expletive*....I was in my car the other day and there were two cyclists side by side, in the middle of the road, so I couldn't overtake....it was SO INFURIATING.

Don't get me wrong, I know there are lots of cyclists who don't repspect the laws themselves but the hatred many people feel toward them as a "group" is just plain nasty. I'll again refer to my father, being deliberately targeted by the driver of a Go North East bus every evening. Just because he dared use a bus lane (which was also a shared cycle lane). He almost ended up under the bus twice.

Sorry RadiantJewel :frown:

There just isn't the infrastructure or repsect for cyclists in most parts of this country,

Reply 706

Lell

16

That's why I said 'some' not 'all'...I acknowledge that not all cyclists are perfect, just as not all drivers and pedestrians are.

That bus driver sounds like a complete bastard, I would have complained to the bus company.

Reply 707

River85

17

Lell

That bus driver sounds like a complete bastard, I would have complained to the bus company.

ROFL. Oh dear.

Sorry, I wasn't laughing at you. Really. It's Go North East (the Simply Go group). They are a terrible company and half of their drivers are morons. Yo ca complain all you like and they don't do anything, just stand up for their drivers. It actually got worse when my father complained, they then deliberately started to run him over. It was a group of drivers. He'd catch up with them (at the Metro Centre) and they'd just laugh in his face.

He got in touch with the police who said they'd fully supported him if he wanted to press charges, the police had actually warned the company themselves in that past about their speed. He decided not to though and was soon made redundant and got a new job elsewhere so it doesn't bother him anymore. I still ahve to put up with the drivers though (as a passenger).

I had a run in with the Cathedral bus once, as a pedestrian in Durham. I was crossing the road at a junction (where pedestrians have right of way) and he wasn't doing anything anyway (like indicating to pull out). He waited until I was right in front of him before putting his foot down, I only just got past him. We had a bit of an argument (he was incredibly aggressive). I phoned up and complained to the bus company. The following day when I was walking by the bus he called me over, apologised (said his boss gave him a real rollocking) and we shook hands. That was a nice change.

The difference between the two is one is a large company who don't give a damn, the other was a much smaller company.

Sorry everyone for going off topic. :redface:

SPAM! SPAM! haha.

River85

ROFL. Oh dear.

Sorry, I wasn't laughing at you. Really. It's Go North East (the Simply Go group). They are a terrible company and half of their drivers are morons. Yo ca complain all you like and they don't do anything, just stand up for their drivers. It actually got worse when my father complained, they then deliberately started to run him over. It was a group of drivers. He'd catch up with them (at the Metro Centre) and they'd just laugh in his face.

He got in touch with the police who said they'd fully supported him if he wanted to press charges, the police had actually warned the company themselves in that past about their speed. He decided not to though and was soon made redundant and got a new job elsewhere so it doesn't bother him anymore. I still ahve to put up with the drivers though (as a passenger).

I had a run in with the Cathedral bus once, as a pedestrian in Durham. I was crossing the road at a junction (where pedestrians have right of way) and he wasn't doing anything anyway (like indicating to pull out). He waited until I was right in front of him before putting his foot down, I only just got past him. We had a bit of an argument (he was incredibly aggressive). I phoned up and complained to the bus company. The following day when I was walking by the bus he called me over, apologised (said his boss gave him a real rollocking) and we shook hands. That was a nice change.

The difference between the two is one is a large company who don't give a damn, the other was a much smaller company.

Sorry everyone for going off topic. :redface:

Ugh, they sound like tossers. It's disgusting that they can get away with that.

The only time I've got on a bus in Durham is getting the park and ride up the hill. I asked for the normal ticket, and the bus driver got all offensive, asking if I was a student and if he could see my ID and stuff! What the hell?

Reply 710

a¢¢ountant$

hello...
I applied to durham university to study Accounting, after i applied i realised it was in stockon, i thought durham was just one university but i should have checked and now i have realised its in stockton.
I dont have a problem with it being in stockton other than the town does not appeal to me as much as durham.
Also ive read about it not being so good?
AND will i have to travel to durham and back every time there is a meeting for a society or an event?
or are there seperate societies in durham university and stockton?
thanks for your help :smile:

Reply 711

River85

17

Stockton campus still has its own social life and societies and your college will also be located there? It's a small campus and fairly close knit.

It's true that Stockton isn't as nice as Durham. Durham, after all, is a beautiful mediaeval city. Stockton...isn't. I still feel it has a little bit of an unfair reputation amongst students, particularly nationally who look down on it as it's near smoggy land (sorry, Teesside lol - I'm sure to get neg repped for that). I can understand your apprehension but really, Stockton's not too bad.

Remember that tralleling between Durham and Newcastle (by rail) isn't as easy as many think in the very late evenings. Stockton (being Teesside) is even further away. You'll be unlikely to go to Newcastle to often. You'll need to make do with Durham or *ahem* Middlesbrough.

For travelling to and from Durham (whenever you do need to) there are regular bus services and you'll be able to travel for free during term time

http://www.dur.ac.uk/travel/durham.queens/

Others will be able to give you more info on Stockton's social life though.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=514524

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10958194&highlight=Queens+Campus#post10958194

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=5709148&highlight=Queens+Campus#post5709148

Also see

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Queen%27s_Campus%2C_Stockton

Reply 712

diorbaby1687

10

heeeellllpppp!
lol a tad ott
but i was just wandering about the A* and A grade at GCSE, entry process
even if you get AAA at A-level do you need to have the A's at GCSE to get into durham, or is it possible to get in with less
:s-smilie:

i hope so

thanks in advance
xxx

Reply 713

Piggsil

16

diorbaby1687

heeeellllpppp!
lol a tad ott
but i was just wandering about the A* and A grade at GCSE, entry process
even if you get AAA at A-level do you need to have the A's at GCSE to get into durham, or is it possible to get in with less
:s-smilie:

i hope so

thanks in advance
xxx

Hi,

It depends which subject you're applying for. As far as I'm aware the only department at Durham that has a GCSE A* consideration is History and I believe they say they are more likely to consider your application if you have 6+ A*s or above.

Hope that helps.

Reply 714

*River

15

Where's Maiden Castle A? I should probably find out before the day of my exam...

Reply 715

Itchynscratchy

10

it's the maiden castle main hall, the A/B/C/D bit is just which quarter of the hall you are in.

Reply 716

Applying4Maths

It's just Maiden Castle. When you get there they divide the room into four quarters A,B,C&D, it'll be obvious when you get there, don't worry about it.
If you don't know where Maiden Castle is, it's #32 on this map. :smile:

Reply 717

*River

15

Thanks guys :smile:

.

Reply 718

Fields

13

Maiden Castle exams are scary. I'm glad I don't have any this year.