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Banes of a Durham Student’s Existence

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Durham chapter.

1. STEPPING OUT THE DOOR AND NOT SURE IF YOU’RE IN DURHAM OR ARENDELLE

It certainly seems as if Queen Elsa has been in Durham for the last few weeks. With the horrendous Northern winter it’s no surprise that I’m eagerly counting down the days to summer.

 

2. FEELING RICH AT THE BEGINNING OF TERM AFTER RECEIVING YOUR STUDENT LOAN…

You definitely need that ASOS coat and those dresses right? And there’s a special student discount! It would be rude not to. Unfortunately it is WAY too tempting to go on a massive shopping spree once the student loan has arrived!

 

3. …BUT THE DESPERATE END OF TERM NEED FOR SOME DOLLA

However, by the end of term you’ve started to go into your overdraft. I guess it’s baked beans on toast for dinner every night from now on…

 

4. THAT AWFUL MOMENT WHEN YOU GET THE LIBRARY…BEFORE REALISING YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR CAMPUS CARD

There is no worse feeling when you’ve made the long journey to the library and then realise you’ve left your campus card at home, and the staff are just so understanding…

 

5. FEELING LIKE YOU’RE COMPETING IN THE HUNGER GAMES WHEN BAGGING A LIBRARY SEAT

Good luck finding a seat in the library during exam time (you won’t).

 

6. THAT SOUL-DESTROYING FEELING ON THE LAST WEEK OF TERM WHEN ALL OF YOUR SUMMATIVE DEADLINES ARE LOOMING.

5000 words to write in a day? Challenge accepted. But first, lots and lots of coffee.

 

7. WHEN THE QUEUE FOR THE NECESSARY SUMMATIVE READING IS BASICALLY AS LONG AS THE BOOK ITSELF

That moment of desperation when you can’t find that crucial book is awful. The choices are a) buying it for an extortionate amount, or b) reaching a new low by surreptitiously taking photos of the pages on your phone whilst sitting in the ‘awaiting collection’ section.

 

8. THE EXTENSIVE CHOICE OF PLACES WHERE YOU CAN EAT IN THE LIBRARY

I’m sorry but how are all the students in Durham supposed to fit into that tiny section by the door to eat their lunch? For some, it’s a daily mission eating at their desks and hoping a librarian won’t spot them…

 

9. THE HORRORS OF A 9AM LECTURE

A struggle of mine is getting out of my cosy bed at 7.30 am, in order to get to my 9am lecture. How I used to do it every day for school I don’t know, but again much coffee is needed for this task.

 

10. THE LIFE OF A HUMANITIES STUDENT

Tough luck, all you scientists. We don’t spend all those lecture-free hours doing extra reading; it’s a more chilled lifestyle of napping and Netflix. Gruelling, right?

 

11. FEELING LIKE YOU’VE RUN A MARATHON WHEN YOU REACH THE TOP OF THE DREADED CARDIAC HILL

There are many hills in Durham, but Cardiac Hill has got to be the worst. Why bother becoming a member of the gym after tackling this beast several times a day?

 

12. THE MANY, MANY SHOPS IN DURHAM

Urban DH1, anyone? With the limited choices in Durham, thank goodness for online shopping.

 

13. WHEN YOU MAKE THE MISTAKE OF GOING TO KLUTE SOBER (NEVER AGAIN)

Whether you love or hate Klute, I think we can all agree that it’s certainly an ‘interesting’ experience if you’re sober…

20 year old from London currently on her Year Abroad in Paris. Follow me on Instagram for photos of Paris and other interesting things. https://instagram.com/charliecronin/