Campus Celeb: HC Durham’s Beth Balkham

This week at Her Campus Aberdeen we got the chance to collaborate on a very special Campus Celeb. As some of you may know our sister chapter is Her Campus Durham and this week we decided to pick the brains of their Campus Correspondent Beth to find out how our chapters compare, what her favourite things are about Her Campus and a few of her loves and hates..

Name: Beth Balkham

Age: 21

Home town: Birmingham

HC: Hey Beth! How did you get into Her Campus?

BB: I went to the Freshers’ Fair in 2nd year and the Editor of Her Campus last year, Serena, was handing out flyers outside the Students’ Union. I’ve been interested in journalism for a long time, so I took a flyer and emailed her later that day!

HC: Now that you’ve taken on heading up HC Durham, what are the best and worst bits about being a sole CC?

BB: The best parts are having the opportunity to meet new people. This year we’ve had lots of new writers and it’s really nice to meet the exec for a meeting once a week, as we’ve become really friendly and it’s always a nice break from work. It’s also really nice to be in charge of a society that’s still fairly new to Durham and to watch it grow in popularity around campus. The worst parts are when people don’t hand in their articles on time, because then I stress that we won’t meet article requirements! It’s also annoying when members of the team don’t do tasks that I give them in time, because I hate having to pester people!

HC: What are your favourite articles to read and what are your favourite articles to write?

BB: I love writing articles that are quite light-hearted and that loads of readers can relate to, because often uni is so busy that you don’t have time to read a long-winded essay. But short articles like ‘Why chocolates is better than boys’ and ‘10 moments we’ll all have this term’ are the kind of articles I like to read and write. I do, however, enjoy writing more meaningful articles, such as my recent one on girls and weight issues.

HC: When you’re not at HC (or thinking about HC!) what can we find you doing?

BB: As boring as it sounds, most of the time I’m sat in the library or in my bedroom with my head in a book or writing an essay. However, I’m also the Captain of my college cheerleading, and we practice twice a week, which is a great study break. I also really really love clothes (probably too much), so whenever I get the urge, you’ll find me trawling through asos for some new clothes, which I really don’t need. And when I feel like I just want to have fun, I get dressed up, go for a drink and dance the night away!

HC: So, if we were to come visit you in Durham what exciting day would you plan for us?

BB: I’d probably first take you to my house, which is right by the station, show you around and have a cuppa with you! Then I’d take you into Durham city centre to show you the cathedral and the cobbled streets, that really do look like something out of Harry Potter. I’d take you to one of Durham’s best coffee shops, for coffee and cake, and then to my college to show you around! If you were staying the night, we’d have to do a college bar crawl and then hit the heights of Jimmy A’s and Klute…

HC: Ahhh we need to make this happen! Now let’s find out a bit more about you! Tell us a weird habit that you have.

BB: I chew the skin around my nails. It’s pretty gross. And sometimes I do it so much, they bleed.

HC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

BB: In all honesty – no idea. I’m hoping to do a Masters next year, but after that I’m not too sure what I want to do! We’ll have to wait a see…

HC: What does drunk you want to eat?

BB: Anything savoury, chips, crisps, pizza, bread, carbs, carbs and more carbs.

HC: As it’s so close to Christmas, what’s on your wish list right now?

BB: Clothes (whenever are they not), a good degree, a Masters offer, and to finish uni tomorrow so that I can go home for Christmas already. (Also a nice boy – hope Father Christmas reads this).

HC: If you had to reduce your beauty regime to 3 products what would they be?

BB: Concealer, powder, mascara.

HC: What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

BB: Stop caring about what people think about you and just learn to love who you are.

HC: Finally, what are your aspirations for HC Durham?

BB: To get the name even more well known around Durham, and of course to keep gaining new writers! I’d really like us to join in with events that other uni societies host and to have some fun team socials!

It’s been so great to get to know you Beth and we can’t wait to get to know your team and collaborate more next year! HCXO

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