‘WE LIVE IN HOGWARTS!’
Especially for those lucky enough to go to Castle College, the historical architecture of Durham city centre could well be mistaken for Harry Potter scenery. The cobbled streets are reminiscent of Hogsmeade and it is even more puzzling when you see students walking around in black robes. It’s no wonder you’re always expecting somebody to pull a wand out on you.
‘IT’S DIRT CHEAP’
£2.80 for a triple vodka at Jimmy A’s? Is this some sort of joke? The North is renowned for being incredibly cheap and for the many Southern students at the University, this is a lovely surprise. With Durham only being a tiny city, bus passes and taxi fares seem to be a thing of the past as every student uses the best mode of transport, their feet. That means less money spent on travel and more money spent on treats! (Also known as vodka cokes).
‘IT’S A COFFEE SHOP COUNTY’
Nevermind bar or pub crawls, in Durham it’s all about the tea crawls with the amazing amount of coffee shops lining the streets. Tealicious, Treats and Chapters Tea Rooms are just a few of my favourites. It’s a great way to socialize and meet up with friends, but also a great way to treat yourself to some cake after a long day of lectures. After all, food is a cure for many things!
‘I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO THE NORTH, NOT ANTARTICA’
Durham is renowned for it’s cold days and gloomy nights, which is made even worse by the fact that everybody walks…rain or shine. So whilst packing up your clothes for a year at Durham University, it’s essential to pack lots of fur, coats, scarves and knitwear.
‘I FEEL LIKE I’M TRAINING FOR THE MARATHON’
By the time you leave Durham, it’s extremely likely that you’ll have a deep hatred of hills. With very few flat areas, walking around Durham is a serious workout. By the time you return to your bedroom after a long day of studying, you’ll be out of breath and wanting nothing more than to collapse on your bed…not to spend hours dancing the night away in the best nightclub, Klute.
‘YOU CAN’T MISS THE LOCALS!’
Without sounding like a snob, there is a huge contrast between the students and the locals. Not only is the Northern accent certainly a distinctive one, but the Durham locals choice of attire is in severe contrast to what we students would choose to wear… Perhaps we’d go out in a pair of jeans and converse, but for the locals it’s all about being orange, wearing the highest of high heels and flaunting the most fluorescent colour of dress.
‘WHAT ON EARTH DO I WEAR TO A FORMAL!?’
You arrive at Durham University and realise that you’re expected to attend a formal. What does such an event mean!? It sounds so sophisticated, but you don’t want to be known as the girl who tries the hardest, or the girl who makes the least effort. Do you wear a ball gown or a short dress!? Do you wear something black or bright and colourful!? And exactly how much make-up would be considered appropriate…?
‘I’M GOING TO GET SO FAT’
Durham is a definite dream for any food fanatics out there. With so many cafes, restaurants, a pancake house and TWO American-style sundae diners, anyone’s wish of losing weight is bound to go down the drain.
‘THE DURHAM STUDENTS’ UNION IS AN ATTRACTIVE BUILDING’
In huge contrast to everything that looks like a section of Hogwarts, the Students’ Union looks more like Azkaban. It’s no wonder that people barely ever go there…who wants to set foot in that prison?