Editor-in-Chief
Beth Balkham, 3rd year, Hild Bede
Most embarrassing moment…
Too many to count – once a Selfridge’s shop assistant tapped me on the back to tell me my dress was tucked into my knickers. Classy.
What hogwarts house would you be in and why?
Griffyndor – just to get close to good old Cedric in the common room.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Somewhere in America, next to a Dunkin’ Doughnuts.
What celebrity would you choose to be your husband?
I’d have many, but I like Aaron Johnson a LOT
Guilty pleasure?
Country music
Deputy Editors
Becca Winkle, 2nd year, Butler
Favourite Durham cafe?
Jumping bean- it’s veggie friendly and amazingly chilled and down to earth. I love it!
Pumpkin Spice Latte: Yay or nay?
I’ve actually never had one…so I don’t think I can say either way! Maybe it’s something I should try. I’m more of a black coffee person myself (not addicted, promise)
Most embarassing lecture moment?
I feel like I just embarrass myself all the time ,haha! I think it would probably have to be one of the several times I have inadvertently thrown my pen a few rows down and thankfully only just not poked someones eye out!
Best DSU society?
I’ve recently tried out the Creative Writing Society- I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend!
Dream date?
My dream date would probably be to go on a big walk somewhere really scenic, and have some yummy food afterwards!
Jess Connolly, 2nd year, Grey
Where would be your dream place to live and why?
It has to be Granada, Spain. I’ve been there twice and I just can’t really find a place quite like it! It’s so vibrant and exciting, with some beautiful Moorish architecture (especially La Alhambra). It’s definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been before, for the free tapas dishes with every drink you buy if not for anything else!
What’s your spirit song?
Definitely ‘Breakaway’ by Kelly Clarkson. There are not many film moments that match up to when Princess Mia flies over Genovia and sees her new home in Princess Diaries, with Kelly Clarkson belting out those iconic lyrics. You just have to sing along to it!
If you could have one super power what would it be?
The power to control time, obviously! Wouldn’t it be amazing to go back and eat that Terry’s Chocolate Orange from last week again? Or take a look at that essay I should’ve started last week…
If you could spend the day with one historical or modern day celebrity who would you chose? And what would you do with them?
I’d love to spend the day or even a few minutes with Malala Yousafzai. I read ‘I Am Malala’ last year and I still can’t get over what she’s gone through and how she’s changed her terrible experiences into something so postive and forward-looking. It was an amazing moment for me when I saw another of my role models, Emma Watson, had interviewed Malala at the Into Film Festival this month – like Emma says, Malala is extradordinary, yet so ordinary at the same time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFaylB3tYJs
Why do you love writing for Her Campus?
I just love how girly it is. The articles, instagrams and tweets are really relatable and there have been so many times when I’ve laughed out loud at something one of the other girls has written about, because it’s so me!
Social Secretaries
Eloise Lawton, 2nd year, Cuth’s
Jimmys or Fabs?
Jimmys
Best thing about being at Durham uni?
The amazing friends I’ve made here
If you could choose a song to describe yourself, what would it be?
1975 – girls
What’s the last thing that made you smile?
John Lewis Christmas Advert (though it made me cry too)
Name one thing on your bucket list
Spending a Christmas in New York
Molly Higginson, 2nd year, Van Mildert
Favourite Netflix show?
I love Orange is the New Black but my friend’s just got me into RuPaul’s Drag Race! It’s addictive!
Favourite section of her Campus and why?
I really like the blog section as it’s enables you to write about anything you want! Whatever grabs your imagination, you can have your say.
heels or flats?
Flats every time! Trainers are my best friends, especially with all of Durham’s cobbled streets! I think I’ve only worn heels about 4 times since being at uni…
Dream place to live?
London is where it’s at! I’d love to live there someday.
Best place to go for coffee in Durham?
My college parents took me to treats which was lovely. When I don’t fancy coffee though, I love going to the milkshake parlour above Chapters.
Publicity Officer
Becky Page, Second Year, St Aidan’s
Who’s your favourite disney princess and why?
So difficult to just chose one but think I’d have to say Mulan because she’s just so hardcore; she’s got ultimate sass because she just completely goes against what everyone tells her to do and saves China, pretty rad but totally grabs her top spot on my disney princess ranking
What’s your spirit animal?
Probably a dolphin because they like showing off and love attention. And they always seem really happy and excited about everything which pretty much sums me up.
What’s your dream job?
Playing Elphaeba (from Wicked) on Broadway
Favourite season?
100% winter. I love layering up with jumpers, scarves and fluffy coats…and winter means one thing for me – Christmas! Obviously it’s the most wonderful time of the year; fairy lights, carols, Santa, snow, reindeer, cosy log fires, what’s not to like?
What’s your favourite thing about being a part of HerCampusDurham?
It’s just a real pleasure to be a part of a great team of girls who share my passion for writing! We love a good rant about everything and HerCampus is just the perfect platform to get our voices out there.
What makes you feel confident?
it’s a good old, trusty girl power song for me; start my day with ‘Shake it off’ or ‘Independant Woman’ and I just feel like I’m ready to strut my stuff
Social Media Officers
Ellen Finch, 3rd year, Collingwood
What do you love to do on a lazy weekend?
Have a slow, late breakfast, savour a cup of tea and read the news/scroll through Tumblr. Mornings are the best. The day would probably consist of reading, maybe a walk, and a lot more tea. Maybe a film in the evening, and an early night – I’m a third year now so I need my sleep!
If you only had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
I would say chocolate but it might get a bit sickly after a while, so probably rice.
What is your favorite thing about studying at Durham?
Probably my study environments, namely my room and the college library! I have a chair in my room that I curl up on with a blanket to do reading (I’m an English student!), and Collingwood library is a really chilled-out place to work.
If you’re feeling a bit low, what do you do to make you feel confident?
Take a shower, moisturise my body, paint my nails and make a cup of tea. Self care always helps!
If you could jet off on holiday right now, anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Right now, probably Paris. I really like city holidays and I think if I was unleashed in Paris for the day I’d have an amazing time (so many art museums!).
Charlie Cronin, Year Abroad, Hild Bede
Favourite meal?
Chicken katsu curry from wagamama! I once had this four times a week for lunch when I was at school…
Favourite quote?
Everything said by Blair Waldorf from gossip girl – but particularly when she goes “how did you know I was American , and don’t tell me my accent’s not as good as I think!” When she meets Louis in Paris as let’s face it that’s the dream meeting a nice French man on my year abroad
What’s your dream job?
Editor in chief of a fashion magazine- like Meryl Streep from the devil wears prada but not as mean!
Tell us a silly story…
Once I was out on a night out in London with a friend and we were in this cocktail bar! We went to sit down, and all these men kept on trying to talk to us and asking us if we were here for the event, but it was really loud so we couldn’t really hear what they were saying. Eventually we realised we’d actually sat down at a match.com event, which was hilarious