Elias Koenig – Page 2 – Postgraduate Digital Prospectus

The Kang-Glac project

Elias Koenig on September 25, 2024

This summer I joined a group of over 40 scientists and support staff on a scientific cruise aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough to the shelf and fjords surrounding Kangerlussuaq fjord in south east Greenland. The 3 year project aims to gather data on modern day oceanography and primary productivity in Greenland’s coastal seas, and collect marine sediment cores alongside terrestrial rock samples to reconstruct past glacier thickness and extent.

I have been working with the marine sedimentology team collecting sediment cores of up to 10 m from the seafloor in the fjords and shelf sea surrounding the Kangerlussuaq area. Sediment is continuously being deposited on the seafloor, trapping a snapshot of the biological, geochemical and sedimentological condition at the time of deposition. We can use these signals preserved in this mud to work out how the oceans near Greenland have affected the ice sheets in the past, and in turn how fresh melt water from melting glaciers has changed the oceans and our climate.

Working on the ship

We work 12 hour shifts from 8 to 8 with people working 24 hours of the day. My team were on night shift from 8pm to 8am enjoying the arctic midnight sun and some beautiful sunsets and sunrises (sometimes only an hour apart).

We have three methods to collect sediment cores, the gravity and piston cores for longer records (up to 10 m) and the multicore to collect 12 50 cm cores at one time.

Gravity core being deployed by the ice front

Once on deck, the yellow plastic liner containing the sediment within the longer gravity and piston cores needs to be cut into more manageable 1 m sections. We use a core cutter which is a blade on a ring to slice the liner open, then cut through the mud with a cheese knife. We put a cap on each end then label the sections.

On nights when there are no coring deployments we would split open a core or two to log the sediment and take a few samples. This involves cutting lengthways along the liner before cutting through the sediment with cheese wire. This gives us an initial glimpse at the sediments that we have collected, and will help us to decide which cores are best suited for further analysis.

Once the core is open, we can sample for foraminifera (tiny shells from creatures that lived and died on the seafloor). We can identify and count the species of foraminifera under a microscope. Different species like to live in different water conditions, so we can use them to reconstruct relative changes to ocean conditions at the coring site through the Holocene.

SEM image of foraminifera Melonis Bareanus

Free time

There is a fantastic community feel while on the ship which was fuelled by the weekly quiz, knot tying lessons, some small gym clubs were formed, and even a chat for the sauna (if you wanted to dump a bucket of freezing seawater on yourself first!). A lot of our free time was spent either in the bar or the day room watching movies or playing Mario Kart. If we want some fresh air we can go to the helideck or observation deck to take some pictures and do some whale or polar bear spotting. We even had the time to make up some games in the labs.

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Starting out at university? Student fairs are here to help!

Elias Koenig on September 24, 2024

Beginning your university studies is an exciting time, but it can sometimes be a little daunting to start out your student life. Fairs are a great way to help you get a sense of all the other parts of your university life away from academia, and at Durham there’s a whole range of fairs on offer, which I’m now going to break down for you into three sections: sports, societies, and jobs & careers.

Sports

Lots of Durham students participate in sports alongside their studies. Whether you are looking to try out a new sport as a beginner or to hone your talents through representing the university, there is something for you.

Durham Students’ Union organises a Sports Fair that takes place during Welcome and Orientation Week (also known as Freshers’ Week) which is free to attend and gives all students an opportunity to see what’s currently on offer and to meet the people running each sports group. This usually takes place at Maiden Castle, a facility which hosts lots of Durham sports so it’s also a great time to visit and see where you might be training! Students can book tickets online through the Durham Students’ Union website to attend the Sports and Activities Fair, and you can also view the range of sports online there by looking at their ‘Groups’ page.

Societies

Durham Students’ Union also runs the Freshers’ Fair in Maiden Castle during the same week (but usually on a different day!), and you can also reserve a free ticket to this fair through their website by searching in their events. This fair is all about the clubs on offer (which is a MASSIVE list visible online via the previously mentioned ‘Groups’ page), including everything from the likes of drama, music, arts, to all kinds of hobbies and interests, to groups representing your academic course, career goals, or personal identity. It’s a great opportunity to go and get inspiration for what you might want to participate in alongside your studies.

If you are as keen as I was when I went to the Freshers’ Fair, then you will probably also end up marking down way too many activities that you have decided you want to try before eventually settling into a routine. This is completely fine as plenty of societies have taster sessions which you can sign up for to discover if it’s a good fit.

It’s also worth remembering that lots of Durham Colleges will organise their own Freshers’ Fair to help you discover what’s on offer there specifically. This will be different from the centralised Freshers’ Fair, so don’t skip it just because you’ve been to others! This will be much smaller and held in your college, and you probably won’t need to reserve a ticket in advance. College Freshers’ Fairs are great because lots of colleges will provide many of the activities that are on offer at centralised clubs, but on a smaller scale, which might be perfect if you’d prefer to be part of a smaller group. It will also give you the opportunity to meet more students from your college, who you will likely be seeing on a regular basis if you are a liver-in! The activities on offer will vary but will likely include both societies and sports, so go and check it out!

Jobs & Careers

Are you looking to get a part-time job at university? Well, there’s a fair for that too! On Wednesday 9^th October 2024 between 1-4pm, this year’s Part Time Jobs, Placements & Volunteering Fair will be taking place. Just head on down to the Teaching & Learning Centre located near to the Bill Bryson Library on the Lower Mountjoy site, you will have the opportunity to talk to your potential employers and see a range of jobs, voluntary roles, and placement opportunities available to students. (You might also want to come and say hi to The Durham Student Team if you see yourself as one of our next Content Creators!)

This is a great way to get some inspiration for jobs, especially those which you might not have even thought of applying to! Taking part in one of these roles can not only help balance your finances whilst you study, but also give you some professional experience that will help boost your CV for when you are job-hunting after graduation.

There are plenty more opportunities throughout the year to help you get career insights which you can find on Durham’s CareersConnect page, including sector-specific events and talks. Check up on this page as their dates are worth getting in your diary.

What do I take to a fair?

The essential thing to take would be either your phone or something else to make notes on. You will probably want to have some record of the groups of particular interest to you so writing down their group names is a must!

Lots of student groups advertise their activities through either Facebook or Instagram (some might use a mailing list), so it’s also worth having these social media apps downloaded so that you can follow along and see what activities are on offer.

Some groups might even have a QR code for you to scan to take you directly to their page, and when you are at the Part Time Jobs, Placements & Volunteering Fair, you might also have QR codes to help you find application portals, so make sure your device is charged up before you go!

Tips for attending fairs

Don’t be afraid to say hi (and don’t be surprised when the people at fairs try and talk to you as well!). These kinds of events involve plenty of meeting people and there will be a lot of enthusiasm from everyone trying to get you to join their group. It’s likely that there will be groups you aren’t interested in, but it’s also an occasion to be open minded about new opportunities.

There is no ‘right’ amount of time to spend at a fair. Some people will have specific interests they want to follow, and some want to look at every group and maybe even circle back around to the start to make sure they didn’t miss anything. Don’t feel like you need to stick with the group you came with the entire time as they might not share all of your passions. Go at your own pace and remember that there are lots of other ways to reach out to the groups that attend these fairs if you have further questions or if you missed out on talking to them in the first place.

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Read more about the part-time jobs, placements and volunteering careers fair

View the full series of careers weeks and fairs  and explore our dedicated  Careers and Enterprise pages

Read help sheets and articles on networking, preparing for a careers fair, and how to use the LinkedIn alumni tool

Explore further resources on  work experience  and the  placement year

Search for vacancies, career events and book career appointments on our CareersConnect platform

Check out the societies on offer at the Student Union here

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Why I chose to study Accounting

Elias Koenig on September 19, 2024

In this blog, I’d like to tell you a little more about my experience studying BSc Accounting at Durham.

When I applied to Durham, I initially enrolled on the BA Accounting and Finance programme. However, I was offered the BSc Accounting programme instead. At this point, I hadn’t looked into the pure Accounting programme, so I was a bit worried as I didn’t know much about the course or the modules. However, after looking into it a bit more, I discovered that this course was more suited to me. The pure Accounting programme offers students the opportunity to become chartered accountants quickly and easily, with some exams offering exemptions, meaning it will take less time to become a qualified accountant after graduation and fewer exams in the future!

About the course

One of the best things about the BSc Accounting course is the number of students within the course. This year, there were about 60 of us. However, the BA Accounting and Finance course has over 200 students. This means that the Accounting programme is much more personal, and all our modules take place in person. This is greatly advantageous because it means it’s easier to have a more personal and accessible relationship with lecturers and allows you to really get to know the people on your course and make some great friends!

The course doesn’t have many contact hours. I usually have about 12 hours a week due to the course being semesterised. This means that we only have three modules in the first term, then exams on those particular modules. The same thing happens in the second term. At first, I wasn’t sure how this would benefit me because all of my friends, studying different courses, didn’t have the same structure. However, the structure of this course is incredibly helpful and much easier in my opinion. Although it means the term is intense with content, you don’t have as many modules to learn at one time, and it means that you can focus on particular modules, and then have the exams whilst the content is still fresh in your mind.

What I enjoyed about the course

Within the Accounting programme, I particularly enjoy the tax modules. I know it seems to many people that this could be quite boring, but it’s so interesting to learn about all the different rules and regulations about what happens with our money. These modules aren’t just something that an accountant needs to know – everyone benefits in learning about what happens with their money and why. The great thing about Accounting modules is that you can apply them to everyday life. It’s not just something you leave in the classroom.

In my first year, I loved the ‘Skills for the Professional Accountant’ module. This programme was very interactive which allowed us a break in between the more stimulating modules. As part of this module, we had to prepare presentations and were given the opportunity to present in front of professional bodies. This gave us great experience for the future. We had to dress smartly and watch everyone else’s presentations (as seen in the photo above). I particularly enjoyed the fact that it isn’t always necessarily about essays and maths equations, but also about having the opportunity to work in groups and learn valuable skills that will benefit us in our future accounting careers.

Why choose this course?

If you choose to join the BSc Accounting programme at Durham, you’ll be able to significantly improve highly-anticipated skills, such as communication and presentation skills, have the opportunity to work with great, supportive professors, and get to delve more into the accounting world. You can also look forward to understanding the broad aspects of Accounting, many of which I didn’t know I’d be learning about. You have the chance to look more into the ethics of accounting, many business modules, law modules, and of course financial modules. It isn’t all just spreadsheets!

Department support

The support I have received so far at Durham from my lecturers has been outstanding – even compared to my friends on other courses. Because of the size of this particular course, it allows you to feel more comfortable with the professors and makes it much easier to be supported in many ways. The Accounting department is a great department to be part of, and I feel very lucky with all the help and support I have received so far and continue to receive throughout each term and within each module.

Extracurricular

There are vast numbers of extracurricular activities you can get involved in while you’re at Durham. These range from College sports and activities, University sports and activities and loads of other opportunities. University is so different from school and college. There may be days when you have no lectures or seminars and have some free time to get stuck into College and University life, along with any independent study. It’s also easy to find a part-time job if that’s what you’re looking for. I worked in a nightclub during my second year and loved every part of it – from socialising to earning some extra money!

I can recommend not only Durham University but also the BSc Accounting programme here. It is an excellent course to further enhance your accounting career, meet amazing people, make excellent connections, and obtain all the skills you will need for your future. I hope you consider furthering your education here at Durham University.

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Read more here about the course: Accounting – Durham University Business School

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How Student Community Consultancy (SCC) connects students and businesses

Elias Koenig on September 18, 2024

Let’s face it – Durham is populated by students. It’s hard – maybe even impossible – to walk down the street without seeing about five different people you know within the space of five minutes. Yet, you might have also found that businesses often miss the mark when it comes to understanding what we, the students, really want…

Enter Student Community Consultancy (SCC), the student-run solution aimed at bridging that gap. Founded just last year at Durham University, SCC is all about using data-driven consulting to help businesses connect with students in a way that’s meaningful, authentic, and, most importantly, effective.

So, what is SCC?

We kicked things off in 2023 right here in Durham. Durham University is more than just a place to study; it’s a hub of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. One of the things I love most about being a student here is the culture that encourages us to think big and take risks, which was one of the key motivators to put the idea of SCC into action. For us, this supportive environment was key in helping launch the Student Community Consultancy (SCC). From connecting with like-minded peers, Durham has been instrumental in getting SCC off the ground.

Since then, we’ve been all about using data to help businesses figure out what students really care about. We are a data-driven consultancy that aims to bridge the gap between the student mind and the businesses in university towns. Think of us as the go-between for students and businesses. We’re not just guessing what students might like; we’re actually collecting data from you directly to back it up, so businesses can have the insight of the student voice.

How do we do it?

You’ve probably seen us around campus – maybe outside the TLC or Billy B – asking you to fill out a quick survey. That’s us, the “sweet people” (literally – we bribe you with candy!) But those surveys? They’re not just busywork. The data we collect from them is super valuable because it helps us track what students are thinking over time. We update it four times a year, and when we come back in September 2024, there’s more than just sweets to look forward to. There’s a raffle for £100 cash prizes, free clubbing tickets, and of course, sweets! We can’t lose our trademark!

We dive into the “why” behind the collected data by asking more open-ended questions and even having one-on-one chats with students. This way, we can really get into the details of what drives our decisions and opinions – stuff that quantitative surveys might miss.

As we are a non-profit, we also give money to local charities, currently partnering with local food banks and homelessness shelters so that we can give back to the Durham community as much as possible.

What’s in it for you (and us)?

When businesses understand us better, they can create products, services, and experiences that actually appeal to us students. And honestly, that benefits all of us. We work with businesses over a 12-week period to help them get their strategy right. Durham is a small place, so we believe it is imperative that businesses target the students correctly!

Who’s behind the scenes?

SCC is run by students for students – students studying a range of courses from Theology to Accounting to Politics. We’ve got a whole squad working on different things. Some of us focus on client projects, others handle social media (so give us a follow if you haven’t already!), and we’ve got teams managing the legal and financial administration to keep everything running smoothly. SCC is pretty rewarding because we’re all learning and growing together while also making a real impact.

What’s next for SCC?

We’re just getting started. In addition to being founded in Durham, by September 2024, just in time for Freshers’ Week, we are expanding to St Andrews and Exeter to ensure we can create this impact all over the UK and Scotland. But no matter where we go, our mission stays the same: making sure businesses understand what students want, based on real data and real conversations.

It would mean so much to us if you gave us a follow on Instagram – not only does it benefit us, but it benefits you as you can stay in the loop of all upcoming events and survey collections!

So, if you feel like you know, or have, a business that would benefit from us, or you’re ever curious about what we’re up to, or simply just want to get involved, just reach out! We’re all about bridging that gap between the student world and the business world.

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Find us on LinkedIn: Durham Student Community Consultancy | LinkedIn

You can find out more about student societies at Durham here

Why I chose Durham for my postgraduate studies

Elias Koenig on September 11, 2024

How I found out about Durham

While I was looking for a master’s, a friend of mine did both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Durham University and recommended I study there because he enjoyed it so much. I already knew about the university because of its prestigious academic reputation as a world leading institution so I went ahead and followed his advice. And I’m so glad I did because I ended up finding exactly what I wanted to study: an MA in Environmental Humanities!

What drew me to Durham

Durham is such a picturesque city, it’s a beautiful place to visit so I was really excited at the idea of living there. I was able to get a tour of the city and I really enjoyed how close the campus was to the city centre and to walks in the forest. I really like walking to unwind from work so being close to trails was very important for me.

I liked the fact that it has both a campus with a big library and that classes took place in the city depending on which department you belong to. For example, the Theology department building is right next to the Cathedral!

I also really enjoyed how homely the city felt with its lovely coffee shops, bookshops, and walks along the river.

Beside the city and buildings, I knew that the University had great teaching and resources at hand. The course really fit my expectations with the modules it offered. I also found a professor whose work perfectly aligned with my idea for my dissertation which was really encouraging.

Why I finally choose to study at Durham

The course and the University’s reputation was definitely a big reason for why I chose to study at Durham. I really enjoy interdisciplinary studies and the MA had a really big selection of modules across most Humanities disciplines. I also felt very welcomed by the programme director who helped me with my questions during the application process. I was looking forward to meeting loads of other students from different parts of the university and getting to be taught various subjects.

How I’ve found studying at Durham so far

Although assignments can sometime be very demanding, it has not stopped my time at Durham from being anything less than great. I was able to find a work and life balance which is a priority for my mental health and productivity.

I really enjoyed making the most of what Durham has to offer. From college balls to college sports, to joining the film society and going on hikes with the hiking society and friends or travelling in Scotland – I can’t believe everything that I was able to do during my time here!

I kept being happily surprised by the opportunities made possible by the university, particularly having the chance to join a summer school in Sweden where I met many amazing people across the Humanities!

You never know what great experience is around the corner and that’s what I’ve enjoyed the most with my studies here at Durham.

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Coping with culture shock on your year abroad

Elias Koenig on September 9, 2024

I am currently a third year Durham languages student and as part of my degree, I am in Italy for 8 months working as an English Language Assistant (ELA). During my time abroad, I have constantly found myself in disbelief at how lucky I am to be living out such a fantastic opportunity – one that without Durham would not have been possible for me to do.

Many of us year abroad students have been guilty, at some stage, of thinking that this year would be a walk in the park. However, in this blog I want to be realistic about some of the challenges that a student may face on this difficult, but rewarding, adventure.

Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.

After studying Italian for 2 years, I naively thought that I would be familiar enough with the culture to settle in without any problems. I soon found out, however, that culture shock is a very real thing. Learning a culture through living it is an experience that cannot be learnt from the textbooks. From discovering that supermarkets here in Naples have their own (slightly chaotic) etiquette that is so far removed from what we have in England, to discovering that there are innumerable rules to know when it comes to ordering a coffee (the most important being that a cappuccino should never be ordered after 11am!), I certainly had to take a couple of weeks to adjust to this new way of life.

So here are some of my top tips, for anyone embarking on their year abroad, on surviving and thriving when the culture shock hits.

Keep an open mind

In my opinion, the worst thing that you can do is move abroad and not be willing to try to learn and embrace the new culture. You must accept the differences and be open to learning from them to truly make the most of the year abroad.

Say YES!

Keeping positive and saying yes to as much as possible will help you to get a real feel for the local culture. Sometimes different things can be scary but trying them out is not usually a bad thing. Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you from gaining valuable experiences abroad! The more of it you experience, the quicker the shock will fade.

Communicate

Contact with locals and native speakers is a vital way to see the culture through the eyes of someone who is directly connected to it, which can then help you to come to terms with that new style of living. Whether this be through housemates, Erasmus friends or simply just talking to the shop assistants! Make the most out of the mundane activities. Everything you do on your year abroad is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Stay in touch with your close ones from home

Whilst it is important to embrace the new culture of your host country, remember to keep loved ones close so that you don’t feel too alone or isolated. Immersion is important, but so is keeping in contact with those people from home who make you feel at ease.

Don’t be too hard on yourself or put pressure on yourself too quickly

This is something I certainly did. I tried to do too much too quickly and when things were not as I expected, or I was not settling into life by the end of my first week, I felt down and disappointed in myself about it. For example, my first trip to the supermarket was a total disaster! I spent 30 minutes trying to cross a zebra crossing, confused as to why no cars were stopping for me. Then I panicked that I could not find anything on the shelves, that everyone was pushing around and there seemed to be no order. I ended up abandoning my shop and calling it a day. Though, I tell myself the most important thing is that I went back the next day, and the following week and the one after that. Now, it’s something I laugh about. I can’t believe it was ever such a big deal to cross a road and buy some milk.

Culture shock on your year abroad is hard, at first it hits all at once, but over time it does get easier. Things feel natural the more we do them and if we avoid them, they will always seem like a challenge. That is not something you want for you’re your year abroad. So, helping yourself to overcome culture shock, by being prepared, can benefit you in the long run. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, yet also allowing yourself the time to build up the confidence to do so, is key!

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A student guide of things to do in Durham (for all budgets)

Elias Koenig on September 9, 2024

Term 1 – Michaelmas Term (September-December)

Michaelmas is a gorgeous term. Durham in autumn is beautiful, plus there is plenty of excitement from joining new societies, meeting new people, and getting stuck in with new modules. Whilst the weather starts out warm and sunny, winter soon rolls around. So, here’s a list of things to do that are actually realistic for this time of year.

Spending up to £5:

Go to the Freshers’ Fair! It’s a great way to see all the sports and societies on offer here at Durham, and most importantly, lots of them will run free taster sessions within the first few weeks of term!
Go to the Botanic Gardens. They are awesome year-round and free for students, so bring your campus card! Even if you don’t want to walk around, there are plenty of places to stop and sit down. The greenhouse is a great choice for chillier months.
Attend biennial light art experience Lumiere! (Usually in November)

Spending less than £15:

Go see a student play or a student concert, even better if you are supporting your friends. The music and drama scene in Durham is incredibly active so you will always have your pick of shows. I particularly recommend college pantomimes.
Take part in a college formal! Lots of colleges have Christmas formals, which have an amazing atmosphere and is a great way to celebrate with your friends.

Spending more than £15:

Go to a Christmas market – Durham has one and there are plenty nearby to attend.

Term 2 – Epiphany Term (January-March)

Epiphany term is the coldest term, so here are some fun indoors activities for you to get stuck in with.

Spending up to £5:

Go to Palace Green Library. Not only is it fun to have a look around, as you are a student and you have to study, so why not do it somewhere super historical? Being on Palace Green is the epitome of Durham’s academic vibes, and students are welcome to study in this historical building.
Visit the Gala Theatre. The £5 cinema tickets are a bargain to enjoy the silver screen!
Oriental Museum. It’s free to enter, so just pop in to see some amazing artifacts! It’s also super close to the colleges on the Hill (such as Van Mildert, South, Collingwood) so if you are living up there why not pop in?

Spending less than £15:

Hop on a train to Newcastle! You’ll probably need a break from the city (and your summative work) at some point in term, and less than 15 minutes away on the train, Newcastle will offer some variety in scenery, shops, and nightlife.
Go to one of Durham’s gorgeous independent cafés for a drink or cake with your new friends. You can’t go wrong with most of the places in Durham, but they do get very busy around lunchtime so pick your time of day wisely!

Spending more than £15:

Attend one of Durham’s many fashion shows (which happen both in college and university-wide!) – or maybe you are planning in modelling in one anyway!

Term 3 – Easter Term (April-June)

The Racecourse in summer – the place to be!

Easter Term has it all: good weather, the end of year stress from exams to dissertation submissions, and the celebration that follows. Whether it’s revision procrastination or submission jubilation – you’ll want plenty of things to do other than just staring at your notes.

Spending up to £5:

Explore the area: the Bluebell Woods, down by the river, Wharton Park, and Observatory Hill. The green spaces are honestly one of the best parts about Durham! Exploring them is also a great way to take a study break in exam season.
Go see St. Mary’s beautiful trees in bloom!
Visit Durham Cathedral.

Spending less than £15:

Hire a rowboat and row yourself down the river!
Swap out your riverside walk for one by the sea! There are plenty of beaches only a stone’s throw away.

Spending more than £15:

Go to a college ball! In the final term, colleges pull out all the stops on their summer balls – if you fancy a (cheaper) and more chilled out event, college days also happen in this term, offering a relaxed, music-festival vibe.

This list is not exhaustive of all the things on offer in Durham, (and obviously a large chunk of what you will be doing is studying!) but as you can see, there is plenty to do in each term for each budget.

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A freshers guide to packing for university

Elias Koenig on September 6, 2024

If you are looking for some more obscure, but nonetheless handy, items to add to your last-minute pack list for university this year, then you are in just the right place! In this blog, I share some of my holy grail additions that have served me well throughout my time at Durham.

Here is my list of random items (in no particular order!)

Extension lead – This can be useful if you have plug sockets that are in hard-to-reach places, or if you do not have many at all.

Mattress topper – This is a nice investment that can make the beds much more more comfortable.

Coat hangers – You can never have too many of these in the wardrobe.

Laundry basket – Circuit laundry will be made difficult without something to transport your clothes in, especially if you are required to go to a different building to do it. You could also bring a drying rack if you prefer to air dry your clothes.

Shower caddy (particularly for shared bathrooms) – You will likely share a bathroom at some point during your time at university and having a small, transportable bag of essentials can save you a lot of time and effort when heading to the bathroom.

Important Documents – Do not forget to bring things like your ID, passport, and any other crucial documents that you might need during your time away from home. They are super important but can be also, just as easily forgotton about.

A long key chain – This is a random, but I believe useful, suggestion. I liked to have a long, lanyard-style key ring on my university keys to help make them more obvious in my bag or room. You absolutely do not want to be that person losing your keys and having to go to the porter at 3am!

Speaker – If you like listening to music when in the shower, studying or just wish to make yourself popular in the flat, bring a small, portable speaker.

Doorstop – A frehser’s must-have! Using one of these to keep your door propped open from time-to-time will help to get you better acquainted with your housemates.

Tupperware – Batch cooking as a university student is super helpful and rewarding. Coming prepared with a lot of tupperware makes this an easy habit to get into straight away.

Dressing gown/blanket – Do not forget that Durham is in the north-east of England and so, a fluffy dressing gown and a cosy blanket are simply must-haves!

Small mirror – Your room may have a mirror, however, in the case that your mirror is not in the most convenient place, bringing your own small one can save you a lot of hassle.

Ear plugs – University can get loud and sometimes rooms can be near college social areas, so bringing these small sleep-savers could do your future self a massive favour.

Small first aid kit – Having your own first aid kit is a top tip to make sure that you are prepared for any flu or illness that might catch up with you at university.

Fancy dress – Durham loves its fancy dress! Whether it is for a formal, social or a friend’s party, you will encounter a themed event during your time at university. If you have any bits already at home, then it is worth adding them to the suitcase, they will serve you well at Durham.

Cards or games – Another fun item that will make you a flat-favourite.

Hot water bottle – Did I mention that Durham can get cold in the winter?

Reed diffusers – usually college accommodations do not allow lighting candles but, using a reed diffuser is a great alternative which still leaves your room smelling sweet and feeling homely. I always got compliments about how nice my room smelt in first year and it was all thanks to a cheap reed diffuser form Tesco!

There are a lot more items that you could bring to make your accommodation feel more homely, but those are some of my favourites. Make sure you do not forget about the essentials though, you will still need bedding, toiletries, and clothes a little more than a doorstop, even if they are both useful to have!

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From campus tours to online Q&A’s, my journey as a university ambassador

Elias Koenig on September 6, 2024

Starting postgraduate studies can feel like diving into the unknown. I still remember the nerves I had when I first began, which is why I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to become a university ambassador. I wanted to help others navigate this transition and find their footing.

Being an ambassador has been an incredible experience. It’s allowed me to connect with potential students, whether I’m guiding them around campus, sharing what life at Durham is really like during open days, or answering their burning questions in online Q&A sessions.

Exploring the city, campus, and colleges

One of the best parts of being an ambassador is leading tours during open days. I get to show off the city, the campus, and the colleges—essentially all the places that make studying here such a unique experience.

Interestingly, I’ve also used this role as an opportunity to explore the city more myself. Leading these tours has taught me more than I ever expected—I’ve learned fascinating details about the history of buildings and the stories behind various landmarks. It’s a win-win for everyone, as we all get to uncover more of what makes this beautiful, historic city so special.

Connecting through online Q&A sessions

Not everyone can make it to campus, especially those who are halfway across the world or balancing a full-time job. That’s where online Q&A sessions come in.

These are some of my favourite events to host because they allow me to connect with students in a more personal way. It’s like having a friendly chat—students can ask anything on their minds, from how the course is structured to what it’s really like living away from home. We cover from academic side of things, like what the workload is actually like, to the practical stuff, like finding accommodation and getting involved in campus life.

Other opportunities

I’ve also had the chance to take on various other interesting roles, such as:

Open Days and Post-offer Visit Days: Presenting, guiding, staffing stands—basically, anything that helps showcase what our university has to offer.
Recruitment Events: Assisting in key moments like Confirmation and Clearing.

Balancing study with part time work

This is a casual job, so I can sign up for events whenever I have the time, and I can skip them when I’m too busy. There’s no pressure, just the flexibility to get involved when it suits me.

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A day in the life of an MA Education student at Durham

Elias Koenig on September 5, 2024

As I live in Newcastle, and commute to the university, I wake up a bit earlier than the rest of my classmates. I don’t mind the commute, as the walk from Durham Railway Station to the School of Education is beautiful, and it helps me get my steps in! In the early hours, when the city is still fairly empty, I really appreciate Durham’s beauty, and how lucky I am. I’ll make sure to pack a tea or coffee with me, to keep me warm on my walk. Sometimes I review my seminar notes on the train, just to feel extra prepared.

Morning: Lecture and study time

My first class of the day is a lecture for my core module, Design and Methods in Education. This module has really given me the confidence to prepare me for my dissertation, as all the examples and practices we speak about are highly relevant. It also helped me brushed up on some of my research design skills, that I haven’t used as much since my undergrad.

Once the lecture is over, I either see if there are any empty classrooms in the School of Education where I could work, or head to the Teaching & Learning Centre just across the road. I really like studying up on the top floor in the individual study pods… plus the hot water tap is another bonus. I’ll either do the seminar reading in preparation for my next class, or work on any assignments coming up.

Sometimes my friends and I stick together after the lecture and have a group study session. It’s always nice to speak to other people about the work you’re doing and share progress. Likewise, our lecturer is always happy to take any questions after the session, so it’s a nice opportunity to have a smaller group of people speaking to him.

Afternoon: Lunch and stroll

Once I met my goals and feel happy with the progress I made, I pack up my things. Depending on how I’m feeling, I sometimes get lunch from Zing Kitchen, located in the Teaching & Learning Centre. They serve hot meals, with some of the best jacket potatoes I’ve ever had. I also love the mac and cheese from there.

After lunch I’ll slowly head back to the station, but I often enjoy taking a longer route along the River Wear to clear my mind and disconnect. I find that after looking at a screen for too long, my brain gets fuzzy, so taking a moment to just enjoy the surrounding really helps.

Evening: Home and logging out

As I live in Newcastle, I will head back home around 4/5pm to unwind for the day and prepare myself for the next. I check my calendar to see what classes I may have the following day and make sure I have the right books ready to go. I prefer doing everything the night before and having more time to sleep in. I’ll open my laptop again to see if there are any emails/notifications, before logging out of “school mode” for the evening. I love cooking with my sister and just chatting to her about my day, what I did at uni, and how her day was.

I am very lucky, as Durham University allowed me to transfer half of my module credits from my PGCE towards my MA. Therefore, I don’t have to redo the credits that I completed last year. It definitely helps with the workload, and it allows me to work as a supply-teacher part-time. Regardless of this, the flexibility of the MA program lets me manage my time effectively, and I’m able to balance both my studies and personal life.

Final thoughts

I would suggest you definitely get into a routine and try to stick to it. It is so rewarding seeing the progress you make into your studies, but like they say, nothing good comes too easy! Make sure you follow your schedule, connect with your peers and teachers, and most of all, enjoy it all!

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