As a postgraduate student ambassador at Durham University, I’ve had the opportunity to both attend and work during online open day events, and I can say from experience that they are incredibly valuable for anyone considering further studies.
When I was making my own decision about where to pursue my postgraduate degree, what the course looks like, what Durham is like, online open days played a pivotal role in helping me make an informed choice.
How online events helped my decision
Coming from Pakistan and not living in the UK at the time, attending online events was a game-changer.
These sessions provided a platform to engage with faculty, current students, and the recruitment team without the need to be physically present on campus. It felt reassuring to be able to ask questions directly, explore courses in depth, and get a real sense of what Durham University is about. The ability to attend from home gave me the flexibility I needed to make my decision, especially when considering to have a degree from abroad.
There are two particular online events that I remember while deciding whether I would be joining Durham University or not, one was an online one-on-one with the Program Director of my course where I was able to ask in depth questions about my course, the opportunities in the university and out of it and the support all the departments in the university would provide. And the second online event was about Living in Durham, which gave me a pretty much detailed insight of the transport facilities that are available in Durham, the benefits of living in and living out and the student life Durham brings.
What I enjoy about working online events
Working at these events as an ambassador has been equally rewarding. I enjoy helping prospective students get the answers they need to make confident decisions. The enthusiasm and curiosity of those attending are contagious, and I find it fulfilling to share my experiences with others.
Many attendees seem to appreciate the accessibility and the opportunity to ask real-time questions, which is often a significant factor in their decision-making process.
My advice for prospective students
For those of you who are thinking about attending an online open day, here’s some advice from someone who has both attended and worked at them:
Come prepared: Make a list of questions in advance. Whether it’s about your course of interest, funding opportunities, or life in the UK as an international student, having specific queries will help you get the most out of the event.
Engage actively: Don’t hesitate to participate in discussions or ask follow-up questions. The people running these sessions are there to help you, and engaging in real-time can clarify things that might not be immediately obvious from a website or brochure.
Explore beyond academics: Take advantage of sessions focused on student life, accommodations, and support services. These are all important factors in creating a holistic university experience, especially for international students who may be unfamiliar with the local culture.
Take notes: With so much information available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Take notes during the sessions, particularly on key points about your course of interest, deadlines, and available support.
Final thoughts
Postgraduate online open days are more than just information sessions; they provide a glimpse into what your future could look like. Whether you’re attending from the UK or halfway across the world, these events offer a valuable chance to explore your options, get a feel for the community, and make an informed choice.
As someone who was once in your shoes, I highly encourage you to make the most of these opportunities.
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 9th 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.
Discover more
Read more about the part-time jobs, placements and volunteering careers fair
So, I did a thing. A big thing. A running thing. I ran the 10K Durham City Run! Now, before you start picturing me as some seasoned marathon champ, let me assure you that I am most definitely not a regular runner. In fact, I am more of a “run when chased” kind of person.
But a few weeks ago, I found myself signing up for the race. Why? Honestly, I am still not entirely sure. Maybe it was the allure of a challenge, the chance to prove to myself that I could do it. Or maybe it was just a moment of temporary insanity.
Whatever the reason, I committed. And once that was done, the panic set in. I mean, 10 kilometers? That’s, like, a million miles, right? Okay, maybe not a million, but it sure felt like it.
I started training, sort of. A few jogs around the campus, a couple of runs in the park, mostly accompanied by my trusty playlist of motivational tunes and a healthy dose of self-doubt. There were moments of triumph (like when I managed to run for 20 minutes straight without collapsing) and moments of despair (like when I realized I had to run uphill for a good portion of the race).
Race day arrived, and I was a bundle of nerves. Standing at the starting line, surrounded by people who actually looked like they knew what they were doing, I seriously questioned my life choices. But there was no turning back now.
The starting gun fired, and we were off. The first few kilometers were surprisingly okay. I settled into a rhythm, spurred on by the cheers of the crowd and the sheer adrenaline rush of being part of something so big.
Still smiling & almost there
But then came the hills. Oh, the hills. They were relentless, sapping my energy and testing my resolve. There were moments when I wanted to quit, to walk, to crawl, to just lie down on the pavement and give up. But then I would remember all the people who had supported me, all the times I would surprise myself with my own resilience, and I would keep going.
And somehow, against all odds, I crossed that finish line. In just under 1 hour and 20 minutes! A personal best for someone who barely considered themselves a runner. The feeling of accomplishment was indescribable.
So, will I be back in 2025 to smash my new PB? Honestly, I don’t know. But I do know this: I never thought I could run a 10K, and I did it. That’s a pretty amazing feeling, and one I won’t soon forget.
Discover more
The Durham City Run festival takes place in the city every year, fnd out more here
Follow our students on Instagram,TikTok and YouTube to see what student life is like at Durham.
Serena Chamberlain is a BA Anthropology and Sociology graduate. In her second year of study, she founded a charitable organisation called Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist which focuses on providing underwear to vulnerable women. To date, Serena’s campaign has successfully donated over 10,000 pairs of underwear to women’s refuge centres in the UK and globally, with a new target of 100,000 pairs.
Tell us about your work
Since I was young, I have always been passionate about women’s rights and my studies enabled me to delve deeper into these issues which fuelled my determination to make a meaningful impact. I could never understand why girls and women were treated so differently and why both men and women were not doing their utmost to address this disparity.
About six years ago I began volunteering at a women’s refuge. After listening to many stories from both clients and staff concerning ladies who simply cannot afford underwear and are often in extremely vulnerable situations, I was inspired to start this campaign which accepts donations of unused packaged underwear and monetary donations to spend on buying such.
Due to an uprise in charity shopping and clothing donations, many women in need now have somewhat improved access to second-hand clothing; however, many people forget that the one item that charity shops cannot sell, and charities cannot take second-hand donations of is underwear due to personal hygiene reasons. Therefore, there is consequently a dire deficiency of brand-new underwear available for women who have little or no access to such a basic necessity.
Through our efforts, we aim to ensure that every woman, regardless of her circumstances, has access to this basic necessity. This work is not just about providing underwear; it’s about restoring dignity, fostering empowerment, and supporting women in their journey towards recovery and self-sufficiency.
Friends are a great support
How did you balance studying for a degree and running a charity?
I initially expected it to be a short-term donation drive however our first Pants Party fundraiser was a huge success and the overwhelming support made me realise the potential for this campaign to expand. In my third year, my academic workload increased significantly, and I often prioritised the charity when I saw the tangible impact we were making and there was never really a time where I could switch off from it. Additionally, managing my time was a challenge due to my ADD.
To cope a little better, I developed a system where I planned all charity-related tasks on weekends so I could focus on academic work and attend lectures during the week and dedicate my evenings to the campaign. I also scheduled emails to be sent the next day to maintain professionalism and efficiency. Balancing both commitments was tough at times but it was great to apply insights from my academic modules to the groups of women we were helping through the charity. I am proud to have graduated with a 2:1 and a successful charity. Now that I can dedicate all my time and energy to it, I am so excited to watch it grow and make a bigger impact.
Why are you so passionate about helping women in need?
Misogyny is a global epidemic, and it has always shocked me that we still live in a world where gender-based violence and women’s rights are such pressing issues. The world is largely designed by and for men, and there’s still so much progress to be made in achieving gender equality. This won’t happen unless everyone recognises their part in it; it’s no longer acceptable to simply not be part of the problem. We must all be active in creating change.
I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had a privileged upbringing and an amazing education, and I recognise that many people don’t have the same opportunities to give their time as I have. But this privilege has also given me a deep sense of responsibility. I am incredibly lucky compared to so many other women around the world. My mother, who has been a fabulous female figure in my life, constantly reminded me of my good fortune and educated me on the issues that many women face. Her influence has been instrumental in shaping my passion for women’s rights and empowerment.
For the past six years, I have volunteered and worked in women’s refuges and shelters. I’ve been lucky enough to be treated like a member of the team, participating in client therapy and advisory sessions, conducting home checks with women’s refuge clients, and speaking to vulnerable women and refuge staff about their most urgent needs. These experiences have shown me first-hand how essential this support is and how much these women rely on refuge centres.
It is truly heartbreaking to hear about the many women on waiting lists for support from these refuges that have had to be turned away. Due to this sector being so underfunded, many women remain unsupported by the critical services they provide. This stark reality drives my passion to make a difference.
Seeing the immediate impact of our work through Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist is incredibly motivating. By providing something as simple yet essential as new underwear can restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to women in crisis. This tangible change is what fuels my dedication to continue this work and advocate for the support and funding that women’s services desperately need.
How did your time at Durham inspire you and your charity?
The society aspect of Durham helped us to fundraise and spread the word, allowing us to see the campaign’s potential. My friends at Durham have also been fab, providing encouragement and support with events. Durham was the birthplace of our Pants Parties, a key part of our marketing strategy. I also won the Social Enterprise Fund which was a significant milestone in the charity’s journey, providing financial support and the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Pants Parties, a key marketing strategy
My Durham experience has also helped me grow as a person, teaching me not to care about others’ judgments- an essential trait when starting an organisation that aims to break down taboos and stigma. The environment has also allowed me to meet like-minded individuals passionate about my mission. For example, being part of the intersectional feminist society introduced me to a community of powerful, determined women who have been a great source of inspiration and support.
How does your work positively impact communities / the world around you?
Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist positively impacts communities by providing an essential item that should be a right for all women and spreading awareness about women’s hygiene needs. We provide education on the significance of providing new underwear to vulnerable women and how often female issues are overlooked. Each knicker donation represents dignity, hygiene, and empowerment. We all know what a new pair of pants feels like, so imagine if that was your only pair?
We started with a UK focus, but our impact has grown globally. We now host events worldwide and ensure that the underwear donations raised in a particular location benefit local women’s refuges. For example, after a fundraising event in Melbourne, we donated the proceeds to a Melbourne women’s refuge, directly supporting the community that contributed. This approach allows us to have a broader reach while maintaining a tangible impact in each area we serve.
Our fundraising events, such as Pants Parties, not only raise funds but also bring women together as a community, offering a sense of belonging and female solidarity. By creating spaces where women can support one another, we help rebuild community ties and foster mutual support. Our dual empowerment model supports both the recipients of the underwear and engages female volunteers through impactful fundraising efforts, creating a cycle of giving and growth that strengthens communities and extends our reach globally.
