Discovering Durham University with @thedurhamstudent

From the nerves of making new friends at university to the joy of finding “your people,” this conversation explores what friendship really looks like during the student experience.

We chat about first memories, navigating social pressures, life in catered colleges, fun with societies, and what makes a great housemate. Melisenta and Namfon also reflect on homesickness, building support networks, and what it means to feel at home and truly be yourself at Durham.

Topics Covered

Making new friends at university

Pressure to drink & social expectations

Favourite friendship memories (formals, bar crawls, societies)

Finding friends through your course, college & beyond

Ideal housemates & choosing who to live with

Overcoming homesickness

The importance of being yourself

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

We begin by unpacking the differences between single, double, and combined honours before diving into their personal journeys into Durham, their academic choices, and how they’ve navigated university life.

From expectations versus reality, to choosing modules, balancing workloads, and finding community through societies and college life, Waseem and Gabriella share open insights into both the challenges and rewards of studying social sciences here. They also reflect on important issues like Durham’s diversity, year abroad opportunities, and the advice they’d give to prospective students.

Timestamps

0:00 – Durham student introductions

12:26 – Studying Politics at Durham

14:55 – Pros & cons of choosing your modules

15:48 – First perceptions of Durham

17:10 – Applying despite Durham’s lack of diversity

24:24 – Deciding on a college

32:39 – Year abroad opportunities (4th year perspective)

38:26 – Societies & extracurriculars

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

From their routes into Durham and first impressions of moving here, to the realities of contact hours, balancing academic challenges with social life, and learning to manage procrastination, they share an honest look at life as an Arts & Humanities student.

They also reflect on choosing colleges, building friendships, and the advice they’d give to anyone considering this path. Whether you’re applying to Durham, thinking about taking a gap year, or just curious about student life, this episode is full of insights, reassurance, and encouragement.

Timestamps

0:26 – Introduction from Bella & Danish (Durham stats)

0:48 – Routes into Durham

01:54 – Moving into Durham

03:24 – Expectations vs reality of the degree

05:50 – What’s the degree like?

07:58 – Most interesting & challenging parts

10:20 – Overcoming procrastination

12:14 – A typical day in Arts & Humanities

14:06 – Social life at Durham

16:15 – Choosing a college

17:58 – Final advice for prospective students

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

From their journeys into Durham and their first impressions, to navigating the demands of a law degree, making friends, and building a life beyond academics, they offer an honest and insightful look at the realities of being a law student here.

We cover everything from daily routines and favourite modules to overcoming challenges and finding your place in a new environment. For anyone considering Law at Durham, this episode is packed with practical advice, personal reflections, and encouragement from students who are living it right now.

Timestamps

0:36 – Journey into Durham Law

3:50 – Expectations before arriving

6:55 – A typical day studying law

10:03 – Life beyond law

14:57 – Finding your place at Durham

18:33 – How it feels to study law

23:35 – Most interesting aspects of law

29:25 – Reflections on first year

33:03 – Final words of wisdom

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

From the journey that brought them here to navigating contact hours, choosing modules, balancing academics with life outside the classroom, and the challenges and joys of their courses, they share honest insights into the Durham student experience.

We also discuss expectations versus reality, making friends, being women in STEM, and the advice they’d give to their younger selves. Whether you’re considering a STEM degree at Durham or just curious about university life, this episode offers an authentic glimpse into the student journey.

0:00 - Durham Student Trailer

01:00 – Durham stats: what do Lilly & Prem study?

01:53 – Lilly’s route into Durham

05:51 – Prem’s route into Durham

09:39 – Expectations vs reality

11:36 – Contact hours explained

13:21 – Choosing modules

19:01 – A typical day in STEM

26:39 – Life outside the degree

32:16 – Challenges & favourite parts

40:28 – Being a woman in STEM

44:26 – Advice to their younger selves

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

Take a look at our Clearing web pages for more info & register your interest

To see more of Durham student life, follow The Durham Student on Instagram,TikTok and YouTube.

Episode Credits:

Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

Any questions, contact us on Instagram 

Read Noa's blog about her experience working on the Legacies of Enslavement and Colonialism research project  

Read Angelina's story about coming to Durham through the STEP programme  

Watch Mia's video about her experience with the supported progression programme 

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

Any questions, contact us on Instagram 

Watch Sofia's reel about the amazing Cosins Library on Palace Green 

Read Ruby's blog about her favourite things to do in Durham 

Check out some of the best study cafe's in Durham on a very rainy day!

And follow Toby as he explores one of the many countryside walks around the city

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

Any questions, contact us on Instagram 

Read Demi's blog about all the different levels of sport at Durham 

Read Emma's blog about how she spends Wednesday afternoons in Durham 
 

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent

Any questions contact us on Instagram 

Read Anee's blog about volunteering as a prisoner befriender  

Ghalas blog about working as an Open Day Ambassador  

Mia's video about part time work at Durham University  

Episode Credits:

Eps 1-5 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Crystal Truong

Artwork by Crystal Truong 

Eps 6-9 Filmed, recorded, edited and mixed by Tian Liu

Artwork by Tian Liu

Links: 

Discover more of Durham student life @thedurhamstudent

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube by searching @thedurhamstudent