Hear from Catherine, a first-year chemistry student at the University of Durham, as she walks us through a typical day in her life.
Durham University is a collegiate university, meaning it’s made up of different colleges. Colleges are physical buildings, but they’re also communities with their own libraries, dining halls and sports facilities. Undergraduate students typically live in college-owned accommodation during their first year.
When you apply to Durham University, you can choose to apply to a specific college or submit an open application, meaning you’ll be assigned to a college if your application is successful.
A Typical Day
Morning
07:30 I usually wake up at about 7:30am. I live in college accommodation in the city centre, about five minutes’ walk from the main college site, so I go to the college dining hall for breakfast. When I’ve finished eating, I begin my 20-minute walk to the science site (the city campus where all of the science departments are based). I can take a few different routes, all of which involve crossing the River Wear.
09:00 My first lecture is on inorganic chemistry. I already know that inorganic isn’t my favourite topic, but the lecturer has provided a clear handout and explains the content well, so it’s engaging and easy to follow.
10:00 Our lab sessions this year are all three hours long and completed in pairs. Today, we’re doing an organic experiment, which involves making aspirin. The junior demonstrators are PhD students who are very friendly and happy to answer any questions we have.
Afternoon
13:00 Lunch time! My lab partner and I walk to the chemistry department café to meet some friends for lunch. When I’ve finished eating, I buy a coffee and make sure I’m ready for my tutorial.
14:00 Tutorials at Durham University are small-group teaching sessions between one tutor and four or five students. Today’s tutorial is on the topic of physical chemistry and we spend the hour reviewing questions and attempting new ones.
15:00 After the tutorial, I head to Durham University Library, which is fortunately also on the science site. I find a textbook and a comfortable study space to do some reading for this morning’s lecture and check out a book I need for one of my upcoming classes.
16:00 My next lecture is about chemistry in a broader context – for example, the chemistry of water, plastics and medicines. I’ve particularly enjoyed this lecture series as it’s so varied and incredibly rewarding to discover how important chemistry is in our everyday lives. My next lecture is for a mathematics module. I’ve seen most of the content before, but it’s useful to recap.
Evening
18:00 After dinner, I meet up with my friends in the Junior Common Room (JCR), which is a room next to the college bar where undergraduate students can go to socialise and relax. There are bean bags, a TV and a game console, and a vending machine. My friends and I chat, play a few video games, and have some drinks and snacks.
23:00 When we get too tired to continue playing, we walk back to our rooms. I check my timetable for the next day and pack my bag so I’m prepared. Before bed, I catch up with the news and reply to text messages from my family and friends back home. I get ready for bed and go to sleep, so I can re-energise for my busy day tomorrow.
If you’re interested in pursuing a STEM subject like chemistry at university, we offer a range of summer schools in Oxford, from medicine to engineering to computer science.
By Catherine
Catherine is currently studying a four-year MChem degree in Chemistry at Durham University. She chose this over the three-year BSc degree so she could gain research experience in preparation for a PhD. Catherine hopes to work in the chemical industry after she graduates.
