FRESHERS’ WEEK 2024
Welcome to John Snow College (the best College in Durham), and congratulations on receiving a place at Durham University! You are about to embark on an incredible three or four years with us, and they will definitely fly by! John Snow is a safe, inclusive and welcoming community, as soon as you arrive you become a member of the family. We will support you, encourage you and help you grow. Becoming a member of John Snow College and our Junior Common Room helps you to realise there is so much more to University life than receiving a degree and a qualification.
WE WILL BE SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FRESHERS’ WEEK EVENTS SOON! IN THE MEANTIME, FEEL FREE TO EXPLORE THIS SITE TO SEE WHO WE ARE, HOW TO KEEP IN TOUCH AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE! KEEP AN EYE ON @JOHNSNOWJCR, @SNOW_PREZ AND @JOHNSNOWWELFARE ON INSTAGRAM FOR UPDATES. FOR ALL FRESHERS WEEK CONTENT, FOLLOW @JOHNSNOWENTS
PLEASE CHECK THIS PAGE AND THE FRESHER’S FACEBOOK GROUP REGULARLY FOR UPDATES
Meet our Teams!
Click here to find introductions from our Junior Common Room Committee, the Freshers and Welfare Representatives and our Agents too!
We can’t wait to meet you in September!
Questions and Answers!
Does John Snow College have a college song?
At the end of a John Snow event you can always 100% be guaranteed to hear ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams come on and belt out ‘I’m loving John Snow instead’.
What is John Snow College known for amongst other colleges?
For being the best. No, (but yes) we are known for being upbeat, a tightknit community and just all round enthusiastic. You will always know when John Snow are about, we are just about the happiest, most enthusiastic people around, we may not always win every sports match but guaranteed we were having the most fun. At the end of your degree it can be hard to leave John Snow (talking from personal experience, I could never imagine leaving) because you build such a strong, supportive network and community.
Where can we get our gowns for the Matriculation ceremony, and do we hire them or buy them and do we need them throughout the year?
Details will be circulated soon regarding how you can buy your gown online before you arrive in Durham. You will also be able to buy a gown when you arrive on Move in Day; alternatively, if you are a liver-out other arrangements can be made to ensure that you have a gown when you need it. We are a formal College meaning once a term we come together for a formal dinner where you will need to wear a gown for so you will need a gown for your whole time with us! A pre-order option will also be available when offers are accepted.
What will the library be like?
There is not a library on the Mount Oswald Site; however, the Bill Bryson Library (open 24/7) is only 15 minutes’ walk away as well as the Teaching and Learning building, which has study spaces. You can find more information about both buildings below:
Bill Bryson Library (More commonly known as the Billy B) - https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/libraries/mainlibrary/
Teaching and Learning Centre - https://www.dur.ac.uk/estates-developments/projects/tlc/
How long is the walk to the main sites?
Bill Bryson Library/Science Site – 15 minutes
Town Centre (Supermarkets, Shops, Clubs etc) – 30-35 minutes
There is also regular public transport from Mount Oswald to central sites and the Town Centre, which take around about 3-5 minutes depending on traffic.
Are all the rooms next year en-suite? How many rooms per floor in new buildings?
All the rooms apart from those in the Townhouses (available for postgraduates and returning students) are en-suite. There are between 6 and 10 rooms per flat, and will share a kitchen.
How intense is college level sport (i.e. how many times a week is training)?
In a usual week, you will usually have at least one training session lasting 1-2 hours and a match on the weekend. College Sport is very relaxed; you can be as competitive or relaxed as you want to be! It does not matter if you have never played a sport before or not, you will be welcomed with open arms!
How often do the JCR put events on, especially at first, to try and meet new people?
In Freshers’ Week, we have an event every night (previously we’ve had nine nights of events)! We have club and quiet night options so there is something for everyone. In previous years we’ve had a Roller Skating disco, an Art Night, Board game Night, Pub Quizzes, and Escape Rooms and even ventured to Newcastle. We have a dedicated team of Freshers Reps (who are current second, third and fourth John Snow students) who will be there throughout Freshers’ Week! There will be plenty of opportunities throughout Freshers’ Week and the entire year to meet people through JCR events, sports and societies!
Is feeling homesick normal? And what do you think are the best ways to deal with this?
Everyone at some point feels homesick. Coming to University is a big change for most people and can be hard. We have a dedicated team of Welfare Reps and our two Welfare Officers there during Freshers’ Week to help, they will be available to talk to and ask advice from. We also have College Student Support to help you if you do feel homesick. My personal advice for homesickness is to make your rooms homely- somewhere you enjoy being and going out and meeting new people. When I made my friends at University, we built a strong family-like bond! It will take time but we are here to help!
What is the nightlife like?
There are several nightclubs in Durham offering a range of events and music genres. Newcastle is also a quick ten-minute train journey away.
Durham Nightclubs:
Bohemia
Jimmys
Fabio’s
Lloyds
Babylon
Fowlers
Loft
Osbournes
I am worried that I will not get on with my flat mates
This is a very natural worry, and something that everyone thinks about! We try to match students as best as we can on their interests and needs; for example, this year we had several all-female, vegetarian/vegan, and quiet flats. There will be plenty of opportunities to create friendship groups outside of your flat from your degree course, Sport and societies. The majority of students get on with their flatmates and develop very strong friendships! If you really do not get on with your flatmates, we might also be able to move you to a different flat.
Will we be told who were going to be sharing a flat with before we get to Durham so we can talk a bit and organise who’s bringing what kitchen utensils etc?
Unfortunately, you will not know who you will be sharing a flat with until move-in day. But this is part of the excitement!
What sort of activities happen during freshers?
We make sure to provide at least two options a night for events so that there is something for everyone! Details on these events will be released in the following weeks leading up to Move in Day. There are also two Freshers’ fairs, one in College where you can sign up to all of our Sports and Societies and one in the SU (Students Union), which happens over two days where you can join SU Societies and DU (Durham University) Sports.
How do you join Durham and college sport teams?
For College Sports teams you can sign up at the College Freshers’ Fair and will automatically join the team. For DU (Durham University) Sports you can sign up at the SU (Students Union) Freshers Fair. For DU sports the standards are a bit higher and there are several processes to go through before making the team but if you can I would definitely suggest giving it a go if you are good at a particular sport! Here is a page with a bit more information about DU Sports! https://www.dur.ac.uk/teamdurham/
What kind of support is there for mental health within John Snow as a college and the university in general? How easy is it to access?
We have our John Snow Student Support Officer Gini Bedford, who is available through drop in sessions and bookings in throughout term time to support students. Her Office will be in College and is easily accessible. There is also support available through the general University, you will be able to find more information through the below link:https://www.dur.ac.uk/counselling.service/mhadvice/
Are there quiet halls available in the accommodation?
Yes there are! When you receive your accommodation form, you will be able to select this as a preference.
Do John Snow students have access to other college's Libraries and Bars?
John Snow students will not have access to other College’s Libraries but will have access to other Colleges Bars except when the College is having an in-house event they may only allow students of that College to use the bar. For example, during Freshers’ Week all bars are usually restricted to College students only. The majority of the time though bars are open to all students!
Is there a toastie bar?
We do have a Café/Bar which will sell food but we will not have a specific toastie bar (though they might be on the menu)!
I’m non-binary and I’ve just been looking at the formal events/graduation dress codes. What options are there for someone who is neither comfortable in the highly masculine suit styles required, or in a dress?
We have recently adopted a gender-neutral dress code, you can choose to wear a pin or tie and whatever you are comfortable in.