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Hey Guys! If you’ve arrived at this page the chances are you’re coming to join us at Mildert in a few weeks time. Hopefully your Freshers’ packs have arrived by now and you’ve given the boring bits (read: really important stuff) to your parents, leaving you free to leaf through the handbook and start planning your bop costumes. |
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This page will hopefully give you a flavour of what to expect in your Freshers' Week as well as give you some important information that isn't covered in any of the paperwork you have received in the post. |
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We've been planning this week for you since the beginning of May and can't wait to welcome you to Mildert in October. As you spend the last few weeks of summer at home, after all of your friends have disappeared off to their uni's, you can be sure that the biggest and best party is yet to come. |
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If you read nothing else, please read the little bit about Matriculation below, it's really important.
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Matriculation: is a short ceremony where you're officially accepted as students in to the University. It takes place in the cathedral where all of the College Masters and Senior Tutors gather, along with some of the higher-ups. Most importantly, the dress code is smart - so lounge suits, tie and smart shoes for gents; the equivalent for ladies. Also, attendance is mandatory - if you fail to matriculate you risk not being able to continue your studies here. It's nothing to worry about, and is actually quite a nice way to start your time here in Durham |
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Parents and Tutors: Everybody wants you to have a great time whilst you study at Durham. Whether that's making sure you know where the best (cheapest) places to drink are, making sure your first-year notes are up to date, or taking you for a coffee if you need to get away from it all. At Mildert we cover all the bases by giving you a parent and a tutor. |
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Your parent should be an existing student studying the same, or a very similar, course to you. They're great for giving you an idea of what is to come, providing you with lecture notes and essays, and taking you out for a quiet game of dominoes and cards with their mates. Make sure you sign up here to get the best match with your college parent. |
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Your tutor is there to make sure everything is running smoothly. They can help with pretty much any problem you can think of. Every tutor is a volunteer, some are just local people, others are University staff and a few are ex-Mildertians. However, their role isn't affiliated to any department, and they're not there to tell you off. Every tutor is different, but they're all motivated to make sure you have the best time you can here at Mildert. |
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Fancy earning some money whilst you're studying at Mildert? Our shop and bar are both entirely staffed by Mildertians, and members of the JCR Tech Productions Committee are paid for the work they do. All three options give you a great way to get involved in College life with the added bonus of some pocket money along the way. Make sure you bring your National Insurance number, and proof of your right to work in the UK (passport, driving licence) with you. |
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| There's going to be loads to see and do throughout the week. There's a full timetable below, which gives you an idea of what you'll all be doing on each day, but here are some of the highlights: |
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Arrival: After a summer of waiting, you finally arrive at a place you will soon call home. The trick is to keep your parents around long enough to let your mum unpack whilst you get to know the others on your corridor, then get rid of them ASAP! |
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Heroes and Villains Bop: It's your first chance to get involved with one of Mildert's favourite pass-times - a fancy dress bop. Maximum points go to the homemade costumes. |
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Block Party: Have another big night, this time in the company of your whole block. |
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Newcastle: You've seen Durham, now experience a city which is in the top 5 venues for night-life in the world! |
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Cocktails at Fabio's: Get cheap cocktails and great drinks deals at the newly refurbished Fabio's. A great place for those of you who fancy a late night bar. |
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Hawaiian Luau Bop: It's your second chance to get dressed up and enjoy themed drinks as Mildert is transformed in to a tropical paradise. |
Here's a full copy of the timetable for Freshers' Week:
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Day |
Time |
Event |
What to expect… |
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Sunday |
Day time |
Arrival |
You arrive at your new home and start to make some new best friends. |
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Evening |
Tutors’ Formal |
An informal formal. Get to know your pastoral tutor. Your regular clothes are fine for this. |
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Night |
Speed meeting & your first night in the bar |
Get to know loads of people in one evening. Speed meeting lets you say hello to people outside of your new corridor friends. |
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Monday |
Morning |
Important talks |
These are some really important talks from the University and local services, such as the Police and Fire Service. Ideal for listening attentively whilst you contemplate why you drank so much the night before. |
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Afternoon |
Bop shopping |
Haven’t quite decided which hero or villain to be yet? Here’s your last chance to get an outfit. |
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Evening/ Night |
Heroes & Villains Bop |
What better way to break the ice than everyone getting dressed up and having a massive party in College? |
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Tuesday |
Day time |
DSU Freshers’ Fair |
The motherload of free stuff. Get yourself down to the DSU and collect your annual bounty of free (but usually useless) stuff. Also great for joining university-wide societies and university sports teams. |
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Timetable drop in |
Confused about your new timetable? No idea where Elvet Riverside is? This workshop will answer all of your questions to make sure you arrive at your first lecture on time! |
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Evening/ Night |
Block Party |
After your first few days of settling in, now is the perfect time to get together with the other people in your block and have a bit of a party. |
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Wednesday |
(Early) Morning |
Matriculation |
As explained above, a welcoming ceremony to the University. Another great opportunity to contemplate remedies for your headache. |
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Day time |
Personal Development Plan talks |
Another really exciting part of the week is learning all about the Durham Award, and how doing extra work over your time here can really boost the quality of your CV... |
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Day trips |
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Evening |
Dinner with your subject |
Before lectures start, get to know the Mildertians you’ll be sitting with for the next 3 years. |
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Night |
Newcastle night |
Get out of Durham for your first night and experience Sam Jacks bar and Tiger Tiger in Newcastle. A night not to be missed! |
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Relax at Mildert |
Don’t fancy the hustle and bustle of Newcastle? That’s fine, there will be plenty to keep you occupied back in College. |
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Thursday |
Day time |
Lectures |
Sigh… It is what you’re here for after all! |
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Evening |
Vegas Night |
Try your luck on all of your favourite casino games without risking your hard-earned student loan. |
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Night |
Night in Durham |
Get your first taste of one of Durham’s premier venues, Studio! |
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Friday |
Day time |
Lectures |
It’s time for scientists to get down to work, arts students get another lie in. |
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Freshers’ Festival |
This is your chance to get involved with the JCR and join all of the committees, societies, clubs and teams you've been hearing about all week. It's always better to sign up to too much, rather than too little. |
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Night |
Open Mic Night |
Anybody can jump up and sing a song, play an instrument, rap or read. We’ll have some of Mildert’s best musicians to help get the evening started. |
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Cocktails at Fabio’s |
After the Open Mic Night winds down, head to Fabio’s for a classy cocktail evening. |
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Saturday |
Day time |
Sports trials |
This is your chance to try out for the Mildert sports teams. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are, you’ll always be welcome. If you don’t think sport is your thing, take a look at some of the less serious sports like Ultimate Frisbee. |
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Night |
Hawaiian luau Bar Party with live music |
Another chance to show off your, by now, expert fancy dress skills. The more home-made the costume, the better! Live music throughout the evening, headlined by Glastonbury performers 'Vinyl Jacket'. |
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Sunday |
Evening |
Freshers’ JCR Meeting |
Come down for the Freshers’ Week awards and to get your first taste of decision making in the quarter-million pound organisation you’re now all a part of. |
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