Things that we wish we knew before we came to Collingwood.

• Don’t buy all your books as soon as you get here (or before as some of my friends did). The College library stocks most of the main textbooks for subjects (and if they don’t you can always request they buy it) and if we don’t have it in Collingwood, the main library most probably will. (Small tips-try and get to the library pretty quickly after lectures start to ensure you grab your textbooks before everyone else and if you have borrowed from the college library it is likely you can keep them for the whole term).
• Overdue library fines mount up quickly and get rather large so make sure you get books back on time - you can check and pay online
• Bring every bit of fancy dress you have as fancy dress and themed nights are a massive part of the Durham nightlife; so dig out the fairy wings from your youth (lads, you too!) and make sure they are packed.
• Durham is very much in the North of England and apparently (all Southerners will tell you) the winters up here are much colder so make sure you bring plenty of warm clothing.
  In your first year you need 40% to pass (although good marks will put you in good stead for your following years and you need 50% in most subjects to do a Masters course). So we aren’t encouraging you to do no work in your first year but you’re a Fresher, make the most of it.
  Your room isn’t just a place to sleep, you have to live in it too so anything that makes your room homely and distinctly yours is really appreciated when you get here. My 1st year room sported over 200 photos and an array of cuddly toys :D
• News spreads incredibly quickly in College, so it’s very hard to keep the events of a drunken night a secret. You have been warned.
• And one more...things like jeans, jumpers, t-shirts, etc. can be wore more than once but if you want to be accepted into a group of friends, underwear and socks really can’t. My advice to avoid this problem...buy a very big supply of socks and underwear (as well as being easier than washing, it saves a few pennies too since the washing machine is £2 per use and the dryer is 50p).