A Week in the Life - Student diary

Name: Hannah Howie
College: Hatfield
Course:  Natural Sciences - Psychology

Hannah has been involved with musical theatre throughout her time at Durham and this year is President of Durham University Light Opera Group (DULOG).

Monday

The week begins with ameeting for all presidents within DurhamStudent Theatre, led and run by our sabbatical officers for theatre and music from the Durham Students’ Union. I am president of the Durham University Light Opera Group (DULOG) which involves running an Executive Committee and organising shows, as well as some performing throughout the University. I have lectures all afternoon and spend time doing research in the Library, before getting ready for a DULOG social; the theme is stars of the stage and screen, what else?

Tuesday

After a full morning of lectures and seminars in the new Palatine Centre I rehearse with a fellow singer for Friday evening as we are entertaining at a Hatfield College SCR dinner. On the programme is Lakme’s Flower Duet, otherwise known as song ‘from the British Airways advert’!

Wednesday

I catch up on reading for my course for most of the day before holding a meeting with the DULOG Exec to decide what our biggest show of the year will be. Every year DULOG take over Durham’s professional Gala Theatre and produce a major musical, it’s the highlight of our performing year. We decide on 'Fame!' The show will have a cast of over 30 and a west-end set, so there’s a lot to start organising.

Thursday

There is a graduate recruitment presentation tonight by Procter & Gamble so I pop into the Careers, Employability & Enterprise Centre to get some more information about the company. The rest of the day is spent on academic work as I meet up with my dissertation partner to discuss and plan our project – the psychology of an actor’s preparation technique.

Friday

After a long day of lectures and seminars, I cannot wait to rehearse and prepare for the Hatfield dinner tonight. Needless to say, the BA Advert song goes down very well, as does the cheese and wine to follow!

Saturday

A lie-in is more than welcome, followed by coffee with a school friend now studying at St Cuthbert’s. This afternoon, I get my running gear on and do my usual circuit shadowing the river before going to see a play The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown at the Assembly Rooms Theatre, the home of Durham Student Theatre.

Sunday

After a relaxing morning, I nip off to Crook Hall and Gardens where I work as the Wedding Co-ordinator. It’s been great to have a weekend job alongside studying. Our wedding season finishes at the end of September, so I am mostly doing show-rounds and sales with potential clients during term times. The day ends in front of the TV watching the latest episode of Downton Abbey with my housemates.