The end of first year in Durham

In the first two weeks of the term there are still lectures going on, which are focused on revision and information and advice about the upcoming exams. Right after that the examination period begins. It lasts for four weeks, but usually the exams are not evenly distributed over this period. Every exam has only one fixed date and all students take the exam at once. For this reason exams have to take place in large enough space. I had six exams during first two weeks of the exam period and all of them took place in local sports hall. Most of them had a form of a three hour written test, only two lasted an hour and a half as they were both parts of the same module.

The term does not end by the exam period, there are three more weeks after that, when students can spend their time in other ways than just studying. However, during this period there is still some stress present because of the awaited exam results, which are announced at the end of the academic year. For the students of Physics the beginning of the time off is postponed, because they have to take part in a Physics project in laboratory for one week before the end of the term. This project is a part of a second year module. This module, and hence also this project, is not compulsory for me and I am not planning to enrol in, however, the project itself seemed interesting to me, so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and sign in for the project. A list of about twenty different projects was created from which we could choose. I chose a project where the main task was to investigate resonant patterns created by salt or sand on thin plates of different shapes and materials. This experiment is known as Chladni plates. We worked in a team of five members and it was a bit surprising for me that the whole organisation of the project was on us. But we could consult potential problems with the supervisor of our project, who regularly came to make sure that everything is going alright. All in all, I think it was a useful experience and I am glad that I took part in this project.

After the exams, there were also many different events. Right after my Physics project our college organised a week full of events so called Cuth’s Week. I attended an opening event, the Garden Party, a trip to the Beamish Museum and at the end Cuth’s Day, a whole day with live music, different stalls and attractions. A big amount of cultural events in this period was part of Durham Festival of the Arts. The first opening event was a concert in the Durham Cathedral, where several musical ensembles performed, among others the Durham University Chamber Choir, a part of which is also a scholar of The Kellner Family Foundation Aneta Baďurová. I enjoyed this performance very much and overall the concert was a great experience for me, as there was a unique atmosphere. A similar form had also a concert several days later in the Durham Castle Great Hall performed by a few musical ensembles. The program was very diverse and in my opinion well put together. I attended two more concerts which were parts of the festival, concert of the Divinity Quintet and of the Durham University Classical Ensemble. Both of them were a success, but I especially enjoyed the last one, where we listened to a great performance of the Creation from Haydn, Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

The last week of the term is again focused on studies. At this time the results of the exams are published and talks about organisation of the following academic year and choice of modules take place. Students also have a chance to attend individual meetings with their academic advisors, where they can discuss exams and the whole academic year. However, many students leave Durham before the official end of term, so they don’t always make use of this opportunity. I left two days earlier, right after the release of the results, so I could go only to a meeting with my Physics advisor. I successfully passed my exams and I am content with the results. Now I have three months of holidays and a new academic year in front of me, which I am looking forward to and I am curious what it will bring this time.