Above image – Van Mildert dining hall ready for a formal dinner
When I initially found out I had received a catered college allocation at Van Mildert College in Durham, I had mixed emotions. I was mostly relieved that I didn’t have to cook for myself every day – cause that would’ve probably been a disaster. On the other hand, I was also worried about losing independence, flexibility, and perhaps the ‘real’ university lifestyle that all my friends were experiencing at other universities. The truth, as it turns out, sits somewhere in the middle, but it certainly turned out to be far more positive than I first expected.
Is it restrictive to my day?
One of my biggest misconceptions about catered colleges was that the meal times would disrupt my routine on a day-to-day basis. Whereas, in reality, catering at Durham doesn’t mean disturbance, instead it just removes one pressure from an already busy student life that I would’ve certainly struggled with. Knowing that there’s a hot meal waiting at lunch and at the end of the day is surprisingly reassuring, especially during the first term when everything else feels new.
Generally, the meal times provide two hours for each sitting – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which certainly allows me to find a suitable time around my studies or social activities. If I am unable to make lunchtimes, my college gives the option of pre-ordered packed lunches – which are honestly so easy and convenient when I have lectures over lunch! Similarly, you can also order a late takeaway dinner if you have sports, lectures, or social activities that clash with dinner timings.
What food is on offer?
In a catered college at Durham, you can expect a wide range of food that’s designed to be practical, varied, and inclusive. Typical options include cereals, toast, fruit, and cooked breakfasts in the morning, and lunches or dinners such as pasta dishes, curries, stir-fries, roasted meats or fish, and vegetarian or vegan alternatives.
There are usually salad bars, soups, vegetables, and desserts available, and catering teams accommodate dietary requirements like vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free. While you won’t love every meal, there’s generally enough choice to suit different tastes and routines. Sometimes I will grab a sandwich when out and about during the day, or treat myself to an occasional Durham meal out in town with some friends!
Catering provides a community
Catered colleges also play a huge role in building community. Eating together becomes part of the rhythm of college life with casual conversations over dinner, shared complaints about deadlines, or post-lecture debriefs that turn into friendships.
In a university that is built around a collegiate system, shared mealtimes are one of the easiest ways to feel connected, particularly early on when building new friendships and settling into the first term. It is a great way to meet people in your college.
What are the cons?
Of course, catering isn’t perfect, and it will never be. Some students may prefer it more than others. Before you come to university, you may decide that being self-catered is more your ideal, which is totally fine. I would advise you to choose what works best with your own lifestyle.
Meal times can sometimes clash with lectures or societies, and you won’t love every menu. There’s also the adjustment of planning your day around set meal windows, which takes a little getting used to.
But these are minor trade-offs, and most students quickly work out what suits them. It’s important to note that most catered colleges also provide kitchen access, meaning you’re not cut off from cooking entirely – you just get the choice.
My conclusion
Being in a catered college doesn’t take away independence – and it can sometimes support it. It allows you to focus on settling into university life, forming friendships, and engaging fully with Durham’s academic and social opportunities. For many students, catering isn’t a limitation at all, but a quiet advantage.
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