Durham weekends exist in a strange balance between productivity and complete disorder. One weekend, I’ll have a massive academic focus, trying to get that essay in before the dreaded Monday deadline. Or on the other hand, it can be jam packed with sport, beer gardens and romanticised walks along the river – especially when the sun is out. But let me take you on a typical Friday – Sunday during my first year at Durham University, outside of exam season.
Friday: Productive or done for the week?
Most students at Durham have a few lectures/seminars during academic hours on Friday, and I like to stay productive and finish my work before the weekend plans begin. Many students will work on essays or lectures in the Bill Bryson Library, but sometimes I will treat myself to spending £7 on a coffee and cake whilst aesthetically studying in one of Durham’s lovely local cafés with a course friend!
Typically my Friday evenings include a rush back to college for an evening meal, then getting ready and having a few pre-drinks for a night out in Durham city. There are many different types of nightlife Durham has to offer – whether you prefer a chill night in your own college bar or even venturing to Newcastle for a big night out, you will find different routines, bars and friends who make it enjoyable! But for me… I normally like to do a mini-bar crawl of the Bailey College bars, and then a quick pit-stop at Boat Club for an amazing £3 double (such good value!), to then end the night dancing it off in Jimmy Allens.
Saturday: Recover, sport, random side quests!
The classic Saturday morning quite often starts with a late wake-up after a week full of 9ams, and a late Friday night of fun – followed by a full English brunch from catered colleges. However, many of my self-catered friends tend to go for a cafe brunch or coffee date to start their morning!
After catching up on the mayhem of the previous night, I normally like to go for a peaceful walk around Durham Riverside, taking in the Cathedral views that I somehow never get tired of. After this, I frequently find myself browsing in bookshops or charity shops before returning to college.
Depending on the week, I will either play a College netball match on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, with many of my other friends doing sporty activities, whether that’s football, hockey, running, or the gym, before all meeting back up at college for dinner!
Saturday night changes from week to week – sometimes I will take an evening trip to Newcastle to visit friends, have a chill night in, play tennis, go on a sunset walk up Observatory Hill, or sometimes I can stomach a second night out – but that certainly is a rarity. But what I’ve found is that weekends in Durham are really your own time – a chance to decide what matters most to you and dedicate your energy to it. Whether that’s attending the many society events on offer or going on spontaneous “side quests” with friends, Durham gives you the freedom to shape your weekends however you want.
Sunday: Reset, revise and return to reality.
I like to start my Sunday mornings by dedicating time for myself – which is important at university to take time for your own mental health and self-care, when life can be busy, overwhelming and full on! I love to either get time in at the gym or go on a run around the racecourse, then return to college to do laundry, hoover my room, wash my hair – all those tedious tasks that need to be done but are left to be completed on a ‘Sunday Reset’!
Sundays are a great day to do a food shop if you are self-catered, and to plan your upcoming weeks with readings, essays, and free time. After Sunday college brunch, I normally will spend my afternoon in my college library, returning to the reality of academics and making sure I stay on top of my degree, especially when exam season is upcoming. This helps me feel productive and prepared to start the week ahead.
Conclusion
Durham weekends are often chaotic – a mix of productivity and well-deserved free time, usually fuelled by caffeine. Whether you spend them exploring the city, catching up with friends, or recovering in a café with an aesthetic coffee, it’s this balance of community and independence that makes weekends in Durham so unique, with each student shaping them to fit their own lifestyle and priorities.
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