Crystal Truong
Hello and welcome back to Discovering Durham University with @thedurhamstudent. I’m your host Crystal and in this blog, I’ll be taking you through how and why our podcast came to life.
Origins of the podcast
For those who may not be aware, @thedurhamstudent is the University’s official student-run marketing team. We’re a group of students who showcase our day-to-day lives at Durham University through Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Blogs, TSR threads and now our podcast platforms.
During one of our brainstorm-heavy team meetings—where we throw around ideas, discuss the University calendar, and review the recent content we’ve put out—a question was posed on how do we answer the questions that seem to repeatedly come up?
Questions like: How does the collegiate system really work? What if I get a college that wasn’t my first or even fifth choice? Will my college define my entire university experience? And [insert the many other questions on colleges]. And of course, the usual questions: What is Durham like? Is the nightlife any good? Will I fit in?
We do touch on these topics in our other content, but a one-minute reel can only convey so much. We realised the necessity for a single platform where we could thoroughly explore these subjects and beyond. Thus, Discovering Durham University with @thedurhamstudent was born.
Purpose of the podcast
Conceptualised to be a comprehensive guide to Durham University, this podcast is designed to answer your most pressing questions and provide in-depth insights into university life, all conveniently accessible in one place – I hope this season has successfully met these objectives. But beyond disseminating information, this podcast seeks to connect, reassure, and inspire. At its core, I believe the very purpose of this podcast ties back to the question of “Will I fit in?”
For many, the transition to university is not just a change in educational setting but a significant life chapter filled with excitement and, yes, a good dose of apprehension. Even though I have just recently graduated, I still remember all those mixed emotions – wondering if I’d chosen the right place and how I’d navigate this new world. So, hosting this podcast in my final year was more than just a capstone project; it was a passion project aimed at soothing the very anxieties I once faced. It was about creating the kind of resource I wished existed when I was a fresher – somewhere to turn for both answers and reassurance.
Ultimately, Discovering Durham University with @thedurhamstudent is about more than just filling you in on the details about university life. It’s about building a bridge from uncertainty to belonging, demonstrating through stories and insights what the Durham Difference truly is…spoiler alert: the Durham Difference is you, the students! So, here’s to discovering yourplace at Durham University and making it your own.
What’s next?
With our debut season released, I can’t help but feel we’re just scratching the surface of what this podcast can achieve. There’s so much more to explore and expand upon, and this season has set a solid foundation. It’s clear we’re poised for significant growth—ready to transform this into a resource that you can turn to time and time again. I’m excited to see where the next podcast coordinator takes it!
So, whether you’re currently poring over your UCAS application, or you’re an alum fondly recalling your college days, this podcast is crafted with you in mind. Grab your headphones, hit play, and let us take you on a journey through Durham University, one episode at a time. Because here at Discovering Durham University with @thedurhamstudent, we’re not just discussing university life; we’re living it and sharing it.
We hope you’ll stay tuned and experience Durham as we see it, learn it, and love it. Here’s to the stories we’ve told and the many more we’re eager to share. The journey continues, and we’re thrilled to have you with us.
You can listen to our podcast on your favourite podcast platform here. Or or you watch on YouTube
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