A Letter From Our First President

A letter to you:

You’ve arrived at Durham University, at your given college, and you’re really excited for what may lay ahead in your University experience. You’re at what’s known as an ‘Elite university’ – and this isn’t a reflection of the kind of education you’ve been afforded. You’ve done really well to get here, but you’re not sure how to act, how to speak, how to talk and you’ve got an opportunity to ‘reinvent yourself’. You may want to ‘change who you are’, do well in your studies and make friends. But remember growth, not change. Your existence here is an achievement within itself, you’ve exceeded expectations; probably both your own and those of other people. Make no mistake, although you will at one point because EVERYBODY does, you will at one point feel as though you don’t belong, you do belong here. So don’t be intimidated by the unfamiliarity of an upper-middle-class academic environment. Don’t be intimidated just because someone speaks more confidently than you and sounds as though they know what they’re talking about, don’t assume they’re cleverer than you are, listen to what they actually have to say, and always think critically.

Don’t pretend to be something that you’re not, because living a lie is a hard thing to do, but at the same time be open to growth and learning things. There are good things that you haven’t experienced before, but don’t assume just because it’s different, it’s ‘better’. Because if you’ve got a regional accent, or you’re an ethnic, or any other kind of minority people may draw attention to that. That doesn’t mean that they necessarily think you’re any worse, but because it’s unfamiliar to them and people may react to that in ways you’re not used to. But you shouldn’t feel like you’re going to be ostracised because of it, there’s always going to be people who really appreciate you regardless of their class. You’ll make friends with people you never would have encountered before, and they’ll be from all over the world. You don’t have to be frightened of people who aren’t students, you’ll probably find you’ve got a lot in common with them so don’t be afraid to mix. You’re here to learn and that means being open to everybody.

If you can’t afford to do something and other people can, don’t feel like you have to compete. Accept that being at this institution is a gift within itself, and it’s something that you’ve achieved and hope that the future reflects that. Manage your money the best you can and don’t assume just because others are doing something that’s financially inaccessible that you must do it as well. What you can afford does not define you, how you deal with your circumstance does.

Samuel Osman (2018), ed. Frank Simpson (2019)