John’s alumni, Rebecca and Herman, share the story of their relationship, from meeting in John’s during Covid restrictions to living together now as graduates. Our Alumni Editor, Daisy Mitchell, asked them about the impacts St John’s had on their relationship and the advice they have for current and future students of the college.
Becca and Herman were at John’s from 2020 to 2023 where they stayed in college at the very height of the Covid pandemic making it a very memorable time!
After finishing school in 2017, Becca studied at another university before dropping out, going travelling, and eventually finding her place in Durham studying theology – she claims fate had something to do with her ending up at John’s.
Herman’s story is a little different. He got to know John’s when he was on holiday during his time serving the National Service. A friend of his was studying in Durham and she introduced him to her housemate, Clare, who was a student at John’s. Before applying, Herman was strongly considering Collingwood as his college of choice, but after speaking to Clare and hearing the lovely stories about John’s, his decision became crystal clear.
The two met in their first year living in college. Becca told us that she remembers seeing Herman in passing as she went for breakfast each day and Herman headed for his dinner after his all-nighter(!). “One of us would usually be having their morning conversation with Harry the gardener, croissant and boiled egg in hand whilst the other would walk past and say hello!”
Herman added that when Covid lockdowns were still present, they were incredibly restricted in terms of who they could meet outside of their households, so meetings were ‘hi-bye’ affairs for a while – the pair are both thankful those days are past.
After the Easter holidays when the Covid restrictions eased and households were permitted to mix outdoors, Herman and Becca’s relationship really kicked off. They had regular household meetups at John’s bar and they really bonded as friends. Their ‘first date’, perhaps, was when they indulged in an ice cream cookie dough sandwich from Bishops’ Mill Wetherspoons and adventured on a trip to the middle of nowhere to look at the stars before heading back to college to watch the first half of ‘Hot Fuzz’ – an incredible film choice of course.
Becca told us that their friendship blossomed due to their households growing closer and regularly meeting for alfresco John’s Bar trips. Following a summer of Covid college events, Tesco trips, and picnics, Becca boldly plucked up the courage to invite Herman to her cousin’s wedding (just as friends, of course). The rest, they say, was history!
“Love finds a way through anything; they found a lovely group of life-long friends, as well as each other”
Since graduating in Winter 2024 – a truly magical day of fantastic sunshine – Becca has persisted in her passion to tackle social injustice, undertaking her PGCE with North Tyneside Council. Herman, on the other hand, has commenced his postgraduate studies in something completely unrelated to his degree – as most law students do!
Right now the couple are enjoying life in their little house near one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, according to the BBC, before they move down south for Herman to begin in-person classes in London.
The couple love to reminisce about the days gone by with friends down in John’s Bar or Riverview Café or the LRC or just around college and the city. Both agree that life seems to pass so quickly and they do not want to take any time with each other for granted. Even with their friends from John’s who are still in Durham, or those who have moved on, they try to grasp whatever time they have with others with both hands before life intrudes even more so than it already has.
As the couple’s three year anniversary looms closer, they encourage current and future students of John’s to make the most of every opportunity, to treasure those around them and to take the time to look after themselves. Herman said the most important advice he has for those in John’s is to make as many lasting memories as you can because your time will truly fly by. He added that if things get hard, know that you will overcome them; you are here for a reason, at one of the best universities in the country and the world. Becca also didn’t forget to add that everyone should make the most of the cheap drinks in John’s Bar before it is too late to do so!
“Take care of yourself and your friends, and you will thrive”
Becca and Herman are an amazing example of the incredible relationships that form in St John’s College every year, and they encourage all students of John’s to trust in themselves: “Take care of yourself and your friends, and you will thrive.”
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