First-year Engineering student Jamie Megoran grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne, only a short train ride from Durham – but coming to university still felt like stepping into another world. Here Jamie shares with the Chronicle why he chose Durham so close to home, what he’s discovered since arriving, and his advice for other North East students considering following in his footsteps.
How did you end up in St John’s from Newcastle?
I remember first visiting Durham Uni on an open day towards the end of my Year 12 and having absolutely no idea what colleges to visit! I was initially imagining I might end up at a Hill college as they seemed much closer to the sort of education I’d grown up with, particularly their large size and modern feel. In fact, as soon as I’d been on the tour at St John’s, I knew immediately it was for me and felt so welcomed, with its ethos of kindness really shining through when talking to current students. Despite it being so different to what I was used to, everything about it attracted me and that motivated me through my A-levels and studies to get there. One thing that was a worry when applying was the large number of shared rooms; however, I decided that the pros outweighed the cons. In the end, I was assigned a shared room, but thanks to their matchmaking system, I get on well with my roommate and have surprised myself by really enjoying living with someone else.
Tell us about your journey at John’s so far.
I have loved it! In the space of four and a half weeks, I feel like I have had the opportunity to try out and experience so many new things. Initially, life in John’s felt a bit like a residential, but now it feels very familiar. This has been helped by being able to get to know lots of people. Since it is the second smallest college, I feel I recognise most of the people in my year and am able to easily chat to them and make friends. I have also been able to get to know the staff around college, who all do an amazing job at making you feel like you are at home. The food has been great (especially if you like potatoes!), and the convenience of having great meals ready for you has been a lifesaver, especially with a busy timetable.
What activities are you involved in in College and the University?
Soon after the Freshers’ Fair, I realised I would not be able to attend all of the societies that I would have liked to due to the quite heavy contact time of my degree! I would recommend getting involved with as much as you can manage, as there are so many great opportunities and most are beginner-friendly, so it’s a great time to start, while still making sure to set time aside for yourself. For me, I have settled into the Christian Union, college badminton, and Durham Heart (an engineering society working towards making an artificial heart). I have really loved each of them and they have enabled me to get to know lots of people from many different areas and walks of life. I’ve also been going to the college gym and exploring Durham and nearby areas!
What do you wish you’d known before coming here from the North East?
I think like many people from the North East, I was slightly intimidated by the perceived culture of Durham. There have certainly been moments where I have felt like it is an alien society, despite only being about 17 miles from home. For the most part, however, despite backgrounds often being vastly different, I have realised there is so much truth in the saying that what unites us is so much stronger than what divides us. I haven’t struggled to make friends with lots of people who are so different in many ways and have really enjoyed learning about others’ backgrounds. So, to anyone who is thinking of applying but may be concerned that they won’t fit in: I was in the same boat, but putting John’s as my first-choice college was a decision I didn’t regret one bit!
What are your plans for next year? After graduation? Beyond Durham?
Continue working towards being an engineer! It’s not an easy course but studying something I’m passionate about means hopefully I can push through the times when my course will become tough. I’m also excited to get more involved in those societies and hopefully take on more responsibility within them with a group of likeminded people. Beyond Durham is hard to say… I’m quite interested in bioengineering and how technology can be used to physically help people, so can see myself trying to get into that.
Finally, how do you describe John’s to others?
I think the St John’s vision for 2025-2035 summarises the ethos of John’s well: Kindness, curiosity and gratitude. It is such a welcoming and friendly community, and one where you can also expect to have surprisingly intellectual conversations over many mealtimes with people from such different walks of life. All the staff feel genuinely on your side, and the size cultivates an environment of genuine care between students. This has been such a welcome change from the schools and environments I’ve grown up in. If I could apply to Durham 100 times, I’d put John’s at the top of my college preferences every single one.
Photos provided by Rebecca Bouveng and Jamie Megoran.
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