Exam season:  the seemingly endless period of all-nighters and moments of genuine agony over your degree choice. These dreaded weeks in every student’s life are often made all the worse by the screams coming from your bank account after ‘treating yourself’ once again to something from the library café. Whether you sat what the average STEM students brag are ‘proper exams’ or had to endure the 24-hour format, it can be agreed by us all that the exam period in Durham is certainly not the most enjoyable time of year.

However, finishing your final exam of the year (or possibly of your entire degree), brings with it an unmatched sense of relief and anticipation. This is because you know that the next few weeks will be filled with celebrations. This brings me to my point: Durham after exams is simply the best time of the year.

I will not skirt round the fact that what many of us miss the most during revision and exams is a good night out. Whether you are a Jimmy’s lover or adore a dance in Babylon, that first big night out with all of your friends is an unparalleled feeling. With pretty much every club packed pretty much every night of the week, the student night life in those first few weeks post exams is always busy.  Starting out at a few college bars and ending up drunk off of laughter (and possibly one too many Woodgates), is what many of us unashamedly look forward to during the darkest hours of essay writing.

That first big night out with all of your friends is an unparalleled feeling

It was typical that many of the days spent locked away in the Billy B seemed to be when Durham was at its most tropical. Now that exams are officially done, we can lap up the (infrequent) rays guilt-free and bask happily in the 17-degree temperatures. If you take a walk along the racecourse on any such day you will see masses of students lounging around. They can be seen reading by the river and enjoying a few drinks with friends they haven’t had a chance to catch up with during the depths of revising, eating, sleeping, repeating. Every pub garden is bustling, and the seating outside coffee shops is packed with visiting family members and friends. It is safe to say that the social sphere in Durham returns with a vengeance after the exam period.

Another reason why this time of year is great is due to all the events available to attend. Trevs’ Summer Ball, this year held on the 6^th of June, was a hugely exciting highlight. With the opportunity to dress up in black tie and prove yourself (and entire bloodline) by your performance on the bumper cars. For those who made it through the silent disco and sunrise on Observatory hill, that bacon bap was a glorious reward, putting the icing on the cake. With highly awaited Fight Nights, boat parties, end of year formals, college days, fashion shows and music showcases, the list of enjoyable events to get involved in now we have the time simply goes on and on.

Last of all, regatta season! A quintessentially Durham feature, rowing races along the Weir attract large crowds for an excellent day of enthusiastic cheering, picnicking and relaxation for those sat along the bank or an equally excellent day of pure physical exertion, a fair bit of pain and a slight hatred towards this silly silly sport from those sat in the boats. Nevertheless, whether you are involved personally, cheering on a friend or just there for the wholesome summer vibes, regatta season certainly showcases Durham student sport and the city itself at its finest.

So, there we have it, a run through of why Durham is best experienced after exams. Whether you are excited for a good night out or relaxing by the river ice-cream in hand, these last few weeks are here to be savoured and enjoyed…

Image: Alexander Beer