When you are a Fresher, it is sometimes hard to imagine a life outside the hexagonal walls of Trevs. Most of the major events in your first year are centred in one building, and your social circle feels so large. It is difficult to say goodbye to the convenience of the dining hall and to move into a house in Gilesgate, where you are left to fend for yourself in the kitchen. However, I would argue that living outside of Trevs can be as rewarding and social as life inside College.

As someone who has lived out of Trevs for two years in two different locations and was the JCR’s Livers Out Representative (yes, that exists), I feel qualified to talk about the ups and downs of student life outside of College.

I am far from being a chef, and personally, I find cooking to be an endlessly boring and dull task. Therefore, having to cook for myself was, and sometimes still is, a chore. The convenience and thoughtlessness of being catered vanishes when you leave Trevs, and this can be an unwelcome additional stress. I have certainly developed easy and quick staple meals that require little thought. If, like me, you do not like cooking, then do not fret. There are plenty of simple meals you can make with minimal ingredients, just be mindful of nutrition. For some, however, cooking is fun and a form of stress relief. If you enjoy being in the kitchen, then living away from a catered college is an exciting prospect. 

Another potential downside of life outside Trevs is the increased distance to buildings and facilities that were once mere minutes away. In my second year, my housemates and I were certified Gilesgate warriors. Returning to Trevs took just under 50 minutes on foot, and I tried to avoid going back on days when I was just too tired. The walk back up the hill in Gilesgate is no joke! This is, of course, not the case for every area of Durham, but it is certainly something to consider. Gilesgate is, however, close to so many essential and inexpensive shops. I truly mourn the loss of the ‘big Tesco’ this year. 

Living outside of Trevs is not all bad, however. I have found great joy in having a separate and private space to live in with my friends that is detached from any university building. I am much closer to my housemates now and could not imagine life without our daily chats in the living room. There is great freedom in being outside the walls of Trevs, which can sometimes feel a bit suffocating. 

There is great freedom in being outside the walls of Trevs 

The true joy of life outside of Trevs is that it forces you away from the safety bubble of College. Living in Trevs is wonderful, and it does not exclude you from exploring. That being said, I found that living out really forced me to make a greater effort to be involved in university life and with friends I no longer lived nearby. Putting intentional effort into seeing your friends is so rewarding for your relationships. You have to plan specific times to keep in touch with people you used to see every day at breakfast. 

Similarly, living out forces you to actively engage with events and societies. A social life is no longer at your doorstep, and this encourages you to explore so many opportunities across the university. For me, this has manifested in an increased participation in several Trevs societies and roles. I have made more use of the opportunities and facilities in College living out than I ever did in my first year. For others, living out means wider involvement in university-wide societies and circles, meeting so many people outside of the Trevs bubble. 

If you are currently house hunting and are concerned about how life will change after Trevs, do not worry. Whilst things certainly change, living out is a rewarding and fun experience. You will maintain your friendships with proper effort, and you can explore many of the opportunities available within the wider university. Living out is different and a new challenge, one which you should embrace openly. 

Image: Dan Wattis