People and Stories

Are you the first in your family to attend University? Have you got a story to tell, or advice to share? Please get in touch if you would like to share your experiences (whether positive or challenging) on these pages. These stories can be shared anonymously.

Caitlin Hindle

I attended Durham University to study Anthropology from 2015 - 2018. At first, I found the transition to university really difficult. My friends all came from very different backgrounds and I found it hard to relate to them. I also worked part-time at the weekends so I missed out on some events and bonding opportunities with people who lived on my floor in college. Once I reached out, in my second year, to my academic advisor and the principal of my college I felt a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Having people to talk to who understood my situation and gave great advice really helped me thrive in my final year at university.

I graduated in June 2018 with a 2:1 in Anthropology and ultimately I am grateful for everything I have learnt at Durham and all the experiences that I have had. I think they made me a much more well-rounded and friendly person. In the end, working alongside my degree course has given me the skills to get not one, but two graduate jobs: one as a graduate researcher in the Anthropology Department; the other as a graduate Engineer at Nissan Technical Centre Europe.