A prospective student enthusiastically discussing the beautiful fluorite with Dr Jon Telling, lecturer on the Earth Science degree. Tom, stage 3, is remembering how 4 years ago he was looking round the universities deciding which to attend. Note not just the rocks, but also our beautiful lichen display and our mini globe stress or juggling balls (depending on how many you manage to take away).

It’s been a really good and enjoyable couple of days talking to students. I have also been round a few universities with my sons  over the past few years (and have the cloth bags as evidence) so remember how it feels to talk to lecturers and students and to get the feel of the place. If you came to visit, thanks so much for coming, I hope you enjoyed it and it helped you choose. Do get in touch if you have further questions. helen.adamson@ncl.ac.uk

An astonishingly wonderful and fun week with excellent tutors, Prof Mark Whittingham and Tom Cadwallender. Trips to the tranquil NWT Hauxley to see the wildfowl, to the  Farnes Islands to see the busy, busy seabirds. I twitched with the experts for the first time in my life, and caught the buzz for the Baikal Teal and the Gargeny. The day I missed for an exam moderation board, they caught and ringed a Kingfisher. Wow!

But best of all – was the trip to the moor where we saw this absolutely magical golden plover with her chick. That is a life highlight. The chick sadly disappeared from the scope by the time I looked, but I’m sure a saw a yellow blob that must have been the chick. So thanks so much Ian Cole for allowing me to use your beautiful photo.