#relinks

[askacambridgestudent]

Hi guys! So basically, I got in. Thank you soooooo much for this blog and for all the advice and help. You've helped me in times of CRISIS!!! I have one more question for you guys. Can you make a master post of how to get a first in first year? I really want to prove myself in Cam but I'm so so scared and nervous. Specifically to HSPS would be amazing!! I'm mostly scared of exams tbh like what is expected of us? Thank you thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

CONGRATULATIONS! Honestly, don’t panic about proving yourself -- first year is really a learning experience, particularly in first term. I think stressing about getting a first at this stage can actually be detrimental -- it is, of course, good to have that as a goal in mind, but at the same time, there are going to be a lot of things that you need to improve on, and it’s best to really take things one step at a time. Your supervisors will give you lots of guidance on how to best tackle exam questions, and they’ll help you understand what’s expected of you -- it’s something that may not be clear immediately, but will become increasingly apparent as you continue on throughout the year.

I’m going to link you to two posts that I’ve written on how to get firsts, but I’d suggest reading over them properly after you’ve settled down a little bit -- they’ll make a lot more sense once you’ve learned how to approach a Cam essay and once you’ve written a few essays, so you know what you’re already doing, and what you need to include/improve on. Trying to cram all of the stuff I’ve mentioned into your first essay may actually be detrimental because you’ll be so focused on being original etc. that you might not write like you usually do/it may feel forced. It honestly does not matter if your first essay is really bad: supervisors don’t expect something amazing, and it’s actually better if they’ve got lots of things that they can work with you on because it helps you get a better overall understanding of what’s expected. 

Anyway, all that being said, HERE is a post on how to write a strong essay in a humanities subject and HERE are some tips I have on studying to get a first! Good luck, but seriously -- don’t panic!

[askacambridgestudent]

Hello!!! I'm so excited to start this fall and I cannot wait for formals. What do girls usually wear? I'm not really sure how to interpret "formal wear". Thanks! xx

Hey! Laura describes it really well HERE! Formal dresses definitely aren’t super fancy -- they’re more the kind that you might wear when going out to dinner or going for a job interview. Most of the dresses HERE are pretty good examples of the kind of things girls wear at formal!

[askacambridgestudent]

does cam provide its students with software (e.g microsoft office) for free?

Yup, you get free microsoft office, and other software -- you can find out more HERE!

[askacambridgestudent]

Would you say it's worth applying when your predictions only meet the minimum requirement? & this is me being insecure but have you met anyone who's been called to an interview in a situation like this? How can I game up my application? (thinking of doing a humanities subject which doesnt require work experiences..) Thank you!!🌻

Absolutely! The notion that everyone who applies/gets invited to interview has grades that exceed the minimum requirements by a lot is totally false -- if you’ve got the requirements, you should be good, and you definitely have a chance of being called to interview.

In terms of gaming up your application, I always recommend reading around your subject (check out THIS for some advice, and if you need a starting list of books, try HERE). It’s a great way of getting familiar with the subject’s key ideas, and also gives you lots of great talking points for interviews while developing your critical thinking skills. Also, definitely focus on prepping well for the pre-interview assessment -- do practice papers and see if you can get a teacher to mark/look over them, and practice writing essays!

[askacambridgestudent]

advice for IB Eng Literature HL? (paper 1 and 2) sort of nervous for this wed :/ the 776 hl offer is so STRESSFUL

YOU’LL BE FINE <3 <3 

THIS is the most comprehensive IB English guide I’ve come across, so I’d recommend going through it if you haven’t already seen it. I’ll just add that IB English is definitely one of those subjects that can go really really well if you just keep your cool in the exam. Don’t panic when you first read the questions/extracts -- sometimes it may seem like they’re way out there and you don’t really know how to go about it, but I promise that taking ten minutes to plan will only help you in the long run! Focus on reading the poem/extract and highlighting literary devices and write down any random thoughts that come to mind. Same thing for Paper 2 -- read the question a couple of times, break it down (what do the terms mean? what exactly is the question asking you?) and write down thoughts + examples that come to mind. You don’t have to use your earliest ideas -- but they will help you think more deeply about the question and may spark other ideas!

[askacambridgestudent]

Would I be being an utter idiot to move unis purely because I can't hack it socially here ? The reality of working so much is putting a strain on my friendships which is getting me down . I haven't "connected " with anyone properly yet and I just fucking wish I'd never accepted my offer

Hmm, I think it’s a very personal decision. There are people who connect with others instantly, and there are others who take more time to find strong friendships, especially since Michaelmas is an absolute whirlwind of trying to get used to uni life in general, and Lent can get very busy with work. Honestly, I think that Cambridge is big enough for you to find people who you can connect with, and who you enjoy being around. The thing is that uni isn’t like TV tries to make it seem -- sometimes yes, you’re lucky enough to find your best friends in Freshers, but it can take longer. In my close friendship group, I’ve been close to two of the girls since freshers, but one only really became friends with us at the end of Lent and I only got close to her in Easter. It does take time and patience to find the kind of people who you like to be around.

We’ve got some tips about making friends + connecting with people HERE and HERE. I’d suggest sticking it out for a bit, and seeing what happens. And if during that time you need someone to talk to, we’re always here! 

[askacambridgestudent]

Is an Oxbridge post grad as prestigious as an undergrad?

PhD’s, definitely! Masters at Cam specifically can be a bit of a mixed bag, depending on what course you’re doing -- Sarah recently wrote a bit about it HERE on her personal blog. Oxford’s supposed to be better for Masters though -- I think that people who are looking to do postgrad tend to go to Oxford for a Masters and then come to Cam for their PhD!

[expatesque]

How do you deal with not being conventionally pretty and not having perfect body according to modern standards? you always sound so good and confident and you seem to just feel good in your own skin, I am low key jealous of that.

Right, just a soft note that this could maybe have been phrased better. But taking it in the spirit that (I hope) it was meant in, I think this could be helpful.