University of Cambridge Freshers Megathread 2016

Clothes yes, other stuff will be a challenge unless you want to be buying lots of stuff when you get there.

If you could, it would be so helpful - you'll likely have to move out over the vacations, and unless you're an international student, you'll not be able to store anything. You're gone for a term, not for the rest of your life - there's no point bringing lots of summer clothes for October - December!

I had that question earlier...I have no idea how Im going to transport my stuff to the college with the cobbled roads cus I was estimating 2 large bags+backpack

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Buy an airport trolley

Hi. I also got in for maths. What college are you at? And no, it's not just you worrying about falling behind. :-)

lol i should post it and pick it up there to save the embarrassment of walking through the street with it all.

Don't worry, I'm pretty scared that I'll be sitting in my room 24-7 crying over words I don't understand. It's a common feeling and remember that pretty much everyone is on the same boat.

Congrats for making it!

Thank you

How necessary is rote learning for doing well for the Tripos (or specifically, the Maths Tripos, if its too different)? Are there some courses that you were forced to take in order to scrape a 1st/2:1?

A few questions for any NatSci people:
- How much (if any) further reading or Maths practice is needed before arriving?
- How much guidance do the DOSes give you if you are unsure about modules?
- Is it true the first year really the worst year in terms of workload?

Also, just in general, would you recommend bringing fancy dress stuff for the first term too?

None is needed, but personally I went through perhaps a half to three quarters of the maths content during the summer which allowed me to focus less on maths. Taking maths B is also an option you should have in your mind, it makes you a better mathematician (for the sciences - stating this to avoid triggering mathmos lmao). Yes it's faster and it is taught in a more fluent style, but you will get a hell of a lot more out of it. You can easily drop down to A if you're not comfortable with it.

Guidance is there when necessary, your DoS will typically be available via E-Mail about 95% of the time; if you email your DoS, I'm confident you will get an email back by the next day.

I just finished first year and have talked to second years, it is harsh in terms of the breadth, people who take materials science are the ones who complain the most. I think it is a myth, however, the work load itself in terms of problem sheets and the number of lectures are extremely similar. IAs have grace in the sense that a lot of the content is already known. The only difficulty, I say, is the breadth of knowledge you're expected to know by exam term.

So are supervision partners chosen? I thought they were allocated (atleast for maths anyway). Cus that was one of my main concerns as my grades don't look very good as I did my exams without help for learning difficulties- I was worried they would misjudge my ability/ way of thinking so I would be paired with someone who I don't work as well with. Maybe this is a stupid question but its been on my mind for a while :/

What can you tell us about specific societies that we wouldn't find out on their websites (if they have one)? E.g. I've heard that the Christian society is quite... evangelical? fundamentalist? Are the sports societies pretty serious, or also for novices?

Have you ever had problems with the supervision? E.g. supervision partner who didn't fit well with you?

I usually get up around 5am... would this be possible to keep up at Cambridge (or is it unrealistic, given late nights out)?

Ah okay, thank you so much! One last question, what resources did you use to go through the maths content? Is there a specific website or book that you used?

It's the busiest and most touristy area too

aha yea! is ur college Newnham?

So are supervision partners chosen? I thought they were allocated (atleast for maths anyway). Cus that was one of my main concerns as my grades don't look very good as I did my exams without help for learning difficulties- I was worried they would misjudge my ability/ way of thinking so I would be paired with someone who I don't work as well with. Maybe this is a stupid question but its been on my mind for a while :/

I'm going to Murray Edwards. It looks really nice from the website. I've spent most of my school years at mixed school though so hopefully I can socialise with Fitzwilliam and Churchill people. What college are you going to?

can u remind me how S1S doesn't look very good? xxx

Nice :-) I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to socialise with students from other colleges. Despite the nerves, are you excited?

I am going to St John's.