[warfarin]

Do you think it is possible to study two subjects simultaneously and how would someone go on about this? I study a very workload-heavy subject at the moment (for the reason of anonymity I would prefer not to say which one, but people studying the same subject will almost certainly know) and would like to take a contrasting subject (MML) starting next academic year. Of course, the lectures are almost bound to clash, but I think I could manage to catch up on my own, and supervisions could probably (?) be arranged without overlapping. I already speak the two languages I'd like to study fluently, so this will reduce the workload. Do you think studying two subjects is possible? Have you heard of students who do that, so that I could ask them for advice?

[nuodai]

You can't do two Triposes at once; you can switch between Triposes sometimes, but you can't two at the same time. You could attend lectures from another Tripos if you wanted, but that'd be silly because you'd just fall behind. Talk to your DoS if you're thinking of switching.

[Canned Door]

I find even the idea of taking on two triposes at once crazy, which makes me quite glad I don't think it is possible, either officially or in terms of finding enough time in the day. I think it's important to know just what's involved in MML -- I definitely don't think I'd call it 'workload-light' (I appreciate you aren't either), and I'm not sure I'd call any Tripos that. It might be worth thinking about what it is in particular about MML you're interested in, talking to other students in your college doing MML, and seeing if there's anything you could do outside of your degree. Language courses at the language centre might not be appropriate, I don't know, but it's a possible. Or language exchanges. You could maybe try out some of the literature any MMLers in your college are doing (just don't stress them out with it!), or go to lectures for one particular paper, which would then slot into your timetable easier. I think linguistics lectures are probably the most approachable and cohesive without doing any preparatory reading (in my experience at least, but mileage may vary).

[illusionz]

Quite frankly a ridiculous idea.

[Chubasco]

Yes, us MML students are just lazy bums who spend all our time sitting around talking foreign, watching foreign films and going on 'gap years' (sorry, I mean the year abroad) whilst students of "workload-heavy" subjects actually do real work [/sarcasm].

Ok, first of all you can't actually take two Triposes at once but if you are thinking of changing Tripos then, like Canned Door said, you need to know what's involved (so I'd definitely recommend looking at the MML website). It's not all language work: by the time you're in your final year, you'll spend most of your time doing linguistics/literature/cultural papers, which require a greater set of skills than just being fluent in a language (which is taken for granted by fourth year anyway). Similarly, doing well in translation demands a real feel for both English and the foreign language. One of my friends is bilingual and still doesn't find MML to be a "light workload", so I wouldn't assume that you'd necessarily have an easier time because you're already fluent (although you would find at least the first year language papers easier).

If you just want more opportunities to use your languages/explore the culture of the countries where these languages are spoken, then you could look for language exchanges (contact the Language Centre or the MML Faculty) or see if there's a University Society for your language (the Hispanic society,for instance, has cultural events and film nights, and the French lecteur in my college often organises film screenings - I can give you details of either of those if you're interested, and there are similar societies for other languages). And if you do have space in your timetable, you can always attend MML lectures (although not language classes or supervisions), so it might be worth looking at the MML lecture list and seeing what takes your fancy.

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by warfarin)
Do you think it is possible to study two subjects simultaneously and how would someone go on about this? I study a very workload-heavy subject at the moment (for the reason of anonymity I would prefer not to say which one, but people studying the same subject will almost certainly know) and would like to take a contrasting subject (MML) starting next academic year. Of course, the lectures are almost bound to clash, but I think I could manage to catch up on my own, and supervisions could probably (?) be arranged without overlapping. I already speak the two languages I'd like to study fluently, so this will reduce the workload. Do you think studying two subjects is possible? Have you heard of students who do that, so that I could ask them for advice?

Well unlike the others I'm not going to bite your head off.

Why do you want to study MML? Do you want to study it in an academic sense or do you want to learn a foreign language?

If you want to learn a language the modern languages department offers language courses (non-tripos) which you can take alongside whatever else you're doing at the time. I know a Historian who took a French course last year because he fancied getting back into practice with his French. The lectures are also less likely to clash as they're timed to be convenient for people taking other courses.

If you want to study it academically, but not do the exams, there's nothing to stop you going to lectures and practising essays, but you're unlikely to get supervisions as those have to be paid for by your college.

If you want to actually do the tripos and exams, you have to switch courses - only one tripos at a time.

[warfarin]

(Original post by Canned Door)
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(Original post by Chubasco)
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(Original post by The Mr Z)
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Thanks a lot for your replies guys. Some of them are really helpful. To expand a bit on my original post, I did not intend to switch subjects, I still quite enjoy mine. Canned Door, studying language on a "Tripos level" simply appeals to me and the curriculum has topics that interest me quite a lot (mainly literature, as opposed to learning a language - for that reason, the Language Centre Courses are not particularly well suited.) I'll give the linguistics lectures a go, though, and will perhaps ask our MML DoS regarding further opportunities to study a language.
Crazy emz, your suggestion to take part on language exchanges is quite interesting. Do you mean trips to a given country (as 3rd-year MML sudents do) or university events where people meet and talk in a foreign language? Is it possible for non-MML students to take part?
Mr Z - supervisions are indeed quite unlikely. I've heard of a student at John's who received supervisions outside of his subject area (though related), but (fortunately) I'm not at John's and I doubt my college would be able to pay for me.