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University of Cambridge

Cambridge

Newnham College (Cambridge) Students and Applicants

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Reply 100

epitome

but that is my fault for taking a course with so many lectures

Ninny. Should have done English! :p:

University of Cambridge

Cambridge

Reply 101

fairy princess

epitome

Ninny. Should have done English! :p:

Yeah i was told you you aren't supposed to go to more than 5 lectures a week :eek:

Still vets hve the best subject-orientated social life (which on ocasion can be a sober affair) so its not all bad!

Reply 102

epitome

Well, it varies. Fact is that going to all English lectures on offer is most definitely not the most efficient use of time - it's not like the lecturer reads the books out to us and makes the boring bits interesting (sadly)! They tend to be a bit random, sometimes too general, sometimes too specialist; the topics the lecturers choose to speak on can vary from year to year (there are no set texts, and only very few compulsory elements)...so it's a case of picking and choosing lectures that either cover something you're interested in, or - sometimes - explain something you're confused about. But most people would probably agree that they're the least useful teaching facility in the department (aside from a few whizz lecturers).

5 , therefore, would probably be about right. I think I averaged 7 a week; some of my friends went to maybe 2. But we can pay (heavily) for this lack of timetable - potentially an endless amount of directionless private study in libraries, locked away from humankind for days on end...(okay, it's not *quite* that bad!)

As for English-oriented social life...*rollseyes*. Can I be a vet, please?! :wink:

Reply 103

metaphysical

I need help-- right so u know we have to send them the pack with photos/certificaytes etc. And they want the stamped envelope...considering i am in Prague...how the hell do i get an envelope with all the UK stamps and postage paid and all that..damn im confused :p:

I know totally stupid but i just want to make sure i get everything right..

Reply 104

atavisme

metaphysical

I know totally stupid but i just want to make sure i get everything right..

I emailed them about that since I live overseas as well and they told me that I just had to send stamped and signed copies of the certificates. (It's not stupid - I was quite puzzled as well.) :smile:

Reply 105

epitome

No, that's a really good question! I wouldn't worry about it too much, Metaphysical, it's only a small matter. So long as you send them the information they want (certificates, photographs, whatever), then all the crucial stuff is done. :smile:

Reply 106

metaphysical

Thanks guys! I emailed them too and they said a certified copy is fine :smile:

So i sent it all off now...damn now just for the results in a month...I am SO scared i didn't meet my offer :frown:

Reply 107

epitome

Good luck Metaphysical! Try not to worry too much about the results - there's nothing you can do now. Hope you've something fun planned between now and then. :smile:

Reply 108

epitome

Hey folks! Quick shout - there's a facebook group for Freshers coming up in 2007, so if you're a member then go there to meet some of t'others if you like! :smile:

Reply 109

atavisme

I was thinking about joining the group, but I feel like it would be tempting fate! (I'm annoyingly superstitious.) :redface:

On a different note, I am planning to come up to Cambridge in September and spend some time travelling throughout Europe before actually starting university in October. I'd prefer not to have to take my laptop along with me (in case it gets stolen or damaged) and was wondering if it would be possible to leave it at the college until I return. It would be a lot easier that way, but I don't want to be imposing.

Reply 110

metaphysical

Heh yea I actually created that group on facebook and now im thinking, ehm, bad luck?

But still nice to have one for now :smile:

Reply 111

epitome

Ohhh, travel! :wink:

I see no reason why you couldn't put the laptop into storage at the College (in a box, marked v. clearly with your name and when you'd collect it, and very much under the condition that it's your responsibility). I'm not sure who would be in charge of sorting this - my instinct would suggest the porters, but it could equally be the tutorial office or even the domestic bursar. Goodness knows! If you were to contact one or the other, I'm sure they'd be able to point you to the right person, if not answer the query directly.

BUT...How is the rest of your stuff going to get to Cambridge? Presumably you're not going to be lugging all your university-related possessions around Europe with you? In which case, could you not put the laptop with everything else and transport it all together? (However you choose to do that from Barbados!) This would probably be the easier, and more appropriate, option.

Reply 112

atavisme

Thanks for the advice epitome. :smile:

I'm not bringing very much with me to Cambridge, just the essentials, as I plan to buy most of what I need when I'm in England. I'm going to ask if I can store a few items at the college while I'm travelling anyway, so I can probably leave it with the rest of my things as well.

Reply 113

epitome

Oh, if you're going to leave other stuff there, then the laptop's not really exceptional, so shouldn't be a problem!
Had images of you backpacking across Europe with all but the kitchen sink...

If anyone's looking to buy cheap domestic stuff upon arrival, by the way (stuff like plates, cutlery, pans, etc.), Housekeeping run a second-hand sale of all the stuff left in kitchens at the very beginning of term. Keep your eyes open for signs up about it in the first week or two. :smile:

Reply 114

K.T.

Err, random question time -

I want to get a Macbook for uni, will I be able to access the Cambridge intranet from it?

Reply 115

fairy princess

As far as I know people with Macs have no trouble accessing the intranet/internet at Newnham.

Reply 116

epitome

Yep, that's right. :smile:

I'm a PC user meself (only one step up from the abacus and typewriter...), but Mac users have no problem. There's a different set of installation instructions for all the University/College programmes, but that's no extra complication - both types of computer are catered for.

Reply 117

cucumber sandwich

Okay, so I'm thinking of applying to either Pembroke or Newnham this fall. These two clearly seems to be the nicest colleges.
Could you guys be so kind to list the best things about Newnham, to make it easier to decide?

Reply 118

fairy princess

Beautiful gardens
you can walk on the grass (obviously a top priority :smile:

)
Peaceful
off the tourist track but still close enough to town
Very good library
Sports fields and tennis courts
very nice night porters who often ply with you with food when you stumble in at 3am!
Relaxed atmosphere and no one is bothered if you are from public school, state school or live in a cardboard box!

I've only been to pembroke once and I found it quite snobby and cliquey, although I am sure there are some very nice people there too... :wink:

Reply 119

epitome

Pembroke IS a really lovely college, and is beautiful. I would be very happy at Pembroke, BUT Newnham is better! :wink:

Some things in addition to the suggestions of *fairy princess*:
- We have our own village! (Behind the sports field, Newnham Village) Very handy for shopping, with a chemist's & co-op etc.
- Female fellows. This is really important. Elsewhere you're surrounded by Very Clever Men doing their thing, with a few women; at Newnham, it's dominated by Very Clever Women. It's difficult to express why this is so cool, really. In some subjects, though (particularly Maths, Sciences, Engineering, Law), most supervisors and lecturers seem to be male...at Newnham, you know you're going to get at least *some* female teaching during the course of your degree!
- A connected point. The history of Newnham is a vital part of the history of education generally, and being part of that continuing tradition is a real privilege. Our education isn't segregated at all (because it's largely run by the central Faculties, not the colleges), but we retain that sense of "women can do stuff", which it's nice to be reminded of sometimes!
- Newnham is secular, with no chapel and no religious affiliation. Although people of all faiths go to all colleges, Newnham is particularly open and welcoming. It's about people, not factions or groups. At the same time, we have full access (and are situated very close) to any religious facilities anyone might want.
- Can't stress enough how nice it is not to have tourists all over the place...they really are annoying!
- It's a lovely countryside walk to Grantchester from Newnham, quite literally outside the back door!
- Bella Italia is our local restaurant, 2 minutes down the road. Yum.
- Extremely close to the Arts buildings (Sidgwick Site), so any arts/humanities people are lucky!
- Yes, the library is quite something. (Women didn't used to be able to use the main University Library, so we had to make sure ours was good enough to be a substitute...et voila, a fantastic facility!) It's also recently been done up, and is beautiful *and* functional (if a bit warm in the summer).
- NEW BUTTERY! Brand new shiny hall and eating/socialising area - very exciting and people from other colleges are jealous of it. :smile:

I haven't run out of ideas...but I do want lunch!
Enjoy choosing, cucumber! Best way to go about it is to *visit* the colleges (if you haven't already) - you might have a gut reaction towards one or the other (or another one entirely!), which makes your mind up for you. :smile: