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	Christ's College
	Established:	1505
	University:	University of Cambridge
	Address:	St. Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3BU
	Telephone:	(01223) 334900
	Website:	www.christs.cam.ac.uk
	Student Union/JCR website:	www.thejcr.co.uk
	Admittance:

Location

This is simply the best thing about being at Christ's. The college is central as you could ever want to be, yet still avoids the huge crowds of tourists that would annoy you if you were at, for example, King's. Everything is within walking distance, from all the town centre shops (Grafton Centre is also close), the clubs (Cindies is opposite the Porter's Lodge, Club 22 opposite the side gate) loads of pubs, and all of the University Faculties are within 10 mins walk.

Accommodation

Another huge plus at Christ's is that you can stay in college for your entire 3 years as an undergraduate. Some second years choose to live in college-owned houses on Jesus Lane, but this is again practically in college, being only a 3 minute walk away. This leads Christ's to have a great sense of community, especially across the year groups.

New Court is where first years usually live. I am told it is a horrid concrete mess with poor facilities, though this should be changing from next year - It is closed throughout 07/08 for a much-needed refurbishment and should be all en-suite when it returns. So that'll be nice.

Other 'standard' accommodation is really very good, especially in Third Court. The college also gives special 'scholar' rooms to those who get firsts in the preceding years, which are often roomy sets with their own kitchens and living spaces. These tend to be in the older parts of college, such as First and Second courts.

Social Spaces

The Bar is the main social gathering-point. Despite Cambridge folk-lore, it IS open at normal hours, till 11 every night (10.30 on Sundays). Other colleges may get occasional extensions which we don't enjoy, but I personally think this is made up for by the atmosphere of the bar. Don't expect a modern style building or décor like some colleges may have, with loud music etc. Our bar is a little more quaint and small, but has a much more friendly and approachable feeling about it.

The JCR room is another social space for undergrads, this year in a different place to usual due to the building work in New Court. This basically includes a TV and pool table. I have to say, I have only used it a few times, and I think it can often be empty. However, this is more to do with people being in the bar.

Also, as I said earlier, you can easily leave college to socialise at any other bars or pubs etc as we are so close.

Library and Computing

Christ's Library is averagely well stocked for a college library I think, and open 24 hours. It can often be found with panic-stricken students in the early hours of the morning (often this wiki-editor) and provides a place to work away from distractions of your room (though beware of the wifi in there for accessing facebook - making even the library a distracting place).

In Exam Term, the college also opens other rooms for studying and revising for times when the library becomes full.

There is a computer room in the newest part of the college, Staircase Four, though most people do bring their own. This means the room is usually empty and you can get on a PC whenever you require one.

Welfare

The college has the standard support network of Tutors, Chaplain and JCR (Student Council) Welfare positions, to provide support when it is needed. This is always being fought for by the JCR to improve and make sure Christ's is as a relaxing place to study as Cambridge can provide.

Atmosphere

Christ's has a rather unfair reputation for being a workaholic college. Yes, there are many such students here, but to no greater degree than any other colleges. And equally, there are many undergrads here who can procrastinate with the best of them and spend more than enough time socialising.

Certainly, you will not feel like you have to stay in and work if you don't want to, and you can always find somebody to waste time with if you'd rather. In addition, there's loads of extra-curric going on, such as the very good Chapel Choir, loads of other music groups and some really super sport teams and rowers.

I think the best thing about Christ's is its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The college size is big enough to find a firm group of friends yet not big enough to feel invisible or suffocated.