Advice for a PBS fresher? Study preparation?

I'm going to be a fresher at Cambridge, studying PBS in October 2018. I'm on my gap year so I have plenty of time to read-up and prepare for the course, but I'm not sure how or where to find resources, since it seems like it's all tied up on Raven/Moodle...

Does anyone have any advice for starting out strong for the course? How should I prepare? Any recommended books or places to find study resources? Also any general tips or chatting about freshers is all very welcome.

Thanks.

Have you had a look at the PBS site?
Eg. https://www.pbs.tripos.cam.ac.uk/prospective/faq#section-8

I doubt you will be given Raven access until much closer to Term, but you could always ask your DoS for additional prep reading.


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Thanks for the response. Yeah I've looked through the tripos website and course guide. I'm hoping to stumble upon some sort of accessible textbook if one exists. Do you know when we get access to Raven? Or is it when we arrive?

If your DoS wants you to read something to prep up for the course, you will receive a reading list of easy entry books after A level results in August. Most of these lists are entirely optional, and most likely won't benefit you tremendously come October. If I'm being honest, enjoy yourself before (and whilst!!) you are here, if you fancy a little extra reading then go for it - but I doubt you will need to prepare too much.

I did a little digging on the PBS site - and this link seems to give all the papers available in first year, here - with a few selected readings. Be warned, however, some of this stuff may be massively confusing - they mean for this to be read in conjunction with the lectures they are giving you!!

some of this stuff may be massively confusing - they mean for this to be read in conjunction with the lectures they are giving you!!

I can't remember exactly, and it might vary by college, but I think it's a few weeks before you arrive.

As with all things, it's best to contact your DoS about all this

Thanks for the great response.

I'm trying to get ahead so I don't feel quite so swamped with work later on (if at all possible - probably not!). I tend to enjoy myself the most when I feel very prepared and so not as anxious.

- That's a good point that I hadn't thought about. Not sure how to avoid that one...

If your DoS wants you to read something to prep up for the course, you will receive a reading list of easy entry books after A level results in August. Most of these lists are entirely optional, and most likely won't benefit you tremendously come October. If I'm being honest, enjoy yourself before (and whilst!!) you are here, if you fancy a little extra reading then go for it - but I doubt you will need to prepare too much.

Ps I did a little digging on the PBS site - and this link seems to give all the papers available in first year, here - with a few selected readings. Be warned, however, some of this stuff may be massively confusing - they mean for this to be read in conjunction with the lectures they are giving you!!

do you know if there is a similar guide for geography, thanks!