Cambridge 2011 Freshers Chat Thread

Bought my macbook pro. Bought my suit. Got lots of books.
You jelly?

Anyone else done prep work? Or am I being extra keen?

Yep, I have done mine (the preparatory problems for engineers includes 30 pure maths questions, 15 mechanics questions and 12 electricity questions!)

I just ordered mine. 13" so I can lug it around.
So all the money I've been saving for the past 6 months, GONE. But hopefully it'll be worth it because everyone I know that has a macbook loves it.

Anyone else done prep work? Or am I being extra keen?

I've done half of them but I am working full time (last day today).

I'm really disappointed that there is no geek week for engineers particularly as my sister and I have only one big suitcase between us and I was going to have it first, empty it straightaway and give it back to my sister so she can use it.

Now she starts Downing on 1st so she has to have it first and she doesn't do anything in a hurry! I'm arriving on the 2nd.

Don't worry, I know some people who have just started doing them! Plus, I believe some internationals even haven't received the booklet, and probably won't be bothered to ask for them . I haven't received it myself, emailed my college about 2 weeks ago and they gave me the password to access it on the web. Oh, how much I hate the postal service here! I think all my letters are lost, coz even the confirmation letter which was supposed to be posted to us on results day hasn't reached me . But anyway, the admission secretary at Trinity is lovely, she told me what I should have received, so I haven't missed any information so far

A geek week? Sounds cool, but even if there was a geek week, I probably won't be able to attend it coz I booked my flight months ago (to get cheaper fare )

Ah, sharing the suitcase like that is a bit inconvenient. My big suitcase used to be my sister's

I am arriving a bit earlier than you, coz I will have a loooong journey (about 15 hours on plane, 6 hours transit time (yes, there is no direct flight to UK), and nearly 3 hours on coach )

That sounds like a long trek

I live half an hour away by car (much longer by public transport ).

Can't wait for term to start though I'm going to miss my 3 year old sister.

At least my sister is in a house this year so I'll be able to store some stuff there during holidays and not in our very small house. With two sets of uni stuff and a full size skeleton our house is like an obstacle course.

I am arriving a bit earlier than you, coz I will have a loooong journey (about 15 hours on plane, 6 hours transit time (yes, there is no direct flight to UK), and nearly 3 hours on coach )

Don't worry, I know some people who have just started doing them! Plus, I believe some internationals even haven't received the booklet, and probably won't be bothered to ask for them . I haven't received it myself, emailed my college about 2 weeks ago and they gave me the password to access it on the web. Oh, how much I hate the postal service here! I think all my letters are lost, coz even the confirmation letter which was supposed to be posted to

I am arriving a bit earlier than you, coz I will have a loooong journey (about 15 hours on plane, 6 hours transit time (yes, there is no direct flight to UK), and nearly 3 hours on coach )

where r u from? Ur plane time is quite similar to the one from china.

Hmm good. Looks like the Great Firewall does not filter TSR.

from a fellow Chinese Cantabrigian

Hmmm I'm in uk now. Which part r u?

I came to the UK 12 years ago. I was from Hubei

Xiiiiaaaaannnnng, recommend me adecent laptop that isn't expensive, please!

Xiiiiaaaaannnnng, recommend me adecent laptop that isn't too expensive, please!

How do you think I should formulate an e-mail to my Director of Studies concerning my desire to change subject from Linguistics to Modern Languages? Should I give her a carefully composed list of reasons as though I were writing a para-PS for the new subject or do you think I should simply formulate a succinct question about the possibility of making such a change?

How do you think I should formulate an e-mail to my Director of Studies concerning my desire to change subject from Linguistics to Modern Languages? Should I give her a carefully composed list of reasons as though I were writing a para-PS for the new subject or do you think I should simply formulate a succinct question about the possibility of making such a change?

I think the standard practice is to ask upon immediate arrival in Cambridge. However, I am sure that there would be no harm in simply asking about the procedure. I wouldn't personally write a 'para-PS' because I am sure that your DoS would rather speak to you about the reasons in person.