Freshers: We're in, now for the practicalities...

Reply 20

14

lingolicious

Good thread! The important (but probably hard to answer) point for girls is how many dresses are needed? We can't just turn out the same dress each time like guys can with suits! Would a couple of dresses, say one below knee length and one floor length as JHutcher suggested do, or are more needed? It's just becoming clear to me how much stuff I need, not sure it's all going to fit in the car!

Depends how often you want to dress up/how many black tie events you go to! People tend to wear whatever they would go out clubbing in/to a party, to formal (but no denim) I bring a couple of dresses for any special formals, such as birthdays. You might want a floor length dress if you decide to go to the RAG Ball or the Selwyn Snowball this year, but again, you can get away with something shorter for those too.

If in doubt, New Look/Miss Selfridge/Oasis/Monsoon/Debenhams are all within walking distance....

GIRLS - Black Tie rule on dresses- can equal a cocktail dress. So above the knee is fine!

Reply 21

Apagg

13

thefish_uk

Everyone wears a suit at formal - ok, I've seen people's visitors from home wear "smart casual" but every Cambridge student wears one. You'll need the suit right from the start - the first time you'll need it is for Matriculation on your first Monday morning. You'll also need a gown but you'll buy that from college (second hand, if you're high enough in the alphabetical list for there to be any left) just before Matriculation.

Sounds like an excellent plan. I wore my black tie at an "Engineering Society" dinner last year (the only reason I went was 'cos it was at Robinson, ok?). And two may balls, of course. There's a few occassions next year I'm planning on wearing it, which are effectively society dinners - don't worry, you'll know well in advance of anything where you need it.

Hmm, at Jesus people wore suits for the first few formals (obv matric etc need them) but then plenty took to wearing jeans and a t shirt under their gown

Reply 22

donaldduck

thefish_uk - thanks for getting back so quick.

Apart from a suit do we need any other smart clothes (don't really know how to describe it!)?

Reply 23

FadeToBlackout

15

Kyle_S-C

A list of stuff you'll probably need (not in order of importance, though a door stop could be one of the most useful things you have):

•

Door stop (Good idea! But bedders tended to nick mine...)

•

Duvet (I didn't bother. I did bring a blanket to put over the bed- could lie down with shoes on etc. without worrying about mud. Same for eating in bed.)

•

Bedclothes (You probably won't need more than one or two sets of these.)

•

Pillows (You'll probably get one, but cushions and pillows make a room comfy!)

•

Kettle (though everyone will probably have one) (Some colleges supply this. Clare do.)

•

Toaster (same goes) (Ditto)

•

Cups (MANY cups. Or just one, to force you to wash up! The bigger, the better- I have a selection of insulated mugs for tea at my desk that won't go cold.)

•

Teaspoons (Cheap in ASDA, Sainsbury's etc. They'll get nicked and you'll end up using the ones in the gyp anyway.)

•

Black tie clothes (Didn't buy this until May Week in my first year- there's loads of deals and sales on so you can get it cheaper- my suit was £500, reduced to £200 in the sale :biggrin: )

•

Formal clothes (I bought a suit with me, for matric. and formals etc.)

•

Other clothes (obviously) (Bring jumpers. LOTS of jumpers. Also hat, gloves. Buy a college scarf. Cambridge gets COLD!)

•

ID (driving licence and/or passport) (Passport I have, I don't drive!)

•

GCSE/A level certificates (if requested by your college) (I just put all these in my national record of achievement- a handy folder for all this rubbish.)

•

Student loan form for matriculation (VITAL!)

•

Any other forms your college asked for

•

Cheque book is useful (VERY useful, actually- way to pay college and societies and stuff.)

•

Diaries can be handy (I didn't really use one- I bought a small whiteboard, upon which I'd scrawl reminders to myself.)

•

Stationery (you probably don't need a calculator if you're a scientist/mathmo, since you have to buy a uni calculator anyway) (LOTS of pads of paper, biros, etc. are good. Also ringbinders in various colours for notes. Take your parents to Staples, Smiths etc. :wink: )

Optional stuff you might need, depending on space and facilities:

•

Iron (Got one, but never used it- still in the original packaging after nearly 3 years! There's normally irons in the laundry rooms.)

•

Ironing board (not really necessary, but can be handy) (Never had ojne or needed one.)

•

Kitchenware (dependent on your kitchen facilities and how much you like to cook) (I bought: Plates, choping board, knives, knife/fork/spoon, bowls, a few saucepans, frying pan. Measuring jug, grater, etc. are also useful. Tupperware or boxes for stuff in the fridge is also good.)

•

Decorations for your room (posters probably have to be hung from poster hangers which are available in Freshers' Week) (I bought all my decorations over time in Cam; a few posters in Fresher's week, some more I've picked up over time. Bumps programmes, BCD menus, race numbers, greenery, rowing photos, many books... all acquired over time. :smile: )

•

Snacks possibly for your first week (Take your parents to a supermarket when you arrive. NOT Sainsbury's in town, it'll be jam packed. Tesco or Asda near Newmarket road, or, better, Tesco at Bar Hill (10 minutes down the A14, past Girton) are better bets)

•

First aid kit (Never used it- porters tend to have this sort of thing.)

Bare in mind that I've probably forgotten some things and I may just add to the list as I remember stuff.

Things I also bought with me:

•

Bike (Cheaper to buy at home)

•

Tupperware

•

Permanent marker for marking food, etc.

•

Walking boots, camping gear.

•

Trashy books to read

•

Old work uniform (safeway shirts) to make into fancy dress costumes

•

Formal shirt and tie (several off)

•

Multitool, cable ties, bike repair kit

•

Small tool kit

•

Towels, dressing gown

Things I've acquired over time:

•

Buoyancy aid

•

Rowing kit

•

LOTS of theatre stash

•

Posters, room furnishings

•

EXTRA DESK LAMPS

•

BIGGER tool kit (soldering iron, etc.)

•

GAFFER TAPE

•

Electrical tape

•

Multitool

•

MANY new mugs, plates, etc.

•

Bathmat for bathroom floor- don't like cold floors!

•

MORE camping kit...

•

About 200 books (and 15 strong cardboard boxes to put them in!)

•

Desk fan

In terms of packing, I have 3 large holdalls with wheels that can fit a lot of stuff in. Then there's my two large (70 litre and 110 litre) rucksacks for clothes, etc. Other rucksacks for computer gear, etc. Lots of "granny" washing bags (the patterned ones made of tough plastic) that are great for putting thigns in- they won't rip and are square and easy to pack. Also many archive boxes and strong cardbaord boxes (of a regular size) for my books, folders and work. Foldaway crates for folders, etc.

It should JUST ABOUT fit in the back of an estate car now!

Reply 24

D-503

1

What's the story with having guests down? Can you/would you bring them to formals? Thanks for all the advice so far guys. Also, reading list... How much should we read?

Reply 25

generalebriety

16

On the guests issue - are they allowed to stay overnight? And if not, would anyone particularly care/notice if they did? Hypothesis, of course, but I'd like to know. :p:

Friends/family coming to visit and so on.

Reply 26

Willa

11

Inviting guests:

Can you bring them to formal? Yes, you can. And people often do.
Can they stay overnight in your room? You are supposed to sign them in at the porters lodge, but most people do not bother.

Reply 27

D-503

1

generalebriety

On the guests issue - are they allowed to stay overnight? And if not, would anyone particularly care/notice if they did? Hypothesis, of course, but I'd like to know. :p:

Friends/family coming to visit and so on.

It may vary as well I guess. Since you're up, I was wondering do you have a letter from UCAS? Some people have got theirs for other unis, I was wondering is the Cambridge system different or is the formal reply through UCAS still essential? Some sort of slip I believe.

Reply 28

Willa

11

They had the UCAS slip in my day (3 years ago). But I wouldnt say it's absolutely essential as long as in some way the college know you want to accept the offer (i.e. by ringing/emailing them)!

Reply 29

generalebriety

16

Pechorin

It may vary as well I guess. Since you're up, I was wondering do you have a letter from UCAS? Some people have got theirs for other unis, I was wondering is the Cambridge system different or is the formal reply through UCAS still essential? Some sort of slip I believe.

I have my AS12 letter, yes. :smile:

I sent it off just in case - 32p on a stamp won't kill me, better to be safe than sorry I guess. But I'm sure they won't care with a technicality.

Reply 30

D-503

1

Hope not! I'm firing off the accomodation and scores stuff tomorrow so it should be alright. Cheers for the speedy reply..

Reply 31

generalebriety

16

You posted something there, Craghyrax, I saw it! :p:

And in reply to that: problem is that most of us are gonna be on trains to and from Cambridge every 2 months, and could really do without taking our entire lives, but have never done without any of it before...

Reply 32

Craghyrax

17

generalebriety

You posted something there, Craghyrax, I saw it! :p:

generalbriety

And in reply to that: problem is that most of us are gonna be on trains to and from Cambridge every 2 months, and could really do without taking our entire lives, but have never done without any of it before...

I'll be on the trains too :p:

I'm hoping to store stuff partially at college and partially at my Gran's (she lives in Cam). But yeh..at least my packing will be alot easier :rolleyes:

Reply 33

2.71828

I know that the guys wear suits but what exactly do girls wear for matriculation? I'm going to Clare btw if this makes a difference!!

Also, what is an NHS form and how do we get them?

Thanks and congrats to everyone else on getting the grades :smile:

Reply 34

faik_kheft

4

For matriculation girls generally wear smart black/dark trousers/skirt with a smart shirt/top. When you get to Cambridge, have a sneaky peak around the p'lodge and they'll probably be a matriculation photo around somewhere so you can check what people were wearing (it's very reassuring when you actually see it in photographic form!!!!!).

Reply 35

Craghyrax

17

faik_kheft

For matriculation girls generally wear smart black/dark trousers/skirt with a smart shirt/top. When you get to Cambridge, have a sneaky peak around the p'lodge and they'll probably be a matriculation photo around somewhere so you can check what people were wearing (it's very reassuring when you actually see it in photographic form!!!!!).

Oh darn

We don't wear posh frocks? Bah! *mutters*

Reply 36

faik_kheft

4

Don't worry, there's plenty of opportunities for wearing posh frocks! I had one particularly silly week last year where I went to four black tie dinners!!!!
:smile:

Reply 37

thefish_uk

14

FadeToBlackout

Things I've acquired over time:

•

Buoyancy aid

•

Rowing kit

•

LOTS of theatre stash

•

Posters, room furnishings

•

EXTRA DESK LAMPS

•

BIGGER tool kit (soldering iron, etc.)

•

GAFFER TAPE

•

Electrical tape

•

Multitool

•

MANY new mugs, plates, etc.

•

Bathmat for bathroom floor- don't like cold floors!

•

MORE camping kit...

•

About 200 books (and 15 strong cardboard boxes to put them in!)

•

Desk fan

That's the boatie / techie list... can't see most people needing to pack a soldering iron. :rolleyes:

Gaffa tape, however, is apparently very good for emergency first aid.

I'd recommend having a first aid kit of your own - there was one occassion last year when I needed to properly wash / dress a nice cut (bike accident!) which wouldn't exactly be possible in the p'lodge due to the lack of a bath there. Colleges have nurses but they're not on duty 24/7. It's also a must-have to stick in the bottom of your rucksack if you're going climbing / walking etc outside Cambridge - you're not going on a school trip, you can't rely on the "leader" to patch you up!

donaldduck

Apart from a suit do we need any other smart clothes (don't really know how to describe it!)?

I generally take a few "smart casual" type clothes, ie. the kind you would expect to wear if you're hoping to be let into a club (btw - clubs in Cambridge are not at all picky about dress). It's nice to have something a bit tidier to put on if you're going out of an evening. Also, come May Week, many garden parties will specify a dress code (eg. "shirt and tie").

Reply 38

hsitin

donaldduck

I think I am going to buy a normal suit before I go and then wait and see if it is worth buying black tie. Apart from the may ball when else do you wear black tie?

Yep, i think thats whut i'll do as well. Just bring my suit and wait till I find out how much i need a black tie one.

Reply 39

Helenia

20

Craghyrax

Oh darn

We don't wear posh frocks? Bah! *mutters*

Not for Matric, no. But you'll have opportunities eventually.

priya

Depends how often you want to dress up/how many black tie events you go to! People tend to wear whatever they would go out clubbing in/to a party, to formal (but no denim) I bring a couple of dresses for any special formals, such as birthdays. You might want a floor length dress if you decide to go to the RAG Ball or the Selwyn Snowball this year, but again, you can get away with something shorter for those too.

If in doubt, New Look/Miss Selfridge/Oasis/Monsoon/Debenhams are all within walking distance....

GIRLS - Black Tie rule on dresses- can equal a cocktail dress. So above the knee is fine!

Basically what she says. I have 3 knee-length dresses which I have gradually acquired over the years and take with me every term and probably wear them about once each (medics dinners, special formals, boat club dinners...). For this sort of thing, you CAN go above knee length, I just don't. Most people will not bat an eyelid if you wear a dress above knee length at most events apart from the most formal ones.

However you WILL need a floor length dress (or close to it) for May Balls and the like, but in Mich term you are unlikely to need this unless you go to the Snow Ball or something.

It's really not something you should worry about too much - bring a couple of nice outfits with you and you'll probably not go too far wrong.

Freshers: We're in, now for the practicalities...

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