Rediscovery of the real world after the exams

As I explained in blogs in the previous years, the only exams we do in our course are a couple of written exams at the end of the third term of each year. However, the only one that really count towards our degree is the one done at the end of the third year. That means that these exams were the first exams so far that actually “really mattered”. Moreover, I needed to get a first in order to be allowed to continue my masters studies. This fortunately did happen and so I will be posting three more blogs on this site next year as well.

My strategy for the exams was the same as last year – doing a LOT of past exam papers in the morning before the lectures and then going together with my friends over our solutions in the afternoon. We managed to do 27 past papers, where each paper takes about 3 hours to do and about 2 hours to check. Add to it couple of lectures and the rest spent by revising and you get a pretty accurate image of my term. Well, not including societies, meeting with friends and sleep.

The exams themselves were fun – for some obscure reasons I actually enjoy doing exams. But I am quite an optimist so that might explain it. I still find it bizarre though, that only 9 hours of exams fully determine 75% of our result for the entire bachelors course. The remaining 25% are the marks for the dissertation. However, once the exams were over I finally got some time to travel around, visit all Cambridge museums, and do other things one doesn't have time for during the term.

I went to visit the cathedral in Ely, a town reachable from Cambridge by train in about 15 minutes. The cathedral was stunning – extremely big (164 meters long!) and unbelievably beautiful. It took hours to have a look at every window, every corner and every detail. Moreover, I went for a guided tour to the tallest tower of the cathedral and the view and the height were stunning! What made the visit even more exciting was a big-band orchestra which had rehearsal for the evening concert in the cathedral. It was such a nice contrast: 900 years old cathedral and a big-band playing loud jazz tunes in it.

My next trip was to London and I spent a long day there while managing to visit almost all the main sights, including 3 museums. Yes, I know it is shame I haven't done that in the first year, but better late than never.

Those (and many more) were the nice things during the term. But I mentioned also sad things: most of my friends are leaving Cambridge, while I am staying. At least all of them will be in Europe, so I hope we will manage to visit each other in Norway, Scotland, London and Switzerland! For now, however, farewell Cambridge – I am going home.