Rebecca wrote this at the end of her final year studying Geography at Christ's College, Cambridge. She is from Sheffield, Yorkshire and did A-levels in Geography, Maths and Economics.
How easy did you find it to choose a university course?
Personally, I did not find it too difficult to decide on Geography, though I definitely wasn’t always set on studying it. Before college, I had always intended to do Maths or a Maths related degree at university, though I really enjoyed Geography. As I was doing my A-levels, I realised how much I appreciated the diversity and variety within the subject, and my interest in both physical and human Geography grew. I began to find the subject more interesting and exciting than Maths and knew I wanted to work in a geography-related sector in the future, so it became the obvious choice for me.
What attracted you to Geography in general and what interested you about Geography at Cambridge?
I think the variety within the subject is probably one of the main things which attracted me to the subject. From volcanoes to urban regeneration, the wide range meant it was impossible to get bored! I became drawn to studying the subject in Cambridge as I attended a virtual Geography Sutton Trust Summer School. I found this really interesting and the staff seemed really friendly, and so I decided I would apply.
One of the main things that interested me in the course was the flexibility it offered. Different to most UK universities I had looked at, you didn’t have to decide between human and physical geography, rather you could choose to take modules from both areas if you wished. This was ideal as I most enjoyed modules where both sides of geography crossed.
Did you know the path you’d take through the course from the beginning or did you work it out later on?
I initially believed I would take a physical geography route, as I had found it slightly more interesting during A-levels. Though, I found I enjoyed the compulsory human geography modules in first year more than expected, and so I ended up taking a combination of human and physical options in second year. I found that while I did enjoy the physical modules I took during second year, the third year human options appealed more to me. So, I took all human geography modules in third year, alongside a human dissertation, which is definitely not the path that I expected to take.
Why did you choose Christ’s?
I chose Christ’s mainly because of its central location. You can get to so many restaurants, shops and other colleges within a 5 or 10 minute walk. The Geography Department is also located less than 10 minutes away from college, which definitely helps when you have 9am lectures! I wasn’t aware of this when applying, but it is the college which sits closest to its boat club, coming in handy if you are wanting to row at Cambridge.
I also thought it had a lot of green space, particularly when you consider how central it is. The college also seemed like the perfect size – not too big or too small so you can get to know people well enough.
Has the College lived up to your expectations?
The college has definitely lived up to my expectations. The location was certainly a huge plus and it meant I didn’t have to use a bike as everywhere I had to regularly travel to was located within walking distance. Spending time in the Fellows' Garden, Third Court and by the pool was also really great, especially in Easter term as a break from revision.
What advice would you give sixth formers considering an application for Geography?
Go for it! It is such a wide ranging subject and there are so many paths that you can go down after studying the subject. I would advise you to engage with Geography outside of your sixth form studies, even just keeping up with the news, as this will help when it comes to writing your personal statement.
Are there any particular books or other resources that you’d recommend for prospective students interested in Geography?
The Geography Department does have a reading list, but by no means are you expected to read many - or any - of the books on the list. I would recommend you use this as a starting point and follow your interests through documentaries, periodicals, online lectures, short online courses or even academic texts. Because of the variety found within the course, you are able to really prepare and cater to your interests, no matter how broad or specific.
What was being in the final year of the course like? Was it very different to first year?
The final year of the course involves choosing 4 modules (none of which are compulsory), alongside a dissertation which is started in second year. You might also have more coursework, depending on which modules you take. You will have around 1 lecture per module each week, alongside maybe an additional session for a lab or film seminar, for example. Generally, you will have 1 or 2 supervisions for each module per term, and you can choose the dates and times of these yourself after first year.
The course is quite different to first year where you have around 8 lectures a week, with around 8 supervisions per term allocated for you by your Director of Studies. This means you have more flexibility in third year and can really choose to work when is best for you.
What papers did you study this year and why did you choose them?
This year I studied Legal Geography, Geographies of Work and Employment, Geographies of the Cryosphere and Political Appetites: Geographies of Food and Power. I chose Legal Geography as it was a completely new area of Geography to me and the coursework involving observing a courtroom trial was something that really appealed to me. I’ve always had an interest in inequality and the economy, and so I immediately knew I would enjoy Geographies of Work and Employment. Geographies of the Cryosphere and Political Appetites were fairly new areas to me, and I enjoy environmental geography, so I decided to choose those.
What was the most interesting / enjoyable thing that you worked on this year?
I think the most interesting thing I worked on was my dissertation. Though it was frustrating at times to work through the difficulties with coding, I found it really satisfying to finally put all of my work together. My dissertation involved the use of historical demographic data to investigate the interactions between TB mortality rates and migration in England in the 1860s. I did also enjoy the Legal Geography module, particularly parts on reproductive justice and the courtroom.
Have you been able to manage a reasonable balance of work and other things you wanted to do?
In third year the course is fairly flexible, as you can choose your own supervision slots. This meant you could work contact hours around social events and other extra-curricular activities. I also found it possible to organise my free time so that I could spend most evenings with friends or at quiz society events. By third year you become more efficient and use your time more effectively, so even though you have more work, it is still manageable.
What have you most enjoyed about your time at Christ’s?
I’ve most enjoyed living so close to friends in college. The room balloting system is fairly flexible and so I’ve managed to live alongside friends in both second and third year. The college is also the perfect size and so when walking through you almost always bump into somebody you know. In terms of the college buildings and grounds themselves, it has almost been surreal to live and spend time in such a pretty place.
Where did you live this year? What did you think of it compared with where you’ve lived in other years?
This year I lived in staircase 4 at the back of the typewriter building, overlooking King Street. I thought the room was great, it was slightly smaller than in 2nd year when I stayed in a college house on King Street, though it was still a good size and it felt homely. I only shared my corridor, bathroom and kitchen included, with one other person (a friend) and so it was quite perfect really. I did have concerns about facing the street but actually I was rarely disturbed. The room was quite a lot larger than my first year room in staircase 3 and I felt it had a bit more personality.
Where is your favourite spot in College and why?
It’s quite difficult to choose one favourite spot as I think there are a lot of really nice areas to choose from. I would probably have to say the Fellows Garden and the pool area, especially in Easter term, as it was great to have such a big space to spend time with friends post-exams.
Did you take part in any particular activities or attend events for May week?
This year I went to Christ’s College May Ball and it was amazing! May Balls at Cambridge are night long events (lasting until around 5am or 6am) with unlimited food, drinks and entertainment. I would say my favourite parts of the May Ball were Tion Wayne (the headliner), the Abba tribute act and the silent disco.
Looking back over your time at Cambridge, what do you feel like you have gained from being here?
During my time at Cambridge I think I have become a more well-rounded person with more confidence. Rowing has definitely taught me a lot about drive and working alongside others. I’ve certainly gained a lot from dealing with the workload and the course – I can pick new things up quite quickly and stay calm when faced with a range of tasks.
What are your fondest memories?
I think my fondest memories come from spending time with friends in their rooms and around college. I look back especially fondly on the first term of first year, back when I was exploring the city and making the most of living independently for the first time. I also have fond memories coming from quiz society and rowing – getting that first bump in Easter 2023 is something I’ll never forget!
What will you miss most about Christ’s?
I will miss living so closely to my friends the most. I am also going to miss being in really pretty surroundings all of the time. Cambridge-specific traditions such as formals are also things that I will rarely get to experience again, so I will miss those too!
Do you have any plans for what you’ll do post-graduation?
Having graduated a few months ago I am now working as a Planner at a Planning Consultancy. I work specifically in research and analysis and so I support the creation of Council Local Plans and the wider economic, employment and housing evidence base. My interest in human geography, specifically urban geography, and the need to ensure sustainable growth for communities in the decades to come has led me to this role.
Do you know what others in your year in your subject are planning to do?
There is a huge variety in what others in my year are planning to do. There are quite a few people who are planning to do a Master's degree, both at Cambridge and outside of Cambridge. There are also people who are converting to Law. Many are starting graduating schemes in a range of different fields, from finance to sustainability. Some, like me, are also starting their careers. The great thing about Geography is that it is such a wide-ranging subject which can open many different doors and pathways.
October 2024
Please be aware if you're considering an application that our student writers describe their experiences. Although the majority of the information stays the same, some details may change from year to year. Do read the student profiles in combination with our undergraduate admissions pages for full information.
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