Cranford's Alumni & Friends association is a great way to stay in touch with Cranford for many of our graduates. It is also an excellent source of insights and information to both current and past pupils. We checked in with Jemima Lawrence, Class of 2024 to see what insights she could give to Sixth Form students who are considering Cambridge.
What courses are you studying and at which College?
I am studying Biological Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, Homerton College. I take the Biology of Cells, Physiology of Organisms, Evolution and Behaviour and Mathematical Biology modules.
How was the adjustment from Sixth Form to University life during your first year?
The transition to the Cambridge workload in Michaelmas term was a major adjustment, despite being completely comfortable with the workload of 4 A levels. Unlike Sixth Form, where work ends after set hours, Cambridge contact hours extend into evenings and weekends, with supervisions scheduled as late as 8:30pm and supervisions and even lectures on Saturdays. Obligatory college evening workshops add to the sense of constant work. The fast-paced delivery of lecture content makes it hard to absorb everything, and I'm expected to complete 3 essays and problem sheets weekly. Overall, the STEM workload is intense and overwhelming at first, but it becomes slightly more manageable with time.
On a social level, it has been amazing to gain freedom and meet so many new people. Going from a very small Sixth Form to a huge pool of people has been so exciting. I chose Homerton College because it is one of the largest colleges and I have formed the best friendships. It has been so nice to make friends with so many people from so many backgrounds! I've also certainly found moving from a small village to the city so much fun and so freeing.
How did Cranford help prepare you for going on to university?
I felt very ready for university and had so for a very long time, though I feel like this was more of a personal readiness. Academically, I was really ready for some more in-depth, complicated Biology. I wanted to understand Biological processes fully, like what I was reading about in my spare time, instead of from a surface-level perspective, which is what is covered in the A-level specification. Having been at Cranford for a total of 16 years (since Nursery), I was very ready for a change of scenery and to meet new people. I have absolutely loved the freedom and new lifestyle.
Which studies and/or topics have you found most fascinating?
I really enjoy my Physiology of Organisms module. In supervisions, we often discuss the idea of functional redundancy of systems (basically an organism's plan B if something goes wrong). This means we often make links to disease which I find really interesting. Additionally, when writing physiology essays, I find it very interesting to consider how theories of mechanisms for certain processes can be backed up using pharmacological approaches, such as certain inhibitors which prevent the action of a hormone by blocking its receptor site. I also really enjoy my Biology of Cells module. Learning all the ins and outs of gene regulation is fascinating.
What do you think you might go on to do after your degree?
After I've graduated, my current plan is to hopefully do a PhD at Cambridge. I would love to carry out research in the area of disease and its treatment. I'm particularly interested in the treatment of autoimmune disease and oncology so perhaps I will specialise in one of those areas.
Do you have any advice for students in either Year 11 or Sixth Form?
In terms of applying to Oxbridge, my advice would be to firstly research the course you want to apply for well. You should pick a course you are really interested in and passionate about, otherwise the application process and studying the degree is going to be incredibly hard and pretty painful. Explore your subject beyond the A-level curriculum through extra-curricular activities that you are genuinely interested in (ie reading books, entering essay competitions, listening to podcasts). It will seem like a lot of work on top of A-levels at times, but if you truly love your subject, it will hopefully be quite interesting at the same time. I put in so much time to my application in Year 12, and now that I'm here I am so glad that I did because it is so worth it.
Try to have the mindset that if you put the effort in now, future you will be very grateful... Don't leave it until the last minute.
On a less academic level, my biggest advice for applying to any uni would be to take up a sport if you don't already (it is not too late)! I started playing hockey at the start of Year 13 because I spontaneously decided that I wanted to play at uni. Every single morning, pretty much all of my frees, my lunches and after school were spent on the astro just hitting balls into the goal because I loved it and I was also desperate to be decent enough to play at uni. I play for Cambridge University Hockey Club now, as well as my college's team which is so much fun. Sports socials are unmatched, and it is so nice to have another group of friends. Also, sports are such a great way to get away from academia and relax! I'm hoping to try out fencing, ice hockey, rowing and perhaps participate in a student fight night next year!
In terms of anything else uni-related to add... I suppose I can just say that Cambridge is such a great place. From formal dinners to May Balls it does feel pretty surreal. It's a beautiful, safe city and is definitely very work hard, play hard culture. The college system is amazing and means you have so many close friends and a sort of home-base.
