Ever wondered what it is actually like to study as a Foundation Year student at the University of Cambridge? Oli, a student at Fitzwilliam College, tells us more about a typical day on the course.
10:00: I typically try to wake up around 9am or 10:am as I am quite lucky to rarely have any 9am starts. I got ready and planned my day; today was packed with contact hours (time with course staff), so it was not hard to figure out what to do with my time. I made a quick cuppa - my accommodation has a pretty large kitchen, which is rare in Cambridge (one point to Fitzwilliam), so sometimes I like to spend a brief period before leaving for the West Hub relaxing in the kitchen.
11:00: After finishing my cup of tea, I left for the West Hub which is where most of the teaching on the course happens. Today, I didn’t walk, but I often do. The walk from Fitzwilliam to the West Hub is simple and short, which I don’t mind. Fitzwilliam is also one of the closest colleges to the West Hub (another point for Fitzwilliam). The West Hub, built in 2020, is rather unique because most Cambridge sites are old. I really like the architecture and welcoming feel of the West Hub; it is open to the public and offers the perfect mix of hustle and bustle as well as quiet areas to “lock in.” I much prefer the West Hub to other sites in Cambridge (looking at you, Sidgwick site).
11:30: My 11:30 lecture set the scene for the rest of the day. In Lent term, you sit three 'papers' and typically have one lecture, one seminar, and one supervision per paper per week. My lecture today was on the Exploring the Religions of South Asia paper, which has given me a lot of insight and new perspectives into how we perceive Hinduism and religion in general. In this specific lecture, we explored ideas such as Orientalism and how South Asian religions are represented within Western culture. Lectures typically establish how the rest of the week will go for that paper.
12:30: After my lecture ended, I had 30 minutes before my supervision started. I have found it invaluable to use these short breaks for something productive – as it takes pressure off me later on in the day. I popped into the shop within the West Hub, which is like your typical convenience store, and picked up a chicken samosa to go with the pasta I had prepared the night before. While eating my lunch, I checked my emails and did some admin work. I am on the JCR at Fitzwilliam (the student committee for undergraduate students), so I used this time to make sure I was up to date with the agenda for the next meeting.
13:00: This is when I had my supervision. A supervision lasts one hour and consists of a small group of around five students and a supervisor, where we discuss the topic we have been studying that week. Usually, there is set supervision work, which allows us to discuss feedback with our supervisor and, if we feel comfortable, with our peers. This type of learning is really useful because everyone brings a unique perspective to the table, one you may have overlooked. Supervisions are usually quite informal; while they follow a structure, they focus more on sharing ideas. No two supervisions are the same.
Today’s supervision was feedback on a formative essay plan. Formatives are essays you typically write halfway through the term, allowing you to receive useful, critical feedback—but they do not count towards your final grade. Because of this, I really enjoy writing formatives, as they allow me to be more creative and try new techniques without the worry of affecting my final grade.
14:00: After the supervision, I spent some time catching up with my friends. The Foundation Year cohort is quite close, which I would say is the best part about the Foundation Year. Becoming friends with people from different colleges is not unusual, so hanging out at the West Hub isn’t atypical. After a really productive hangout session, I started to write up my formative essay for the Exploring the Religions of South Asia paper, which is a book report. I really enjoyed reading the book, so I was looking forward to writing the report!
15:15 – 17:15: During this period, we had a seminar that built on the ideas from the earlier lecture. I really enjoyed this seminar as we had an interesting discussion on the readings and ideas we were working on for our formative essays. This was especially helpful when writing my own essay later in the day. Lectures, seminars, and supervisions are all unique and offer different ways of learning and engagement. I would say I like seminars the most because they provide the perfect balance of engaging with others while learning new content.
19:00: After the seminar, I had an appointment to attend, which felt strange because you can get so engrossed in Cambridge life that you forget about the small things - like the odd check-up. After this, I did some shopping at Aldi, which is very close to Fitzwilliam (so many points for Fitzwilliam that I’ve lost count).
When I got back, I cooked a stir-fry for my flat mate and I. We typically cook for each other, but I’m the better cook (though the photo I took does not help me win this argument). Having a big kitchen is amazing, and it helps me save a lot of money. I have also found a real enjoyment in cooking. It’s great to have ‘productive’ hobbies like cooking because they serve a dual purpose: you’re taking a break from work, but it still feels productive.
20:30: After clearing away dinner (and a little bit of doomscrolling), I set out to finish my formative work—the book report I started earlier. It’s a bit late to start work, but since I have a very late start tomorrow and feel motivated, I’m more than happy to spend the next few hours finishing the essay.
Once I finish the essay, I read for a while before heading to bed. I’m currently reading Butter by Asako Yuzuki.
I was able to get a lot done today which feels really good. It may seem like I didn’t socialise much, but that’s because I prioritized getting work done so I can enjoy the upcoming weekend. This weekend, we officially reach the halfway point of the academic year, meaning it’s time for the Foundation Year Halfway Hall—a formal, three-course meal attended by Foundation Year students and some teaching staff. It will hopefully be an enjoyable night and an excellent opportunity to catch up with friends and peers I haven’t spoken to in a while.