Sutton Trust UK Summer School student Izzy Parkin reflects on her experience in Cambridge last month.

Monday came and I was incredibly nervous about the summer school. Would I make friends? Would Cambridge live up to my stereotypical view of it being snobby? And most importantly, would I actually manage to navigate the trains and make it to Cambridge!

I successfully arrived and immediately found other summer school students who were just as nervous as me. We were met outside the station by the staff who were really welcoming, enthusiastic and very friendly. After happily chatting to other students on the walk to the college, any nerves I had quickly disappeared.

When I arrived at the college I was surprised by how normal it was and how ordinary everybody else seemed. We were given our timetables for a week packed full of lectures, projects and activities. That first evening we played some icebreaker games which although corny, got everyone laughing and making friends easily.

The next morning we walked through the beautiful, historic town center to get to the Psychology department. Throughout the week we were thrown into a whirlwind of interesting theories, captivating research and surprisingly interesting maths. All was presented to us by lecturers completely against the typical stereotype; young, funny and in one case also a magician! We finished the week with a supervision and a project. When I first saw this timetabled I was worried about working in a close group, thinking I’d appear stupid. Actually, it was one of my favourite parts of the week and helped us to think for ourselves, really testing our capabilities.

The evening activities varied and included a Quiz night, punting down the river Cam, a group viewing of The Great British Bake Off and of course the celebratory disco, where some of the staff’s dance moves will stay with me forever… not naming names.

The week concluded with a formal dinner (followed by the not-so-formal disco) which was an amazing way to spend a last evening with friends I felt I’d known for years and to meet some members of the Sutton Trust.

My expectations of Cambridge were completely different to the reality. Not one person or place was snobby. Friends were easily made and I ended the week feeling like I had a family more than anything.
The Sutton Trust gave me an incredible opportunity to spend a week getting an idea of what life is like as a Psychology student at Cambridge University, something I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. Not only that, but the summer school has seriously helped me make decisions about what course I want to take at uni, given me advice on applying (and not just to Cambridge) and a preview of student lifestyle.

All in all, the week made me realise that applying to Cambridge wasn’t an unachievable goal but something that is entirely possible. It’s made me determined to do so. I can’t thank the Cambridge academics, student helpers, staff and most importantly the Sutton Trust enough for giving me an experience and friendships that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone at the Sutton Trust!

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