My First Term at the University of Cambridge

Hey There

First off, a big thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way—especially my parents and the funds who provided financial support. This term has been full of ups and downs that have changed my take on studying and life. I'm really excited to share my journey, the fun I've had with machine learning maths, and how I'm managing a busy academic life with everything else going on.

Study Life

Loving the Maths

I wasn’t a big fan of maths in high school— I never really saw the point of it. But here at Cambridge, I've started to appreciate it. The courses make maths feel fresh and interesting, especially when you see it in real-life situations. I’m enjoying these ideas a lot more now, especially since I hardly did any maths during my Computer Science degree at Utrecht University. There's plenty here that's completely new to me!

Crazy Busy but Fun

At Utrecht University, I had more time to explore my interests. Here at Cambridge, the pace is wild—it often feels like I'm doing two years' worth of work in one. Juggling social events, side projects, and even squeezing in gym time is a whole new challenge. This busy schedule forces me to be organised and make every minute count, which is a good change thanks to the company of other hardworking folks.

Outside lectures, my classmates have been a great source of learning. Our group is small but very mixed, with 35 students from places like New Zealand, Australia, America, India, Poland, Spain, Czechia, France, Vietnam, China, and the United Kingdom. I'm the only Dutch student in my course, and even though I know just one other Dutch person, I was surprised to see that a few of my mates did their bachelor's in the Netherlands.

Exam Stories

One of the standout challenges was my first exam. At Utrecht, exams gave plenty of time to work through questions, but here the pace is different—it feels like finishing every question isn’t even expected. I still remember my oral exam with Carl Rasmussen clearly. For those who don’t know, Carl is a well-known figure in machine learning thanks to his work on Gaussian Processes.

His course was split into three parts, and I spent most of my study time on the first two, which I really enjoyed. But during the oral exam, we had to pick one question out of 15. The last two questions (14 and 15) were only mentioned in a lecture a few days before the test. I joked with my supervisor, "I’ll do fine unless I get question 15," and, as luck would have it, I ended up with question 15. Even so, I passed all my tests, and my practical work is still getting top marks.

Most professors at Cambridge are fantastic teachers, and I've learnt loads from them. One in particular, Richard Turner, stands out—he explains tough ideas in a way that makes them easy to follow, and his passion really shows.

Living at Queens'

College Setup

At Cambridge, the university is split into smaller groups called colleges. They offer housing, meals, and academic help, creating a cosy atmosphere where students feel at home while still enjoying the perks of the bigger university. It is kinda like the different houses in Hogwarts, but instead there are 31 colleges.

Great Community

Picking Queens' College was the right choice. Being so close to the engineering department means getting to lectures and labs is a breeze. The warm atmosphere here feels like home, where everyone looks out for each other. Living with 17 other postgrads in a shared house can get hectic, but it's also a brilliant chance to make good connections with people from different backgrounds.

Keeping It All Together

I try to carve out time for group study and hanging out with friends. With such a heavy workload, I’ve learned to use every minute wisely. Back in Utrecht, I had more downtime, but here, every minute counts. Whether I'm biking to college—a brisk five-minute ride that reminds me of home—or grabbing an inexpensive meal (£3!!) at the Queens Buttery, I manage to blend work and play. I also squeeze in side projects (like this website and more course-related work) that let me put what I learn into practice, keeping things interesting.

Extra-Curriculars

Outside of lectures, I've joined in events like the Queens' entrepreneurship challenge. It's been a fun way to meet people in the startup scene and try out fresh ideas. These activities go hand in hand with my studies and help build skills for the future. They remind me that while diving into maths is exciting, balancing life makes the whole journey more rewarding. I love creating things I can show off to friends and family, even if it’s sometimes tricky with a course that's a bit hard to explain.

Cambridge City Life

Cambridge isn’t just about the university—it’s a small city where you can easily walk around. As a Dutch person, I of course brought my reliable bike from back home, a companion I've had since high school.

Living in Cambridge means you’re surrounded by centuries of history and a lively culture. The city is full of tradition, and I even gave punting a try for the first time. Punting is when you drift along the river in a flat-bottomed boat using a long pole to move you along—it's a fun and relaxed way to enjoy the views. Even with its rich past, Cambridge has all you need—from snug cafes to modern facilities—though it can get pretty touristy sometimes.

When people hear Cambridge, they often just think of the university, but outside of that it is quite a normal city. Being close to London means I can often take short trips to catch shows like Cirque du Soleil, mixing Cambridge's timeless charm with the lively buzz of the capital.

Final Thoughts

This term at Cambridge has been a wild blend of hard work and a buzzing social scene. I've rediscovered my love for applied maths, and the challenge of a packed schedule—especially those rapid-fire exams—has really sharpened my time management and adaptability.

I'm pleased with how far I've come and am looking forward to what lies ahead. The experiences here have set me up nicely for a future where both theory and practical know-how count. I'm excited for more chances to learn, grow, and maybe even start my own company with all this new knowledge.

Thanks for reading about my Cambridge journey. I can't wait to see what comes next and to keep building on the strong base I've created this term.