Bright Ideas and Rainy Day Cinema

The past two days have brought some variety to the weather in Cambridge, with cooler rain on Wednesday giving the campus a refreshing change after several warm days. Despite the showers, spirits remained high and the drizzle added a sense of cosiness to the college buildings. Thursday brought a welcome return to sunshine and warmth, with blue skies and a gentle breeze making for a fresh, bright morning—just right for a packed day of academic and social activities.

The atmosphere around college has been upbeat and relaxed, with students settling in well and starting to form friendships across different classes and nationalities. A strong sense of togetherness is building, and there’s been plenty of laughter and collaboration across the site. The cooler midweek weather didn’t dampen enthusiasm—if anything, it offered the perfect excuse for some indoor fun during the evening’s scheduled events.

On Wednesday night, the campus was transformed into a pop-up cinema for a relaxed movie evening. Students were given the chance to vote on their preferred films earlier in the day, with several classrooms converted into cosy screening rooms. College mentors handed out popcorn, sweets and soft drinks, creating a warm and communal feel as students tucked in and settled down to watch. With the rain pattering gently outside, it was the perfect night to enjoy a slower pace and some well-earned downtime.

By Thursday, the focus returned to academics with one of the programme’s most exciting moments so far—Time to Shine, a showcase of student-led projects and presentations. Each group had been preparing throughout the week, and the effort, imagination and originality that came through in their final pieces was exceptional.

Students from Social Sciences explored the actor-observer bias and just world phenomenon, grounding their presentation in data they had gathered earlier in the week through real tests taken by both students and staff. Their thoughtful case studies sparked plenty of discussion.

A Business group presented their idea for a pet-sitting service, complete with a working QR code to survey their fellow students. Their initiative and professionalism were genuinely impressive. Another Business team took a more playful approach, launching their product “Sock Lock”—a solution to mismatched laundry. The slogan, “keep it together!”, got more than a few laughs, and their talk included practical financial planning and logistics.

Science and Technology students produced a video that tackled food shortages and plastic pollution through imaginative new chemical processes. Their film demonstrated both technical knowledge and creative flair. The Medical class, meanwhile, explored the historical practice of trepanation—drilling into the skull to treat what would now be recognised as mental illness—presenting a striking video that explored the theory from both past and modern perspectives.

Finally, Social Sciences students delivered a powerful session on fake news and its psychological and societal impacts. They examined how misinformation spreads rapidly across social media, influencing areas as sensitive as religion and education. Their talk highlighted both the dangers and the importance of critical thinking in today’s digital world.

After such a thought-provoking academic day, the evening brought a vibrant mix of activities that let students relax and connect in new ways. In different corners of the college, some students tried their hand at painting and decorating tote bags, while others laced up their trainers for a lively basketball match. A group headed out on a gentle nature walk to explore the green surroundings, and the Arena buzzed with energy thanks to karaoke and Just Dance sessions. Each activity offered a chance to recharge, laugh, and continue building friendships.

The first full week at Cambridge has seen students grow in confidence, express their individuality and begin to form a warm and inclusive community. With a trip to London ahead and more academic adventures on the horizon, the tone has been set for an exciting and fulfilling few weeks ahead.