Hi! I’m Molly- an English student at Churchill College.
Churchill was not my first choice. Indeed, it was barely on my radar. I remember weighing up the pros and cons of so many older, central, typically Cambridge-esque colleges with visions of living in a Hogwarts-style building with a spiral staircase, so when my offer came through from Churchill rather than Trinity, ecstatic as I was to have made it into Cambridge, I couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed that my aesthetic vision of my university experience would not be my reality. To me, Churchill was a STEM college; why would I, a humanities student with an allergy to anything remotely scientific, want to be at a college like that?
Well, if I’ve learned anything from my pooling experience, it’s that somehow, the right college found me. General perception of Churchill would have you believe that it’s ugly (I enjoy the ‘soviet retirement home’ dig from a Tab article last year), male-dominated, and miles away from civilisation. Of course you’d expect me to say this but the brutalist architecture grows on you- no college in Cambridge looks quite like ours, and that is something I am fiercely proud of. Churchill College is unapologetically unique. There’s a distinct and lingering sense of its 1950s/60s origin, and that to me is as aesthetically pleasing in its own right.
So if you really despise the architecture at Churchill, I promise you the rooms make up for it. I don’t think I’m unjustified in saying that Churchill probably has the best accommodation in Cambridge. They represent the modernity of the college, with large windows, iconic (some would say ugly) checked curtains and of course, the famous window seat! As an English student, a good 80% of my time is spent reading. And I spend most of that time sat on my window seat. Who wants to sit at a desk all day when you can stick the heating on (yes, they’re heated), get comfy and do your work as the world goes by outside? Indeed, you’re somewhat spoiled for choice when it comes to workspace; we have large desks in our rooms, window seats, benches outside, the Buttery (the café/ bar in college with the loveliest staff in Cambridge) and two libraries to choose from.
There is also something to be said for Churchill’s location. We are the largest college in terms of square-footage, which means lots and lots of field space. It is open and spacious, with plenty of room for walks or sports or picnics- and the sunsets are truly beautiful. Sure, it takes a little while to walk into town- maybe 10- 15 minutes by the quickest route. The walk back in the dark can be quite unnerving, so I’ve often found myself ringing my mum as I walk so she knows where I am. This is undoubtedly a disadvantage, and perhaps the one thing I would change about it if I could, but the JCR is working hard to help alleviate this problem. Churchill has an unbelievably friendly student body and a committed JCR, meaning that if anyone feels nervous walking back to college alone, there will be someone who can pop out and walk back with them. Other than that, the University Library is just a short walk away, and the science and maths buildings are close too, so really, our scientists and mathematicians have the upper hand over other colleges when it comes to location. We also have both an Aldi and a Sainsbury’s nearby which are a little quieter than the ones in town!
Like I said, Churchill’s student body and JCR are incredibly welcoming, but the staff are also integral in creating the generally friendly atmosphere in the college. Particularly as my experience at Churchill began in the midst of the pandemic, when the jobs of the senior tutor, porters etc. must have been particularly difficult, their kindness and constant support made what could have been a pretty stressful and isolating term much easier. Whilst high academic expectations remain (Churchill came fifth on the Tompkins table in 2019), staff and fellows in my experience have stressed the importance of personal wellbeing and mental health, and that makes Churchill particularly distinctive in a rigorous environment such as Cambridge.
Personally, I don’t think you’ll find a college as friendly, open or unique as Churchill. I feel I belong at this college, and I’m certain that future Churchillians will feel the same way.
Visit the Churchill College website for more details!