Hi everyone! My name is Eleanor and I am a HSPS student at St Catharine’s College Cambridge. Catz holds a reputation as the “friendly” college in Cambridge, and this is a reputation it certainly lives up too. Whilst my application process was a little rushed compared to many others, meaning I didn’t have chance to attend any open days, basing my decision off online materials (Catz has a really great student written alternative prospectus), applying to St Catharine’s was still an easy choice, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. For me, Catz really ticked all of the boxes, it was central, relatively small, had a great range of societies, including an active JCR, and had a high percentage of state school students, something that was important to me.
Catz is not only a friendly community, but also a really supportive one, with financial support, such as the hardship fund and other grants for music and sport, and a great welfare team including not only members of staff, but students on the JCR, who all actively and consistently look out for our wellbeing and provide fantastic support when it is needed. The supportive nature in Catz is mirrored in the general vibe of the College. After only a few weeks in residence, it becomes nearly impossible to walk across the main court without bumping into someone and having a chat, the open sided main court being a unique feature of the College, alongside the college dog, Toby. .
The college family system in Catz really helps promote the supportive vibe, which, alongside the cheese course and the college’s love of ducks, is one of my favourite things about St Catharine’s, and what really drew me to it. On my first day at Catz, my college mum popped in to make sure I was settling in, had everything I needed, and to reassure me, from the very moment you arrive at Catz, there really is a great support network there to help and encourage. Even within covid times, societies have worked really hard at maintaining this sense of community, with the rowing club have regular circuit sessions, which for me have been key in helping me feel connected to the Catz community, even in times of remote learning.
Given that I didn’t have chance to look around any of the colleges before I submitted my application, how Catz was such a good decision still shocks me a little. It is a supportive, vibrant, and diverse community, that also recognises where it can do better and that there is always more work to be done, and so, through the efforts of both the staff and the JCR, is always working to make the community more representative, tolerant, and open. It has all of the benefits of the central colleges, yet, being a slightly less famous one, is a little more relaxed and quiet than some of its more well-known neighbours. Like many others have said, the college you pick really impacts your time at Cambridge, and for me, Catz meant a supportive community, which really encourages and supports you to grow, not only academically, but as an individual.
Look at the St Catharine’s College website for more details