IS CAMBRIDGE WORTH IT? | BRUTALLY HONEST REVIEW OF MY 3 YEARS AT UNI & SPILLING LOTS OF TEA

[@HollyGabrielle]

yes it's hella LONG but that's why i gave you all TIME STAMPS!!!! so please use them - watch it all or only the sections you want! sending a tonne of positive vibes as always and i'll see you on SUNDAY (with a little self-experiment ooooooooo ...)

[@aleenab9675]

Hey holly thinking of going to cambridge but really deciding in between there and exeter/oxford not sure yet but in the process if deciding, thanks for inspiring me for all of these years you won't believe how much you inspire us viewers. I'd love it if I got a heart ❤❤

[@philippaettrick7012]

Watched it all! And loved every minute!

[@nadiaroumane1789]

It doesn't matter how busy the specialists/researchers are, you paid £9k a year for them to teach you so the least they could do was mark your essays

[@HollyGabrielle]

i do totally agree, there should be no excuses! and if they are not going to teach well, then they should hire other people to maybe focus less on research but more on teaching, or even just the latter! i would LOVE to do that aha!!

[@maneskinnnnn7190]

my lecturers dont even answer my emails

[@isalennon]

Academics in First Year | 2:02 Academics in Second Year | 5:45 Academics in Third Year | 7:48 Social Life | 14:42 Being Independent | 16:16 Homesickness | 16:24 Support Systems | 16:41 Queens’ College | 17:00 Career Advice | 18:10 Diversity | 19:04 Ranking System | 19:33

[@jaylakayalah5798]

its already there in her comment 😂

[@isalennon]

@@jaylakayalah5798 when I commented, it wasn't 😉

[@cloudyo_o2792]

Jayla kayalah suppose but it’s more convenient 😂

[@HollyGabrielle]

it's in the description and was there from the start, but i know a lot of people like it in the comments! haha

[@isalennon]

@@HollyGabrielle I like it in the comments because (at least in my phone) I can't click on the timestamps in the description box, but I'm able to do so in the comments section (I don't know why, lol)

[@lnh1147]

this is soo irrelevant but your skin is gorgeous:(💛💛

[@HollyGabrielle]

ahh thank you!!

[@sarahsworld3912]

Holly, when you were at university, what were you doing to make your self motivated and inspired after being down?

[@HollyGabrielle]

1. acknowledge why you are down, was it a bad essay (which i spoke to you guys about haha if you remember that video), generally a bad day, feeling ill, homesick etc 2. let yourself feel a bit upset, cry it out if you need to 3. speak to other people, for me it was calling the fam at home 4. de-stress by doing something you love e.g. yoga, fresh air walks, cook, gym, dance 5. re-focus and think about what you want to get out of it at the end! it's ALL about mentality!

[@trishplusmama]

@@HollyGabrielle ah, needed this today! thank you, holly

[@atirix9459]

How do you think vlogging affected your university experience? For instance, did it make your studies more stressful or was it a good way to keep yourself accountable and productive?

[@HollyGabrielle]

ooooo very interesting question. personally, i think vlogging was one of the best things for me. if anything, it made it less stressful because i would always express why i was feeling down and simply talk to people (i.e. the camera ;) ). regarding productivity, i am generally someone who is very self-disciplined so i never 'changed' when i was filming or anything. i have used it, and will continue to use it, as a means through which i can show you guys my life :)))))

[@yikuang9134]

@@HollyGabrielle Hope I can be such person who is as productive as you :)

[@ameliawodnicka8725]

Dissertation tips video, please! I'm about to start my final year and I'm scared

[@evexx9313]

Amelia Wodnicka Do as much reading and research as early as possible! The middle and end of the year only get busier and it’s good to have the base of the research out of the way!

[@HollyGabrielle]

of course - it's on my list for the 'exam secrets' series ;)

[@ameliawodnicka8725]

Thank you ♥️

[@chasingpunctuation]

Make sure to pick a unique question (obviously one that you genuinely have an interest in), you will almost certainly gain some favourable marks for ambition and originality as long as it’s well supported by existing research x

[@incolourxx2613]

The UK’s way of doing university sounds so stressful to me... In America, each class is typically worth 3-4 “credits,” and it typically takes 120 credits to get your degree. Each class only lasts a semester (theres fall, spring, and summer semesters at my college) and then its done. Your grades are added up at the end to give you your overall grade. I love it because I’ve studied biology, chemistry, sociology, english, and psychology in one year, and I get to explore and decide what I really want my degree in. Props to you for being so successful in your kind of program Holly!!!

[@debbiemckeown7626]

Different courses here have different methods. I am doing Social Sciences at University of the West of Scotland and I have Usually 2 or 3 modules per semester and each module is either 20 or 40 credits. Scotland does have a different system to England as well though.

[@Nathaliedkk]

I just finished my first year at uni here in Denmark, and I really get what you're saying about supervision and them being too focused on the smaller picture of the subject. I really miss some information on the bigger picture and how it all works

[@HollyGabrielle]

sometimes they forget that they are the expert and you (as the student) have simply just learnt about the topic ahhhaaa!!!

[@jimmyjohnstone7258]

This was a good summary of your experience at Cambridge. You worked hard and got the top result in your year. Well done.

[@blancaah6]

It might not be so normal in the UK to have those timetables but in my country I had Monday to Friday lectures from 8.30 to 14.30 and I did humanities. To be fair, I didn't have Saturday lectures. It's even worse for the people who are in the sciences though... My friend, a chemistry student, also has Monday to Friday lectures from 9.00 to 14.00 as well as three to four hours of practice later in the day. They usually find it harder to find time to study everything that they had to learn during the day. I also dislike that the academic year is longer; we start mid September (beginning of September if you have exams) and finish at the end of June and then we have two weeks of vacation for Christmas and one week for Holy week. After that, we have random days in between which don't leave time to really disconnect as they are usually spent studying. I'm glad not to have Saturday lectures but I would prefer to gain the university life that I see in UK universities (or the universities in many other countries). I went to the University of Bath on an Erasmus for an academic year and I loved both the academics as well as the student life inside the university.

[@HollyGabrielle]

wow crazy timetable! it makes ours look like nothing!!

[@andreao1328]

Since my second semester, I've had a 7:00-18:00 timetable (with a few "free hours" in between) because of the crazy sistem of my University. So, yes, it is really hard to finally reach home like at 19:00 and have to still continue with studying/homework :( I was really really surprised when I saw the timetables in UK Unis

[@TheEvergreenSoul]

I also believe that you can have a great time and get great education at (almost) every university☺️ it’s all about what you make of it and if the university is a good fit for you! I loved listening to your experience, Holly!✨🧡

[@lisalll1763]

Haha on the ranking, I didn't know there was a ranking until I saw a number (that was pretty easy to miss) in the exam results webpage after my second year exams 😅

[@sarahsworld3912]

GREAT video Holly!! , Can you make a video about exercices to stay fit? it would be great!!

[@AVALT-sq3wq]

I always find myself looking forward to your videos 😂 ✨

[@HollyGabrielle]

i always love uploading ;)

[@grahammisson4111]

i was born in cambridge .I will never go back agian . i lived with my parnets for 65 years ilooked after my dad till he died looked after my till she had to go in hospital and died of cancer a few days latter then the bloody cancel evicted me from the house moved me to a flat with drug addics and drunks i hate the bloody councel

[@gucci8470]

Lol I'm more excited for applying to Cambridge rather than getting the offer.

[@nrg1123]

I'm a data scientist so R is basically my life haha. Nice to see how different areas use it.

[@HollyGabrielle]

oh wow!!!! haha i bet you are an expert ;)

[@liz_2878]

For more about mental health support at Cambrige watch the documentary called 'Blue' on youtube made by cambridge students

[@sarah_kale]

Matlab and R really are the devil. We used SPSS and I always got so panicky just opening it on my computer...

[@kirstensee6459]

would you be able to give us some advice on picking a college? i've only found one proper guide on the Tab, besides that most sources give generic information (all colleges have great pastoral support, lots of green space, a variety of curricular activities, etc.) and also, does queens have lots of funding? (ie. travel/research grants, etc.) ++ i think a video with more details on the courses you studied (maybe explaining what concepts you thought were fascinating) would be very interesting! but on another note!!! loved the editing and thank you for this video- it was definitely refreshing to hear about your experience with uni -- the stats and details made it a lot more personalised :))

[@annaleesaenglert2122]

Aw.. Holly, can't believe you cried after the MATLAB sess. It's ok, it was worth it! :) Glad you posted this.

[@HollyGabrielle]

that day was not good at all ahah .... but i got matlab eventually ;)

[@IracebethLovett]

Don’t be sorry for the length of any of your videos. It’s always a pleasure to listen to you! ♥️

[@HollyGabrielle]

ahhh thank you!!! glad to hear this!

[@nice-zn8sj]

I really do relate to your video about studying. Your method of making notes was quite useful as I also tried that and my main subject is also biology in which we have too much information to learn and remember. I m from India and currently preparing for competitive exam to get into medical college. I'm really really inspired by your routine and study. Thank you so much😊.

[@harpreetkaur1200]

Holly I love u so much. ❤ Words can't express but absoultly love your videos u upload. Can't wait untill u start work. I'm waiting for the morning, night, weekly, day in the life of a biology teacher. Good luck. Wish u all the best. 😚😁

[@sarahsworld3912]

What a RIVETING video Holly!! thanks so much!!

[@Hvipsen]

An important thing to add, which I think is quite problematic about NatSci, is that you dont necessarily get to do the track you want to in 3rd year. Slots are allocated to tracks based on your 2nd year results which mean you're not guaranteed to get your first choice if the track is oversubscribed. What's worse is that vets and medics get to do 3rd year NatSci tracks and they compete for the slots with actual NatSci students.

[@rhythmicelegance4670]

Just read about Cambridge student and dancer Alana Cutland today... may she r.i.p...

[@HollyGabrielle]

words cannot even explain how shocked and sad i am. having known alana through dance, it is heartbreaking news to hear.

[@rhythmicelegance4670]

Holly Gabrielle 💔 My warmest condolences 💔

[@zerefken1254]

Love u ..I just finished my biology work and open KZbin...😁 and holy gabrielle with new video

[@Dream_weaver_velaris]

When you said they rank you based on interviews, are you talking about admissions to Cambridge? How do they use that?

[@sillygoosegoose]

holly: i don't care about ranks also holly: ranks first two years in a row

[@malvikapant7622]

Holly has honestly changed the outlook of my life. I'm a 3rd year student pursuing graduation in Sociology. And yes Holly has technologically spoonfed me to live like a confident 20 year old lady . Thanks Holly. Always a pleasure to reach out to your videos.

[@ugbadfarah7928]

P

[@annajowett5464]

Thanks so much! I'm applying to Queens' for History this year so this was SOOO helpful :)

[@HollyGabrielle]

good luck!!!!

[@annajowett5464]

Thank you!

[@lakshminarayanan5533]

Hey holly, Can you share few tips on what you do generally when u feel sleepy while studying but you shouldn't sleep as there are exams coming up.....🤔

[@amytc7635]

Wow, looking at your timetable is almost the complete opposite to mine as a Fine Art student

[@flutura2769]

That was super interesting! I am from Germany so I don't really understand that with Queen's College like what is that? Are there Colleges in the university, can someone explain it to me please? And I also have a question about scholarships because if I am not wrong Cambridge and Uni in general is really expensive (in Germany it's free) so how easy is it to get a scholarship because I really want to study abroad but I am literally broke af 😅

[@stella9caro7]

Die Colleges sind im Grunde genommen wie kleinere Unis innerhalb einer großen Uni. Also du kannst an verschiedenen Colleges in Cambridge dasselbe Fach studieren. Ich glaube schon, dass Cambridge sehr teuer ist im Verhältnis zu Deutschland, hier hast du ja wenn nur die Semestergebühren. Wenn du beispielsweise über Erasmus ein Auslandssemester machen möchtest werden viele der Kosten übernommen, ich bin mir nur nicht sicher wie viel übernommen wird und wie genau das abläuft. Dazu kommen jetzt durch den Brexit natürlich auch noch extra Kosten und da bleibt die Frage inwiefern Erasmus dann überhaupt noch zahlt, da das ein Programm für die EU ist und durch den Brexit wahrscheinlich verfällt. Deshalb werde ich mein Auslandssemester nächstes Jahr in Irland machen, so hat man trotzdem ein Stück britische Kultur und es ist nicht ganz so teuer.

[@flutura2769]

@@stella9caro7 ah okay danke für die Antwort🥰

[@SANA-xh5uq]

Holly I really love your videos, I feel so motivated and positive after watching them... Can u plz make a video about your social life at University, school, and your friends?

[@abirlemkadem8379]

I agree that teacher/supervision should give feedbck on what students submitted, even if it is good carry on or that was weak. We soend a lot of time and efforts too so why underestimate my hardwork saying that u don't have time, neither I do have time but I made it. It's just so frustrating!

[@wimpypooh8232]

Hello! I am a first year Botany student at University in my country in Southeast Asia. I'd love to go into your university ☺️

[@Jellybean91210]

At my uni (I do bio at manchester) I have 6 exams a semester in 1st year and 5 exams a semester in 2nd, 10 10 credit modules and 2 10 credit lab modules which are about 15 hours a week. Funny how different degrees are structured so differently

[@hannanagel3245]

Hey I got an offer for Genetics at Manchester. Do you like it? Would you do it again? Thank you very much Hanna😊

[@ellaf3877]

What is cambridge like? I am considering oxford for natural sciences or similar (maybe geography) but that's also because I know they have good athletics facilities (i do athletics). I am starting sixth form in september.

[@nikola206]

Ella F oxford doesn’t do natural sciences, only Cambridge does

[@anjali_soni]

Hey there! I just started watching your videos from today. I'm so much influenced by the way you work hard and persevere. I'm so glad I found your channel, kind of makes me want to study hard and get going. I've a query, if you could answer, what kind of sheets do you use in your binders? Is it A4 sized? I'm planning to organize my notes the same way you do. It's so flexible and minimalistic.

[@HollyGabrielle]

glad you found us ;) and yes i use a4, always :)

[@Lady_Wilde]

Hi Holly, I just dropped out of my university and course because of the effect it was having on my mental health and have decided that after two years in industry I want to apply to Cambridge, you have been such an inspiration for me and have helped in me in more ways than you'll ever know so thank you :)

[@bartoszmaj8691]

If your poo is that colour I think there's something wrong

[@ajselasehic6174]

Holly will you continue your education or this is enough for now? I "grew up" watching your Cambridge videos :) love you girl and I'm am so proud of you

[@HollyGabrielle]

i'm not done yet.....

[@mayamelie20]

I just came across this video and am applying for Cambridge BioNatsci next year and I just wanted to say thank you for this! I’m a naturally more academic than social person and not planning on drinking or anything, plus I’m planning on taking similar modules if I do get in, so I could really relate to some things and found the advice super relevant- thank you!

[@tommorgan1291]

Essay and more essays and even more essays! Cambridge is an essay factory!

[@katewareing4386]

The accommodation at Queens is ridiculously expensive but I agree it’s the best college, such a friendly atmosphere and the Mathematical Bridge is beautiful 🥰

[@emilykesha6109]

I’m currently doing a pathway (introductory to university) diploma in Australia, and I have classes Monday to Wednesday 9:00-16:00 for a 17 week semester. I am three quarters of the way through the year preparing for my four year education degree. Can’t wait to actually start my degree!

[@cajoleme2228]

Bro this video is sooooo negative

[@philippaettrick7012]

It's such a well organised and thought through video, I love it! ❤️

[@hayleygamer8266]

Thank you for making the video! I’m a sophomore in high school in the U.S., and my teachers are beginning to pressure us about college. I’ve found my dream college, however, my parents won’t allow me to go unless I get a full ride. I appreciate you sharing your experience because it allowed me to recognize another perspective of former college student, and I loved watching you grow at Cambridge 😁

[@aks272]

Watching this as an American college student is incredibly confusing 😅 where even am I

[@HollyGabrielle]

haha did any of it make sense?

[@aks272]

Holly Gabrielle generally kind of???? We mainly just have different names for everything!

[@ella_coolbeans]

I can answer the question in the title - no. I went for two terms and it destroyed me. Also, my SOC1 supervisor was horrible and I can recognise his words as the beginning of the end for me.

[@06dhewett]

I can definitely relate to the supos with cats . . . and stale biscuits . . . and mountain of text books 😂 Classic 2nd year path haha Also totally agree with your thoughts on the organisation of the path department.

[@msinanozeren6733]

For most Cambridge academics, teaching is simply drudgery, a fatigue duty of sorts. Why ? Because they are under a huge pressure to publish and ANYTHING that takes them away from research that would lead to manuscripts is simply grind... forced labor.... This is why they try to talk about the research with you, because they did not prepare enough for the lectures, they probably forgot most of the basic fundamental material themselves (there are exceptions of course). The reason they always say "oh we must get the undergraduates involved directly in research" is not idealism, there is a sinister plan behind: economizing THEIR OWN schedules.

[@saarah2275]

I also wanted to ask about different types of diversity in Camebrige University. In terms of race , nationality too

[@shadenalharbi8572]

Love watching your videos ✨💕 and loved hearing about your experience, it’s so inspiring especially because I take my steadying so serious 🤓😂❤️✅

[@tomasferreira4245]

If you're sick and can't attend to classes or practicals, are they recorded? What kind of support do you get?

[@muhammadvickyastriahera3006]

hi Holly,,, since i'ved watched your video i became your fans excidently... ahaha,,, the main reason why i like your daily review is because we are have a same course that we majoring in,,, Biology😂,,, ahaha,,, well,,,my next semester i'm going to have a Biochemistry module,,,so can i ask for your biochemistry note?😂😂,,, ahahah,,

[@anneharrison1849]

I studied and worked at Cambridge University and have never heard of such a ranking system! I never knew my rank in any exam (though I know the examiners have it and share it with academic staff). As a supervisor I was never asked to rank my students other than to estimate their grade in the course. I even supervised regularly for Queen's college computer science students and at the time the director of studies very highly attempted to encourage collaboration, I assume he has since retired (actually I just checked the list, I don't know the new guy as he joined the department after I left).

[@alwinshajan3960]

Yay Holly Missed you Luv you lots 🇮🇳😍Love from India😍🇮🇳

[@TheElusiveEJ]

Bless you for defining things like supervisions, I was never quite sure what you were talking about!! ❤

[@MC10799]

Can u pls tell me the procedure of getting into Cambridge university as an undergraduate??? What are the costs per year?? Pls reply

[@nehaupreti9645]

My contact hours:- 9am-4pm sunday-friday along with hectic practicals and unrealistic deadline and totally negligible teacher assistance except for lectures 😭😭😭

[@HollyGabrielle]

oh no!!!!!! i hope you are coping ok!!!

[@tayamiranda]

i love this new editing holly

[@pamrizzo6663]

To be honest the contact hours seem pretty ok in the Uk, considering most people live at uni and don't have to try and fit in jobs. It would be nice to not have travel time to uni at least plus work.

[@Under-dogGamer]

me and my lads played a set thier at the boiler room.Veteran of the college scene lol.Rare for a cambridge city head. We played kings,emma,any many more and may balls good times without the work lol.Glad you had a good ttime.Seen alot of you come and go.Bless.

[@krysiac9792]

How did you decide on your modules? What made you take the two biology modules that you did over the physiology one? I would be grateful for any advice on how to decide! Thank you :) x

[@twokindsofovenfries32]

Idk I just finished my first year and my social life was amazing, academics have been kind of a breeze, rent is cheap

[@maureenirma2828]

Good for you, but that doesn't invalidate her experiences.

[@MathildeFire]

I used mathlab in high school and cried too, so overwhelming

[@puneetkaur13]

2:29 this is exactly why I highly dislike the time table in-charge at universities! Look at the saturday and wednesday and friday .. They HAVE TIME .. and practicals, lectures , supervisons etc from Monday , Tues and Thurs can be ADJUSTED THERE! Call them early and leave them early .. BUT NO! LETS KEEP STUDENTS TILL 7 PM .. IT WILL BE FUN.

[@emma12345890]

You didn't talk much about your flatmates

[@astethoscope6468]

hahah I had the same BOD supervisor this year :)

[@maneskinnnnn7190]

I'm studying biology, and have to do maths for bioscientists, and I HATE it.

[@dr.triggerd222]

can't believe u went to cambridge omfg

[@HollyGabrielle]

I JUST FOUND YOUR MESSAGE ON INSTA &&&&& and i need to watch your battersea vlog hahahahaha ;)

[@dr.triggerd222]

Holly Gabrielle LOLL took u a fuckin WHILE

[@siennarattigan8485]

Can I ask what your ucas predicted grade were? I’m applying to uni this year and hopefully to Cambridge to do natural sciences or biology at Oxford as one of my choices and didn’t know whether A*A*A would give me a good chance?

[@predestinatemyeni6430]

Holly for how many years did you do your A levels and which can give me a better chance between AS levels and A levels

[@marianaisdabomb]

I'm currently studying biochemistry in Portugal (just finished second year) and the schedules here are usually 9-13 + 14-16 or 18, Monday to Friday, so we don't have much free time during the day, which sucks. I would prefer to start classes earlier im the morning and be done earlier but oh well 😊

[@tonoyajaber8302]

You are my inspiration.....

[@Ryan-mm1oj]

My parents were both at Queens' and they both say that they think they would have enjoyed uni more at different unis (they did medicine and maths). They were always working and didn't feel like they got all they could out of it.

[@trtytrimind2173]

What did you get at gcse?

[@sarahsworld3912]

Holly, If you were still at uni, what would you do to have a productive summer?

[@HollyGabrielle]

sleep, rest, no work ( i never worked over summer), and chilllllllllll

[@anneharrison1849]

As a former supervisor I never returned any work unmarked.

[@olladapa404]

What will you do next? Will you do teaching? I mean, are you going to be a teacher?

[@MrMinermation]

I think ranking is a great idea

[@caitlinmorris6074]

NEEDED. THIS. VIDEO

[@remlatzargonix1329]

Is a supervision like a tutorial?

[@HollyGabrielle]

Yes!

[@joycemmutle3311]

Soooo Early and no comments. 😢

[@woosix7735]

very well structured and helpful

[@anneharrison1849]

You do know you can use the careers service for the rest of your life.

[@theastenberg4906]

Do you need to have mathematics as a course ?

[@meghatirkey7610]

What happens during supervision?

[@pauletah101]

What will u be specializing in the future,

[@pearnes]

Maybe you create a videos dedicated to the university newbies?

[@shakthiprasad7515]

I'm the first comment!

[@shakthiprasad7515]

Also Holly you're great!

[@rashmimaurya205]

What a nice morning.. I just made Holly's waterfall pancakes for breakfast n opened KZbin ,n there, Holly's new video.. Perfect time to eat pancakes n watch the video ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@HollyGabrielle]

oooo YAAAAAy did you enjoy them?

[@chelsey8737]

Spilling the universitea- Jack Edwards

[@slickjumpedoverthelazydog]

love this video

[@hayyihahd9251]

Can you do a workout routine video? It will really help fellow students to stay fit a lot