Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably stayed up all night frantically checking UCAS, in the vain hope that the system would glitch and reveal your results. You’ve attended endless talks on Oxbridge applications, discovered your first grey hairs preparing for that interview and been boggled by the endless UMS number crunching. In just over six weeks’ time, you’ll begin your journey as a Cambridge student, an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. We hope you’re excited! But you’re probably also a little bit terrified – and for good reason.

Most of you will be moving to a new city, or some even a different country or continent.  Academically, you’re going to be thrown in at the deep end, tackling tricky material and deadlines whilst also trying to make a new group of friends and dealing with the emotional tirade of hormones and hangovers. So with this in mind, here at Varsity we thought you might need a helping hand. Here’s our two cents on how to handle the next couple of months – from people who’ve done it themselves.

‘Prepare for the longest September of your life’

The chances are most of your friends will quickly have scattered off to all four corners of the country, while you still have stretches of time left at home. No doubt you’ll be bored stiff, obsessively stalking the Freshers’ page. Our advice – make the most of it. This is probably the most relaxed you’ll be until you emerge bleary-eyed at the other end of the 8-week Michaelmas marathon.  Take the time to chill with your family, cuddle your dog or read a book (so long as it’s not from the reading list).

‘Don’t worry if you hate Freshers’ Week’

Freshers’ week can be challenging. Don’t worry if it’s only Saturday and you’re homesick and considering giving it all up to join high-school friends on their gap year in Thailand – you’re not alone, but things will settle down.  You’ll also learn how to go hard at Wednesday Cindies (a.k.a. Ballare) AND still have enough energy the next day to write your essay AND go to Women’s Rugby/6am rowing session/Amnesty International (delete as appropriate).

A lot is made of “Imposter Syndrome” – the feeling you don’t deserve to be here. You do. Although it’s a common feeling to think you are academically unworthy when you arrive, you will learn not to feel intimidated by other students harping on about Marx and macroeconomics (they don’t really understand either). Once you’ve gotten through the first few weeks, Cambridge will soon feel like your (strange) new home.

‘Take time to sleep’

Sometimes, it’s more important to get a good night’s sleep than making friends or socialising. Don’t be afraid to do your own thing and have a night in if you feel like it. More often than not, there will be someone that feels exactly like you, and wants to do nothing else but curl up in front of Netflix rather than face another cheesy night out. Make sure to take time for yourself, and the rest will fall into place.

‘Actually go to (some) lectures’

This is one for the arts students out there especially – even if it’s raining and you’re probably going to be late. They’re only 50 minutes long, and who knows, they might actually be useful, the kernel of an idea for your final year dissertation. Ultimately, you should be at Cambridge because you love your subject and you want to study that subject at one of the best universities in the world. 9 am lectures are rough, but listening to a world class academic teach you something they’re an expert in can be an amazingly rewarding experience.

‘Embrace Sainsbury’s Basics’

But don’t go too mad on the digestive biscuits. Always go for the Basics red wine – you’re not going to taste it anyway, and the bottle is plastic so you can hit people with it as much as you like. Note – Varsity does not condone, nor advise bottling your peers, at least not in the early days of Michaelmas. It also probably won’t go down well with the wizened old academics that you might find yourself sitting down next to at Formal.

‘Seriously, sign up for everything’

Spoiler: you can unsubscribe to any annoying email lists later. The Freshers’ Fair can seem overwhelming, but we’d encourage you to take advantage of it.  University is a time to try new things: lacrosse? theatre? crushing the patriarchy? Whatever it is, there’s a society for you. Three years will go before you know it – make sure you don't miss out!

‘Appreciate how beautiful Cambridge is’

No one will judge you for whipping your phone out on King’s Parade to get a snap of the view – probably because they’re on their way to the library and didn’t even notice you standing there, or they’re a tourist and are doing the exact same thing. Either way, Cambridge is definitely one of the most beautiful places to study; stop and appreciate it (and work on your Instagramming skills while you’re at it).

‘Never be afraid to ask for help’

Finally - keep in mind that struggling now and again in your Cambridge career doesn't have to define your experience. It does not make you weak, or any less worthy of being a student here if things do get difficult. Most colleges have several tiers of support available to you (tutors, college counsellors, college ‘parents’ (you’ll hear more about those soon), subject parents, welfare officers etc), and remember that it’s completely okay to make use of them. Just because you’re at Cambridge doesn’t mean you’re expected to be perfect - look after yourself and don’t forget to lean on those around you when you need to.

Above all, don’t panic! Get ready to embrace the weird and wonderfulness of Cambridge life - you’re certainly in for an exciting ride. Oh and don’t go to Life – it’s shit.