One year ago, in July 2023, I spoke to an English student at Caius during a university open day – a brief conversation that convinced me to make one of the best decisions of my life. Fast forward 12 months, and I am now that very English student at Caius, guiding tours and offering advice to the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed potential applicants, fully aware that my conversation alone could influence someone’s choice of college. I hadn’t expected to feel so emotional. Yes, the 30-degree heat and seven-hour work day were enough to reduce anyone to tears by the end, but it was more than that. I saw myself in every hopeful Year 12, imagining a life here and wondering if it could ever be mine. I too had stood, mouth open in awe, gazing at my beautiful college library with a mix of hope and disbelief – exactly as they stood now. I’ll admit that, as a student here, it’s easy to take it all for granted. But witnessing their astonishment thrust me abruptly back in time to a year ago, to when I wasn’t yet a Caian but knew with absolute certainty how much I wanted to be one.

“12 months later and I’m showing others around the same college that first stole my heart, and hoping it steals theirs”

The open days were rewarding in more ways than one: both my stomach and bank account were left full. Not only did us student helpers get free meals and accomodation, but we were also paid £65 per day. It didn’t feel like work, though. The experience was rewarding enough already – not that I’m complaining about all that money – because I could finally give something back to the place which has given me so much. 12 months later and I’m showing others around the same college that first stole my heart, and hoping it steals theirs. The best part? I got to do this in a cute blue T-shirt with a beautiful illustration of the college on the back. Begrudgingly, I handed this back at the end, incredibly tempted to sneak it home instead; my only criticism of the whole experience, actually, is that I want that T-shirt for my own wardrobe. 

“The truth isn’t always as pretty as the buildings here”

I know others have found the idea of ‘selling’ their college to strangers unappealing. But open days aren’t about sales pitches. They are a chance to convince someone in your old shoes, struggling from a lack of confidence, that their dream could possibly come true, and you are living proof. No one can offer as much detail or honesty surrounding the student experience like current students can, and we were instructed to be honest. No sugar-coating here, just the truth. Inevitably, the truth isn’t always as pretty as the buildings here. There are harsh financial, social and emotional realities to being here. But if someone is about to make an incredibly momentous decision, they deserve to know all it entails. To fall in love with somewhere, flaws and all, makes it all the more genuine.

I hope that the incoming freshers don’t think life at Cambridge will be all sunshine and rainbows: it might look like Hogwarts but it most certainly isn’t. That said, there is a magic which outweighs all limitations, and it can’t be captured in a photograph or felt from one single open day. The full force of the magic at Cambridge will hit them just as it hit me – so powerful it might almost knock them off their feet, but in the best possible way. Maybe, in another year’s time, I’ll see them standing where I stand now: in that same blue T-shirt, showing the next lot of prospective students around and experiencing their own full circle moment.