By Gavin Mackintosh-
Cambridge students are complaining of heavy academic work load as they face their final lap of the year. With the top university libraries throughout the easter period full of dedicated students working hard to achieve their desired grades, a number of pupils have complained about the demands of the degree at one of Britain’s top universities.
Cambridge university normally admit to its exclusive fold, top students with straight A’s at A levels, and expect its students to be use to hard work and commitment, especially as students have to compete hard to do well in a university with many bright and hardworking students.
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However, after all the rewarding hard work at A levels, many students tend to let their hair down a bit once they enter university, as they for the first time enjoy the privilege of freedom and the extra social advantages it gives them, with must be traded off with their academic goals.
The trade-off generally comes in the form of long sacrifices of absolute hard work and dedication to meet the very high standard the university commands.
During term time, Cambridge students are expected to spend an average of 42-46 hours a week on your academic studies (including teaching/contact time and independent study), and you also need to undertake some work, such as further reading or research, revision or assignments, during the vacations. That’s an average of six hours a day studies.
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With students dividing their time between association with group activities and various socities, including the debating society, not many students actually manage to commit to the required
One student told The Eye Of Media.Com: ”It is not unusual to find students who work 7 hours on a daily basis after lecturers, but such students are usually found in the medicine, philosophy or law departments, and they are pushing hard for a first class degree
”Other relatively serious students who are not as committed as the first dedicated batch study for approximately four hours a day, but some may not always maintain that commitment, which is not really enough for many of the demanding courses”.
A lot of students appear to work intermittently, forcing a sudden refocus to hard work for those who may fall behind the expected rigour of academia in the semester. Those who fall ill or suffer any serious mental health issues can have their situation reviewed under mitigating circumstances, which could have the effect of extending their time at the university when they are allowed an extra three years to complete their degree. This is known as ‘double time’
Double time is a program offered at Cambridge University, which allows students to complete their degree in two years instead of three. This option is only available to students who have already completed a significant amount of coursework and have mitigating circumstances support the arrangements of double time.
Despite the extra demands of double time, most students in trouble prefer it to other alternatiives
However, a report by the university’s student paper today revealed that many students are not even made aware oif this provision
One of the biggest pressures felt by students on double time is the fast-paced nature of the program. Students on double time have a much heavier workload and must complete assignments, essays, and exams at an accelerated pace.
A student on double time told this publication how challenging it is having to work for extra years to make up for issues leading to mitigating circumstances in the past.
The student said: ”it is unreal how hard you have to work just to guarantee that pass, let a lone get a high grade. Every student has to be really focused to get through, and in fairness most stidents have had to work hard before during their A levels”.
In addition to the heavy workload, students on double time often feel pressure to maintain high grades. Programs that are competitive and only available to a select few, puts extra pressure on students to excel in their coursework to prove that they belong in the program. This can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety, especially for those who are not used to such intense academic demands.
One other pressure felt by students on double time is the lack of breaks. Unlike the three-year program, which includes a long summer break, students on double time are expected to continue their studies year-round with only a few short breaks. This can be exhausting and make it difficult for students to find time to rest and recharge.
Another student who identified as Phillip Mason told this publication: ”the amount of work here is hectic. A good student is expected to study everyday, but if you opt for a social life, rather than be a recluse, it means you will find yourself at some point in a library prison for a very long time .
”The social life in Cambridge is brilliant, but the work load is a little higher than other universities. We are all expected to have what it takes to handle it, but it can be too demanding at some stages”.
Students in all courses often have multiple assignments due in a week and must juggle their coursework with extracurricular activities, social events, and part-time jobs.
The pressure to maintain high grades is also a significant concern for students on the three-year program. Many students feel that they must achieve top marks to be competitive in the job market or to gain admission to prestigious graduate programs. This can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety, as students worry about the impact that one bad grade could have on their future prospects.
Another factor that contributes to the pressure felt by students on the three-year program is the competitive nature of the university. Cambridge is one of the best universities in the Uk, and the fact it admits A grade students from A levels means even the weakest student in the university has a very strong foundation.
The university has in the past few years made exceptions for some ethnic minority students with B grades at A levels, as part of its diversity policy to be open to bright students who may be from disadvantaged backgrounds. Those opportunties are are not that many either.
Exceptions of this kind, while well -intended, can be problematic at the high paced demands of various courses for which even new undergraduate students with an A grade at A levels are just about suited for that kind of academic rigour from the outset.
The question is whether that level of academic rigour is necessary for the rounded development of the student.
Cambridge University was contacted for comment.
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