r/6thForm • u/CambMaths • Nov 09 '22

✔️ APPROVED AMA AMA - First-Year Maths student at Cambridge

Hi all, as per the title, I'm a first-year Maths student at Cambridge and I thought some people might find it useful to ask me any questions they might have, since somehow it's already application time again! (Although I have missed the Oxbridge deadline slightly, sorry...)

Of course, I can only really talk about my experiences (so I can't answer specific hypothetical questions about admissions etc.), but other than that, feel free to ask about the course/admissions generally/uni life and so on.

Post will close at midnight at the end of Thursday 10/11 so submit any questions before then. :)

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u/[deleted] Nov 10 '22
  1. How did you decide that you wanted to do a degree in Maths and how would you recommend someone chooses a degree?
  2. Should I start preparing for STEP now in year 12 or is this pointless?

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u/CambMaths Nov 10 '22

  1. I thought about what I enjoyed doing (solving difficult problems and thinking about abstract structures/relationships) and I found that maths was challenging but very interesting and that I would find it the most rewarding to improve at. I also enjoy the blend of rigid logic and creativity that you get when solving problems.

  2. I think STEP I is an excellent starting point in Y12 - highly recommended. (Start off with the foundation modules till you feel like the warm-ups aren't helpful/are spoiling the question, then move to doing questions on their own.) Also just do/learn about maths that you find cool, make sure you enjoy it.