Sixth Form student Holly Marquez shared her experience at Cambridge University's Summer School, and explained how she hoped it will help her in the hunt for the right university.
Updated: 29 Apr 2025Hi! I'm Holly and I'm a current Year 12 student, on my quest to discover all the important info about university study and share my journey along the way.
The experience of a summer school hosted by a university – mostly conducted after Year 12 – is a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into what university life is like, and luckily it’s becoming ever more common due to the rise in Widening Participation opportunities. These summer schools are organised by universities and charities in order to promote an equal playing field for those who want to continue their education via university – regardless of their economic, personal or educational background.
Having luckily received a place, I'm currently on a residential summer school at the University of Cambridge – funded by the Sutton Trust – receiving lectures which engage with Psychology (the subject I hope to study at university). What's really great about this opportunity is that – like many other summer schools – it's completely free. Coming from a single parent family, I was worried about having to pay ridiculous amounts of money to have a taster of uni, but this unique opportunity has so far really helped open my eyes to what it'd be like to study as an undergraduate without thinking about the costs!
I'm currently on my second day, having attended three lectures so far! I found them really fun because we got to discuss topics that I wouldn't have been able to discuss at all at AS Level. Being away from home has been strange, but I guess it's a good experience and preparation for being away several months during the university year. Plus I have a gigantic room with a lovely view over Cambridge's River Cam!
Aside from the academic experience, so far I've played Human Bingo as an icebreaker activity and been punting along the river Cam; all typical daily experiences of course!
Attending this summer school will hopefully be a good way to show on my personal statement that I've made an extra effort to pursue my subject area aside from getting (hopefully!) a good grade in it.
Although I was worried at first, I've absolutely loved making friends from all over the UK, especially those with similar interests! I would really recommend anyone – regardless of if they're unsure about wanting to study at uni, what course they're set on or where they want go – to look into attending a similar university experience. It is already shaping up to be the best part of my year and the summer school has only just begun!