Academic

On this page:

  • Access and Academic Officer
  • Exam Term
  • Library
  • Other Study Areas in College
  • Wolfson Court

Access and Academic Officer

Role

I'm the JCR representative of student academic needs to College.  I sit on Library Committee and have access to CUSU resources to help students with learning techniques, work stress and academic difficulties.  

If you're having trouble with your work you can talk to your Tutor, your DoS or me.  Whilst I'm another student like you I can help you access information on help from the University, CUSU and College - such as the College's academic fund.  You can apply to the academic fund for help covering additional rent costs etc. incurred by your course or relevant work experience by obtaining a form from the Tutorial Office (on the Bursary corridor above the JCR).

The Academic Officer usually provides learning skills sessions throughout the year, but this is somewhat dependent on the CUSU Education Officer of the time.

Drop me a message at jcr-academic@girton.cam.ac.uk or stop me in the corridor to get in touch about any work troubles or feedback on Academic facilities in College and Wolfson Court!

Jacob Malcolm Conalty

Exam Term

For freshers that don't know, and the rest of you that have suppressed the memories, Exam Term is both the worst and best time of year.  Weeks of revision can seem endless, but they culminate in the frivolities of May Week, which really are all that they're hyped up to be.

The side bar contains a useful map of University Examination Venues (click to enlarge) for those who aren't used to frequenting the Wessely Church or Fenner's Cricket Ground.

If you're feeling down in Exam Term then its important that you don't suffer in silence.  Talk to friends, family, or else the JCR Welfare Officers, College Nurses, your Tutor, your DoS, or organisations such as LinkLine.  Keep it all in perspective - Tripos really is not Judgement Day!  Its easy to get caught up in competitive exam fever when cooped up in Cambridge libraries for weeks on end.

Library

The library has some secrets:

  • The door to the right of the photocopier is the archive section.  This quiet area also has desks for you to work at, which comes in handy in the busy period of Exam Term.
  • There is a group study room available for use by students.  Sessions and the key can be booked at the desk.
  • The glass door to the right of the main desk leads to toilets.
  • Windows in the Old Section can be opened in warm weather, ask at the desk for the key.

Term Time Opening:

Mon  0900 -  2300
Tue   0900 -  2300   
Wed 0900 -  2300 
Thu   0900 -  2300
Fri    0900 -  2300 
Sat  1000  - 1800
Sun 1000  -  2300 

Exam Term Opening:

Saturday extension to 1000 - 2300

Library opening times are subject to change, notified by poster on the display boards to the right of the library entrance and on Cloisters' Corridor.  Opening hours are reduced outside of Term.

Other Study Areas in College

F Computer Room

F Computer Room is located on Chapel Wing near to room F10.  There is a black and white printer, University PWF Computers terminals and desk space.  The room is quiet, cosily decorated and softly lit.  Access is by Uniware Card 24 hours a day.

Spare printer paper is available from the Porters' Lodge.  Contact the Computing Office with technical enquiries.

B Computer Room

B Computer Room is located in B2a, above the Porters' Lodge.  There is a coulour printer and University PWF Computer terminals.  The room overlooks the main drive and is brightly lit.  Access is by Uniware Card 24 hours a day.

Spare printer paper is available from the Porters' Lodge.  Contact the Computing Office with technical enquiries.

E Reading Room

E Reading Room is located on Chapel Wing, near to room E9, next to the kitchen.  The room is pleasently decorated and softly lit with desk space.  They key can be obtained from the Porters' Lodge 24 hours a day.

The JCR Reading Room

The JCR Reading Room is located next to the JCR.  It is brightly decorated and has a large round table.  The key can be obtained from the Porters' Lodge 24 hours a day.  The JCR Reading Room may be block booked to College Societies for special periods, such as during dramatics productions in the Old Hall or around the time of the Ball.

Music

There is a music practice room in D35, and the pianos around College (e.g. Fellows' Drawing Rooms, Stanley Library) can be booked out for use by students at the Porters' Lodge.

Music Tripos students and Music Scholars can apply for a College Music Room outside of the normal JCR Room Ballot procedure by application to the Music DoS.

Conference Rooms

All of College's Conference Rooms, e.g. the Chapel Box Room (projector and SmartBoard), can be booked out by students when not in use by commercial customers or supervisors.  Visit the Catering and Conferencing Office at the entrance to A Corridor Hospital Wing (from the JCR vending machine area) to book a room and book out the key from the Porters' Lodge.

Wolfson Court

Fletcher-Moulton Reading Room houses general reference works and offers a large study area, while the Poppy Jolowicz Law Library holds the College's law collection.  Both areas are accessible 24 hours a day by Uniware Card, are airy and warmly decorated with plenty of large desks and comfortable seating.  Borrowing is not normally allowed from the Law Library (which is only accessible to Law and Land Economy Students), but special requests should be directed to the Assistant Librarian.