The academic year runs from October the 1st to September the 30th. This is divided into three terms (see below), two vacation periods, and the research period (sometimes referred to as the ‘long vacation’ or ‘long vac’, its name before 1998).

These are the names of the three full terms at Cambridge. Michaelmas occurs between October and the December holidays; Lent between January and March, and Easter term between April and June.

All term dates are available here.

This refers to the eight-week-long terms during which teaching takes place. At Cambridge, the weeks of full term all begin on Thursdays.

The University requires that all students ‘keep’ terms of residence in Cambridge before they can be awarded any degree. Residence during a term is normally taken as evidence of a term of research, provided that work is carried out to the satisfaction of the appropriate Degree Committee.

Further information is available here.

On the whole, academic dress is a big thing at Cambridge. ‘Gowns’ are black robes worn at matriculation and graduation ceremonies, and depending on the college, at formal hall (at Robinson, college members must wear gowns to formal dinners).

The kind of gown you are entitled to wear depends on your age, the degree you are studying for, and your previous university. The full (and downright confusing) rules are outlined on the Cambridge Students Union webpage, here.

You can rent or buy gowns from Ryder & Amies on King’s Parade.

Top tip: the SU usually hold a second hand gown sale early on in the academic year at their HQ at the University Centre on Mill Lane (next to the Mill Pub and Mill Pond).

Often, college group chats are home to those who are looking to sell their gowns following their graduation, or similar, so always keep your eye out for a bargain during the first weeks of term!

These are fancy dinners held at the dining halls of colleges in the evenings. At these dinners, which vary in length, you are expected to wear formal attire and gowns, depending on the college. Robinson formals are held on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the MCR organises a number of free formals each term.

Sometimes, this term is used to refer to the cooked meals (particularly lunch and dinner) students may eat in college dining halls.

At Robinson, we eat these meals in the Garden Restaurant, or ‘GR’.

The Porters Lodge. Robinson’s is located up the ramp on the corner of Herschel and Grange Road and is manned 24/7.

Your pigeon hole - also known as your college mail box. This is located in the Porters Lodge; every student has one, so if you can’t find yours, please speak to our lovely Porters.

A non-medical intermission is an authorised break from study for such things as parental leave, family emergencies and internships or placements. For more details, see here.

A medical intermission is an authorised break from study for reasons related to your physical or mental health. For more details, see here.

If you need to take a break from your studies, contact your Tutor in the first instance.

The Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club. This is the name of the University’s largest drama society as well as the name of a theatre, located on Park Street (between Jesus College, Sidney Sussex College, and the Maypole Pub).

The ADC Theatre website is here.

The student society that has seen some of the biggest names in British entertainment cut their teeth, the Cambridge Footlights is a world-famous sketch troupe.

Footlights has left its mark on many: from Monty Python, Fry & Laurie, Peep Show and The Inbetweeners through to Academy Award and Oscar-winning actors Emma Thompson and Olivia Colman, all have ties to the group, whose late-night sketch shows (called ‘Smokers’, held roughly 6-8 times per term) and yearly Revue shows continue a hit with student and non-student audiences alike.

In the early 1990s, Robinson’s own Robert Webb was vice-president of the Footlights alongside comedic partner-in-crime, David Mitchell.

For more on the Footlights, see their website, here.

This is the name for the beautiful area of green space that runs along the ‘backs’ of Queens’, King’s, Clare, Trinity Hall, Trinity, and St. John’s colleges, and to the east of Queen’s road.

Just a two minute walk from Robinson, it’s a perfect place to take in on foot - or on punt.

Short for ‘entertainments’. Across the University, ‘Ents’ committees are responsible for organising social events for students both in college and outside.

Bumping races, usually known as ‘Bumps’, are a style of rowing race more or less unique to Cambridge and Oxford.

Given the size of the River Cam (and Isis, in Oxford), it is impossible for two teams to race side-by-side. As a result, boats are staggered in the order in which they finished in the preceding year; a starting cannon is fired, and each team must catch the boat in front of it before being caught from behind.

University Bumps races take place across the space of a few days in Lent and Easter Terms, and attract huge crowds (particularly in the Summer, when it presents an ideal opportunity to hang out in the sun).

Town Bumps take place between the other rowing crews in Cambridge in July.

To watch, hop on your bike (or walk, it’s not too far!) down to Stourbridge Common or Fen Ditton.

Click here for more information.

A chance to blow off some steam and bask in the sun, May Week is a period of two-or-so weeks at the end of the academic year.

A huge party, held by most colleges (including Robinson!) n their grounds during May Week in June. For more on May Balls (and June Events, and the like, see our dedicated ‘May Week’ section of the website.)

The name of Cambridge’s independent student newspaper, as well as annual sporting matches between Cambridge and Oxford.

‘The Varsity Match’ is an annual rugby union fixture between Cambridge and Oxford, held at London’s Twickenham Stadium. Confusing, right?

The Boat Race is an annual rowing race between Cambridge and Oxford that takes place on the River Thames in London, and usually around late March.

This large-scale, nail-biting sporting event attracts crowds and alumni from all over the world. It is also televised, so if you don’t fancy battling the crowds, you can watch at home!

There is a complex system of awards for those athletes who compete at the highest level against the University of Oxford in a ‘Varsity’ match. For details, see here.