Last Word...

When I applied to Cambridge to read music as a naïve, uncertain, yet very ambitious seventeen-year old, all I knew was that I had to apply to Clare because my Grandad Bernie was born in County Clare in Ireland. The pre-interview nerves before singing to Graham Ross and Marina Frolova-Walker early on a December morning, running out of my music class in school to call my Mum when I got my offer, and that first photo I took on Clare Bridge with my Dad are only the start of my fond memories here. Three years later, I have been given the privilege of writing this article to reflect on my life so far at Clare.

I imagine my time at Clare is something many of you reading this might find rather alien in some ways. I arrived in October 2020, in the midst of several national lockdowns and social restrictions, finding myself faced with an overwhelming schedule of online lectures, socially-distanced choir services singing through masks, and a matriculation dinner in the temporary tent of Old Court. Spending Lent term at home, the parties of ten people we held in our rooms, card games over dinner and doing online supervisions with the other ‘musos’ from my bedroom became things I strangely missed.

Alongside the Covid restrictions came the Old Court renovations, which meant we did not dine in Hall until our Graduation dinner. This was a rather overwhelming, bittersweet moment, as there were times I felt my year-group had really missed out on the ‘real’ Clare experience. Yet, looking back, I realise it’s the little things I love most about Clare: conversations watching punters pass by Clare Bridge, endless games of pool in Cellars, Saturday brunch with my friends from across the years, delirious revision breaks in the Library Common Room during exams, and watching the CCK rugby team finally play a Cuppers final at Grange Road.  

After a gruelling three-month marathon to the end of finals, June turned into a magical affair of May Week, Graduation, and my 21^st birthday. To say I am lucky would be an understatement. Despite graduating, it feels as though my time at Clare has only just begun. I have left with friends for life and experiences that have shaped me into an (almost!) independent adult with more dreams and ambitions than I had ever imagined were possible for me. I thank the porters who look after us so caringly, Graham and Marina, Mark Smith, and the Welfare Team, for giving me guidance and making Clare feel like home when I needed it the most. It has been truly the best reward to be able to share this with my family who have supported me, and to include them in the Clare community. I will always proudly wear the Clare gown that my dear late Grandad Charlie gifted me when I arrived, remembering both his legacy and the privilege I have had to study – and now work – here.

For what I thought was just going to be a brief job as a caller on the Telephone Campaign in 2020, and again in March 2023, has led to me working as the Development Assistant in the wonderful Development team. Every day I walk over Clare Bridge and nostalgically past I5, my first-year room, through to the office in U7, feeling as excited as I was when I first arrived. I have loved making connections to other members of Clare through this network, and I am very excited to foster this opportunity further at Reunions and events throughout the year. I hope to offer the team an insight into a recent student’s perspectives and experiences, especially during the years of peculiarity, and in turn to encourage the younger generation of alumni to continue to nurture the relationships they have with fellow students and opportunities in College.

This year marks 50 years of women being admitted to Clare – a statement that I still find astonishing. I have had the privilege of speaking to many of the women of this generation, and remain in awe of what our alumnae have achieved. Loretta’s words at our halfway hall and graduation were a much-needed reminder that it is important to stay connected to Clare and the doors it has opened for us. I aspire to make this network all the more accessible for current students and alumni while working with the Development team, as it is these conversations that have had a profound impact on my view of what Cambridge offers its students as a platform for the future.