哈罗上海2024届校友Kitty近日重返母校。这位昔日的学生会主席曾以A Level全A*的优异成绩考入剑桥大学，攻读她热爱的地理专业。此次归来，她不仅探望了最爱的老师们，还和幼儿园的小朋友们一起沉浸在绘本故事里，更给中学部的学弟学妹们带来了一场精彩的分享会，聊聊在剑桥的学习与生活，带来了满满干货！
本期，我们特别邀请Kitty老师做客，为大家揭秘剑桥的学习与生活，将她宝贵的第一手经历带给所有怀揣顶尖名校梦想的学弟学妹们。
在剑桥的第一年生活是怎样的？
在剑桥的生活是一段非常新奇和令人兴奋的经历。起初，适应一切如何运作有点挑战——超级灵活的时间表、在学院里不迷路、解决交通和吃饭问题——我确实有点想家。但随着时间的推移，我安顿下来，交了朋友，开始感觉自在多了。
在学习之外，我非常享受参与学院生活的过程。我是剑桥大学地理学会的活动官员，在这里我可以结识其他地理学者并帮助组织系里的活动。同样，我即将成为剑桥气候学会的职业与发展负责人，这让我能够结识更多跨学科的人。我还是我学院的学生大使，这让我有机会帮助高中生并与他们分享我的经验。
我也有机会探索职业机会。我在伦敦完成了普华永道的春季实习，这让我能够探索新的兴趣领域，并将我的地理背景应用于ESG概念。这是一次很棒的经历，并且我很高兴地说，我还获得了他们明年在税务服务线提供的暑期实习机会。
为大学第一年做好准备，我们需要培养什么能力？
“时间管理，多线程任务处理”
在哈罗，从学习A-level课程、主持会议到组织活动，我能够培养出区分任务优先级、提高效率和生产力的能力，最后同样重要的是，明白"完成"比"追求完美"更重要。这真的帮助我为剑桥的第一年做好了准备，因为每周的讲座学习课时相当少，能够管理好课余时间并充分利用它，无疑让我受益匪浅。这让我能够参加多个社团，追求我的音乐爱好，并享受我在剑桥的大学生活。
我从哈罗时期开始养成并一直保持的一个非常重要的习惯就是"时间块"法。我用电子日历来规划我的时间块，以便对我每日、每周和每月的计划有一个整体的概览。这听起来简单，但它对于保持我的平衡和正轨起到了改变游戏规则的作用。
“知识远不止课本”
在哈罗，我在领导像中国新春文化周这样的活动中找到了自信，在经历艰难考试后学会了韧性，在与朋友和低年级同学的聊天中懂得了同理心。老师们不仅仅是教书，他们引领我去质疑、去创造、走出我的舒适区。
“批判性思维和发表观点”
在哈罗，课堂对话从来不是单向的。你不能只是安静地坐在那里——你必须去挑战、去回应、在现场进行独立思考。那种来回的交流教会了我时刻保持智力上的警觉。在大学里，这是无价的。当你阅读学术论文时，仅仅吸收内容是不够的；你需要去质疑它、辩论它，并形成自己的观点。我同意吗？我的立场是什么？而那种批判性的敏锐度是我从哈罗带走的最有力的工具之一。
哈罗的小班教学确实帮助我为剑桥等大学特有的"督导制"做好了准备。除了像在几百人的大厅里上课的讲座之外，督导课是一种小型的、基于讨论的形式，包括一位导师和大约四到七名学生，我们一起复习内容并就正在学习的主题发表自己的观点。这真的让我想起了哈罗的A Level课堂——小型、深入、以讨论为导向。感觉哈罗已经让我提前窥见了大学生活会是什么样子。
对于目前考虑申请
像剑桥这类大学的哈罗学生，你有什么建议？
01、事先进行彻底的研究，从大学及其课程开始。这包括了解课程结构、提供的模块或主题类型、使用的教学风格和评估方法。这让你更清楚地了解该课程是否与你的学术兴趣和学习风格相匹配。如果面试是申请过程中的额外步骤，如果给定了面试官的背景或兴趣领域，也务必去了解一下。
02、不仅是学术方面，你还应该更全面地进行研究。例如，考虑学院周围的设施和资源，如图书馆、学习空间以及体育或文化设施。考虑住宿、交通联系和当地环境等方面，因为这些因素会影响你的日常生活水平和整体的大学体验。
03、真正重要的是展示出对你所热爱的学科真正的热情和好奇心。这会在面试和文书中自然地流露出来。
04、平衡是非常重要的。不要为了把每件事都做得完美而让自己精疲力尽。所有大学，不仅仅是剑桥，想要的是全面发展的、有思想的学生，探索你的兴趣，并保持远见。
哈罗上海的经历对你的影响？
在哈罗的每一个微小时刻，都塑造了今天的我。它给了我根基，让我在离开很久之后仍能继续成长。我非常自豪能保持联系，永远做一个哈罗人。
欢迎预约哈罗上海周六开放日！
10月25日（星期六）
上午9:30 - 12:00
1、对话校长 - “学术天花板”背后秘诀
2、纯正英式体验课 - 快乐！有料！
3、沉浸式探校
深度解读课程体系 - A Level + AP
带孩子一起来吧！扫码预约，体验课名额有限。
Kitty, a 2024 alumna of Harrow Shanghai, recently returned to the campus.As a former Head Student who earned a place at Cambridge with straight A* grades at A Level, she now studies Geography - a subject she's deeply passionate about. During her visit, she read stories to Early Years children and hosted a sharing session for Upper School students, offering genuine insights into life at Cambridge.
In this feature, she shares exclusive reflections on her university experience, providing first-hand insights for aspiring students dreaming of world-leading universities.
How was your transition into
your first year at Cambridge?
Life at Cambridge has been a really new and exciting experience. At first, it was a bit challenging getting used to how everything works — the super flexible schedule, getting around college without getting lost, sorting out transport and food — and I did feel a bit homesick. But over time, I’ve settled in, made friends, and started feeling much more comfortable.
Outside of my studies, I’ve really enjoyed getting involved in college life. I’m the Event Officer for the Cambridge University Geographical Society, where I get to meet other geographers and help run department events. Similarly, I am the Career & Professional Development Lead at Cambridge Climate Society, which allows me to connect with more people across different disciplines. I’m also a student ambassador for my college, which gives me the chance to help high school students and share my experience with them.
I've also had the chance to explore professional opportunities. I completed the PwC Spring Internship in London, which allowed me to explore new areas of interest and apply my geography background to ESG concepts. It was a great experience, and I'm excited to say that I've also secured a summer internship with them next year in the Line of Service of Tax.
What key skills should students develop
to prepare for university?
"Time management and multi-tasking skills"
At Harrow, from learning A-levels and chairing meetings to organising events, I was able to develop the skills to prioritise tasks, increase efficiency and productivity, and, last but not least, understand that getting things done is better than trying to make them completely perfect. This really helped me to prepare for my first year at Cambridge, given that the number of lecture learning hours is quite low each week, being able to manage the spare time and make the most out of it has definitely benefited me. It allowed me to join multiple societies, pursue my musical hobbies and enjoy my university life at Cambridge.
One really important habit I’ve brought with me from my time at Harrow is time blocking. I use my digital calendar to block my time out, to have an overall brief view regarding my daily, weekly and monthly plans. It sounds simple, but it’s been a game-changer in keeping me balanced and on track.
"Learning beyond the class"
At Harrow, I found confidence leading events like the Chinese New Year, resilience after a tough exam, and empathy in chats with friends and lower years. The teachers didn’t just teach; they pushed me to question, create, and step outside my comfort zone.
"Critical thinking and voicing opinions on topics"
At Harrow, class conversations were never one-way. You couldn’t just sit there quietly — you had to challenge, to respond, to think independently on the spot. That kind of back-and-forth taught me to always be on edge intellectually. At university, this is invaluable. When you're reading academic papers, it's not enough to absorb the content; you need to question it, debate it, and form your own opinion. Do I agree? Do I disagree? What's my stance? And that skill — that critical edge — has been one of the most powerful tools I brought with me from Harrow.
The small-sized classes at Harrow really helped me to prepare for the supervision system that uniquely belongs to universities like Cambridge. So apart from lectures, which are like being in a big hall with hundreds of students, supervision is a small-sized discussion-based format, including one tutor and maybe four to seven of us, to go over the content as well as to voice out our own stance on the topics that we are learning. This really reminded me of A Level classes at Harrow — small, intense, and discussion-driven. It felt like Harrow had already given me a sneak preview of what university life would be like.
What advice would you give tocurrent Harrow students who areconsidering applying to
universities like Cambridge?
01、Conduct thorough research beforehand, starting with the university and its courses. This involves understanding the program's structure, the types of modules or topics offered, and the teaching style and assessment methods used. This gives you a clearer idea of whether the course matches your academic interests and learning style. If an interview is an extra step during the application process, make sure also to check the background or the areas of interest your interviewers have, if given.
02、Not only academically, but you should also research more holistically. For example, think about the facilities and resources around the college, such as libraries, study spaces, and sports or cultural facilities. Consider aspects like accommodation, transport links, and the local environment, as these factors can affect your day-to-day living standards and overall university experience.
03、What really matters is showing your genuine passion and curiosity for the subject you love. If you’re truly interested in your subject, it comes across naturally in interviews and essays.
04、Balance is very important. Don’t burn yourself out trying to do everything perfectly. All universities, not only Cambridge, want well-rounded, thoughtful students, not machines. So, explore your interests and keep perspective.
What was your biggest takeaway
from your time at Harrow?
Coming back now, I realise how every small moment at Harrow shaped who I am today. It gave me the roots that continue to help me grow long after I left. And I am very proud to stay connected and always be a Harrovian.
Join our Saturday Open Day at Harrow Shanghai!
25 October (Saturday)
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
1、Meet the Head Master and uncover the secret behind Harrow excellence.
2、Enjoy fun, immersive British lessons.
3、Explore our unique A Level + AP pathway.
Bring your child along! Scan the QR code to book — limited places available.
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