During Fresher’s week, the JPC organises tours of both college and the wider Cambridge area so that you get an opportunity to familiarise yourself with life in a new city. However, if you would like to get a feel for the college/area in advance, or are unable to attend a tour, the JPC have compiled the following resources:
Familiarise yourself with the map of Pembroke:
Map of Cambridge
The UIS (University Information Service) provide this excellent map of Cambridge.
A Cambridge Dictionary
Bedder -A member of housekeeping. They come empty your bin and vacuum your floor once a week. Leave your bin outside your door if you don’t want to be disturbed!
Blue -Someone awarded a “blue” for playing high level university sport.
Boatie -A rower, someone who loves lycra and early mornings.
BOP -A party in the JP at the start and end of each term. Bring some fancy dress!
DoS -Director of Studies – they run the academic side of your life.
Easter -The third and final term, aka exam term.
Ents -Short for entertainments. The ents officers will be putting on events throughtout the year.
Formal -A fancy three or four course meal in hall. Usually available Sunday, Monday & Tuesday.
Lent -The second term.
GP -The Graduate Parlour – a social space for graduate students</p>
GPC -The Graduate Parlour Commitee – like the JPC but for graduate students.
GYP -A little kitchen found in college staircases. Has some hobs and a microwave for preparing small meals and snacks.
Hostel -A college owned house off the main site. Second and third years often live in hostels.
JP -The Junior Parlour – a social space next to the café/bar, has a pool table and table football. Also, the collective name for the undergraduate body.
JPC -The Junior Parlour Committee – that’s us. We’re here to provide welfare support, put on ents, represent the undergraduate body at college meetings, and try and be as helpful as possible.
Mathmo -Someone who studies maths.
Matriculation -The process by which you join the college.
May Week -A week in June?! Often the highlight of people’s year, this week after exams includes garden parties, May Balls, and hopefully plenty of sunshine.
Michaelmas -The first term
NatSci -(Nat Ski) Someone who studies natural sciences. Often prefixed with bio (for biological) or phys (for physical) according to their specialism.
New Museums -The New Museums Site – right across the road from Pembroke. Many first year maths and science lectures happen here. Convenient!
Pidge -The post room where your pigeon hole is. There are also welfare supplies in here.
Plodge -The porter’s lodge. There is always a porter on duty here.
Porter -These lovely people are essential to the daily running of college and are always available to help. Spend most of their time dealing with students’ self inflicted problems – whether you’ve lost your keys, set off the fire alarm, or can’t get home after a night out, these are the people to call. Probably should come with a sarcasm warning!
Sidge -The Sidgewick site – home to many humanities faculties and libraries
SU -The newly merged student union replacing CUSU (Cambridge University Student Union) and the GU (Graduate Union)
Trough -The Pembroke canteen or buttery. Sells dinner, lunch, and made to order breakfast at a significant discount to Pembroke students.
Tripos -Your course or the exams counting towards your degree. The name is believed to come from the three-legged stools that were used during oral examinations