Let’s face it: you have tried to become a Journal Girlie (gender neutral). I know this because I, along with everyone I’ve ever met, have tried to become a Journal Girlie. But it’s hard! You miss one day, then before you know it you haven’t journaled in six months and you can’t remember the last time you unpacked a single emotion.

It is usually at this point of the cycle that you turn to Pinterest or TikTok to give you some much-needed inspo, to no avail. I mean how many times can you read the same prompts over and over again: what happened today that you’re grateful for? What do you want to achieve this week? So simple, so boring, so… not Cambridge.

“How many times can you read the same prompts over and over again?”

That’s where I come in. Have you ever heard the statistic that it takes doing something every day for 66 days to build a habit? Well don’t push it – I’m not going to give you 66 journal prompts, it’s my summer holiday for crying out loud. But I will give you five, tailored to you and your Cambridge experience. Happy journaling, my loves!

If you had to study any other course at Cambridge than the one you’re doing right now, what course would you choose?

The intelligent mind truly was never meant to be so boxed in. The Americans don’t get much right, but you’ve got to admire their penchant for letting university students dip their toes in a variety of ponds. A little bit of academic introspection is good for the soul, and who knows, your self-analysis might even lead to a surprise tripos change, or encouragement to pick up a new hobby. Look at me, Mathmos, this isn’t you… embrace the Engling within.

Rename the Cambridge terms based on what each one represents to you.

I will never stop going on about how Oxford’s terms have better names than ours (they get Hilary, and we get Lent?), but I think we can go a step further. Considering Easter term takes place in its entirety after Easter has come and gone, we can definitely think of a name which better fits the vibe of the period. What about, ‘C Sunday…and the weeks that come after, I guess’? It’s not the catchiest title, I admit. I’ll keep brainstorming.

“It’s time to whip out that Moleskine diary and get ready to get to know yourself a little better – if you dare”

When was the last time a supervision or seminar made you feel insecure in your intelligence?

Oh, you didn’t realise we could get deep here too? Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, this is what journaling is all about! Maybe someone in your supervision had the nerve to read multiple full-length books for their essay, shining a glaring spotlight on your measly 20-page article. Or maybe speaking in your regional accent in front of your seminar group is a humiliating reminder that, actually, not many people at this university sound like you. Whatever it is, let it out. Imposter syndrome really is the only experience we can almost all relate to here, so why should we shy away from acknowledging it?

What society would you love to start if you had the time and confidence?

In the summer before I started at Cambridge, I developed a deep obsession with rounders. You know, the sport you played in school with the half-rounders, full-rounders, fielders, all that? I bet you’re positively welling up just from the nostalgia of it now, aren’t you? Then you can imagine my distress when I found out that Cambridge University does not have a rounders society. A tragic discovery from which I am yet to recover. And I’m sure you have your own rounders society; that one skill you’re desperate to find an outlet for, but that these hallowed halls do not nurture. You never know, this could be the push you need to start your very own space hopper society – whatever gets you up in the morning, man.

What is one Cambridge-specific tradition you would get rid of if you could?

Some people are simply not rocking with gowns. And I get it! They’re an expensive one-time purchase loaded with archaic ideas of what a student should look like, and if you don’t have one, you stick out like a sore thumb. For me, it’s time for college families to go. Now, did I propose to my college husband with a candy ring from Flying Tiger? Yes. But I for one think there has got to be a less culty way to inspire inter-year friendships. Imagine you’re in charge for a day; what’s heading to the guillotine?

There you have it. No more excuses. It’s time to whip out that Moleskine diary and get ready to get to know yourself a little better – if you dare.