The recent spate of extreme weather conditions in Cambridge and across the United Kingdom has left students desperate in their attempts to return to university.

Many have found it difficult or impossible to come back to university for start of term, even facing problems arriving in time for exams. With heavy snowfall still predicted for some areas of the United Kingdom, the situation has the potential to worsen.

Those in the South of England were particularly hard-hit. “It was terrible. I was stuck at home for two days,” said one first-year student from Kent. “The snow stopped me from getting back to Cambridge to do my work and see my friends.”

Others have expressed concerns about returning for exams and have had to rely on public transport. “With my progress examinations imminent, I was extremely concerned about not getting back to Cambridge in time,” said a student from Sidney Sussex. “I was so relieved that the train services into Cambridge weren’t disrupted otherwise I wouldn’t have got back.”

He added, however, “Revision has been difficult though as getting the train into Cambridge meant I had to leave my laptop and other work behind.”

A large number of students, in a variety of subjects such as English, Maths and Natural Sciences, have been facing progress tests and preliminary examinations this week. The poor weather has meant that many have arrived at the last minute, unable to allocate sufficient time for revision.

In a statement released this week, Ben Whittaker, the National Union of Students Vice-President for Welfare, said: “Taking exams is always a stressful time for students and unfortunately it looks as if the winter weather is now going to add to that strain. If you’ve an exam the next day, think carefully about how best to travel and allow plenty of extra time as you simply won’t want the panic of thinking you’ll be late.”

It is not just Cambridge University that has been having problems. Liverpool John Moores University cancelled exams for almost 1,000 students on January 6th due to “adverse weather”, while exams at the University of Bournemouth were delayed from Monday to Saturday.

The picture is different for the University of Reading, however, where all the main roads into the university have been gritted, with maintenance staff working around the clock to clear paths. Emergency plans to support staff and students have been drawn up, in the event the situation deteriorates.

Besides the University, icy conditions have been causing problems throughout the city of Cambridge. Pedestrians and cyclists have complained that heavy snow turned pavements and footpaths into “ice rinks” owing to a lack of grit.

Police have also issued a warning to motorists in Cambridgeshire, following 26 crashes on the A14 and A11 in just two and a half hours on Sunday morning.

Endsleigh, the specialist insurer for students, has advised that “extra care” should be taken when driving to university, as “roads look set to be dangerous”.  Stuart Wartalski, a spokesperson for the company, said: “Students often own older vehicles so it is doubly important to make the necessary checks before setting off. These include checking for cracks in the windscreen, tyre pressure and oil and water levels.”

Fortunately, the worst of the weather is now predicted to be over. According to a Met Office spokesman, while that the “lion’s share” of Britain was still covered in snow, most of the country would experience a slow thaw later this week.