h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just got home from the Open Day at the College where I work. The numbers were very disappointing: 29 sixth-formers had booked places, but only 18 actually turned up. This was in spite of having sent them a confirmation slip a few weeks ago to remind them, which clearly asked them to let us know if they couldn't come. And in fact a couple of those who didn't come had only booked a week or so ago. I suppose they think that there will be so many people there that one or two more or less won't make any difference.

What they don't realise is that we look at the subjects they say they are interested in and ask the Directors of Studies in those subjects to come in and talk to them. Most of the DoSs are not thrilled at having to do this on a Saturday, and are even less pleased when I phone them up and say "Sorry, you know those three potential Law students you thought you were going to see in an hour's time? Well, they haven't turned up."

Anyway, those who came seemed to enjoy it and think it was useful, so we'll just have to hope it produces some good applications. We have also started running "curriculum enhancement" days for Year 12 students (Science, Ethics, Cultural Literacy), which were very popular last year, but resulted in a lower rate of applications than we had hoped. If any of you out there are in the process of attending University Open Days, either for yourself or as parents, I'd love to know what you think makes a good one.

We did get a compliment from one set of parents about our "self-guided tour" - a leaflet that anybody can pick up at the entrance and use to look around the College grounds, so they know what they're looking at. The couple who'd taken it said that they found it a much more satisfactory way of seeing the place than being taken round in a large group, with not enough time at some points and waiting around for ages in others.

Just having a cup of green tea, but sense that I will be moving onto the hard stuff shortly, unless I decide to go out to a film. Mmm - will probably leave that until tomorrow, as a reward for doing some housework (which I hate).

What a shame that your Open Day was not more enthusiastically attended.

All I can say is that one of my daughters decided, at about 15 years old, that she wanted to go to Newnham College. She fell in love with the place at first sight on a School trip for year 11s.

She had four very happy years there, before decamping down the road to Darwin for her PhD - but returned for her wedding.

In her first PhD year, she did a spot of supervision at Newnham, and was amused to find herself teaching in her old first year room in Peile.

The list of Newnham alumnae is devastatingly impressive; the college grounds are beautiful; it is close to the centre of undergraduate life, whilst being away from the obvious tourist route; the staff are friendly; and there is a happy atmosphere throughout. If you want a 1st - it is still one of the best place for a young woman to go. There are some grants and prizes that help with finances too.

Can't think why they are not queuing up, Annie.

Prue (unless, of course, they prefer London University )

Thanks for that unsolicited testimonial, Prue!

[I didn't pay her anything - honest!]

And I could add that we have rocketed up the Baxter* tables in the past year: we moved up from 21st to 12th. We got 70 Firsts overall!

*Baxter tables - the "league tables" of Cambridge colleges, based on academic results in all years.