Discover the Joyful Chaos: Medwards Alum Ruby Cline’s Inspiring Journey After Cambridge

How’s life going after Cambridge? It’s been a whirlwind for me. I’ve dived into new experiences—living independently, studying Teeline shorthand (trust me, it’s tough!), taking a boat trip with the King, finishing a book, and even uncovering a scandal for a national newspaper. Now, I’m moving to a new city for a few months. Life after university is full of surprises, not always comfortable, but definitely interesting.

What do I miss about Cambridge? I miss how everything was close together, especially not worrying about late-night transport. My course, Human, Social, and Political Sciences, was a deep dive into learning, and I really enjoyed that. It’s funny; I miss the closeness of my colleagues, but not the scrutiny. Everyone knowing my business was a bit much at times.

So why the book, *All The Work You Shouldn’t Do*? Well, the great folks at Bloomsbury approached me. No one has captured post-COVID university life yet, and I wanted to fill that gap. With recorded lectures and open-book exams, traditional study tips just don’t cut it anymore. My goal is to provide a fresh, research-backed guide to help students navigate this new reality. I loved the challenge of digging into various books and gathering insights, making it a rewarding project.

“I wouldn’t describe my life now as comfortable, but comfort suits fewer people than you’d expect.”

This book shares lessons learned by countless students—lessons they had to figure out the hard way. I aim to help others avoid those pitfalls and focus their time and energy on what really matters. It’s essentially the advice I wish I had as a student.

Writing the book was a journey. I started with a proposal and collaborated closely with my editor, Helen. After gathering feedback from tester readers, I dove into writing during my final year, even amidst exams. It was challenging but also therapeutic—it gave me a chance to reflect on my experiences and learn to balance my time better.

Writing demands a lot of self-discipline. There were days when I struggled, but I found ways to check my assumptions with friends, making the writing process much more interactive.

Creating video content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok has been another part of my journey. It feels less about “creativity” in the traditional sense and more about effectively sharing information. My successful videos are often straight-to-camera talks, which seem to resonate well with viewers.

“Essentially, it’s the advice I wish I’d had when I started university.”

Moving forward, I have plenty on the horizon. Exciting news—an audiobook version of my book is coming out this summer, where I’ll narrate it myself! That’s a first for me, and I’m eager to dive into that project. I’m also enjoying my time within a journalism graduate scheme and will be back at Cambridge next term to discuss the book. It’s an exciting moment to share insights and connect with curious minds!

*All The Work You Shouldn’t Do* is set to launch on July 10, and it aims to be the guide every student needs.

Want to learn more about the changing landscape of university life? Check out the latest from [the Office for Students](https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/) for up-to-date statistics and changes affecting students today.

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