Last week, I celebrated ‘midway’ with my college – an event filled with silly costumes and the traditional ‘Halfway Hall’ college formal dinner. But beyond the fun, it made me reflect on my time at Oxford so far.
Thanks to Oxford’s notoriously short eight-week terms, this year and a half has well and truly flown by. A year and a half in, I still feel like there is more I should have done. While this halfway point has put me into a bit of a spiral (particularly because I still struggle to tackle my essay each week), it has also offered me a chance to reflect on everything I know now as a result of my time here.
As cliché as it sounds, I do think the new knowledge I have gained about adulthood and myself from this short time at Oxford far surpasses anything I could have possibly learned from my degree textbooks and lectures. I’ve also gained so much value from the poignant, chaotic, and beautiful moments that make up university life.
As I have grown more independent and gained new knowledge, here are five things I have learned at the halfway point of my degree:
- Imposter syndrome and comparison is real
If you are used to achieving the top grades and being the best in your class, or year group for that matter, then coming to Oxford is a huge change. Everyone is intelligent, which can make comparison inevitable. I always worry that I am not doing enough work, or I compare my results to someone else’s, wondering how they could have possibly done better than me. I also constantly find myself comparing my experience with my friends at other unis! They achieve the top marks whilst still having time for their hobbies, which doesn’t seem fair… The bottom line is, that you’re not in competition with anyone else. All that matters is that you show up and try to better yourself each day.
- Be prepared to adapt
University is very different from school in the sense that a lot of the work is independently led. If you are like me, studying a humanities subject, you may find you have as few as two contact hours a week! This can be startling, especially when you’re used to the structured school routine of daily lessons. I think it is important to learn how you work most efficiently. Whether this is in a library or in your room, reading on a laptop or from books, work out what suits you and stick to it. You may also find different times of day suit you too – I am currently writing this at midnight. I work best in the evenings because I experience intense headaches and migraines in the daytime. Adjusting my study schedule has been challenging but nevertheless, is so important in allowing me to work most productively.
- Exercise will become your best friend
In a high-pressure and high-stress environment such as Oxford, it is so important to look after your mental and physical well-being. I have a gym membership while in Oxford and find going to the gym offers a nice break in my day of studying. It also makes me feel better! Endorphins are real hormones released during exercise that improve your mood. If you’re not interested in sports or the gym, then taking a ten-minute walk every day can boost your mood. You could even practice mindfulness through yoga or meditation if you are looking for low-impact exercise. Coupled with exercise is healthy eating. Make sure to meal plan to avoid buying regular takeaways, or you could go to your college hall for delicious fresh and homemade food to ensure you’re getting all your nutrients!
- Things will change and it’s never too late to start over
My second year experience couldn’t be more different from my first year. In first year, I used to go out and socialise all the time. I would sometimes spend more time in the nightclubs than at the libraries each week! At the end of first year, my friendship group dynamic changed when my closest friend ended up dropping out of Oxford. Now, in second year, I don’t have quite the same social life, but I am okay with that! I am fortunate I have some great friends and I don’t mind spending a lot of time each day on my own. I guess the key takeaway here is that everything is in a constant state of flux and you get to decide if you want things to change! With so much free time, we really do get the opportunity to shape our day-to-day life and spend it with the people we want. I would recommend prioritising spending time with people you get on well with and if you’re feeling a bit stuck, it is never too late to meet new people through social events and societies.
- Never miss out on an opportunity
We are so fortunate at Oxford to have access to some of the best facilities, speakers, and events in the world. I recommend making the most of Oxford societies during your time here. Step out of your comfort zone and get involved in societies you’re interested in! Not only will you be involving yourself in something you enjoy, but you’ll also meet like-minded students. It is also never too late to join a society! I wasn’t really involved in any societies until I started second year. I was apprehensive to join them for so long because none of my friends were keen to get involved, but I decided to bite the bullet and join a few anyway. I sometimes even go to society events on my own (which is scary the first time!) but has helped me meet new people with the same interests. You may find if you say no to something, you’ll regret it later down the line…
So, whether you are at the end of your degree or you’ve just started, it is not too late to change your Oxford experience. We are so lucky at uni that we are able to shape our day-to-day and live the life which is most authentic to ourselves. I truly believe that Oxford is about the people you meet and the things you do. It really is what you make of it. So, be curious, seek out new opportunities, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Ultimately, our time here is short and we should try to make every moment count.