To live in a world of short terms and long holidays can be both a blessing and a curse. Oxford is renowned for its compact but rapid terms, in which students have to work at a speedy pace. But it’s also famous for its almost equally-lengthy holidays, in which students spend a good proportion of their degree away from the university. Today, as part of our Spotlight series, we’ll explore the highs and lows of this system and the role that plays in the lives of its students.
Beginning on the positives, the long holidays are not a luxury, but rather essential at Oxford. With such intense terms, students need a long period of time to recover and recuperate, freeing themselves (partly) from the restraints of work, and taking the time to do the things they didn’t have time for when in Oxford. It’s an amazing opportunity to travel, meet with friends, spend time with family, or get a job. It’s important to note that many students rely on the latter as they aren’t allowed to work whilst in Oxford due to the intensity of the short terms, which makes these longer breaks vital for many. With almost six weeks of no contact, the world is truly your oyster, and with a break from such intense pressure, there’s finally a chance to catch up and even jump ahead with your personal, professional and academic life.
Notably, the short terms are much more manageable. Yes, we do have Fifth Week Blues, but that is only just after a month of being away from home. Other universities have much longer terms, which is truly a challenge, when considering that the first term runs from the end of summer to the dark, winter nights. In a university where the academic pressure is a marathon and not a sprint, the short distance of the race is always appreciated. There’s always plenty to do to pack those weeks, from spending time with friends to university socials, so the time can’t do anything other than fly past. Week Three may feel like a drag, but suddenly you’re sprung forward into Week Six, and the end is once again in sight.
Additionally, our terms are very clear and structured. In other universities, exams and Easter merge into an ongoing balance of going back and forth between university and home. However, the eight-week terms are so regimented that it’s impossible to get confused. In my opinion, this is much easier to follow than having a massive term followed by short ones; you know exactly what to expect and, in theory, no term should be more demanding than the others.
However, the downsides of these short terms are the academic pressures that come with it. Whilst other universities have longer terms, we have the same amount of work (perhaps even more) but condensed into a much smaller time. Others find it difficult to comprehend that socialising can sometimes be nothing more than a half an hour walk, and even that can feel scandalous. Weekends can be consumed by sitting in the library, and in an eight-week term, there really is no chance for a rest. The work is never paused, and there’s no reading week to soften the blow.
To add to it further, the holidays are necessary to catch up with any work that was missed. If you fall behind during term, there’s nothing to do but move past the work in the hope that one day you’ll catch up. That day comes during the holidays. Whilst you may not have intense academic deadlines anymore, there’s suddenly a balancing act between self-motivated study (which, let’s face it, is never easy), work commitments, family time, meet-ups with friends, driving lessons, sports classes and whatever else you can pack into your busy schedule. And, whilst the terms may go quickly, so do the holidays.
There’s also the sad factor that, out of a three-year degree, you will receive approximately 72 weeks of learning. Considering how hard people have worked to attend such a prestigious and globally-recognised university, with the added bonus that they can indulge in their passions for their subject, it’s so sad to recognise that an average course offers relatively few weeks of contact hours.
Additionally, our holidays seldom line up with other universities, especially during exams. Whilst students at other establishments generally start and finish at the same time, Oxford is unique in its alternative timeline. This means that, in first year, freshers are waiting eagerly at home whilst their former classmates have already begun their new studies. And by the time of exams, all those friends are now relaxing, whilst the Oxford term has only begun. This makes it even easier to feel alienated, and get further absorbed into the Oxford bubble.
One of the more practical downsides is the necessity of completely moving out at the end of each term. This can vary with contract, but the standard rule is that each student must vacate their room at the end of each term, all with the reason that the colleges can rent out the rooms whilst you’re away. Practically, this can be a logistical nightmare. Either, loved ones are required to help move everything out again (despite their busy schedules and the fact that move-in day is typically during the working week), or you’re having to store your belongings somewhere at a cost, with the joy of battling public transport home once more. The university may benefit from the extra revenue they receive, but this really does come at a cost to students and their families.
Overall, I think it’s fair to say that the Oxford terms do have pros and cons. The structure of these academic periods throughout the whole degree provide a sense of stability, safety and predictability. As much as these are a chance to work incredibly hard, the long holidays do also provide a chance to play hard, which is a privilege for many students. No system is perfect, whether here or elsewhere, but at least the regularity of the calendar can provide clarity in the chaos.