An A-Z guide to student life at the University of Oxford (Part 2: I-P)

Hello, and welcome to the second section of my A-Z guide to student life at the University of Oxford! If you haven’t read the first part of this little manual (A-H), click here to do so. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy learning even more about this weird and wonderful institution.

‘I’ is for…

Interviews

Oxford’s applications process is pretty vigorous: you’ll have to write a personal statement, send off various examples of written work, and complete a couple of tests. However, all this is a walk in the park in comparison with the compulsory interviews you’ll have to attend. Applicants will usually have at least two interviews, during which they’ll have the chance to show off their best skills, and ask any questions they have about their course or life at Oxford in general. Don’t overthink this stage too much: just be yourself, and your interrogators will hopefully take a shine to you!

Intense terms

As I said before, Oxford terms last just eight weeks, so things can – and, more than likely, will – get pretty intense. It’s easy to fall behind on work, especially if you become unwell at any stage, but with a bit of organisation and a lot of determination, you’ll make it back to where you need to be. If you do have any problems with stress or time management, however, there are plenty of people – students and tutors alike – available to speak to.

Isis

The ‘Isis’ is the name given to the part of the River Thames that flows through Oxford. You can try out all sorts of boating activities here, from rowing to punting, or just enjoy a scenic stroll along the water’s edge.

‘J’ is for…

JCR

The term ‘JCR’ (short for ‘Junior Common Room’) can be used to describe two things. It is at once a physical room found in each college, where students can meet, study, and relax, and a way of referring to the entire undergraduate cohort of any such institution. JCR elections are held annually to decide which members of the community will be representing their peers in the coming year. The job of those chosen is to make the college a better place, be that by organising housing ballots, upping the quality of meals, or organising welfare-related events. The head of the JCR committee is known as the President.

‘K’ is for…

Kebab vans

If you’re walking home after a night out, chances are that you’ll stop off to line your stomach at one of Oxford’s several kebab vans. There’s a lot of rivalry between the different companies, but trust me when I say that Hassan’s is the number one place to head. (Warning: most vendors only take cash, so be sure to pop to an ATM before you join the queue!)

‘L’ is for…

Lectures

Even just thinking about lectures makes me want to yawn. They’re always extremely interesting, but you will, unfortunately, have to force yourself out of bed pretty early in order to attend them. Even if you’ve partied a little too hard the night before, it’s always worth turning up to these talks: you’ll learn so much from them, and will be able to ask questions to academics who are experts in their fields.

LGBTQ+ community

The University of Oxford may be known as a bit of a backwards-thinking institution, but, as I said before, work is being done to tackle any discrimination that students might face. If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, rest assured that you will receive plenty of support during your degree: not only does each college have an LGBTQ+ rep, but also there’s a university-wide LGBTQ+ society that you can join for free, as well as an LGBTQ+ bar and club – Plush – where you can dance the night away. In addition, you'll be able to take part in Oxford's annual Pride parade!

Libraries

There are an awful lot of libraries in Oxford, and no doubt you’ll be spending quite a lot of time in some of them. You’ll be able to use these reading rooms as work spaces, and will also have the opportunity to take books away with you for free using your Bod card (unless they’re extremely old and valuable!). As I said before, make the most of these facilities while you have access to them!

‘M’ is for…

Matriculation

‘Matriculation’ is the name given to the ceremony that marks the official entry of all first-year students into the University. It takes place in the Sheldonian Theatre, and consists of nothing more than an official member of the University making a speech in Latin. You’ll probably have no idea what’s going on, but that’s weird Oxford traditions for you! Afterwards, you’ll have plenty of time to take photos in your sub fusc (fancy uniform), before partying the night away. This post-ceremony celebration – which usually starts in the early afternoon, and carries on into the small hours – is often nicknamed Matriculash.

May Day

May Day is another event that’s celebrated pretty uniquely at Oxford. In others parts of the country, this occasion isn’t really recognised at all, or, at most, is marked by the setting up of maypoles on village greens. However, here, students will party away on the night of 30th April, then gather around Magdalen College’s Great Tower at 6am on 1st May to hear the choir singing. You won’t miss out on an awful lot if you don’t attend this event, but it is something that’s worth doing at least once, just so you can tick it off the bucket list!

Mental health support

A lot of students at the University of Oxford suffer from mental health issues, and while these can be debilitating, there is a great deal of support available to help overcome them. In college, you’ll have welfare reps (specially trained students and tutors), as well as friends, academic tutors and nurses to turn to. If, however, you don’t feel comfortable speaking to someone you know, you can also make use of the University’s counselling service, or online resources such as Nightline.

In addition to this, all students have free access to a long list of guidebooks, which offer advice on all the most common disorders. If you are experiencing any sort of hardship, be sure to seek help: it’s scary to admit that something is wrong – and even scarier to tell someone about it – but I promise that it will be worth it in the end.

Mods

Moderations – or mods, as they’re more commonly known – are exams set by Law and Classics students, once they have completed the first part of their degree. These tests don’t count towards the final result, and must just be passed in order for undergraduates to move on to the next stage. Unlike Prelims (see below), they take place outside the normal exam period, and sometimes even outside term time.

‘N’ is for…

Nightlife

Oxford is notorious for having the worst nightlife in the country, but in my opinion, it’s only as bad as you make it. There are pubs, bars, and clubs all across Oxford, to suit everyone's needs – whether you want to drink champagne on a rooftop terrace, or dance along to cheesy music – and you’ll be sure to meet loads of new friends on every evening out. Just make sure to bring your ID with you, as bouncers and bar staff tend to be pretty strict!

Norrington Table

The Norrington Table is a ranking of all the colleges in Oxford. It’s updated annually, when new degree results come out, and is always a source of great interest among students. Take it with a pinch of salt, though: colleges can leap from the bottom to the top of the table in consecutive years, and the overall quality of such an institution cannot, of course, be judged solely on the academic performance of its undergraduates.

‘O’ is for…

Open days

If you’re considering applying to Oxford, it’s well worth coming to visit the University on one of its open days. These are usually held in early July and late September, and are a great way for prospective students to get a feel for the place. Go on college tours, attend subject talks, and be sure to ask loads of questions! Can’t make it on the day? Most colleges are open all year round to potential applicants: just explain your situation to the Porters on duty, and they should let you in free of charge.

Outreach

Just when you thought the whole chat about discrimination at Oxford was over… Another problem with the University is that it is, at the moment, a lot easier to get a place there if you are privately educated. This issue remains to be sorted fully, but in the meantime, much is being done to improve access and outreach. Many talks are being organised in state schools, and at my college for example, we often hold special tours and lunches for prospective students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Things are far from perfect, but the situation is slowly improving.

OxCORT

OxCORT is the website through which students receive their reports each term. It’s always slightly terrifying opening these, but most criticism is constructive, and you’ll usually get a fair bit of positive feedback to help soften the blow. If you haven’t had such a good term, you can always cheer yourself up by reading some of the posts on this page!

Oxfess

Oxfess is a Facebook page where Oxford students can anonymously confess things. Many people use it as a venting outlet, or as a platform through which to ask for advice from their fellow students. Some posts can be a little crude, though, so, as with the Norrington Table, it’s important not to take them too seriously.

Oxford Union

The Oxford Union is a renowned debating society, which can be joined by anyone at the University. The membership fee is pretty hefty – I personally decided that it wasn’t worth the money – but it does allow you to attend talks and discussions featuring celebrities from across the globe. Past speakers include: Mary Berry, Morgan Freeman, and members of the Game of Thrones cast. (Top tip: if you, too, aren’t willing to splash out, most events held at the Union are filmed and uploaded to YouTube!)

‘P’ is for…

Plodge

The Porter’s Lodge – or ‘Plodge’ – is the name given to the room located next to the main entranceway of each college. Here, you’ll find the Porters, who manage everything from security, to repairs, to student mail. Be sure to introduce yourself to them early on in your degree, and they’ll help you with any problem, big or small!

Prelims

If you don’t take Mods after the first part of your degree, you’ll have Prelims to contend with instead. These exams take place in the last few weeks of your first year, but again, don’t count towards any final grades. You’ll probably get very stressed before and during these tests, but remember that there’s a long summer of freedom waiting just around the corner!

Punting

If you haven’t read my ‘ultimate guide to Cambridge’ article, and are confused about what punting is, it’s essentially propelling a boat along by pushing a pole against the bottom of a river. Don’t understand what I’m on about? You’ll just have to try it for yourself! Most colleges will make you pay a small one-off fee each summer for punt hire, and then you’ll be free to use them as little or as often as you like.

Here endeth the second part

So there we have it: part two of my A-Z guide to student life at the University of Oxford! I hope you now feel a little more clued-up on this mysterious institution, with all its quirky customs and peculiar jargon. Still not feeling fully enlightened? Fear not, because the third and final part of this handbook will be coming to you very soon. Stay tuned!

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