Oxbridge – The Journey Continues

News from Oxford!

My first (and second) term at Oxford was amazing. I am kept busy with a lot of
work, but it's all really interesting and I'm finding Physics fascinating. Everyone in college is really friendly, even the tutors (most of the time) and there is always someone around to help. At first tutorials seem very intimidating because the tutors are so clever, but I soon realised that as long as I put some effort in they are happy to help and often enjoy teaching, or seem to at least.

I'm really grateful for everything Highcliffe has done for me. Throughout the (daunting) Oxbridge application process I found the sixth form staff and the gifted and talented team very helpful and knowledgeable about the application process. They were also highly supportive of my Oxford application in terms of giving me guidance with my personal statement and interview preparation.
Heidi Barnett

Oxford University Shadowing Scheme
I was incredibly fortunate to be offered a place at Oxford on a shadowing scheme set up by both Oxford and Cambridge universities. The scheme offered the opportunity to observe and participate in a normal day in the life of an Oxford student, my normal Oxford day was to be Monday 6th February. Arriving early, with the snow still clinging to the pavements I arrived at Hertford College, near the famous Bridge of Sighs, the hallowed halls of the university beckoned me in. This was to be only the first of many colleges that I visited on the day, as in all there are 33 colleges, ranging in size, ranging in history and specialising in a variety of subjects, each of them united in purpose but unique in environment. Immediately I met up with 20 other students from all around the country all patiently waiting for our undergraduates. As we would spend much of the day in each other’s company looking around the colleges and lecture theatres within the city, we introduced ourselves and got to know each other well.

The environment was instantly welcoming as the undergraduates when they arrived were pleasant and sociable; I followed a 3rd year undergraduate called Sean from Balliol College, who was really friendly and helpful. It was exciting to learn so much about the university, the students and the individual colleges, for instance nearly all the colleges are able to create their own extraordinary society, with a church, student union (lounge and bar) and a hall where most students eat. Sean also revealed that under most of the streets and houses there is an underground network of tunnels and basements stretching across the city, filled with books and computers. The large store of resources is necessary as classes can be up to ten times the size of that of the sixth form, massive theatres bursting with not only students but ideas. I had the opportunity of sitting in with some of the lectures to listen to expert professors sharing their passion and knowledge.

In the afternoon we were given a tour of the city, however since the university is large there is a fair amount of travel, which is why there are vast quantities of bikes, swarming around the streets. Even though undergraduates are hard working there is still room for fun and Oxford is a great place to find it! There are many activities available such as sport clubs (they are heavily into rowing) and numerous social groups covering a variety of interests, so you are bound to find something you like. Finally I visited one of my favourite colleges, Keble, known for its sciences and as a maths student it was particularly important to me, although for others they would find it me interesting because it was used for certain scenes in the Harry Potter Films. I learnt much from my day at Oxford University, not only that the students are committed and hardworking but more important that they love what they do and that Oxford is a special place.
Michael Smith

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