18
Life
Trinity term expectations: Oxford at its finest? Anya Biletsky looks ahead to the sunnier days of the coming term from a fresher’s perspective.
‘So, what’s Trinity Term like?’ an unsuspecting fresher asks a second-year. ‘Ah, Trinity Term …’ the second-year replies, looking off longingly into the distance. Trinity Term seems to have some sort of mythical status. Its mention in the presence of older years is met with sighs of yearning and assertions of how splendid it is. After the cold gloom of Hilary term and the months when darkness settled over the city at 4pm, I sure am looking forward to experiencing Oxford in all its sunny glory. When I first visited, it was mid-July, and summer was at its height. The city was magical – the yellow brick golden, the blue sky a marvellous backdrop to the Rad Cam. Soon, Oxford will transform once again into a city of gleaming spires. As a Classicist, I am lucky enough, if you can put it that way, not to have to worry about Prelims until Hilary of second year. So, my aim for this Trinity is to lap up every beam of Oxford sun that I possibly can before the gruelling marathon of Mods kicks in. My desire to spend as much time outdoors as possible, whether while studying or not, is heightened by the two years of lockdowns we have just emerged from. What better way to remedy this feeling of prolonged confinement than by frequenting the rolling fields of Port Meadow or Uni Parks? They promise us picnics in fields, swimming
in the river, and, of course, punting. The question remains to be asked as to who will be the punter and who the puntee (I am most certainly the latter). Something I and my fellow freshers are particularly excited about is Trinity’s promise of our first Oxford ball. I am eager to see the colleges spruced up for this triennial affair, much as a ball does seem like an extra-massive, extra-fancy open-air BOP. I can already hear my friends’ groans at the dozens of disposable photos I will insist on taking. The prospect of dressing up and spending the night in the sultry summer outdoors, drinking and eating and dancing to our heart’s content until dawn, is one that seems straight out of a fairytale. With, of course, the less romantic but equally entertaining addition of stumbling around at 6am. Somerville-Jesus students are already preparing for their postball stagger over to Magdalen bridge for the May Morning choir performance. The Somerville college quad was cordoned off during Hilary term to allow the grass to recover, but for Trinity it will be made accessible to students again (sticking to the boast that it is one of the only colleges to let its students walk on the grass). Might we be able to convince our tutors to let us have tutorials on the quad? Probably not, but, at any rate, we can “study” in groups on the grass, fulfilling our light academia fantasies. Picture perfect: book in hand, dappled sunlight over the page, bottle of lemonade (or perhaps pink gin) by our side. We will become the embodiment of tourist eye candy. Clubbing in the summer will be a whole other experience to winter clubbing. It will be thrilling to walk back to our accommodation when we can catch the first glimpses of the new day’s sun skirting the horizon, albeit a little concerning for our 9am lectures. And – this is the thing I’m most excited for – not having to use club cloakrooms. No more
Horoscopes... TAURUS SCORPIO What are those faint chimes I’m hearing in the background? They must be bells. Keep on encouraging the musical dreams of others.
SAGITTARIUS I’m manifesting good things for you. Your schedule always seems to be very hectic, but you will be able to get your daily dose of vitamin D this term.
Lizzie McGuire once sang ‘this is what dreams are made of’. It is time to embrace your weird fever-dreams.
LIBRA I have so many questions for you: you perplex me.
GEMINI
VIRGO I am getting mixed signals from you. I can’t read your stars because of all these clouds. Declutter your space and mind, and clarity shall follow.
Image credit: Tankilevitch
Polina
An inside look at the Oxford Union The trinity sun shines down on an Inspiring new era at Frewin Court. Despite the illuminating light, this election is shrouded in mystery. A three way again? No one wants a sequel to that mess. But fear not, John Evelyn will reveal all in time. But before we talk of week 7 shenanigans lets see what the hacks have been doing over the vac: It appears some of the officers haven’t seemed to Connect their heads to the idea of vac days. Even the Wonder Kid has been seen doing more work. Therefore, the Procastinating Finalist has been left Frying up his term card with little help. John Evelyn finds it funny that Michaelmas’s competent slate couldn’t muster competent officers. One (scots)man has been all too happy to stride down from the highlands to fill the spaces to the left and the right of the throne. In doing so he has left a particularly Fishy stench hanging around the PO. This #Appoint coup has partially occurred beCOS of the GLO who has shot to stardom amongst the junior hacks. After a third successive election defeat at the presidential level, the establishment have been left reeling. This Trinity, they have placed their faith in The New
College Warden who knows a thing or two about reeling. He is out to a strong start despite having issues at the Bank early in the vac. Even the most empowered people have come to his side. For a while it looked as though his strongest opponent would be the Party Policer who, after a prolonged period of dormancy, may have wanted to get back into the game. However, like their first attempt at the Union, their campaign may have kicked up a big fuss but has had very little impact. Only time will tell. Fresh off a top 3 finish in the last election, the Uplift Campaign Manager seems to have had a tough time of it lately. Having lost his Rojo, he appears to have given up on the election and most certainly his work. Or at least that’s what he wants you to believe… The Vibe Queen appears have offered her immediate D1 superior a spot on her slate. Furthermore, this duo has recruited the powerful Coventry Doctor who is looking to re-establish his (em)power over committee members who may have Sparked interest from the other side. A stormy term awaits. Yours, John Evelyn x
AQUARIUS
Wear your damn hat. I know that hat hair is no fun at all, but I’m sorry, heat stroke isn’t a cute look on anyone. Who are you trying to impress?
It is time for some wild swimming. Who doesn’t love some aquatic fun? Don’t let the ecoli scare you!
– it is something I feel compelled to try. Drama-wise, various student companies will be putting on a number of different productions, from musicals to traditional plays. Some will even be hosted in open-air theatres, which promises to be a real treat. I might be romanticising Trinity Term slightly. Collections, the workload, and the general intensity of Oxford life will of course be as prevalent in Trinity as they were in Michaelmas and Hilary. Attending lectures in Exam Schools will involve both kinds of sweating. However, I do think that the warm days will bring with them a certain levity; as they say, the sun makes for a sunny disposition.
John Evelyn
PISCES
I’m envisioning some hard-core vibes from you this term. I love your energy, keep it up, and don’t forget to be intentional with your goals.
CAPRICORN
standing in endless queues to deposit our college puffers! No more college puffers at all, in fact. I am curious as to what everyone’s preferred item of stash will be for the summer months; Oxonians will hardly be able to go for long without donning some sort of college insignia. Bucket hats maybe? College polo shirts? There is of course everything sport and drama related to look forward to. A few of my friends and I have decided to commit to having a go at rowing, after two terms of reluctant delaying. The idea of falling into a lukewarm river on a moderately sunny day in May is heaps more appealing than having the same experience in the middle of Storm Eunice. Although there are more than a few people who have warned me off from rowing – I still can’t tell if they were joking or not
CANCER
Sun’s out, buns out: this term’s priority for you should be to enjoy trinity because life is short, and there is absolutely no time for another existential crisis.
Who ever said that you are too young to rollerskate? I picture you skating down Cornmarket st with some sunnies. Pop off!
LEO
It is wine o’clock somewhere. Grab that bottle of rosé, sit in the sun, and have your main character moment. There’s no judgment here.
ARIES Spring is a time of rejuvenation. Take time to romanticise the little things of life: take yourself to a fancy coffee date, wear that item of clothing that makes you feel amazing.
Artwork by Ben Beechener
