How to Work: 20

do make use oF holIdaYs:

This isn’t to say you should be working with the same intensity over the holidays as in term time - definitely not. Oxford terms are short and intense, so you’ll find you really need a break. Having said this, a little bit goes a long way. Whether it’s catching up with a few lectures you missed in the previous term, or reading a book in preparation for your next term’s course, I’ve often found that I’m much more relaxed going into 0 and 1st week of a term when I’ve done a bit of work over the holiday.

don ’ t adoPt Irregular Work Patterns:

It’s incredibly easy to fall into a pattern of late nights, slow starts, and last-minute grinds. I’d really recommend trying to be strict with yourself. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t or won’t have late nights, but more that it shouldn’t become part of your routine that you don’t start work until 3 or 4pm and end up working late. Obviously in the first couple of weeks you may want to give yourself some leeway, but once you’re in the thick of term time, try to maintain a normal sleep pattern.

don ’ t alWaYs PrIorItIse Work:

This may sound odd, but it’s one of the most important pieces of advice I can give. The reason why Oxford is such a special place is not just because it is academically challenging, but because there is so much on offer. This may sound cliche, but the difference between people who enjoy and don’t enjoy their time here often depends on what else they’ve done beyond their degree. My best piece of advice would be that, if you’re a fresher and unsure whether to try something like a society or sport, just go for it - you can always drop it later. And the other thing is, even if you don’t perform as well as you might like in your first year, I can almost guarantee that in the long-term you would regret not trying new stuff more than not getting a 1st in prelims.