Thoughts from Past Freshers

“Try not to worry about appearing a certain way or falling into peer pressure to ‘fit in’. There are people at Oxford of all types, backgrounds and personalities and you will find your crowd. Be yourself and you will find people that you love.”

“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, not only are you staring a new course. But also you have to learn how to live by yourself. Remember to take time for yourself.”

“You don’t have to be perfect immediately. You’re going to Oxford to learn and grow as a person and that is a process that takes time and is constant. You are not defined but your tutor’s comments, take their feedback on board but don’t be disheartened if you don’t hit the nail on the head immediately.”

“Everyone will feel imposter syndrome at some point and that’s completely normal and valid. Talk about it with a friend or confidant and that discussion can often ease your stress.”

ImPoster sYndrome One experience that many Oxford Students have is the feeling of Imposter Syndrome. This is the internal feeling that you are less competent than others perceive you to be. It is feeling like a fraud amongst other students and feeling like you don’t belong. Coming to a place filled with other high-achievers can be a big adjustment, and when you are no longer way ahead of everyone else it is very common to feel this way.

There is no ‘fix’ to imposter syndrome, but talking to friends and peer supporters can help remind you that you are not alone in this experience, and that you deserve to be here. The very fact that you are at Oxford in the first place is proof. All applications are vigorously examined and students hand-picked. You were not an accident, but a choice from scholars who see something great in you.70