While studying for an MSc in Education Policy and Research, my year at the University of Oxford was a whirlwind of discovery, occasional panic, and some quirky realisations. From intellectual brilliance and ancient libraries to Brazilian dance classes (yes, that happened), the experience was a unique blend of the academic and the unexpected. Id like to share the six most memorable lessons I learned while navigating this iconic institution.
1) The University of Oxford is a mini United Nations, but dont let that freak you out
Picture this: you walk into your first class, and its a bit like a geography quiz on steroids. Students are from everywhere. Were talking 160+ countries, making the room feel like the worlds most intense cultural buffet. As for me? I was the youngest student in my cohort and the only Indian. Most of my peers had already collected masters degrees like Pokmon cards.
At first, it was intimidating (How do you compete with someone who already acquired a masters degree or is currently pursuing one?). But heres the trick: you dont have to compete. I quickly realised that instead of outsmarting others, all I had to do was focus on my strengths. So, I decided to play to my strengths: arriving on time (a rare skill at Oxford), staying organised, and being the one who knows when meetings happen.
While Oxford is an incredible melting pot of cultures, the reading lists didnt reflect that diversity. It felt like the syllabus had been curated by old Western men with the directive, Youve got this, boys! Their work has its merits, but I couldnt help wondering, Wheres the rest of the world? Bringing these new perspectives into discussions not only added some spice to the conversations but also helped me avoid drowning in the same old academic broth.
Heres the lesson: Dont just accept the syllabus as gospel. Go rogue, bring in fresh voices, and shake things up a bityoull be adding more flavour to the academic stew.
2) Networking is overrated but still important
Okay, confession time: everyone will tell you that networking is the holy grail of Oxford life, but lets be realits overrated. Oxford is teeming with intellectual powerhouses, offering endless opportunities to engage with professors, visiting scholars, and future leaders. But heres the truth: many of the people youre expected to network with are just as socially awkward as you, and forcing conversations often feels, well, contrived.
That said, some of my best networking moments happened accidentally in the most casual settings. It wasnt at the big, high-stakes academic events but over simple conversations at formal dinners. One minute, youre discussing the soup, and the next, you realise the person across from you is running an experiment on Mars (like, actual Mars!) or working to solve the water crisis in Zambia.
Heres the lesson: Firstly, research who you might meet before attending formal events by checking the guest list or looking up the speakers. Prepare a few thoughtful questions related to their work. For example, if a researcher specialises in climate change, you could ask, What do you see as the biggest challenge in implementing sustainable practices in developing countries? This demonstrates preparation and can spark meaningful conversations. Secondly, steer casual conversations towards shared interests or experiences. Instead of immediately discussing career goals, ask, What drew you to your field? or Whats the most surprising thing youve learned in your research? Doing so breaks the ice and fosters genuine connections that can lead to future opportunities.
3) Lead like you know what youre doing (even if you dont)
Somehow, I ended up as the class representativeorganising events, liaising with faculty, and pretending I had my life together. One of my proudest achievements was initiating a lecture series featuring Indian professors. Youd think, This is Oxford; surely this has been done before. But everyone was genuinely surprised and appreciative! Even at a prestigious institution, theres a thirst for new perspectives and voices. So, whether it was organising the lecture series or ensuring meetings happened as planned, I learned that leadership is about consistency and dependability.
Heres the lesson: You dont need to be the smartest person in the room to be a leader. You just have to be the one who knows where the room is located. Leadership at Oxford isnt about being the loudest or most experienced; its often about simply showing up. Also, dont self-reject or assume your ideas are too basicyoud be surprised how much people value initiatives that bring something new.
4) The University of Oxford is a buffet, but la carte is better
Arriving at Oxford feels like stepping into the worlds most extravagant intellectual buffet. Lectures, workshops, debates, clubs, and societies aboundeach more enticing than the last. From discussions on quantum physics to Brazilian dance classes, its like having an all-access pass to an intellectuals Disneyland. Naturally, you want to experience it all. But heres the reality: you only have one year, and trying to sample everything will leave you academically (and probably emotionally) bloated.
I focused on connecting with Indian academics to build relationships and explore research opportunities back home. I also chose my electives strategically by selecting a course called Internet, Education, and Society to delve deeper into global trends in Edtech and AI. This wasnt just a fascinating subject; it also aligned with my long-term goals. When it came to my dissertation, I committed fully.
Heres the lesson: Carefully choose your Oxford experiences to align with your goals. Immersing yourself in one topic is far more rewarding than spreading yourself too thin. Trust me, when everyone else is scrambling in Trinity term, youll be relieved you started early and concentrated on what mattered. Plus, immersing yourself in one topic is far more rewarding than spreading too thin. So, instead of diving into a scholarly buffet at Oxford, choosing la carte will help you avoid a serious case of intellectual indigestion.
5) Follow a routine (Seriously, its a game changer)
Nothing is more important than making time for the basics: eating your meals, going for a walk, and maybe even having a good cry while bingeing on comfort Indian food. I dont want to preach, but having a solid routine sets you apart from most studentsIve seen it firsthand! My friends would ask, Why cook Indian food three times a day? or Why wake up at dawn for a walk? The truth is, it wasnt about aspiring to be a fitness guru; it was about managing my mood and getting through the day without feeling like a zombie.
Heres the lesson: When youre in a new country, braving frigid temperatures and missing your family, its easy to feel overwhelmed. Establishing a routine helped me prioritise my emotional and mental health. Walking cleared my head, and cooking my favourite meals gave me a taste of homeeven if it meant my flat smelled like a curry house at all hours.
6) Your degree doesnt have to align with your job
Heres a truth bomb: Your degree doesnt have to define your career path. Thank goodness! I studied Education Policy and Research, and now I work with researchers to fund their wild and brilliant ideas.
Most degrees at Oxford are less about the specific subject and more about picking up those magical transferable skillslike critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to survive on coffee alone. Dont get me wrong; many of my classmates are pursuing their PhDs, but exploring other options is perfectly alright if thats not your path. You dont need a meticulously crafted research proposal to validate your academic journey, even if Oxford often has that publish or perish vibe.
Heres the lesson: If youre sitting there with a degree and no grand plan, remember this: Your degree is a versatile tool, not a one-way ticket to the academic elite. So, embrace the many possibilities it offers.
So, embrace the chaos and chart your pathits the best way to make a place like Oxford truly yours. If you want guidance on your masters application, contact The Red Pens Postgraduate Admissions. I used their services, and their guidance was extremely valuable. You can also read their blogs. My favourites are The Ultimate Checklist to Craft a Stellar Masters Application Five Months Before the Deadline and Scholarships for Masters Abroad: What International Students Must Know
1) The University of Oxford is a mini United Nations, but dont let that freak you out
Picture this: you walk into your first class, and its a bit like a geography quiz on steroids. Students are from everywhere. Were talking 160+ countries, making the room feel like the worlds most intense cultural buffet. As for me? I was the youngest student in my cohort and the only Indian. Most of my peers had already collected masters degrees like Pokmon cards.
At first, it was intimidating (How do you compete with someone who already acquired a masters degree or is currently pursuing one?). But heres the trick: you dont have to compete. I quickly realised that instead of outsmarting others, all I had to do was focus on my strengths. So, I decided to play to my strengths: arriving on time (a rare skill at Oxford), staying organised, and being the one who knows when meetings happen.
While Oxford is an incredible melting pot of cultures, the reading lists didnt reflect that diversity. It felt like the syllabus had been curated by old Western men with the directive, Youve got this, boys! Their work has its merits, but I couldnt help wondering, Wheres the rest of the world? Bringing these new perspectives into discussions not only added some spice to the conversations but also helped me avoid drowning in the same old academic broth.
Heres the lesson: Dont just accept the syllabus as gospel. Go rogue, bring in fresh voices, and shake things up a bityoull be adding more flavour to the academic stew.
2) Networking is overrated but still important
Okay, confession time: everyone will tell you that networking is the holy grail of Oxford life, but lets be realits overrated. Oxford is teeming with intellectual powerhouses, offering endless opportunities to engage with professors, visiting scholars, and future leaders. But heres the truth: many of the people youre expected to network with are just as socially awkward as you, and forcing conversations often feels, well, contrived.
That said, some of my best networking moments happened accidentally in the most casual settings. It wasnt at the big, high-stakes academic events but over simple conversations at formal dinners. One minute, youre discussing the soup, and the next, you realise the person across from you is running an experiment on Mars (like, actual Mars!) or working to solve the water crisis in Zambia.
Heres the lesson: Firstly, research who you might meet before attending formal events by checking the guest list or looking up the speakers. Prepare a few thoughtful questions related to their work. For example, if a researcher specialises in climate change, you could ask, What do you see as the biggest challenge in implementing sustainable practices in developing countries? This demonstrates preparation and can spark meaningful conversations. Secondly, steer casual conversations towards shared interests or experiences. Instead of immediately discussing career goals, ask, What drew you to your field? or Whats the most surprising thing youve learned in your research? Doing so breaks the ice and fosters genuine connections that can lead to future opportunities.
3) Lead like you know what youre doing (even if you dont)
Somehow, I ended up as the class representativeorganising events, liaising with faculty, and pretending I had my life together. One of my proudest achievements was initiating a lecture series featuring Indian professors. Youd think, This is Oxford; surely this has been done before. But everyone was genuinely surprised and appreciative! Even at a prestigious institution, theres a thirst for new perspectives and voices. So, whether it was organising the lecture series or ensuring meetings happened as planned, I learned that leadership is about consistency and dependability.
Heres the lesson: You dont need to be the smartest person in the room to be a leader. You just have to be the one who knows where the room is located. Leadership at Oxford isnt about being the loudest or most experienced; its often about simply showing up. Also, dont self-reject or assume your ideas are too basicyoud be surprised how much people value initiatives that bring something new.
4) The University of Oxford is a buffet, but la carte is better
Arriving at Oxford feels like stepping into the worlds most extravagant intellectual buffet. Lectures, workshops, debates, clubs, and societies aboundeach more enticing than the last. From discussions on quantum physics to Brazilian dance classes, its like having an all-access pass to an intellectuals Disneyland. Naturally, you want to experience it all. But heres the reality: you only have one year, and trying to sample everything will leave you academically (and probably emotionally) bloated.
I focused on connecting with Indian academics to build relationships and explore research opportunities back home. I also chose my electives strategically by selecting a course called Internet, Education, and Society to delve deeper into global trends in Edtech and AI. This wasnt just a fascinating subject; it also aligned with my long-term goals. When it came to my dissertation, I committed fully.
Heres the lesson: Carefully choose your Oxford experiences to align with your goals. Immersing yourself in one topic is far more rewarding than spreading yourself too thin. Trust me, when everyone else is scrambling in Trinity term, youll be relieved you started early and concentrated on what mattered. Plus, immersing yourself in one topic is far more rewarding than spreading too thin. So, instead of diving into a scholarly buffet at Oxford, choosing la carte will help you avoid a serious case of intellectual indigestion.
5) Follow a routine (Seriously, its a game changer)
Nothing is more important than making time for the basics: eating your meals, going for a walk, and maybe even having a good cry while bingeing on comfort Indian food. I dont want to preach, but having a solid routine sets you apart from most studentsIve seen it firsthand! My friends would ask, Why cook Indian food three times a day? or Why wake up at dawn for a walk? The truth is, it wasnt about aspiring to be a fitness guru; it was about managing my mood and getting through the day without feeling like a zombie.
Heres the lesson: When youre in a new country, braving frigid temperatures and missing your family, its easy to feel overwhelmed. Establishing a routine helped me prioritise my emotional and mental health. Walking cleared my head, and cooking my favourite meals gave me a taste of homeeven if it meant my flat smelled like a curry house at all hours.
6) Your degree doesnt have to align with your job
Heres a truth bomb: Your degree doesnt have to define your career path. Thank goodness! I studied Education Policy and Research, and now I work with researchers to fund their wild and brilliant ideas.
Most degrees at Oxford are less about the specific subject and more about picking up those magical transferable skillslike critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to survive on coffee alone. Dont get me wrong; many of my classmates are pursuing their PhDs, but exploring other options is perfectly alright if thats not your path. You dont need a meticulously crafted research proposal to validate your academic journey, even if Oxford often has that publish or perish vibe.
Heres the lesson: If youre sitting there with a degree and no grand plan, remember this: Your degree is a versatile tool, not a one-way ticket to the academic elite. So, embrace the many possibilities it offers.
So, embrace the chaos and chart your pathits the best way to make a place like Oxford truly yours. If you want guidance on your masters application, contact The Red Pens Postgraduate Admissions. I used their services, and their guidance was extremely valuable. You can also read their blogs. My favourites are The Ultimate Checklist to Craft a Stellar Masters Application Five Months Before the Deadline and Scholarships for Masters Abroad: What International Students Must Know