Hometown & Region: Stockport, Northwest England
Degree: Biological Sciences
A levels: Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies
Year of study: Second Year
When I’m not working I’m…
...Either playing college sports, visiting one of the many pubs or clubs that Oxford has to offer, or chilling out with a walk round Port Meadow. YouTube and Buzzfeed are are also near-constant companions when I’m trying to avoid work.
What made you choose to study at Brasenose and/or Oxford?
I decided to apply to Brasenose when I happened to make a chance visit to the college on an open day, The welcoming community atmosphere and being shown around by a passionate Biology student with similar interests to me made me decide that Brasenose was the college for me.
Is life in Oxford different to what you expected it to be?
Whilst the workload is similar to what I anticipated I was shocked by the wealth of opportunities that Oxford has to offer from a social perspective. Coming from Manchester I was sceptical about the quality of Oxford night life but from the start of freshers week my stereotypes were quickly confounded as I found a community of interesting people who always seemed to be up for a night out. A far cry from the endless hours in the library I has expected I was also shocked at the wealth of sporting opportunities in college and after reviving my love for football I captained the college second team this year.
What do you like most about studying in Brasenose?
From an academic perspective the tutorials system is a fantastic learning method that really suits the way I learn. Having a 2 on 1 academic conversation with a leading expert in the field is something I’ll really miss when I leave.
From a social perspective I think the collegiate system provides an opportunity to meet a broad spectrum of people from different years studying a diverse array of subjects. For example some of my best friends include a 3rd year Historian and some 1st year economics students, something which I doubt would be the case at other universities.
A quality you think is important for someone looking to study at Oxford?
Time-management and an ability to self-motivate are key for keeping on top of the sometimes heavy workload.
What are the perks of your degree?
Apart from learning about topics which I have a passion for from world experts, the main perk is the excellent Field Courses including a week on Tenerife looking at the plant bio-geography of oceanic islands. An absolutely unforgettable experience!