As the air cools and college puffers become essential the darker days seem to match the mood. Week 5 of the Oxford cycle looms, threatening many with the notorious ‘5th week blues’. This point in the term isn’t just the halfway mark; it’s often the tipping point where academic rigour, mental fatigue, and the relentless pace of Oxford’s term collide. For many, the pressure to excel, maintain momentum, and “do it all” becomes overwhelming.
Oxford’s eight-week terms are rigorous, creating a demanding atmosphere that exhausts and burns out many Oxford students. The university counselling service has seen a massive increase in students asking for help in recent years. The student body is struggling and when it all gets too much rustication appears to be the only option.
High achievers are bad at giving themselves a break. The drive that is a core trait of many at Oxford is a blessing and a curse, creating high-level results but also causing extreme pressure. Recently, there have been more calls for a reading week to be implemented to break up the term. Students feel like it would reduce pressure, but I am unsure whether it could drastically change the 5th-week blues. A reading week could become another week where students take on more, work harder, and continue to put in the hours. The University needs to look at how to support morale drops throughout the term, whenever students are asking for help. It is essential that student welfare is prioritised, especially when students often forgo their own mental well-being in order to excel. Being gentle is neither nurtured at Oxford nor innate to the personality types at this uni. But it is important. Now more than ever, check in with your friends, give yourself some downtime and celebrate small wins.
