Monday, March 10, 2025

Lifestyle

Reflections on the perils of overthinking

here is a lot to be said for blind positivity. On a good day, I’m a manifester, a big believer in my ability to speak things into existence. During my English A-Level, I had complete confidence that the crystals hidden in my bra would provide enough luck to snag me an A*. Today, I put great faith in words, relying on the same ‘I can do it’ that gets Olympic athletes across the finish line, to help me through difficult situations.

The fourth year: Oxford after your year abroad

I’m now in my fourth year, and as such, must grapple with the reality of my Oxford days drawing to a close. Granted, this is something that every student must contend with, and I watched on as most of my friends bade a fond farewell to this city where our friendships began when they graduated last summer. Yet there is something about the fourth year that I’m certain makes the final year even more strange: a sense of something already lost, of living in a moment that has already passed.

An evening at Pierre Victoire: French bistro dining at its best

Pierre Victoire has been here on Little Clarendon Street for decades – one of...

Being Cupid isn’t easy: What I learned from a term of running Cherpse

Now, having exhausted myself with these relentless pursuits, the job has been passed on to a new bright-eyed Cupid, and in my retirement I’ve become fondly reflective, and decided to curate my insights into this list: 

Pick up a Book! Rekindling a Love Affair

I will rekindle the love affair with reading that I left behind when I came to Oxford.

Making Your Home Space Your Own

The world around us is changing at an alarming rate, forcing many of us to rethink our plans for the next few months. With these changes...

Mother’s Day: showing you care with food

Nigella’s flourless chocolate cake and custard cream hearts are absolute game-changers, and have never failed to fool people into thinking I understand how to operate in a kitchen.

The Pandemic of Panic Buying

Stockpiling exposes the vulnerabilities of the food aid system

Katya’s grocery haul left-overs

Before being unexpectedly evicted from St. John's College, I did a big Tesco shop and got a whole load of incredible items in the...

Living with a Chronic Illness at University

There are loads of forms before you arrive at Oxford. Room agreements and library contracts to fill in, induction timetables to flick through and...

Working-class, Oxford educated

Getting used to uni is hard enough. But things get complicated when you feel like you don’t fit in Oxford may be celebrating a...

Coming Off the Pill: A Thought Process

I had been on the pill since I was 16, so that’s 4 years on the medication. In this time I assured myself, friends and...

Cherpse! Jaya and Raphael

Jaya Rana, Hertford, English, First year We met under the Bridge of Sighs and walked around Oxford for a bit before deciding to go to...

Get Withs and Guilty Feminists

So here I am, tackling this morally ambiguous minefield head on with an investigation into ‘get withs’ and whether or not they really are feminist. Dear...

Lady Pat R. Honising: Tutor crush

Dear Lady Pat, I’ve got a bit of a crush if I’m honest, and I know that they say love is blind, love...

Walter Raleigh, Percy Shelley, and Me: Reflections on a First Term at Oxford

“So, how’s uni going?” I imagine this question evokes the same kind of intense existential anguish as being asked how you’re dealing with the inevitability...

I’m Still Standing: Why Final Year is the Best

At the end of Trinity last year, I honestly thought that second year was as good as it got. I had a good second...

Cherpse! Joe and Ed

Joe Drakeley, Oriel, Physics, 2nd Year We met at the steps of the Ashmolean which is surprisingly ominous at night, despite it only being 7.30pm....

John Evelyn’s Diary: Hilary Term 2020, Week 5

After a week of controversy and sedition, last week’s John Evelyn has been summarily executed by the Cherwell editorial team. Though Draconian, the crime...

Crewdates: Pros and Cons

When trying to explain the term ‘crewdate’ to my family and friends outside Oxford, I often struggle to find words which won’t bring to...

Lady Pat R. Honising: Frisky Friendships

Dear Lady Pat,I write to you, as you may expect, in a state of dire embarrassment, shame and confusion. As I’m sure you know, the...

Tinder? I hardly know her

2:30AM. You’ve left Bridge before closing. Some reptilian part of your VK-addled brain sparks up and before you know it, you’re in bed swiping left on...

Love and Long-Term Relationships: The Pressure to Commit

As Valentine’s Day is upon us, and advertisements make it almost impossible not to be constantly reminded of the holiday, many wonder about their relationship status....

John Evelyn’s Diary: Hilary 2020, Week 4

The Feast of Saint Valentine’s is quickly approaching, but in Frewin Court old lovers and friends seem immune to cupid’s charms. This should come...

Follow us