Wednesday, March 19, 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: 

Booze Cruise: Balliol Combine Harvester

Balliol's 'Combine Harvester' is as lethal as it sounds

College families – bizarre or beneficial?

Reflections on the peculiarities of the college family

Laura Freeman: “If you are unwell, you have to find the thing that motivates you”

When Laura Freeman was diagnosed with anorexia, literature saved her sanity. She tells Cara Nicholson that her new book may do the same for others

All the class without the cash

You can still have dinner parties on a student budget

If you can’t handle spice, get out of the kitchen

Eating food from other countries is not an achievement

Blind Date: “I found out I was unintentionally sharking”

Alberico Santiano and Kitty Horsfall make it through a "strained" brunch

Recipe corner: batch cooking

Batch cooking is the secret weapon in any students' arsenal

Night Out: Emporium, the best of the worst

"Moral of the story, kids: aim low, and you’ll never be disappointed".

Recipe corner: veganism

Veganism is not that difficult

Recipe corner: cheese

Cheese can improve any meal

Let’s talk about: Imposter Syndrome

Meha Razdan faces the feeling that you don’t belong

Blind Date: “His T-shirt was just baked beans”

Despite the height difference, Henry Williams and Sophie Gibson see eye to eye

Night Out: the Oxford experience

The trials and tribulations of a typical Oxford night out

Letter to: my neighbour

Julia Alsop airs her domestic grievances

A Letter To: Singles on Valentine’s Day

Meha Razdan gives you her words of wisdom

‘New Year, New Diet’ – but will that fad diet do you any good?

The infamous 'fad diet' trend has serious drawbacks

Blind Date: “Our first attempt was marked by a minor mishap”

Charlie Blake and Jack Sagar find that when it comes to dates, it's second time lucky

A letter to: my future employer

A reflection on the joys of the corporate world

Let’s Talk About: PDA

Becky Cook speaks out against nauseating couples

Oxford’s obsession with public ‘wokeness’

Mera Razdan reveals the dangers of performative activism

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