Thursday, March 20, 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: 

Love Oxland semi-final

“The food was free, so we ordered the most expensive things on the menu.”

“There is a social expectation that men should just ‘deal with it’”

It’s time to take men’s mental health more seriously, writes Fraser Macdonald-Lister

Life Divided: College Bars

Bessie Yuill and Joanna Lonergan debate with no holds barred

Love Oxland: “She was tall, friendly and dolled up – though sadly this wasn’t for me.”

Juliet Flamank is disappointed by Jack Beadsworth’s lack of agricultural ambition

“I’m carrying two paper bags. One contains a croissant, the other my soul”

It’s time to stop demonising a corporate career choice and accept the rent-paying reality, writes Nicola Dwornik

Vegans should embrace the joys of eating

There's nothing life affirming about your fifth helping of chickpeas in a week, writes Daisy Chandley

Life Divided: The Rad Cam

Priya Vempali and Julia Alsop avoid circular arguments

A Day In the Life: Rugby blue

Will Wilson explains how he juggles his sporting pursuits with his degree

How to end a night out with any positivity

Millie Chu helps you through the best part of a night out: going home

“There’s more to life than academic work: I only wish I’d realised sooner”

Róisín McCallion discusses her experiences with mental health and the pressure to succeed at Oxford

Oxford’s southern obsession

As more attention is called to Oxbridge’s prejudiced admissions practices, Emma Carter analyses the barriers to entry for northern applicants

Love Oxland: ‘I only hope she wasn’t freaked out by my swearing at a racist heckler’

Lucy Zhu turns out to be more sage than shark while Martha Raymer questions her quiet life

“You know it’s the centenary of the Russian Revolution, right?”

James Tibbles sees a disconnect between Russian and British approaches to the Revolution’s centenary

The illusion of choice in the land of the free

Matt Roberts contemplates the variety (or lack thereof) of eateries at Dartmouth College

Dough we really need another pizza place?

Franco Manca calls food chain creativity into question, writes Cat Bean.

How to maintain dominance in the library

Priya Vempali shows you what it takes to shine in the library

How to: leave a tutorial with any positivity

Matthew Palmer offers some pearls of wisdom to anyone emerging from a tutorial

Life Divided: The case against black tie

Anoushka Kavanagh formally disagrees with formal attire

Poland’s passionate fungal love affair

The mushroom is the golden chalice of Polish culture, muses Jamie Onslow

Hints for female travellers

After an eye-opening voyage across Europe, Kathleen Farmilo notes the modern dangers facing female backpackers

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