Saturday, April 26, 2025
Blog Page 205

Seeking disability support at university

Daniel Dipper
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Seeking disability support at university

Coming to Oxford with a disability may seem daunting, but I hope to signpost through this article where you can get further support and what you can potentially expect over the coming weeks and months.

Disability Advisory Service (DAS): The first port of call I would recommend is the Disability Advisory Service (DAS). If you disclosed as part of your application that you have a disability, when onboarding to the university you may have been automatically referred to the Service. It may be worth checking with your college directly if you do have any anxiety about onboarding with the team or want further information.

In my case there was an adviser assigned to my college, and a call was scheduled with them before term to discuss my needs and how they could best be supported in Oxford’s environment. I had a diagnosis for fibromyalgia and I had already applied for Disabled Students’ Allowance (which you apply for usually with your maintenance loan and student finance), though I would still advise reaching out to them even if you don’t have a diagnosis. That way, they can hopefully support you by explaining exactly what you may need to do to access further support, and potentially they may be able to make adjustments in the short-term.

The adviser will work with you to put together a Student Support Plan (SSP), which summarises usually on one or two pages what adjustments you need across the entirety of the Oxford experience. This may be anything from furniture that needs to be accommodated in college rooms, to teaching spaces, and any other helpful information that will allow tutors to support you best.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): You usually need medical evidence when applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance, and the process can take a few months in total (I was lucky mine was completed within 6 weeks, though I have heard it can take 14 weeks and sometimes longer than that). If you haven’t applied just yet, I would advise not to panic, and to reach out to the Disability Advisory Service to see what can be put in place in the meantime.

By getting funding, it means you may be supported through your studies in a number of ways – in my case I received height-adjustable furniture, a laptop as I can’t write, and mentoring sessions to support me with the challenges I face with my disability. You may also get a printing allowance, or be provided with specialist software to support your university experience.

You usually receive an assessment which details what adjustments you need, both in terms of what funding needs to be provided and wider adjustments. For instance, in my case they have advised that teaching should generally not take place in the morning so I have the best chance of absorbing content, but they may also recommend tutors be particularly understanding that you may need extensions due to the variable nature of your disability.

College: Your college will be your central base for the length of your degree, and most colleges usually either have a tutor or member of staff who you can reach out to regarding accessibility requirements. It is particularly important if you have accessibility requirements to reach out in advance to ensure that your accommodation is suitable, and if your situation changes it is worth getting in contact with college so you can see if any further support can be provided. Your common room (called the JCR – Junior Common Room), which is designed to represent all students, should have a disability representative who can help to advocate on your behalf to college, or identify the best avenues to seek support.

Tutor: When starting tutorials with a new tutor, it is worth emailing your Student Support Plan to them so they have the full information available to them to make any necessary adjustments. Some colleges do check in each term to ask who your tutors are so they can share this on your behalf, though others may not, so it is always worth playing it safe by sharing it yourself. Do keep in mind that if you don’t want to disclose something to your tutors you absolutely do not have to, though whatever information tutors have they will use to try to adjust your teaching as best as possible.

Welfare: Some colleges have counsellors, Welfare Deans or mentors who may be able to support you in resolving specific problems, and there is also the University Counselling Service where further support can be provided. All of this is to say that there is a lot of support on offer, though I admit it can get very confusing as to whom to go to and for what reason; my advice is if they seem like the right person, just give it a go!

Careers Service: When looking for jobs, the University Careers Service runs workshops on declaring a disability, as well as individual one-to-one sessions of around 45 minutes in length to talk about a job search in this context. In addition, you can submit accessibility requirements when applying for internships through the Service to ensure they are accommodated.

Society leaders: Every student society should have somebody responsible for disabled members, and when hosting events it is best practice that they should let you know any accessibility information (for instance if the event is upstairs, or is not accessible by a lift). In smaller societies, this person is usually the President; in larger ones there may be a dedicated disability representative whom you can approach. Either way, while wanting to ensure you do as well in your degree as you can, you should definitely try to get involved in some student societies.

Strategies: Over time I have found I have gained a better understanding of what the symptoms of my disability are and how I can reduce flare-ups, as well as preventative steps I can take to try to avoid my disability making it challenging to work. For instance, I find naps during the day can help me to remain productive, as well as walking for at least 60 minutes a day and eating when I begin to feel my energy dropping.

Reflections: Having a disability at Oxford can be challenging at points, particularly when you have multiple competing deadlines and you may need to take time to rest. Because there are many different options as to the support you could seek it can feel overwhelming, and a further consequence is that at points communication between different institutions is not as smooth as it should be – having to give each tutor your SSP being one of those examples.

Sometimes the most helpful support for individuals may not be advertised from the beginning; while I have found I have coped with the demands of full-time study, some students with disabilities have gone for an elongated length of their degree where they can focus on half the number of modules each term. 

Every Faculty does things differently, meaning that particularly in a joint-honours course what one department can provide, the other may not – for instance, I very easily could access lecture recordings from the History Faculty, but had to have an extended dialogue with the Politics Faculty before I was also granted access.

I do not want to paint a rose-tinted picture that everything is perfect, but I would encourage you to seek support when you need it, and try to proactively reach out to institutions as best as possible so you can engage in a dialogue to get what you need. It is frustrating we sometimes have to do so much self-advocacy, a consequence of the more federal system of the university. Other tutors and faculties can be incredibly understanding though, and every disabled student does have a slightly different experience.

For those students looking for advice on a situation or who would like to meet students from across the university, you should look into joining DisCam, which is the Student Union’s Disability Campaign. I hope this helps, and you are also more than welcome to reach out to me if you ever have any questions!

Image credit: ChevronTango via Wikimedia Commons.

Being black at Oxford

Deborah Ogunnoiki
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Being black at Oxford

Are you an incoming fresher? Are you black? Do you have questions about what life at Oxford can mean for you? Where to get your hair done? Where to buy seasoned food? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This is my Unofficial Official Guide to Being Black at Oxford. 

First, I’m going to answer a few questions that I’m sure you’re bursting to ask, so we’ll take them one at a time. 

  1. Is there racism? 

Unfortunately, racism tends to be everywhere. That’s the problem with systematic structures, they tend to be, well, systematic. And because it’s systematic it tends to be everywhere, both where you least expect it and where you most expect it. A number of you will have heard rumours about racism in Oxford, some true and some wildly exaggerated, and you’re probably very worried because of it. I know I was. I’m not here to sugar-coat it; ultimately, yes, there is racism at Oxford. You will likely experience it, just like you may likely experience racism at any university. But that’s not the end of it. Oxford boasts a proactive black community of both students and a few tutors, not to mention the many allies we have among the university staff and the students. If you were to experience racism, there are always safe channels to report it to: your tutor, the Oxford African Caribbean Society (ACS), and the Student Union’s Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality. And you can always fall back on the black community at Oxford for support. 

… Which brings us to our next question. 

  1. Will I be the only black person in my college?  

There’s no singular answer for this one. It constantly varies every year. Typically, smaller colleges like Regent’s Park and Teddy Hall aren’t likely to have black students due to their already small student population. However, some big colleges (not naming names for this one sorry!) also fall short on their number of black undergraduates. Don’t fret though; even if you do find yourself in this unfortunate predicament, no one really stays only in college. Most colleges (with the exception of St Hugh’s and Lady Margaret Hall) are jam-packed next to each other in the city centre. You can’t even go to Tesco in your bonnet without being caught by a fellow black student like a rat on the highway. My advice is not to worry about it. You’ll make friends both in and out of college, and will likely rarely spend time within the walls of your college, as there are so many other things to do in Oxford than stay locked up in a 500-year-old library. 

  1. How different will the university community be to my home community? How will I make friends? 

So different. If you’re coming from a community where there’s a lot of diversity, Oxford can be a real culture shock for you. I personally came from a community where there wasn’t really a drinking culture (I live with my mum and she’s never drunk alcohol in her life), so being thrust into a space where drinking is not just the norm, but feels like it’s the only way to socialise was a shock to me. It’s very easy to lose yourself for the sake of trying to fit in. The trick is to be selective with the crowds you hang out with. Chill with people who you feel safe with, who will defend you. Ask yourself if your non-black friends would step in to defend you if you experienced a hate crime. Do they respect your boundaries? If you tell them no, do they plead and beg until you say yes, or do they respect your decision? There are a lot of societies in Oxford; I recommend joining all the ones you’re interested in while in Freshers’ Week and using that opportunity to make friends. Shameless promotion but join ACS, because if you’re looking for a place to make great friends, it’s at their events – I’ve met some of the best people in the whole world there.

  1. Where can I get my hair done? 

Nowhere. Well, that’s kind of a lie. I’ve heard of barber shops out in Cowley. Apparently, they’re not too bad. For those of you wanting to get braids, unfortunately, your odds are dire. There is one shop to buy black hair products in Cowley, but the prices are extortionate. £16 for simple Eco Styler?! As for actually doing the braids, I once had a black cab driver who had lived in Oxford for ten years ask me where in Oxford I got my braids done, because she still hadn’t found a good braider. It broke my heart to tell her I went back to London to do my hair. But a train to London is only an hour and the Oxford Tube (coach service) is only £11. Your options are a train or bus to London or Reading, or learning to braid yourself I suppose.  

  1. Where can I get African or Caribbean food? 

Cowley is about to be your best friend if you really want African or Caribbean food. But it’s quite the trek – probably at least a 30-minute walk from central colleges, so you’ve got to save your trip to Heat or Spiced Roots for those crippling homesickness moments.  

  1. How hard is it to deal with imposter syndrome? Did I just get in because I’m black? 

Honestly, very hard. A lot of people in Oxford have had a head start in life that a lot of us haven’t had the privilege of receiving. Even if you weren’t privately educated, or your parents weren’t born here, or they didn’t go to university, you wouldn’t have gotten an offer from Oxford if you didn’t deserve to be here. These tutors have better things to do than teach students that they have no interest in teaching, so believe me when I tell you your tutors chose you because they wanted to teach you. You have the grades, you passed your interviews and admissions tests, and you’ve impressed them with your submitted work. You’ve probably done more than most other people to get admission to Oxford, don’t sell yourself short because Garry from Slough thinks that black people are benefitting from some kind of affirmative action scheme in Oxford. That affirmative action scheme does not exist. There is no such thing. Students in universities in the U.K. are chosen pretty much entirely on merit, and that most definitely, and especially, includes you.  

  1. Does it get easier with time? 

It does for some, and it doesn’t for others. I’ll be honest, if I had a pound for every time I doubted myself in Oxford, I would have enough to pay off my student loans. We’re in an institution that was never built to accommodate students like us, people of colour, working class, first-gen, etc. But none of that means I don’t deserve this, I worked my butt off to get here, and so did you. The only thing you can do is do Oxford your way, you don’t need to conform to the white upper-class way of social life and academics, it’s okay to be entirely you. Oxford has had many rich white men come and go, doing everything pretty much the same way, so I can assure you that Oxford needs a change of pace.   

So, to conclude, Oxford is hard, and it’s even harder for people like you and me. This university was built over 1,000 years ago, while the first black person didn’t set foot in Oxford until 1873. But just because it isn’t built for us, it doesn’t mean we can’t make it for us. My best advice? Be yourself, wear that bonnet, wear that durag, use whatever vernacular you’re familiar with, because at the end of the day, Oxford chose you, not their invented idea of you. 

Image credit: John Diez via Pexels.

A guide to LGBTQ+ life in Oxford

Ciara Rushton
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A guide to LGBTQ+ life in Oxford

Welcome to Oxford! As an LGBTQ+ fresher, there is plenty for you to get involved with in Oxford. The University and the city as a whole has a thriving LGBTQ+ community for you to become a part of, whether you are interested in campaigning, reading groups, clubbing, or just meeting other members of the community.

In the first instance, get to know your JCR LGBTQ+ representatives, and, if your college has them, Trans representatives. They perform similar roles, helping with running welfare events and other support, acting as advocates for LGBTQ+ issues and individuals within the college, helping connect members of the community around the college, and so on. Trans Reps also perform additional roles specifically for the trans community, including administering gender expression funds within colleges and more. You will likely get the opportunity to meet these people in Freshers’ Week, so it’s worth introducing yourself if you feel comfortable doing so! Furthermore, you may eventually be interested in standing to hold these positions to act as an advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals within your college, so it’s worth having a conversation with them to find out more about what the role entails.

The wider University also has a lot going on for members of the LGBTQ+ community, mainly led by the LGBTQ+ Society and the LGBTQ+ Campaign (who are also publishing their own Freshers’ Guide). The difference between these two is that the Campaign mainly focuses on advocating for LGBTQ+ students at the University and for LGBTQ+ issues, whereas the Society focuses on putting on events, inviting speakers and bringing together members of the community. Both are great to get involved with depending on your interests within the community and activism!

The LGBTQ+ Society gives many opportunities for members of the community from across colleges, years, courses and so on to meet. Whilst the specific representatives will put on events for different sections of the community, the Society as a whole puts on many events for all LGBTQ+ individuals, including the weekly Tuesday Drinks. These are a great chance to meet individuals from all different colleges, before (if you choose) going on to the Plush LGBTQ+ club afterwards. They are held at a different college each week, so be sure to check out the Society’s termcard to see where they will be. Other than this, you may also have signed up to get Rainbow Parents via the society, which are the same as college parents in their mentoring role but for the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, the Society and its events provide a great opportunity to meet individuals from across the University who are in the LGBTQ+ community! It’s worth keeping up with the Campaign’s work as well, so that you can find out more about different workshops, talks, lectures and so on if you’re interested in these.

As mentioned, Oxford has several LGBTQ+ venues to visit, including the Plush nightclub and the Jolly Farmers pub, the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ pub. Both put on a variety of events and are a great place to meet other members of the community. The main LGBTQ+ club night in Oxford, taking place on the same day each week as the Tuesday Drinks, is Skittles, held at Plush, and you’ll be sure to have a great time dancing the night away to songs by icons of the LGBTQ+ community.

This is just a snippet of the different opportunities to meet other LGBTQ+ individuals in Oxford. The most important thing is that Oxford is a fantastic environment in which to express yourself, your sexuality, and your gender identity freely. With so many opportunities to get involved in activism, events, and so on, as well as to simply make some lifelong friends, we hope that you will enjoy joining such a vibrant and wholesome community in Oxford. 

Image credit: SHVETS production via Pexels.

Your Oxford A-Z

Katerina Lygaki
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Your Oxford A-Z

A is for Atik – Oxford’s biggest club ! With a fantastic range of three ! whole ! floors ! there’s no better place to spend a Wednesday evening (because the clubs here – apart from Plush – rotate nights on a weekly basis). Make friends with a Blue (someone who plays sports for the uni) and they can get you free entry.

B is for Bodcard – Your most valuable piece of equipment. Opens your doors, gets you into libraries and if you’re feeling lucky, sometimes into clubs if you haven’t got your ID handy (tried and tested).

C is for Crewdate – Held at either Jamal’s or Temple Lounge : imagine a sports social crossed with a playgroup, add in a full bottle of wine per crewdater, and you’ve got the idea. And don’t forget to wear your cleanest shoes.

D is for George & Danver/Davis/Delilah – Also known as G&Ds, you’re never far from one of their three locations (Cowley, Central, and Jericho), and more importantly their delicious homemade ice cream, which comes in weird and wonderful flavours.

E is for Eights – The summer intercollegiate rowing race – if you’re unlucky enough to get suckered into rowing it’ll dominate your Trinity, but for the rest of us it’s an excuse to spend a summer day chilling by the river with barbeques and enough cheap Pimms to sink a battleship down at the boathouses.

F is for Facebook – Where an unreasonable amount of crucial information is to be found.  Although in the real world it’s for aged millennials only, it’s worth downloading once you’re here – especially if you’re into the artsy side of things (@oxforduniartshub).

G is for Gladstone Link – A.K.A. the Glink, this is the unsung hero of Oxford’s wide constellation of libraries; basically a nuclear bunker located beneath the Rad Cam. Windowless, well-stocked, and above all warm, it’s a good place to study if you get easily distracted or you find yourself afraid you’ll freeze to the seats of your college library.

H is for Hack – Someone alarmingly involved with the Union, campaigning for something (I would tell you more but my parents hugged me when I was little) with an almost unsettling aggression. Even if you don’t have a membership, it can be fun to string them along – I once knew a hack who went for up to seven coffees a day with potential voters, so you might as well get a free Pret out of it.

I is for Isis – No, no that one. I’m talking about the oldest student publication in Europe – the arty one of all the student papers, mysterious, elusive, and also the only one which gets really into event planning – follow their IG for more !

J is for JCR – The Junior Common Room, or the collective noun for a college’s undergraduates. It might also be a physical place in your college, and if it is it’ll be exactly what it sounds like.

K is for Kickstand – Which is a part of a bike. A weak link from me perhaps, but a bike can be a really useful thing to have, especially if your college or faculty are further out or far away from each other – or for getting out into the wilderness of Port Meadow (home to wild horses, cows and a frankly terrifying horde of geese).

L is for Library – Everyone’s got their favourite, and there is a useful guide to them elsewhere in this fine publication. Just go to as many as you can to scope them out – don’t by any means be confined by your subject (humanities have all the prettiest ones) – and give the Glink a chance!

M is for Matriculation – Start your term with a bang by dressing up like a penguin who decided to go into law, day drinking, and having some Latin spoken at you. Stay out of the libraries – and close your mouth if you end up jumping into any of our putrescent bodies of water

N is for Najar’s – Unquestionably one of the best food places in town (by the Magdalen Street Tesco, A.K.A. Big Tesco), because the falafel & hummus-based wraps can be any meal from a hungover brunch to a healthful dinner. Make sure to bring cash, because their card machine is ephemeral, and a book for the queue.

O is for – Well. You know where you are. And if you don’t, I’m certainly not telling you – but are you quite sure you’re in the right place ?

P is for Porter – These lovely individuals are the true power behind the throne of the colleges – always up for a chat, or to answer any questions you have. They will silently witness you drunkenly degrading yourself at least once in your time here, but you’ll love them for it.

Q is for Queer – If you didn’t already know, Oxford has got to be one of the fruitiest unis in the country. I personally think this has something to do with the chokehold dark academia has or had upon members of the queer community – but it means there’s a weekly social (Tuesgays, with subsidised drinks at a different college each week), not one but two gay clubs (Plush and Glamorous), and even an LGBTQ+ ball.

R is for Radcliffe Camera – The big round thing in the centre of Radcliffe Square. You can go inside and use the library which (thanks to the circular structure) functions a little like a Panopticon. Or you could just be like the rest of us and make sure it’s in the background of as many photos as possible.

S is for Sconce – One of the many features of crewdates (see above). Imagine a cross between a wedding toast and a very targeted game of never have I ever. 

T is for Trashing – When your friends line you up against a wall, and proceed to bombard you with anything from silly string to baked beans to shaving foam, in order to celebrate you finishing literally any set of formal exams. Traditionally followed by a cleansing running jump into a body of water.

[Ed’s note : Trashing is technically banned under University rules. KOTG does in no way endorse the practice. But just so you know, last year only two trashes were unfortunate enough to be fined.]

U is for Undergraduate – What you likely now are. We have the most fun.

V is for Varsity – The Oxbridge annual ski trip. If you’ll keep the rah-city judgement to yourself for a minute, it’s good value for what it is, and you absolutely don’t need to be able to ski (or ever to have skied at all) to enjoy yourself. Learning on the job is really a very important part of anyone’s Oxford education.

W is for Walking – The best part about Oxford is that everything you need – especially in first year, when you’re living in college – is within walking distance. Not only that, but if capital ‘W’ walks are your thing (or if they could be), the surrounding countryside is an absolutely beautiful place to do it

X is for eXam Schools – Where you sit any formal exams. I’m a class of ’23 English student, so I haven’t seen and will never see the inside (thanks online exams), but apparently they are very big and have very pretty ceilings. Oh, and there will be someone whose actual job is to check you are wearing your sub fusc correctly.

Y is for Yours – Your Oxford experience is for you, so make sure you do what you want <3 [This is the weakest one yet, for which I apologise. However I am getting desperate and it was this or ‘youth’.]

Z is for Zoo – Which we unfortunately do not have. However, there is a Natural History Museum, which is free to enter for students, if you don’t mind your animals a little more preserved.

Image Credit: Katerina Lygaki.

Top of the shops

Madi Hopper
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Top of the shops

So – you’ve arrived. Naturally, the first thing you’ll want to do (once the Freshers’ Week hangover has loosened its chokehold) is shop. Luckily, Oxford is not only home to the Westgate shopping centre (which you can explore for yourself – shopping centres being much of a muchness, you can probably take a reasonable guess at what you’ll find), but also bursting with more sustainable shopping options. Luckily for you, I have decided to share the wisdom I have amassed through far too much time spent trawling.

  As far as charity shops go, I’d say a basic rule of thumb is the further out, the better – the ones in central Oxford are basically extortionately priced carcasses at this point, stripped clean by the pressures of being located in a city heavily peopled with those who think £15 is a normal amount to spend on a single charity shop item. Jericho is somehow worse. But fear not! There’s a Oxfam megastore way out past Cowley which, whilst admittedly not great for clothes, also has a massive homeware section that’s good for picking up crockery as well as assorted home furnishings (notably lamps and speakers, though these can be a bit of a pain to get back on a bike, which is more or less the only way to get there). Central Cowley also has some good ones (shoutout to Barnardo’s), Summertown is also pretty decent but only really feasible if you fancy a fifteen-minute cycle (though it does also have a very nice pottery café if you fancy making a day of it) – and the Holy of Holies is but a short bus ride away. 

If I didn’t know how many people actually read this I’d maybe be tempted to gatekeep a little more, but as it is I’ll let all five of you in on the Holy Grail, A.K.A. Templar Square. It’s basically a shopping arcade stuffed with charity shops (and a Poundland, which the city centre sadly lacks) that are all reasonably priced (one does all clothes for two pounds) and stocked full of more unusual finds – we did a lot of the costume shopping for last term’s production of Persephone there. In terms of vintage shops, you’re spoilt for choice. Apart from the one down Cowley which is both so overpriced and so underwhelming I won’t bother to give you its name (seriously. It just isn’t worth the Google), Oxford is home to a nice selection to suit all budgets.

Unicorn

Unicorn  – located on Ship Street, by Big Pret – is closest to both my college and my heart. For one thing, it’s a unique shopping experience even if you don’t end up buying anything. Everything is hung, stacked, and piled up all over the place, so you have to dig around for what you want, often discovering bits & bobs you never would have known you needed – and nothing is priced. Notably stocked with vintage student production costumes and ballwear as well as more run-of-the-mill vintage, once you’ve found what you like you will have to ask the old lady who owns it for the price. There’s no way to confirm this, but by triangulating my experiences with those of my friends, I’m decently sure that she vibe checks you and names her price based on that (and if you really fail to measure up she’ll refuse to sell). A word to the wise – haggling is only worth it if you’re buying more than one thing. I personally think the unorthodox pricing only adds to the fun of the trip – which is an *experience* if nothing else. 

BEST BUY: A pirate shirt with 15” sleeves

GOOD FOR: Bop costumes and formalwear (all genders)

Again Garments

Every Thursday-Saturday the fruit and veg stall in Gloucester Green Market (by Odeon) is replaced by Again Garments, a vintage stall set-up with everything from fur coats to board shorts. The other stalls in the market do sometimes sell clothes, but Again Garments is leagues apart : I’d say the best value place for vintage in the whole of Oxford, and also the only one which has loyalty cards – and I guarantee it’s easier than you think to rank up the 10 stamps needed to secure your 11th freebie. As knowledge is power, I’ll also let you in on the fact they put their prices up on a Saturday – so go early !

BEST BUY: Handmade Liberty-print dress for a tenner

GOOD FOR: Interesting jumpers and shirts, classic Levis

Ballroom Emporium

Found just behind Magdalen roundabout, this pure vintage shop can be quite pricey, but has a magic bargain rail where you’ll find anything from dungarees to negligees to ski-suits – all for under £15. Inside they specialise in vintage dresses of all eras, and for all you humanities girlies a large selection of vintage Penguin paperbacks for about £2 a pop. As the name suggests, they also do ballgowns, which you can hire for the night or buy outright. Fittings are supposedly by appointment only, but I rocked up having had an online order catastrophe the day of my college ball & managed to walk out with a total bargain ; although most of their gown selection is over the £100 mark, they also have various samples at a beautiful discount. They also have by far the best accessory selection – fans, elbow gloves, and even suspiciously genuine looking coloniser hats (please don’t get any ideas). 

BEST BUY : Shot-silk ballgown, black suspender belt

GOOD FOR : Balls

Image credit: Basher Eye/CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Tips for keeping fit

Zoe Abereoje
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Tips for keeping fit

I considered myself retired from any form of exercise in Year 9. Sure, I could watch sports, but doing it? Absolutely not, thank you. Unfortunately, noticing that the steps to my college library were getting increasingly taxing, I decided that, like Tom Brady, it was time for me to unretire. Exercise is great for your mental health, but it’s also a great distraction from the impending doom that is your essay’s reading list. Here are my recommendations for staying active while at Oxford. 

Join a gym 

While some might initially cringe at the thought of joining a gym, going to one is a great way to fit exercising around your own schedule. Joining one with my friend meant that I felt less gym anxiety when I started, because if I was clueless as to how an exercise machine worked, I could ask her to show me – and if she couldn’t it was fine, because at least I wasn’t confused on my own. The big gyms in Oxford are Buzz Gym and Pure Gym, of which I personally used the former. I found signing up and also cancelling at the end of the year more convenient, however its location in Westgate regretfully sponsored many impromptu Primark trips.

College sports 

The typical response to the question of how to stay active in Oxford is to encourage students to engage in college sports. Most colleges encourage all their students to take part in some form. This is because you can do as much or as little as you like. You don’t need to be an elite competitor to be able to take part; all physical talent, or lack thereof, is encouraged to get involved. College sports are a great way to get to know people, and to attend socials and events. Colleges will usually offer sports such as rowing, football, rugby, and many more.

Book out college sports grounds 

If you’re apprehensive about getting involved in college sports, that’s no reason not to capitalise on the wide range of sports grounds and equipment that your college provides. I did this through playing tennis with my friends occasionally on the sports grounds during Hilary term. We were dreadful at it, but it was still exercise. Many colleges will let you book out spaces on their college grounds, so if you want to take part in sports with your friends this is something to make use of. 

Try something totally new 

Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to college-level sports only, as there is such a wide range of university-wide sports that you can get involved in. University is a great time to introduce yourself to a sport that you may not have done before, especially with the weird and wonderful options that Oxford offers. Have you heard of Eton fives? Nor had I, but it’s offered in Oxford, so why not try it out? If you can stomach the walk and the early mornings, take up cheerleading and become an Oxford Siren. Feeling like Odell? American Football is an option here at Oxford. There is always something new and interesting available here.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a sporty person, don’t let that put you off staying fit. Being physically fit is so important for being mentally healthy in the challenging period that is the Oxford Academic year. A brisker walk to your lecture because you’ve slept in won’t do! 

Image credit: RUN 4 FFWPU via Pexels.

Oxford’s culinary scene

Nicole Stimson
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Oxford’s culinary scene

As a self-professed ‘foodie’ (and President of Oxford’s very own Culinary Society), I can confidently say that Oxford’s food and drink scene is *chef’s kiss* divine! You’re truly spoilt for choice here – there is something for every budget and palate. I hope that this short guide ‘whets your appetite’ and gives you a ‘flavour’ of what Oxford has to offer. 

Cafés 

For the ‘coffee snobs’ among you, Little Clarendon Street and the surrounding area offer a wonderful selection of quaint indie joints just a stone’s throw from the city centre! A few personal recommendations: Tree Artisan Café, which is also one of my go-to study spots when I want a change of scenery; Opera Café, whose Moroccan Wraps you should try, as you won’t be disappointed; and Gail’s. A cheap alternative is the ever-popular Prêt subscription, which gives you a free ‘trial’ month to enjoy an (almost) endless supply of barista-made drinks. There are two Prêts on Cornmarket Street and  a third in the Westgate shopping centre, and they are perfect for those wanting a quick coffee (or tea, frappé, hot chocolate…) fix on a budget! Another favourite is G&Ds, which serves up an eclectic mix of home-made ice-cream (some of their more interesting flavours include Masala Chai, Green Tea, and Mango Malibu, to name a few) as well as bagels if you fancy something savoury. They also do some great deals for Freshers at the start of Michaelmas! Similarly, Taylor’s is quite popular – like Prêt and G&Ds, there are a few spread throughout the city centre, and if you get there after 2pm you can enjoy a free cookie with any hot drink! 

Restaurants 

The selection of cuisines here in Oxford is as diverse as the city itself. Jericho is a foodie’s treasure trove with some top-notch culinary offerings – I would recommend Pierre Victoire, an ambient French bistro with a reasonable fixed-price menu on Little Clarendon Street; Al Andalus, who claim that they are “Oxford’s only genuine tapas restaurant”, and with a patatas bravas that will transport you straight to sunny San Sebastian, I can’t disagree; and the Giggling Squid, serving up a mix of Thai classics, as well as some quirkier flavour combinations. It would be a crime not to mention the Gloucester Green Market in a guide about food and drink in Oxford – open Wednesday to Saturday, this traditional open-air market features an array of authentic street food from more than 20 countries, as well as plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options (my personal ‘tried and true’ is Mitre Street Food)! 

In Westgate you’ll find your standard chain restaurants, like Nando’s, Itsu, Pho, and Comptoir Libanais. For a meal with a 360° view of Oxford’s dreaming spires, head up to Westgate’s Rooftop Terrace, where you’ll find a great mix of restaurants from the Hamptons-inspired upscale dining (Victor’s) to an all-day-breakfast spot (The Breakfast Club). Whilst crossing Magdalen Bridge into the depths of Cowley might seem akin to a plane journey through the Bermuda Triangle for some Oxford students, I would suggest that the ‘trek’ is well worth making, not least because of the sheer diversity of Cowley’s food scene, but even more enticingly because a meal there is (generally) cheaper than in the city centre. The ‘crème de la crème’ of the Cowley culinary scene is undoubtedly Zaatar Bake. Top tip: this is a spot best enjoyed in a big group – order a mix of menu items (don’t forget to give the maqluba a try – it’s brought to the table in a pot, flipped over, and ‘drummed’ out onto your plate), the portions are massive, and it works out to be great value. Newcomer to the Cowley restaurant scene, Tribe, has firmly established itself as a real contender amongst the recognised heavy-weights. Rohit, the owner, has curated a show-stopping menu highlighting the stars of South Indian cuisine, such as the Lollipop Chicken, made all the more special by the complimentary inter-course tasters. 

Pubs and Bars 

Oxford has a strong pub tradition, so you will be spoilt for choice here. The historic Turf Tavern, although perhaps not the most student-budget-friendly, is certainly one to tick off the bucket-list; you’ll be able to brag that you’ve had a pint in the same place as some of Oxford’s most well-known alumni, including C.S Lewis, Margret Thatcher, and Stephen Hawking, to name a few. The White Rabbit is popular and is renowned for serving up some of the best artisan pizza this side of Naples! The Varsity Club, located over four levels, including a Rooftop Terrace with stunning skyline views on the High Street, provides great cocktails. 

The Oxford Culinary Society 

The Oxford Culinary Society is on a mission to unite foodies across Oxford! We’ve got lots of exciting events lined up for Michaelmas 2022 from cooking classes to tastings and the return of our much-loved “meet and eat” social. Give us a follow over on our Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date and stay tuned for the release of our term card. 

I hope that this whistle-stop tour of Oxford’s Food and Drink scene has been helpful! You’re very welcome to shoot me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions. 

Image Credit: Victor Freitas via Pexels.

About the Oxford drama scene…

Alex Foster
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About the Oxford drama scene…

The Oxford University Drama Society: the place that launched a thousand shits, like Hugh Grant, Rosamund Pike, and more than half of the white men you usually see Mocking the Week. You too could wrangle your name onto that illustrious list, and you only have to read this guide to learn how to do it. And apply for about ten roles before landing a minor part.  

Step 1. Get Facebook

When they said that the theatre world runs on connections, they weren’t lying. Who’s ‘they’? People who got Facebook in their first week, and consequently have access to all the casting and crew calls for shows coming up that term. With a quick filling in of a Google Form detailing your experience (or lack thereof, it’s no biggie) you can apply for anything from Director to Costume Designer to Lighting and Sound, and everything in between. Of course, you can also just send in an audition tape to get your first role; though self-tapes sound scary they’re really just a way for directors to see what you can do, and you’ll almost certainly get a callback. You can also sign up for the weekly OUDS mailing list (edited by yours truly) which puts all of these into a fancy little email that 36% of you never read.

Step 2. Drama Cuppers

Yes it has a stupid name, no, we’re not changing it. Drama Cuppers is a week for freshers where groups in each college can get together and put on their very own show. It’s a chance to meet other people who either a) love drama or b) have nothing better to do, and the results are… unique. With special prizes like ‘Best New Writing’ and the nebulously named ‘Spirit of Cuppers’ up for grabs, why not apply? Previous Cuppers plays have had titles like ‘Nuts’, ‘Killing Steve’, and ‘The Lamb and Slag’. Only one of these was good. I speak from experience. 

Step 3. Your First Play™

Everyone has a special place in their heart for their first play. Maybe you’re the token American (even though you’re British) on a lesbian remake of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, stressing over where in the US their accent will land this night. Or perhaps you’re Assistant Director on new writing about a talk show gone wrong which is both a comedy and really, really deep, actually. You’re barrelling into the poky Burton Taylor or ever so slightly larger Michael Pilch Studio in 7th week, having done the world’s most rushed tech rehearsal. If things go well, good! If they don’t – who cares: the real theatre is the friends we made along the way. Either way, you’ll get lovely reviews from the student media industrial complex. It’s a good time had by all and, worst comes to worst, you can always put ‘Lighting Designer’ on your LinkedIn CV when you apply for jobs that make you money. 

Step 4. The Next Step

So you’ve done a show or two, and you want to move to the big leagues: setting up your own production company. This means you can cast whoever you want, put on whatever play you desire, and do whatever you fancy. Don’t go too crazy with all the power. All this requires is a quick form filling on the OUDS website (hyperlink – OUDS.org) and you’re good to go: all those casting calls on Facebook, all that mindless admin, all the meticulous planning of the production company’s Instagram layout (okay, that last one is fun @asquaredprods shameless plug xo). Just be sure to give some roles to newbies, though. Someone took a punt on you and placed you on the inexorable gravy train to semi-greatness, so you can do the same: you might not be the next Ivo van Hove, but maybe they are? Okay, maybe not, but Oxford Drama is there for fun as well as careers. Just don’t take it too seriously and you’ll be good to go. 

Image credit: Madeleine Woog via Wikimedia Commons.

A beginner’s guide to Oxford’s clubs

Ronan Lunny
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A beginner’s guide to Oxford’s clubs

So, you’ve just confirmed your place at Oxford University. You have no doubt already been told by schoolteachers, family members, and strangers alike that hard work really does pay off. Now, whilst that is certainly true, I am afraid your work is far from over. Academic work aside, I am here to remind you that you now have several gruelling years ahead of you to prove to your non-Oxford friends that Oxford students do actually have fun!

Whilst your choice of library will become the site of your academic battles (see Anya’s article for a rundown on libraries!), it will be in Oxford’s array of nightclubs that you will fight the valiant battle in defence of the social reputation of all Oxford students. 

For a university which boasts 45 colleges and permanent private halls (PPHs), Oxford certainly tends more towards minimalism in terms of their selection of clubs. However, just like colleges, you will likely end up loving whichever club you decide to pledge allegiance to; and just like colleges, they all boast their own unique flair and character which deserve to be outlined in detail.

Atik / Park End

If you want to prove that Oxford is just like any other university, Atik, also known as Park End (and occasionally Parkers), is your best chance to prove this. As a chain club, the cheaply priced drinks, sticky floors, and cheesy music unite Oxford students with their contemporaries in universities across Britain. Just as at other unis, Wednesday night is sport social night, so be ready for bizarre fancy dress, college ties, chinos, and swathes of rugby boys drinking VKs. Whilst debate continues over what to name this venerated institution, the silly vibes, affordable drinks, and predictable music are an undeniable fixture of an Oxford Wednesday night.

Bridge

After surviving the caffeine-fuelled absurdity of Wednesday night Park End, it’s time to get back up and do it all over again on Thursday. Meet Bridge! Famed for its hip and happening AstroTurfed smoking area, Bridge takes itself ever so slightly more seriously as a club, offering carefully divided sub-sections and floors to cater to all hedonistic music tastes. Whether you want to continue your Wednesday night cheese fixture on the main floor, head upstairs for some more euro-centric house, nip into the back for some RnB, or even check out some reggae in the now elusive Anuba room, multifaceted Bridge has something for everyone.

Plush

The word “plush” certainly connotes ideas of palatial interiors, expensive décor, and general luxury. Whilst the famed sweaty ceilings and (alleged) mould which define the space of Plush vastly contradict these connotations, it remains a prized landmark of the Oxford club scene. As Oxford’s only LGBTQ+ venue, Plush is a very welcome asset to Oxford nightlife. The highlight of the Plush social week is “Tuesgays”, an LGBTQ+ night dedicated simultaneously to being a safe space and to playing some of the best tunes available on the Oxford nightlife circuit. Wednesday nights also offer a chic alternative to a Park End Wednesday when student-run teams take over Plush to host DJs sure to make you feel super edgy in the red-lit sweaty mosh pit that comprises the Plush dancefloor. Regardless of whichever night you descend on Plush, their jägerbombs decrease in price by the hour and are not to be missed!

Bullingdon Club (Bully)

Having convinced the outside world that Oxford students have access to an entry-level nightclub, you are likely to want to take that a step further and show how edgy and cool Oxford students can really be!  There is no better way to do this than to head to a venue on Cowley Road, which visually marks a departure from everything quintessentially “Oxford”. Bullingdon Club, which by name pokes fun at the haughty posturing of the traditional Oxford social circuit, is an intimate music venue with an exposed and industrial appearance sure to make you believe you’ve delved into an underground Berlin Diskothek! Bully (as you will come to know it) hosts music nights such as indie Fluorescent Adolescent, house, jazz, and everything in between.

The O2

Technically speaking, this second venue on the Cowley Road is scarcely University of Oxford territory, as it is a usual haunt for Oxford Brookes students. That being said, the O2 offers the chance to see big-time acts in the flesh, so musically inclined ‘Uni of’ students are no stranger to this venue! Due to the antics of a certain Brookes-frequented Wednesday night, in which empty bottles are fired to the front of the crowd, all drinks are served in plastic bottles at the O2 – the more you know!

All in all, if clubbing is your vibe, you may disregard the rumours that Oxford students are chained to the library desks. Fun does, in fact, exist here! Just be ready to be home ever so slightly earlier than your friends elsewhere; all-nighters are sadly for essays, not clubbing.

Image credit: Mark Angelo Sampan via Pexels.

What’s the sound?

Tom Farmer
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What’s the sound?

The University of Oxford’s music scene is often characterised by the Magdalen schoolboys singing on May Morning, or orchestras booming out 18th-century chart-toppers in the Sheldonian. Although these traditions are a prominent and celebrated part of the student body’s culture, both the university and the city have much more to offer for music lovers. From jazz ensembles to a Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the university has something for everybody. Oxford as a city too is rich with musical history, being the hometown of indie heavyweights such as Radiohead, Foals, and Bastille. In a labyrinth of musical opportunities, I have you covered to discover the greatest sounds of Oxford. 

Club nights 

Away from the traditional catharsis of Mondays and Wednesdays at Park End, Tuesdays at Plush, and Thursdays at Bridge, there are a number of special club nights that mean you can escape the void of hearing the same 20 songs being played over and over again. The first of these is the termly ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ night at Bullingdon, a traditional thrills-and-spills indie disco. Don your Reebok classics, smoke a roll-up, and observe your voice fade as you scream out a string of indie anthems. Beware though that tickets are notoriously hard to get hold of. If once a term isn’t enough to quench your Dark Fruits indie thirst, a monthly indie night is set to start up at the O2 Academy Oxford – keep an eye out for that! Another club night which has been a big hit is run by Komuna, a collective of musicians inspired by the basement techno clubs of Eastern Europe. With DJs playing experimental techno, a sound rarely heard in an OX postcode, the climax of the night is the string quartet playing experimental dance music, which is much cooler and less weird than it sounds! With a successful launch at Plush followed by a night at Bully in Trinity, Komuna is not to be missed if you want to add a bit of variety into your clubbing experience.

Gigs

Given Oxford’s rich music history, up-and-coming musicians and war-hardened veterans alike often frequent the city. The O2 Academy Oxford has hosted the likes of Alt-J, Bastille, and St. Vincent over the last six months, with the small venue allowing you to have a great view of your favourite artists, regardless of height (speaking from experience as a short gig-goer). Next door, the Bullingdon also hosts slightly more eclectic gigs, but has played host to artists with immense pedigree in recent years. Truck Record Store, organisers of the annual festival in July, also host intimate gigs with up-and-coming artists. If you fancy something more last-minute and laidback, the Jericho Tavern has live music every Thursday. On the very stage where Radiohead played their first ever gig, you can see the stars of the future hone their skills. The quality is admittedly quite varied, but the vibes are always good even if the music is subpar. The Jericho Tavern is also (in my well-established and well-tested opinion) home to the best pub garden in Oxford so, if the music goes seriously wayward, you can seek sanctuary in the heated booths. 

Jazz and funk nights 

Despite football manager Pep Guardiola’s claim that “if everyone was a jazz musician, the world would be chaos,” there is something incredibly tempting and alluring about an evening of free-flowing and foot-tapping jazz and funk to help procrastinate that looming essay. The Mad Hatter is a venue that is as psychedelic and disorientating as Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland itself. With cocktails served in teapots and funky mood lighting, the bar on Iffley Road is the perfect location to take in some jazz, often provided by the ridiculously talented Oxford University Jazz Orchestra (OUJO). With the room being the size of a first-year bedroom, make sure you get there early to avoid disappointment. Whilst jazz famously has no beginning and end, the Mad Hatter does have strict licensing and health and safety standards to uphold, so capacity is small. On a slightly larger scale, there are a couple of very cool funk collectives that will play venues like the Bullingdon, such as Dot’s Funk Odyssey and Sisters of Funk. Brace yourself for pop tunes like you’ve never heard them before, complete with horn sections and blistering sax solos. 

Musical theatre 

Before coming to university, I thought Stephen Sondheim directed Saving Private Ryan, and presumed Sweeney Todd was the name of a child in the year below me at primary school. Oxford’s effervescent and inescapable musical theatre scene has given me a good education of the sights and sounds of musicals. Whilst the name of Les Miserables bears similarity to its effect on my emotional state, a sign there is more work to be done for my conversion to a musicals aficionado, I have seen some incredible performances from students. The Oxford Playhouse hosts student-run musicals a few times throughout the year. With a capacity of well over 600 and all the kit of a small West End theatre, it is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in. The aforementioned Mad Hatter also plays host to a Musical Theatre Open Mic night, whilst smaller theatres like the Pilch have also put on musicals on a lesser-scale. 

Support your local choir or orchestra

Closer to home, college choirs are a large part of music at Oxford. Whilst it is impossible to escape the choral scene if you live in Magdalen or Christ Church, other college choirs are much more reliant on the support of their peers. There is something truly moving and relaxing about hearing very talented people singing much better than you might do in the shower. Most colleges will also have orchestras and collectives which will be open to musicians (or indeed wannabe musicians) of any ability, putting on showcase gigs throughout the year. With some of the country’s most talented musicians playing quite literally on your doorstep for free, it is a real shame not to take the opportunity at least once in your first year to watch your mates do what they love doing. 

It is undeniable that there is ample opportunity to experience and take part in a whole range of musical opportunities at Oxford. Whether you are Grade 8 piano, can hit a pan with a wooden spoon, or are simply a Spotify sommelier, Oxford is booming with sounds of various decibels and styles for you to take in. 

Image credit: Vishnu R Nair via Pexels.

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