INTERVIEW | Spencer - Oxford: History

We want to know everything about you!

What is your name?

Spencer

How old are you?

20 years old

Where do you come from? 

Paris

What highschool did you go to? 

EJM

What kind of a student were you?

A good student

Choose 3 words that best describe you.

Enthusiastic, passionate, hard working

What was your number one dream university while in high school?

LSE

What about your life there? 

What university do you go to now?

Oxford

Why did you choose this university? 

The tutorial system, in which all the teaching I receive is “private” with one other friend 

For how long have you been going to this university? 

2 years

Was it your first choice university?

Yes

What is your favorite thing about it?

The town and the tutorial system. 

What courses are you taking, what is your major? 

History

Is it academically competitive, do you find it stressful, are the classes intense?

I wouldn’t describe it as “competitive”, but most people want to do well. There is a lot of solidarity because most of us get crushed under the workload, which brings us together. It shouldn’t be “stressful” because I love my subject, so I enjoy the work, but there is a lot of it.

Do people help each other?

Absolutely – there is a lot of solidarity, especially between the year groups: note sharing is common. 

For how many hours do you study on a daily basis?

Probably 8-10 hours a day. Most of this work is independent however: I only have a few hours of class a week, but about 1-2 essays a week to hand in for those few hours. 

What’s your advice to nail academic and social life?

Choose a subject you really love or the workload is untenable psychologically. 

Was it easy to meet new people?

Yes – very easy! Oxford is organised in colleges, so you meet the 100 people in your year very quickly, and people make friends very quickly. 

Is it close to your home town?

Oxford keeps you very busy, and terms are short (8 weeks) and intense, so you don’t really notice being away from home. 

How often do you leave campus?

Never, Oxford’s campus is interwoven into the city, which is gorgeous. London isn’t far though if you need a desperate break. 

Is it international?

No, Oxford is very British – most of my friends are British. 

Do you often go to your university’s library?

College library is open 24/7 and sadly this is the place I spend the most time in. It is silent. 

What’s your favorite place to study on campus?

American History faculty library. 

On a scale from 1 to 10, what would you rate your campus?

10/10 – I really love it there.

Are you living in your school’s dorm?

Yes, I live in college dorms which are central, relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and very social. 

What would you rate your school’s parties?

The night-out life at Oxford is very fun (surprisingly!) – there is a “scene” for everyone, from society parties to college nights out…. 

How often do people go to parties? 

Wildly varies on the person. I would say my friends and I manage twice a week on average. 

Are you a member of a club?

Yes, I am a member of the debating society and of the student think-tank. 

What are your favourite activities at your school?

I don’t have a “favourite”, I guess the mix of everything is the most fun. 

Do people in your school tend to have a job at the same time?

It is famously forbidden to have a job as an Oxford student. 

How athletic is your school from one to ten?

Can be quite athletic, there is a large sports culture and a social scene to go with it. Probably 7/10. 

Is it popular for a particular sport? 

Hockey, rugby, football, netball. They have everything else though. 

What the nearest city to your school?

London is 55 minutes away. 

What is the average temperature in the area?

Parisian weather. 

Fun fact:

I met Theresa May in her first public appearance after getting booted from n°10! 

3 words that best describe your school:

Intense, crazy, attaching. 

Is your life in the university what you expected?

No, I would say it’s very different, in a good way. There is more of a social scene than I expected. The work however is as tough and stimulating as I had predicted. 

Why the student reading should apply to your university?

Because it’s the best University in the world ☺

What would you tell the students who are interested in your university?

Make sure you’re applying for a subject you really love. 

What would be something you would’ve like an old student to tell you when you arrived?

Nothing – I enjoyed the surprise of figuring things out myself. But bring black tie.