Alumni Tips for Freshers
At the start of the academic year we asked our alumni what advice they'd give to new students joining the HMC community. This is what they said:
“Express your curiosity at every turn, and savor every answer.”
Satveer – 1989
“Smile at and talk to everyone you meet, bump into, happen to sit next to in the hall - they are some of the most interesting people you will meet in your entire life and you will greatly miss being surrounded by them once you’ve left! Trust me, I’ve met my two best friends and my husband on my very first day at HMC (no pressure!)”
Lena – 2002
“The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is not of monetary value; it is made up of moments and memories—gold dust.”
Joseph – 2022
“Take time for half-an-hour in a hot bath during the early evening before Wednesday's Hall and let this become a term-time habit. This occasion will allow you to think things through, to plan, and to stay balanced with your workload. God Bless you in your new venture.”
Paul – 2003
“The best three years of your life. Enjoy every moment. “
Adrian - 1975
“The thing which helped at the time, and I have continued to have recourse to, is something the then Principal, Ralph Waller, said during his induction chat. He said that we often think longingly of relaxing, perhaps on a beach, reading a book etc., but it is actually the more challenging parts of our lives which are both more memorable and most meaningful. 'Don't fear difficulty' he said; 'Don't worry if something is very hard'. It will be hard here, but that's not something to be afraid of...but welcomed.
I have precised this, and not reported his words accurately, but the sense of it is right, and quite true, and freed me then and now to concentrate on engaging with 'hard' things, rather than worrying about their difficulty.”
Kate – 2009
“Get stuck in! If you can't find something to do and enjoy, there's something wrong with you.”
John – 2003
“Your time at Oxford will fly…..work hard but look up and smell the roses every so often and make the most of a wonderful opportunity!”
Christopher – 2017
“Don't get drawn into worrying about whether you'll get a first or a second class degree. Just enjoy the unique opportunity to explore your own particular interests for three years. Later on, no one will care what class of degree you got. And explore the other beautiful old college buildings, libraries, outdoor spaces and art treasures of Oxford.”
Hanna – 2021
“You’re not an imposter, you’re here and it’s real. You’re going to spend the next 3 years together and you’re all in the same boat so, make friends and enjoy your journey together.”
Danielle – 1999
“After the fun of fresher's week subsides, there will come a point when you feel absolutely overwhelmed. You worked so hard to get here, you sacrificed so much, and now you're confronted with the fear that you might not be good enough. By design, Oxford will make you feel this way.
But instead of giving in to these feelings of inadequacy, use them as motivation. Just as your tutors have placed faith in you, place faith in your tutors. In time, you will adapt to this pace of learning, you will be more confident in your abilities, and you will succeed. But for any of that to happen, right now, you need to feel a bit anxious, you need to feel like you're not quite an Oxford scholar – because you aren't! You're in the process of becoming one!
So, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, embrace the sense of not being good enough and embrace your doubts and worries. The only way to assuage those feelings is to keep going! (And, of course, have the bravery and humility to tell your tutors when you are stuck – but only if you are).
Ahead of you lies an uphill battle. There will be stress, there will be tears, there might even be an all-nighter or two (although I strongly recommend against them!) But throughout this adventure at Oxford, remember this: for the most part, you weren't given an offer based on what you've already learned, you were given an offer based on how you go about learning. And it's this skill – your ability to withstand the sheer frustration of not knowing how to do something – and still going forward – it's this intellectual tenacity that's about to be nurtured.
During my first year at Oxford, I was afraid to step into the Old Bodleian Library. I was convinced that the Bodleian's edifice would somehow detect my unworthiness and zap me right on the spot. For my first essay, I was afraid to even put together coherent paragraphs for fear of being outed by my tutor as an imposter. I would stay up for hours rewriting sentences. That was in the first year.
By the third year, nervous as I still was about exams, I was confident in my writing. I put together arguments with an attitude of 'let's see what the examiners have to say about this! Here's the best I can do!' By the third year, in winter, no longer did Oxford's libraries and colleges feel like solemn, patriarchal judges pronouncing my inadequacy – instead, strange as it may sound, Oxford's buildings began to emanate a sort of fatherly love. Somewhere in the second year, the spired towers surrounding the Radcliffe Camera, the crests on the Bodleian door, and the steaming vats at the Science Park – these all seemed to say to me, 'Give it a shot! I know you can do it!'
And so I'll give the same advice to you. Give it a shot. That's all you get. As to whether or not you succeed is a matter of hard work, honesty, and daring. Oxford is designed to give you the time, the resources, and the mentorship to prepare yourself for an ordeal. And how sweet the victory will be if you succeed, for the reason that the victory will be on your merit and yours alone!
So, although my words might seem a bit melodramatic if you're reading them during the bubbly joy of Fresher's Week, perhaps my advice will be of use in Weeks 4 and 5 of your first Michaelmas. And even in the harshest times of the degree, remember that we don't have to do this, we get to do this. Ahead of you lies an incredible adventure. And I can think of no better place to begin such an adventure than being surrounded by tutors and staff who truly believe in your capacity to do incredible things – here at HMC!”
Rick – 2001
“Welcome to the Harris Manchester Family!
When I first arrived at college and was shown my room, nothing could have prepared me for the year that would turn out to be one of the best years of my life. Harris Manchester is a truly nurturing environment and the people are what makes it such. My advice to you would be to keep your heart open and be curious about all that Oxford and HMC in particular have to offer you and I can promise you that the HMC community will feel like family very soon.
Check out some of what the JCR and MCR have on offer like all of the fabulous events and bops organised by them. I remember checking out the wine and cheese society right in my first week which was such a relaxed environment to get to know some people before formal dinner. Week zero is so much fun - enjoy it and take it all in. It’s not just partying, of course there’s the studying too and I’ve spent many days in HMC’s wonderful and cozy library (I actually preferred it to all other libraries the university has to offer).
Lastly, take care of yourself and your health! With so many opportunities to learn and try new things and party, it can get a little bit overhwelming from time to time and you’ll have to prioritise from time to time. Just because others may have the energy to do everything and write their essays in the middle of the night sacrificing sleep doesn’t mean that’s what you have to do. You’ll find your own way around managing Oxford’s workload while still having plenty of fun and sleep.
It truly is a once in a lifetime experience and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with HMC just like I did only days after I first arrived. Enjoy this wild ride that is most likely going to be one of the most enriching experiences of your life so far!”
