Opportunity Oxford Video transcript

If I was going to describe Opportunity Oxford in one sentence, I'd say it's university starting early with all the bits that aren't usually explained, explained to students.

It’s a structured trial run at your first few weeks at uni.

It kind of takes away all of the nerves that you have initially, and it gives you this kind of, like, confidence in yourself for when you do start.

OppOx prepares students both academically and socially through its different events, by helping students develop new friendships and relationships, and also get used to the academic rigour that is Oxford University.

Being able to come early means you can kind of get used to the academic setting, the change in environment, meeting lots of new people and getting used to kind of the rhythm of Oxford before it actually starts.

It's not assessing you, it's not testing you on anything, but it's just sort of like a trial run in
which you can give things a go, you can try out different academic techniques, but you also get used to the city.

So, I do Maths and I'm having three hours of lectures so far from Monday to Thursday in the afternoon.
But then in the morning we talk about soft skills, like presentation-wise, mathematical writing, notation.

So it's been quite a good mix between having maths also the general skills you need for a degree.

So I’ve tried out lectures, seminars, tutorials. At lunch, I often, like, go into town and explore a bit more of the city.

And then in the evening, we’re quite free to socialise. So we've done some fun things to, like, try and get to know each other.

It’s not just sitting in a classroom, you get to do the practical side of it. So you get to
go to the woods, get to see museums, you get to just be in touch with all aspects of the course that you’re studying.

I find it really interesting.

I think it's really helpful to be able to get to know Oxford and get used to sort of the new culture before the rest of the students come.

Navigating my way around was so helpful during Opportunity Oxford.

Especially, like, the work, I somewhat knew, like, what to expect and how to sort of, like, balance my revision and my social life because I had experience sort of doing that on OppOx.

I've met lots of really cool people that I feel like I'm on the same wavelength with. I'm enjoying my subject. I'm feeling, like, reaffirmed that I picked the right discipline.

Having OppOx as a residential definitely gave me a head start of meeting people before actual Freshers’ Week.

Oxford is a very open and inclusive place that you can thrive in and that you can enjoy.

And that's what the Opportunity Oxford programme helped me with.

You sort of like realise that Oxford is, like, a very diverse place. I just thought it would be like a really intimidating experience, but it's actually been really welcoming.

I felt like it was going to be a bit daunting at first. I was, yeah, worried about the workload, but once I started, like, it felt like much more doable and achievable.

One of the most important takeaways for me from the OppOx experience was to be open-minded and to kind of, like, explore new things.

Get to know what Oxford is like. Get to know the support Oxford provides you with. Make sure you fully immerse yourself in the whole experience.

It's so fun and there’s so many different social activities and academic activities to develop some really strong bonds.