Survival, Societies, and Staring at Manuscripts: Year Two Recap

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I blinked, and the second year of university happened. Whilst Oxford remains a strange microcosm, a lot has happened since October, and, like last year, I think it would be a good idea to write down how I feel it has gone.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I am exceptionally critical of myself. This can be a slight problem when it comes to doing work at my university. With quite a few deadlines in short succession, there is often not the time to obsess over every detail. However, this year I think some of my decision-making skills have sharpened, albeit only slightly in some cases. This is mainly in part to me finally, yes, finally, joining some societies.

Participating in societies has given me a sense of confidence and a new sense of community. I am a member of the Oxford Labour Club and have served on the committee since Hilary this year. Having spent time as Women's Officer and the Secretary, I found that I developed new skills and was given amazing opportunities to network and hear from inspiring people. I have been to London for a Young Women in Politics event, and just returned from the Labour Youth and Student Congress in Cardiff. Furthermore, I also survived, I mean successfully helped with, our student History society. I love history as much as the next person, but boy, being on the committee was an intense experience at times. From pestering people I know to speak, to smiling sweetly while assuring professors that ‘yes, we’ve absolutely sorted that end-of-term event,’ I’d say it was an experience enhanced by the wonderful people I worked with. So, good and perhaps sometimes bad, societies made their mark.

Academically, let’s say it's going okay. I have had tutors who have made me cry. I am not sure that happened last year? I think I cried maybe once, but that was probably due to being tired. Having no exams has been nice. Don’t talk to me about next year – it’s a sore topic. (I mean, who wants exams in 38-degree heat?!)

Tutors are so divisive – some are genuinely so lovely and stop to speak to you in M&S (redemption for her not handing my essays back till this term I guess), and some make you want to run away (and yet they turn up at every possible opportunity to seemingly mock you).

Topics wise, the content has been very engaging. From Anglo-Saxon economy and society by archaeology, to the Conquest of Britain in 1066 (well of England, the ‘Britain’ part comes much later, ask my BIF5 tutor from last year), and the Renaissance, it has been truly a busy year.

So, what’s next for me? Revision. Lots of it. Flashcards, mind-maps, coloured pens, notes, you name it, I’m likely doing it. My memory is, let’s be polite, short. Breakfast? Not sure. Hundred Years’ War? Maybe 50% remembered on an off day. Constantinople. What is that?

This summer will see my thesis hopefully take shape – thanks to the absolute dedication of my supervisor who basically told me she is 100% unavailable, oh and that I have to have an abstract written by the time I am due back… But, I am sure all will be well. I ooze calmness, if you couldn’t tell by my writing style.

I do look forward to the challenges the new year will bring, and I am a little bit proud of myself for getting through this year. My good friends have had to endure conversations on the topic of rustication when things got tough, but I’m glad we’ve all made it through.

So, do stick around, feel free to read more of my posts – or my work on the Ox Labour Club Blog. All the best,

Freya.

[Editorial note: I am obviously joking re Constantinople…Or am I, you decide…] 

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