Degree
English Language and Literature
Hometown
Lewes
What do you enjoy the most about LMH?
The people! LMH is the friendliest college I know of. Everyone is always ready to help and offer support, and the atmosphere is incredibly comforting. LMH is definitely my second home, and it’s mainly because of the wonderful, kind, funny and clever people that I’ve met here. The college itself is also beautiful and the massive grounds provide a great source of decompression after a stressful day as well as being an excellent picnic site. It’s very easy to love LMH.
What has studying at Oxford been like so far?
It has definitely been hard but also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Having world-renowned academics devote hours to reading my work, giving me exceptionally detailed feedback and then talk it through with me in a comfortable one-on-one setting is an education like no other. My writing and personal style has developed immensely and at quite a fast pace. Studying at Oxford allows you stretch your brain like never before and, given there’s a lot of work to do, it forces you to become resilient which is an excellent life skill. It’s been such a privilege to study here and I would definitely recommend it.
What do you enjoy most about your course?
I love history, and the English course at Oxford is structured in quite a historical way: you study the history of both English language and literature from 650 to present day. Because of this wide range, I feel that I’ve developed a pretty holistic yet detailed understanding of each period in literary history, whether the Romantics or the Restoration. Because literary developments are so strongly tied to changes in the world, this is also a great way to gain deeper insight into the political and socioeconomic climate of Britain throughout time, albeit through a literary lens. I’m also very excited for my final year, when I get a bit more choice in the periods I write about through my dissertation!
What’s your best advice for a prospective applicant?
Apply! You can’t get in if you don’t apply. While the acceptance rate is relatively low, if you think that Oxford might suit you, then it’s definitely worth giving it a go. If you love your subject (or the area around it, if it isn’t a subject you’ve studied before) and really want to deep dive into it then this is the place for you.
