On this page you can you learn a little bit about a few of our fantastic students! Including what they enjoy about their course, what they get up to alongside their degree, and how they have found studying at LMH and the University of Oxford.
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- Anna - Biochemistry
- Grace - Biochemistry
- Natalie - Biology
- Jasmin - Biological Sciences
- Lukas - Chemistry
- Archie - Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
- Olivia - Classics
- Ryan - Computer Science
- Jonny - Computer Science and Philosophy
- Jaidan - Economics and Management
- Mia - English
- Casey - English Language and Literature
- Holly - English Language and Literature
- Natasha - Experimental Psychology
- Michelle - Fine Art
- Scarlett - French and Spanish
- Edwin - German
- Ellie - German and Czech
- Eve - German and Spanish
- Daniel - History
- Issy - History
- Calista - History and Politics
- Shantel - Jurisprudence
- Spike - Jurisprudence
- Ellie - Jurispudence
- Rhea - Jurisprudence
- Sabyia - Jurisprudence, Foundation Year
- Orlagh - Law with French Law
- Magdalene - Mathematics
- Max - Maths and Computer Science
- Joe - Maths and Philosophy
- Jewel - Medicine
- Leah - Medicine
- Paradis - Music
- Ahmad - Philosophy and Theology
- Luke - Physics
- Manav - Physics
- Koko - PPE
- Matthew - PPE
Anna
Hometown
Carlisle
Degree
Biochemistry
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
A level - Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I play hockey (casually!) with the college team and watch a LOT of films when I'm not busy working. In my second year I ran a film society in LMH where we got to watch some favourite films in the large theatre. I also love cooking and baking and am really glad I chose LMH since we have great kitchens- I've found nothing that is too tricky to do in a uni kitchen; When COVID meant we couldn't have Friday Formals we brought the three course formal to our floor!
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is well known for being friendly, welcoming and relaxed which is so important in an environment like Oxford. Staff and students are really supportive and it's a really lovely place to live. The people definitely make LMH the fun place it is.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The gardens!!! I come from a really rural area and feel like I couldn't cope without being able to walk on grass and have acres of greenery and woodlands right on my doorstep. The gardens are beautiful- especially in summer- and are perfect for unwinding and hanging out with friends. Having the entrance to Uni Parks just outside of college is even better and is a great spot for a jog.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
Biochemistry at Oxford is such a broad subject and having its own department was so critical for me when choosing universities. This means lots of different aspects of the field can be covered in a focused way so that by the end of the course you have a good understanding of which particular areas you are most fond of. The content we learn is really interesting and often right at the cutting edge of research, being taught by researchers currently working on similar problems. This means that by the start of second year textbooks are too out of date to be reliable sources for our learning! I really enjoy how we learn through a mix of essays and problem sheets as this gives us some variety. An emphasis on experimental techniques equips us quite nicely to understand and challenge scientific papers by the end of our part I and sets us up to do our own research in our part II (which i will be starting this September!)
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Yes! I was worried when I chose Oxford after receiving my offer that I was going to be sacrificing a "normal" uni experience to come to one of the best universities in the world. This was not the case- I have had so much fun here and never regretted my decision. It is certainly true that I'm surrounded by some incredibly bright and talented people, and naturally sometimes think "how did I end up here", but I have learned so much in the past couple of years and made some great friends. I was also nervous coming from a school and area where very few people went to Oxford and I wouldn't know anybody at the university. I quickly felt accepted and found a circle of friends. As cliched as it is, students of Oxford do work hard, and can achieve pretty incredible things in very limited time, but we play hard too and we make the most out of our shorter terms!
Grace
Hometown
Rotherham
Degree
Biochemistry
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Biology, Chemistry, and Maths
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I'm part of the committee for the Uni cheerleading team (S-I-R-E-N-S 🎉), the northerner society (got to represent my home town of course), OUCB (has amazing talks from various different scientists/labs and also gives away lots of unlimited alcohol at socials) and I play a bit of college netball + attempt lacrosse as part of the development squad (I had literally never played before uni lol I'm very bad)
What is LMH like as a College?
If I had to write a definition for the word wholesome I would most definitely include LMH in that definition. We have such beautiful gardens and everyone is so friendly and lovely (unless we're battling it out for the last biscuit at welfare tea in which case it's a different story altogether).
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
It's so lovely being around such a wide variety of people who are so passionate about lots of different things. I've learnt so much from the people around me!!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I love spending time in the labs! It's such a nice environment to be in because the demonstrators are pretty chilled and as a result I feel like I can explore and develop my skills without the worry of getting perfect results. Also shoutout to my awesome tutors and tute partner who always make tutorials good fun!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Yes and no. The social side of uni is definitely far better than I expected, despite having different workloads and timetables there's always someone around to beat me at beer pong when I want to celebrate finishing an essay! Also there are far more things going on around college and the JCR page is much more active than I expected it to be - I was very much pleasantly surprised by the amount of welfare support we have access to here :) Of course Oxford uni is very intense on the workload but I totally expected this because complaining about your workload is a large contributing factor to every Oxford uni student's personality :))
Natalie
Hometown
Winchester
Degree
Biology
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Biology, Maths, Geography and Extended Project Qualification.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
LMH Ambassador
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a very friendly college with a great social scene between all three years that live on site, which helps you feel at home very fast. It also has great facilities with a large library, big dining hall, bar, tennis courts and even a river.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The grounds! I love taking walks down to the river both in the grounds and in Uni Parks, which are under 1 minute away. This is especially great if it’s with one of the college dogs and/or friends! I also think this is something unique to LMH, as being a little further out means it has a lot more green space. It also creates a more community feel. In town I’m always struck with how beautiful it is and feel a great sense of pride that I actually get to live and study here!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
In biology I enjoy the practical’s most, as especially with online learning, they really break up the week and make me feel like I’ve achieved something. They also allow you to bond with the other people on your course and the walk there and back across the park is a great opportunity to chat and catch up with the other biologists at LMH.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Yes definitely. I was very nervous and intimidated before I came, but now it just feels like home :) You make friends and settle into a routine a lot quicker than expected, until before you know it, living here becomes your new normal.
Jasmin
Hometown
Sevenoaks, Kent
Degree
Biological Sciences
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Mathematics, Biology and Physics
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
In first year I didn't get involved in much as I was getting used to university life - I did a bit of college netball and was on the Bar Renovation committee but those were very low commitment. In second year I got more involved and became the JCR Domestic officer and was the treasurer for Oxford Pink Week 2020. Being on the Oxford Pink Week committee was loads of fun - we planned a week of events and managed to raise over £17,000!
What is LMH like as a College?
I love LMH so much - I couldn't recommend it enough! After seeing LMH on the open day I didn't bother looking around any other colleges because I loved the gardens and its history of being the first college to allow women in (its nice seeing portraits of women on the walls!).
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
I love the city, it is so pretty! And the college system in Oxford means there is a community feel which is really nice.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I am on the old Biology course (there's a new one now) but I like the fact we get to choose our tutorials after first year so you can learn about stuff that really interests you. It is also cool being taught by people so well-known in their field - 2 out of my 3 supervisors for coursework projects have been Fellows of the Royal Society!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I arrived thinking that it would be a lot of work and this is true but there's also lots of time for fun so it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Lukas
Hometown
Princeton, NJ, USA
Degree
Chemistry
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
AP Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Economics, French and History (US, World, European).
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
LMH JCR Independent Chair (HT 2021), Work at the LMH bar, Tutor and the Oxford University Walking Club.
What is LMH like as a College?
Unbelievably friendly and welcoming, with a great social scene.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
How driven and unabashedly passionate so many people are about their interests
What do you enjoy about your degree?
The breadth of topics taught, along with the ability to take supplemental courses to further explore specific topics in further depth.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
It is far less competitive than expected, everyone is so happy to collaborate and help!
Archie
Hometown
London
Degree
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Ancient History, Philosophy and Theology, Latin and Maths.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Male Welfare Officer in my Second Year, currently Captain LMH Men's 1st XI Football.
What is LMH like as a College?
One of the friendliest colleges there is, the sense of the community within the college helps everyone feel at home with so many faces around. It's always been easy to approach undergrads in other years for advice, either with work or for more general things about oxford, and everyone is always very welcoming with the various clubs and societies in the college.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
LMH gardens are unrivalled, especially in the summer, and the tennis courts and the Cherwell are a huge bonus, as well as the opportunity to have a kickabout on the back lawns whenever. Outside of college, there are so many places to discover in Oxford, whether it's a place to work, a new restaurant, pub or cafe.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
The tutors for CAAH at LMH (informally known as the German Mafia) are the best you'll get in the department and they're unrivalled across all degrees both in the effort, understanding and interest they take with your studies, as well as their enthusiasm for teaching. Dr Mannack is famed throughout the Classics department and highly sought after as a tutor and you're guaranteed to get him if you do any of his modules (Greek Vases and Greek Art).
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I'd heard horror stories about the work, but it really wasn't the case, and tutors are pretty understanding if you need extensions etc. As long as you're vaguely organised with your timetable, especially with CAAH, it's pretty manageable.
Olivia
Hometown
London
Degree
Classics
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Latin, Maths and History.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
College rowing, playing violin in the Oxford Millenium Orchestra, College Chapel Choir.
What is LMH like as a College?
So friendly and welcoming, and has such a great community spirit!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The amount of opportunities there are - whatever you are interested in, there is always something to get involved with. I loved beginning a college sport, and the amazing group of people with whom it enabled me to build close friendships.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
How wide ranging it is. There is a lot of variety and I have been able to tailor it to my interests as I have progressed.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Very different - mainly in a good way! I didn't apply to LMH, and interviewed at a different college, and I was initially disappointed I didn't get into my first choice but now am so happy I got into LMH instead, as I love it here and was surprised by how friendly it is. Honestly, the workload was higher than I expected, but my tutors are incredibly supportive and understanding!
Ryan
Hometown
Kingswood, South Gloucestershire
Degree
Computer Science
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Mainly just socialising with friends. I sometimes play tennis in the college grounds. I also started running last term and plan to potentially get back into football soon.
What is LMH like as a College?
The rooms are nice, the people are friendly, the bar is underrated. It is slightly out of the centre so there are less tourists visiting the college and it is a bit more quiet. It's a chilled college, I like it.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about Oxford is the college system, you get to have a sense of belonging to your college as well as your subject. A lot of universities don't have that
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I enjoy the tutorials. I work better in small groups, so it is nice to be able to work through problems with people who are experts in the field and are passionate about the subject.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Before coming to Oxford I didn't know anyone who had studied here, so I didn't really know what to expect. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't fit in, but I quickly made many good friends. People here are more friendly and relaxed than I expected they would be.
Jonny
Hometown
Whitley Bay
Degree
Computer Science and Philosophy
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Chemistry and Computer Science.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Taekwondo, Rowing, Oxford Hackathon Committee
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a community as much as a college, I don't know anyone who hasn't made good friends within the college. On top of that, the grounds are lovely and the wider community is always active and friendly.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about Oxford is the people. The degree is fantastic, but it's the people I meet and the friends I make that mean I'll never regret coming here.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I find Computer Science very hard but even more rewarding. I'd never studied Philosophy before so every essay is something new.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Everything about Oxford, from the people to the Uni to the City, is both more ordinary and extraordinary than I expected. It's not what I imagined, it's better.
Jaidan
Hometown
Morecambe
Degree
Economics and Management
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Economics.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR treasurer, Rugby League, College rugby and football, Voluntary tutor for The Oxbridge Launchpad and Schoolsplus, Publicity officer at Ox Venture Capital Network, I also love all the talks available at Oxford.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is amazing. It's not a central college so the sense of community is strong and you can always find something to do within college because of this. We're also adjacent to uni parks which makes the morning walks to lectures not seem so bad. Honestly, it's just such a beautiful place to live.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is the wildflower meadow in the the central quad during summer but my favourite thing about Oxford is that you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people that push you to be ambitious too. It is great for breaking out of the small-town mindset.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
Originally, I thought the management side of E&M would be a joke however, it's become the subject area I enjoy most. It's applicable and you analyse so many real world situations. The modules are great, this term I've done entrepreneurship & innovation, in which I've read so many inspiring start-up case studies and last term I studied strategy which was just as exciting. The business schools it pretty nice too.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
You can shape your time here to be exactly how you want it to be. There are so many opportunities in sport, academia, societies and socially that you can chose the Oxford experience you want. So in some ways Oxford was more normal than I expected but in others it's overwhelming. The variety in people and experiences is incredible and it provides you with a launchpad to become anything you want.
Mia
Hometown
Rotherham (Next to Sheffield!)
Degree
English
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
English Literature, History and Drama.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Student journalism and drama.
What is LMH like as a College?
The best college! The gardens are beautiful and everyone is so friendly.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
I love how beautiful Oxford is as a city, and how supportive LMH is as a college.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
It's really flexible- the papers and essays allow me to write about subjects that specifically interest me- there's no set answer!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Yes! Coming from a state school, I was worried I wouldn't fit in at Oxford and that the work wouldn't be manageable. However, I've already met friends for life here and backgrounds are definitely not a barrier or anything people care about. And the work is manageable- and if you are struggling it's almost certain you're not the only one, and there's lots of places to find help. LMH feels like home :)
Casey
Hometown
Sheffield
Degree
English Language and Literature
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
English Language, English Literature, Philosophy and Ethics.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR Social Sec/Upcoming Access and Outreach Officer, Pink Week merchandise officer, Student Ambassador.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is such a warm and welcoming place to be. From walking in and seeing the porters in the lodge to chatting to staff and fellow students walking around the grounds, it’s such a comforting place that has come to be my home.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is the diversity of students and staff. Everyone has a different background and a different story to tell, and it’s exciting to immerse yourself in an environment with so many friendly faces!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I love the freedom English gives me to do my own research and find areas of the degree that interests me. The fewer contact hours than STEM subjects, for example, allows me more time to read around my subject and really engage with the material. More independent learning is just something that works for me!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Before coming to LMH, I was terrified that there would be no one like me here. Being from an underachieving state school, I was anticipating getting left behind and shown up by my course mates. However, nothing could be further from the truth! I’ve met the most fantastic people of ALL backgrounds, and I’ve learnt there’s no ‘Oxford Type’.
Holly
Hometown
Keighley, Bradford
Degree
English Language and Literature
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
English Literature, English Language, and History.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I was Women’s Officer.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is such an unbelievably welcoming college. It really is a home away from home because the people just make you feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. The grounds are gorgeous and are great for clearing your head and not feeling too overwhelmed, especially if you’re used to home being a bit more rural.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The people definitely make LMH but I do love the gardens too. Seeing Green Woodpeckers and Kingfishers by the river really made lockdown more bearable. And my favourite thing about Oxford is being able to walk everywhere! LMH really isn’t as far out as everyone makes it sound and one of the perks of Oxford being a relatively small city is that you get to know your way round fairly quickly.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
The tutors are so great and are always happy to help you. Although you don’t choose most of your modules, there’s so much choice within each topic and even essays which are written on the same author can vary to such a great degree which is really fascinating and leads to some great discussions.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I was surprised by how quickly I made friends in the first few weeks of Michaelmas but also the friends that I continued to make in second year too. I was also surprised by the amount of fun everyone manages to have in between the essay deadlines! I definitely had a preconception that lots of people would be studying every night and never partying.
Natasha
Hometown
Watford
Degree
Experimental Psychology
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
A Levels - Psychology, Chemistry, and Music.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Academic Affairs and Suspended Students Officer in the JCR , Psychology society, LMH hockey team.
What is LMH like as a College?
Friendly and supportive. It has beautiful grounds and is not super traditional so has a more relaxed atmosphere.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The buildings in LMH are so lovely and it is in a great location - right next to uni parks!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
It is definitely a challenging course but I've enjoyed the majority of the topics covered, even the ones I personally found more difficult. Covering both psychology and neurophysiology in detail has greatly improved my understanding of the brain overall. Having a wide range of work to do (essays and problem sheets) also means that the course doesn't feel repetitive.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I suspended my studies after my first few weeks at Oxford, which was not something I thought I would do. It can feel difficult to speak up about things when you're struggling, but I've always felt supported by my friends and the college. Since I've been back at LMH, I have been able to cope with and enjoy my time at uni much more.
Michelle
Hometown
London
Degree
Fine Art
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Fine Art, English Literature and Sociology
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
In my free time I enjoy practising archery and fencing at Oxford's sport centre.I love film photography and am currently president of the Tim Hetherington society at LMH.
What is LMH like as a College?
Lady Margaret Hall is certainly a friendly and welcoming college. We have a diverse student body, I have met people from all sorts of backgrounds whilst studying here. I would describe LMH as being neither too big nor too small, it’s just right in terms of size. The grounds are spacious; LMH has plenty of garden space to walk about in and relax which is especially lovely during the summer.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
I love the sense of community that LMH has, there is a lot on offer from welfare events and a range of college activities that everyone can take part in. Oxford has become a second home for me. I feel very comfortable and safe living in Oxford and can’t imagine being anywhere else.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
There are many things I enjoy about studying Fine Art at the Ruskin. One of them being that the Fine Art course encourages experimentation and welcomes different forms of image making. The art school provides an open space to explore my many interests, to share ideas and collaborate with other students.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Prior to applying to Oxford I was aware of the idea that only certain types of students attend Oxford, generally those who are privately educated, white and whose parents may have attended Oxbridge too. As someone who does not fit this stereotype I was a little skeptical about how diverse Oxford would be and whether I’d fit in.
However, after studying at LMH for two years I can say that this only a stereotype. I have befriended people from a range of different home backgrounds, more than I had previously when studying in London. I can be myself and feel accepted at LMH. I would encourage prospective students to apply to LMH with an open mind and heart.
Scarlett
Hometown
Warwickshire
Degree
French & Spanish
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
English Literature, French and Spanish.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Since starting at LMH, I've written articles for a few student newspapers and volunteered teaching English as a foreign language and tutoring in Spanish for Oxford Hub. I've also got involved with outreach work, both for the college and the wider university. There's so much that you can get involved with whilst studying at Oxford, and many clubs and societies have moved their programmes online for the time being so in many ways, they are more accessible than ever before.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a really welcoming, relaxed college that feels like a home away from home. As the college is a little further away from the city centre than most other colleges, there is a real community feel. Everybody is so friendly and down to earth!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
I think the best thing about studying at LMH is being surrounded by such talented, passionate and all round lovely people. It is so inspiring meeting people from all walks of life who have such a variety of interests and insights.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
As I study two languages, I enjoy the variety of topics that I get to delve into, from French medieval poetry right up to contemporary Spanish American novels! Within each language, there is an equal mix of language and literature and I really like this balance, as I get to improve my speaking and translation skills alongside discovering new texts that I would never have come across otherwise.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Obviously coronavirus has curtailed many aspects of studying at Oxford, and I never would have imagined starting my degree during a pandemic! However, even with all the restrictions and challenges of lockdown, I have really enjoyed life at LMH and I am looking forward to being able to enjoy more of the Oxford experience in person in the not-too-distant future.
Edwin
Hometown
London
Degree
German
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
German, Russian and Latin.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I am the Secretary of LMH JCR, I play Eton Fives with the university team for whom I am also the treasurer (we try to train twice a week when not in lockdown), I also play in music ensembles with the university including OUO (Oxford University Orchestra), OU Phil, OU Wind Orchestra.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is an extremely warm and friendly college with something for everyone.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite things would have to be the incredible gardens that LMH has, no other college has so much green space on site which is so nice to explore and is a great place in which to take study breaks. Otherwise, I love the people I have met here.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I enjoy the incredibly diverse range of papers on offer. My degree has everything from medieval and early modern German literature to modern German linguistics and German philosophy.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I'm not sure I had many expectations when I started at LMH although I did expect it to be hard work which has certainly turned out to be the case.
Ellie
Hometown
Cheltenham
Degree
German and Czech (with Slovak)
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
German and French A levels, and English Lit Pre-U.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I write articles for papers and want to get more into student journalism. I’m also working on my own screenplay which I really love. I’m continuing to teach myself French post-Alevel in my free time. Before Covid, I used to ski race, and I still train at my local dry slope when I’m home. During lockdown I’ve been improving my culinary skills and am currently learning to cook traditional dishes from around the world (I’m currently on Japan).
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is the most friendly college. There’s always something going on and everyone is invited. We also don’t take things too seriously.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is the social life. The bar is always packed, and the grounds are a good place for late night parties. I love Oxford because our uni experience is unique, and the city is so beautiful.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I like that I am given the freedom to choose (within reason) what I study. The course is varied and the tutors are pretty relaxed so I don’t feel too pressured. I also love that they know me well enough by now to be able to recommend me books that I will like that I may not otherwise have discovered.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Yes. The social life has been far better than I expected, and I think it is better and more varied than any of my friends’ at other unis. The work is also more enjoyable, and I have made some of my closest friends in college.
Eve
Hometown
Wolverhampton
Degree
German and Spanish
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
German, Spanish, English Literature, Government and Politics.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I was Deputy Editor of Cherwell, as well as video editor for a while! I also work with LMH comms for access too!
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is genuinely like a second home to me. It's got beautiful, spacious grounds that are super open, just as open as the community here! Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and I've loved every second of my time here.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is 100% the community - there's always someone around to help you out and offer you support if you need!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I love the literature side of my degree the most - I really enjoy being able to delve into the literature from a specific period of time and pursuing areas that interest me most!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
It's been better if anything - I'll be so sad to leave, and I think that's a sign of how much I've loved my time here!
Daniel
Hometown
Cambridge
Degree
History
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
A-levels in English Literature, History, Ancient History and Religious Studies.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR First Year Officer, Co-President of the Undergraduate Historians' Assembly, Deputy Section Editor at Cherwell, LMH University Challenge team, rowing, LMH Chapel Choir, LMH Chamber Choir.
What is LMH like as a College?
Exciting, friendly and diverse. I know this sounds a bit clichéd but I really think it sums up college life! There are some obvious pros - accommodation for all three years of your degree, large grounds and beautiful quads - but I think LMH's most striking feature is how staff and students have developed a really inclusive community.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is the sheer range of people you meet, all of whom are really friendly and have interesting things to say. The food is also great and there's loads of opportunities, from the JCR to rowing to the two choirs. My favourite thing about Oxford is just the enthusiasm of everyone here. From subjects to sports to activities like the Union, everyone just seems so keen and dedicated.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
To me, the best thing about History is how when you're set an essay title each week, you never know what you're going to end up arguing. Debate and different perspectives are at the centre of the subject and even when you're faced with an immense reading list, the opportunity to consider new ideas keeps you going. I also think that History tutorials are the most interesting ones because of the intense discussions/arguments that happen.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I think that everyone starting university in 2020 was aware they'd be facing a different student experience. Given this, I've been pleasantly surprised about the amount of activities and opportunities to get to know people which are still possible. I also expected the walk from LMH to town would feel long (we're renowned for being a far-out college!) but it hasn't been an issue at all.
Issy
Hometown
Sydney/London
Degree
History
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
History, English Literature, Religious Studies and Politics.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR Charity Officer, Fundraising Co-ordinator for Oxford Marrow, Cherwell News Editor, BSHR Editor, Spanish A2.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a warm and inclusive environment! I love walking through college, having really nice moments running into people and chatting - people at LMH never fail to brighten my day!!! Whenever work gets too much, I just knock on the doors of my household or go into the kitchen where some kind of chaos is happening! I just really love how lively it is!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
Definitely the people - I have just met the most passionate and lovely people since coming here! I count myself lucky to be surrounded by people who I think are going to be a real force for good in the world!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I really enjoy the tutorial system! It is one of the toughest but most rewarding parts of my degree!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Oh definitely! There was nothing that anyone could have said that would have fully prepared me for what a whirlwind studying at Oxford has been - but that is half the fun! The best parts have been the unexpected!
Calista
Hometown
Singapore
Degree
History and Politics
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
History, Literature, Mathematics, Economics and General Paper.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Oxford Forum for International Development 2021 (Co-President), Broad Street Humanities Review (Chairperson), Oxford Women in Business (Head of External Relations, TT21), Oxford University History Society (Treasurer, MT20).
What is LMH like as a College?
Super warm and welcoming community that knows how to have fun!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
I love the gardens at LMH! The thing I miss most about college is taking a nice, quiet stroll in the gardens after a tutorial. The libraries at Oxford are also spectacular - I'm still awestruck every time I pass the RadCam.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I enjoy learning about people and politics of a different time and place and thinking critically about narratives or arguments when I'm writing my essays. Overall, my degree has made me a sharper thinker and more inquisitive person; I also appreciate how inspirational and supportive my tutors have been!
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
The workload did seem daunting before I entered university, but with good time management and a strong support system (college friends, tutors and family), I realised that it is absolutely possible to make time to do things that you enjoy beyond your degree.
Shantel
Hometown
Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
Degree
Jurisprudence
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
History, English Literature, Business Studies and Divinity.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Treasurer for LMH Law Society, Student Fellow for the Oxford Foundry, partner at the Rhodes Incubator.
What is LMH like as a College?
Very welcoming and completely feels like home.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
There’s always something new to learn everyday and so many new things to experience.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
The solidarity and unity among my course mates. Being in it all together.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
LMH is unlike all other Oxford colleges. There is a blend of the old and the new to create something authentic and unique- an environment where you are not only likely to succeed academically but also flourish in all your other endeavours. There’s really something about the LMH environment that you can’t put a hand to and it is that “something” that will always make you feel at home.
Spike
Hometown
Sandhurst
Degree
Jurisprudence
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Spanish, History, Mathematics and Economics (AS)
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Male Welfare Officer Secretary, Oxford Law Society, Co-Captain LMH Hockey, Oxford University Table Tennis, Team Debating Society and LMH Pool Team.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH prides itself on its community and I think that it is right to do so. Nearly everyone you meet is so friendly and ensures that everybody feels LMHome (I know it sounds a bit corny). It is a welcoming space for everybody and it is truly unique compared to any other Oxford college. Being slightly far from the centre and with most people living in college for three years, you get to know everyone in not just your year but many others in other years. LMH is also great for sustainability. Hearing friends at other colleges complain about the lack of vegetarian meals or sustainability just increases the pride in LMH. There is one vegetarian and one vegan option for both lunch and dinner in hall and LMH is one of the few Fairtrade colleges at Oxford.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH, beyond the wonderful people, are the incredible gardens that we are blessed to have. As for Oxford, the best aspect is probably the architecture which it is hard to believe is part of the university you attend sometimes.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
The people I am studying Law with are, without exception, amazing. We all support each other and the students in the year above are also very helpful and lovely too. I was quite worried about the workload when I got to Oxford, but when you receive such great support it makes everything so much easier.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I think, like many people, I had a notion of Oxford that it would be far more exclusionary and for the privileged than I have found it to be. Whilst I have definitely experienced the most open and welcoming college in LMH, thanks to its access initiatives and the Foundation Year, I have also been surprised at how friendly people at other colleges have been too.
Ellie
Hometown
Wirral (near Liverpool)
Degree
Jurisprudence
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, History, Politics and AS Chemistry.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I am the former JCR Access and Outreach Officer and the current Secretary of the LMH Law Society.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is like a second home to me. It is full of some of the most welcoming and lovely people that I have ever met. The tutors are really supportive and want to help you to achieve your potential. LMH gardens are also gorgeous especially in the sunshine!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
Definitely the people. There are so many people from different backgrounds with unique stories to tell. The community at LMH is very inclusive and it is great to be able to have friends in different years. In terms of Oxford more generally, the buildings and architecture are beautiful.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I like that we are taught by the people that write the leading textbooks in the field as they are really passionate and knowledgeable which makes learning the law so much more engaging. The people I am studying Law with also make the degree very enjoyable as we all support and help each. I genuinely couldn't wish for better people to be on my course.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I nearly rejected my Oxford offer as I was really concerned that the workload would be too much and that I wouldn't fit in and make friends. Now, over halfway through my degree, I genuinely can't imagine studying anywhere else. I have made the most incredible friends for life at LMH and have had some of my happiest times here. Whilst the workload can be challenging at times, with the support of friends and tutors it is very manageable. I am so glad that I accepted the offer and will be very sad to graduate.
Rhea
Hometown
Canberra, Australia
Degree
Jurisprudence
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
BSSS ATAR (the norm is doing 5 subjects in this system!) - Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics and Legal Studies.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR LGBTQA+ Officer, LMH Law Society President, Law Joint Consultative Committee Vice President, Cherwell ex-Section Deputy Editor, Oxford Global Director (Model UN stuff).
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is the cutest little community of people where you can always find someone who just gets your vibe. Being a bit further out, you really get a chance to bond with everyone else in college (whether it's over the slightly-too-long walk to Costa or something else) and feel like part of the community. LMH is also one of the prettiest colleges - the gardens are gorgeous and the rooms are my ideal balance of old-and-cool-looking and functional. It isn't always perfect, but for me, college is the best part of uni and I wouldn't give it up for anything!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about Oxford is the LMH library (nerd alert!)! Not only do we have a cat, but there is also something really relaxing about hearing the wooden floors around you break every time someone (mostly you) gets up to procrastinate. I also love leaving my friends chocolates at their study spots in the library and getting chocolate from them, which again really shows the lovely community spirit at LMH.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
My favourite part of my degree is being able to talk to other (law and non-law) students about what they think about the law! I also love my tutorials - although some tutors are a bit scary, you always end up learning something and it can be interesting to hear about the law from people who have dedicated a lot of their energy into it.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
A little bit! I was quite surprised by how lovely and not-scary most of my tutors were to be honest which really put me at ease in my first few terms.
Sabyia
Hometown
Luton
Degree
Jurisprudence - Foundation year
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
A-levels - Law, Sociology and English Literature. I also took an EPQ.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Future BME Officer for the LMH JCR, Access and Outreach Officer for the Oxford Pakistan Society, College Representative for the Oxford Commercial Awareness Society, College Representative for Junior Lawyers Against Poverty.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a kind welcoming environment full of people bonding over the beauty of the Choco milk machine. I am kidding, but kind of not... In all seriousness, LMH has an amazing tight-knit community!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH would have to be the people, I have genuinely made some amazing friends and everyone is just so kind. When it comes to Oxford, I really love the buildings, they are stunning and hold so much history. It just amazes me every time I go through the city.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
Law is something that (arguably) dictates our everyday life, so naturally, you would expect it to be perfect. But as we know nothing is truly perfect, so evaluating the law in depth with tutors who are experts in their field fascinates me. I love forming my own opinions on how different areas of the law could be improved or highlighting why they are effective in achieving justice.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
The main expectations I had was to not have many POC (people of colour) at Oxford and LMH, and although this is partly true, it was not to the extent I expected. The amount of POC at Oxford is gradually increasing, LMH also has a strong community of ethnic minorities so it has not been as difficult for me to find people similar to me! Oxford and the colleges do accept that POC is still a massive minority within the University and are taking action to change this.
Orlagh
Hometown
Strabane, Northern Ireland
Degree
Law with French Law
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Government and Politics, French, English Literature, Maths and History.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR President
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a very chill and relaxed college. As we are a pioneering college both in being the first college to accept Woman and the first college to run a foundation year, these values are reflected in the students here who are all very accepting and friendly. Students, tutors and members of staff are all easy to approach which helps the college feel less like a college at Oxford University and more like a home. The grounds and architecture are stunning (especially when the sun comes out) which truly makes it one of my favourite places in the world!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about Oxford and LMH is definitely the people. From my experience, everyone tends to be super friendly and have unique, interesting perspectives to share. Especially amongst the LMH lawyers, there is a culture of working together as a group and helping each other rather than toxic competitiveness. Every term you seem to connect with a new group of people and I can definitely say I've made friends for life (even in the middle of a pandemic)!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I enjoy studying a subject which covers so many different areas of life. It allows me to have a broad perspective on issues I wouldn't have considered before and enables me to put myself into the shoes of people from completely different backgrounds than my own. Working in small groups with people who are experts in their subject is a massive privilege which really does help and often I find that listening to people who are so passionate about their subject makes me enjoy it even more.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
As someone who comes from a working class background and the first person from my comprehensive state school to get in to Oxbridge I was extremely nervous about accepting my offer. Being from NI and having the accent I do means I was never going to be able to hide the fact that I was not posh and certainly not from what I considered to be the "typical Oxford background." Although these stereotypes exist for a reason and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who would be appalled to think someone from my background could get in to Oxford, opinions are changing and whilst there is still a lot of work to be done, slowly but surely changes are being made so that there is no "typical Oxford background." I am so glad I decided to go through with my application and accepting my offer because I really do love it here. It is hard work and stressful at times but is completely worth it!
Magdalene
Hometown
Liverpool
Degree
Mathematics
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Alternative ice hockey and Christian Union.
What is LMH like as a College?
As a college LMH is very friendly and welcoming! Because all 3 years live on site together you tend to know a wide variety of people, including older people on your course which can be very useful!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is the beautiful gardens! I love playing croquet with friends in the summer and having picnics on the lawn! And my favourite thing about Oxford is how amazing the tutors are!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I love how many different modules the maths department offers! It really allows you to specialise in topics that interest you and work out which is your favourite part of maths.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
The only thing thats different is I think Oxford and student life is more fun than I expected it to be!
Max
Hometown
Richmond, London
Degree
Maths and Computer Science
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Latin.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Orchestra, College Choir and Maths outreach.
What is LMH like as a College?
I've found LMH to be a really friendly place - I've met lots of lovely people, and that includes people doing all sorts of different degrees and in different years, from my coursemates to my college family or my friends in choir. It might seem like a disadvantage, but I actually like the fact that LMH is a bit further out - it means we have our grounds, and also that you can/have to walk through Uni Parks to go places, which is always lovely.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
Other than the other students, since I've already talked about them, I'd have to say the tutors - my tutors, at LMH and elsewhere, have all been very kind and helpful, and I've definitely learnt an enormous amount more from discussing my work and asking questions in tutorials over just the lectures and doing the problem sheets.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
To me, it seems like my degree is lots of problem solving, and I really enjoy working out solutions - obviously this often takes some time, and there's sometimes a question or two that I just can't do before the tutorial, but it’s really satisfying to get a question right, because then you know you understand the material and that your hard work has paid off.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
It's definitely been busier than I expected, but that's because I always want to do more social stuff - it can be a challenge to fit it all in as well as the work, but that's because there are so many different things you can do.
Joe
Hometown
West Norfolk
Degree
Maths and Philosophy
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Psychology.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I swim competitively (and help out with the coaching at my home club as well as being a trained official), so am in the university second team, and also play and watch rugby. I also write when I have the time.
What is LMH like as a College?
For me, LMH is absolutely brilliant - a very welcoming and inclusive college with beautiful grounds. Everyone I have met, students and staff, is absolutely lovely.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing is probably the tutors, who are so incredibly supportive both on the academic side and with any other difficulties I might have.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
Beyond the overall challenge and intrigue, and the chance to press so much further into the fine details and foundations, I love studying logic and the metatheory of logical languages, which is a great example of the union between maths and philosophy.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
In some ways, yes; the sheer level of support really did take me by surprise. The workload also caught me off-guard - though I did already know that it would be a significant step up.
Jewel
Hometown
Wilmslow (Cheshire)
Degree
Medicine
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
A-level: Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
University sport teams - Hockey and Athletics [hurdles] with Varsity as a massive highlight! I am the JCR Sports Officer 20/21 and a Senior Choral scholar at LMH so involved in college Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir. I am also involved in the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU), as a College Rep from 20/21 and their Uni-wide Arts Officer for 21/22. I am the President of the Alison Brading Circle (a society of all Medics, tutors and associates at LMH) and a Pre-clinical Representative on the Primary Care Education Committee. I am also a member of a couple other Uni-wide societies: Afro-Caribbean Society (ACS), Christians in Sport (CiS) and the Oxford Scientific Society where I saw a talk by Nobel Laureate, Sir Peter Ratcliffe.
What is LMH like as a College?
Exceptionally friendly and very diverse in comparison to other colleges. It is also extremely integrative, so you can mix with different groups and make friends across the year groups. There are a number of clubs and activities to get involved with in college, from the film society to the many sports teams - something for everyone.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The fantastic opportunities available and how you are constantly surrounded by the most incredible people. Having world-class tutors genuinely believe and invest in you is amazing! Or talks from Nobel Prize winners and Covid-19 researchers who are pioneering their field; they are inspiring, relevant and influential.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
How applicable and valuable it is in life - the pandemic made this very clear. I particularly enjoy our Primary Care Teaching (aka GP training) where you get to speak with patients and relate the content you learn to real clinical examples. You also get the opportunity to undertake a research project and I was blessed to be accepted to an incredible lab doing pioneering work with Artificial Intelligence for the NHS.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Yes, I had not expected it to be so welcoming and supportive to people of colour. And though I think Oxford still has a way to go with this, it is encouraging to see departments actively look to improve their diversity and BME experience. I was also pleasantly surprised by how supportive my tutors were, they are understanding and I can speak through any concerns I have with them.
Leah
Hometown
Leamington Spa
Degree
Medicine
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Maths.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
JCR Independent Chair (Trinity Term 2021), Pink Week Digital Design Officer, Oxford Marrow Donor Recruitment Officer.
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a wonderful college and I am very glad I applied here! The grounds are gorgeous, especially in summer, and I love that people from all years are on site due to the college having enough space to accommodate everyone. The staff are very helpful, and there is a lot of support at college should you need it.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
There are too many things about LMH and Oxford that are amazing for me to be able to pick a favourite! The gardens at LMH are beautiful, the people are extremely welcoming and kind, and the tutors are extremely knowledgeable and will help you wherever they can. Oxford itself is an incredibly enriching environment, and the diverse range of lecturers that teach us exemplifies this. The city is also charming and there are always new places to explore - you'll never be stuck for what to do!
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I love studying Medicine as although it is extremely complex and there's a lot of content, it all comes together and makes sense when you look at the body as a whole. Each topic is as interesting as the previous, and no lectures are boring! The clinical applications of everything we learn is demonstrated through the wide range of patients we meet; I very much enjoy meeting new people and being able to apply my knowledge.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
It's difficult to know what to expect when you come to University as it's such a big change, but I found the open day a good way to gauge what it would be like. I also found this to be a good reflection of LMH itself, from the food at Hall to the accommodation.
Paradis
Hometown
London
Degree
Music
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Music, English Literature and French
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I was the JCR First Year Officer and I gig all the time as the singer in Garfunkel (funk band) and OUJO (Oxford University Jazz Orchestra)!
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is a warm, happy place - from the moment you walk in, there are palpable good vibes. It is a place for anyone, of any background to flourish and grow alongside other people who are passionate about learning!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is the incredible gardens that we have. They are so vast, and make a huge difference to my mental health. Especially in the summer, they are full of people and smiles, and it is a super uplifting environment to be in.
My favourite thing about Oxford is being surrounded by other likeminded, passionate individuals that are always willing to have a lot of fun.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I enjoy that my degree is entirely different to any musical studies that I had done before, and therefore I feel as though there is a fairly even academic playing field from the start. This allowed for me to not feel intimated in my first lectures because I knew that we were mostly all in the same boat.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I didn't expect to meet so many people that were as willing to have a good time as I am. There are a lot of stereotypes about Oxford students living in the library and never going out, but I was extremely glad to see that this was not the case.
Ahmad
Hometown
Birmingham
Degree
Philosophy and Theology
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
International Baccalaureate (Philosophy, Economics & Physics) at HL
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Oxford Union Standing Committee
What is LMH like as a College?
Huge but Homely! The tutors are incredibly nice!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
Like minded people + Vibes + Gardens at LMH !
What do you enjoy about your degree?
EVERYTHING! (except Logic)
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
It has been friendlier and more chill compared to what I had thought!
Luke
Hometown
Sheffield
Degree
Physics
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
Maths, Further Maths, Physics and French.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I'm the Oxford Uni Karate Club social secretary and am currently running for president so fingers crossed!
What is LMH like as a College?
One of LMH's best qualities are its gardens, being a bit further out of the centre we have loads of space, a football pitch, tennis courts and a very sociable bar.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My favourite thing about LMH is definitely the people. Everyone is really friendly and very welcoming.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I enjoy the range of subjects we get to do and the small group size. We all get on really well and help each other out, you feel like part of a team.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Coming from a state school I was very worried that oxford would be very elitist. However, when I got here nobody cared where you came from and everyone was in the same boat, getting to know each other. I've had a really good time, made some brilliant friends and couldn't imagine having gone anywhere else.
Manav
Hometown
London
Degree
Physics
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
A-Levels: Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Further Maths
AS-Levels: Latin
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Captain of Men's Badminton at LMH
What is LMH like as a College?
LMH is an incredibly relaxed college. The JCR is incredible and regularly puts on events for you, and has been doing fantastically even in lockdown, and the staff and porters are really friendly too. It's tranquil in the day (and it's distance from town centre means we don't get too many tourists), and a blast at night, which is the perfect combination for a physics workload!
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
The atmosphere as a whole. It's amazing to get up in the morning and be surrounded by a tranquil parkland, and then head into town centre to be surrounded by beautiful architecture and buildings where people have been working like you for centuries. A strong contender is there is vast array of people you get to meet: people from all over the world, doing wildly different degrees, and so you get conversations like nowhere else.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
My favourite thing about physics is how interconnected it is. You could be working in one topic, and come across something that's related to something wildly different, and at moments like that you get a glimpse of the deep structure underlying it all. This is really emphasised at Oxford - the lecturers are experts across many disciplines, and so being taught by them means you get a solid understanding of not only the subject area, but also how it fits into your degree and the universe as a whole. It also has plenty of practical work, with enough freedom to do what you enjoy. You are given a practical quota, and a huge range of options to pick from, so you can do what you really enjoy instead of slogging through things you wouldn't.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
When I first came to Oxford, I really was expecting a living stereotype - you know what I mean, everyone being an absolute snob, with terrible social skills. I honestly couldn't have been more wrong - the overwhelming impression was that I was in a place that was a wonderful cross-section of not just the British, but the global population. There is a strong international community, and the vast mixture of cultures, ideologies, interests, and experiences makes talking to people you meet in one of the many (all delightful) coffee shops something to remember, even if I couldn't see myself doing that only a couple of year ago.
Koko
Hometown
Bangkok, Thailand
Degree
PPE
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
International Baccalaureate: HL Mathematics, Physics, History, English Literature and SL Chemistry and Ab Initio Spanish.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
I am currently the JCR International Student Officer and Peer Support Coordinator. I also walk the LMH dogs a lot.
What is LMH like as a College?
Friendly and welcoming. The fact that we're not in the centre gives LMH a really strong community feel.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
My friends and the people I meet - they're really great and inspire me to be like them in different ways.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
It's highly customizable. I initially chose PPE because I wanted to study more than just one field in depth, and the course has really lived up to my expectations. In first year, you have your required foundational modules, but after that there's so much choice.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
Academically, I think it's pretty much what I expected. Socially, it's very different from what I've expected - people here are much more laidback and willing to have fun than I thought they would be!
Matthew
Hometown
Dublin
Degree
PPE
What A levels or equivalent qualifications did you do?
English, Irish, Maths, Spanish, Politics, Economics, and Biology.
What activities do you do outside of your degree?
Writing for university magazines and over-enthusiastically playing basketball on the college courts.
What is LMH like as a College?
It's welcoming; everyone is down-to-earth and friendly.
What is your favourite thing about LMH and Oxford?
I've met incredible people - they make me laugh and learn a lot.
What do you enjoy about your degree?
I get to speak seriously about silly things like time travel in my Philosophy tutorials.
Has your experience at LMH and Oxford been different to what you expected?
I didn't expect so much coffee.