October – Autumn in Oxford!
After saying I would keep up to date with these I have already fallen off the bandwagon! Let’s catch up with what happened in Oxford this October!
START OF TERM
Oxford term dates are a little bit odd, especially for a Junior Dean. My role officially began in -1st week, that’s right MINUS first week. The week before 0th (zero-eth) week, aka Fresher’s Week. Typically, right as term starts and all these new faces appear, is the time I always seem to fall sick. You just have to push through, nothing will wait for you in Oxford with the terms being as short as they are!
I started this term with some work in new libraries. I had to pop into the Oxford Union library for a specific book which I could access as a member of the Union. I also had to go to the Gladstone Link – not exactly the most scenic library in Oxford – but I am working on a book that can’t leave the Bodleian, so I might as well do it near the collection site and be finished with it!
I also did some productive work at home this week – whilst enjoying a childhood favourite film. It rather reminds me of my PhD actually… I’ll have to watch Spirit Stallion of the Cimmarron next, that definitely has the vibe of my PhD!
This week, I’ve been pushing to attend lots of karate classes, and I’ve been managing twice a week at the minute. Others certainly do a lot more, but with everything else going on I’m happy to go twice a week! It really helps mentally as well as physically – you can’t stress or think of anything else when you’re doing karate.
I’ve also found a new hobby, which I’m sure will shortly become a new obsession! My fiance got me into Space Marine 2, the video game, and now I have a small collection of tiny space marines on my desk, which I’m sure will grow into a small army!
FRESHER’S WEEK
Fresher’s week is an interesting time in Oxford. As a third year student, I’ve been involved in fresher’s week first as a fresher myself, then in the role of Junior Dean, and this term I’ve been seeing it through the lens of a Junior Dean and also as a sports captain. There are an awful lot of inductions, wellbeing talks, Q&As, and other events to attend. Some of these were Junior Dean related, others were in my department as part of my role as a JCC representative. I also had shooting meetings for Captains and committee to organise this term’s events. The committee even had a factory visit to Lyalvale to see how our cartridges are made! Fresher’s week was definitely a blur, running between events!
1ST WEEK
First week is when classes officially start for the undergrad and taught students. As a research DPhil, my day-to-day studying isn’t directly affected by this structure, but talks, events, Junior Dean responsibilities, sports and more are shaped by the university term schedule.
I had a supervisor meeting this week that went really well. I’m giving a presentation soon to my lab group, summarising my entire second chapter and progress, which I’m working hard on and really looking forward to presenting! It’s on November 1st!
As Junior Dean, this week I had two formal dinners in a single week, where I was attending in my role as Junior Dean. We also had the Matriculation ceremony on the Saturday, where students are led from college down to the Sheldonian Theatre in time for their ceremony!
On the side, I had an amazing opportunity to photograph the Oxford Dodo – a famous and unique specimen, where soft tissue has been preserved on the skull! I was able to ask all the questions I had to the amazing members of staff who got this amazing specimen out for me to photograph. I’m hoping to write an article for one of the student papers on this incredible piece of history that’s right on our doorstep. In a terrible twist, when I got home, my SD card (the same one I took to Yellowstone) was completely dead! I have absolutely no idea what happened, or why it corrupted, but all the photos were lost! I’m hoping to arrange another trip into the museum to get some new photos, but I’ll remember all the information I was told and hopefully start writing that article soon!
2ND WEEK
Now the chaos of Fresher’s week and first week is over, term begins to find its rhythm. It’s also when classes at the Language Centre begin, and I am continuing my study of the Fast Track French course – now on level 4+5 (out of 6). This term, the only option for class was an online format, so it felt rather different to set up my laptop in my flat and have a class at home, but I actually very much enjoyed it!
We also had our first Have a Go session at the shooting club! Open for complete beginners who registered their interest. It’s fantastic to see shooting getting so much attention and I hope everyone sticks around for more training!
3RD WEEK
I’ll stop writing about 3rd week on Thursday, and start my next entry on November 1st!
The BUCS deadline for shooting has come early this year, and it was certainly quite a time suck to get everything ready and organised in time for the deadline! But it looks like we have enough ladies for a decent team, and the makings of a first and second Varsity team for next term!
On Wednesday, I attended a rather spontaneous formal swap with students from Wadham college! I have a goal to attend as many formals in as many colleges as possible, and Wadham is one I haven’t yet attended! The night was absolutely lovely and the food was brilliant! Food at St Hugh’s was also noteworthy this week as we had a Diwali Dinner and the catering team go all out in the decoration of the hall to celebrate!
The last day of October was a really wonderful day – studying beavers at the Oxford Union, getting some new miniatures from the Warhammer shop, doing some Christmas shopping, having my first Missing Bean coffee (I’ve been here for 5 years and never had a Missing Bean coffee!) and having a lovely Diwali dinner! The evening ended with Flapjack sitting on my lap until it was time to carry her to bed – she really is spoilt!
