I envy Oxford students so much!
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Original post by Mick Travis
Sorry, but I do. Maybe I wasn't clever enough to get in. Or maybe I just didn't work hard enough. However I would love to have gone to Oxford rather than to some mediocre institution. Yes, I know by mediocre I'm referring to a university that 80-90% of people aren't able to go to, but so what? It isn't the best. Oxford is for the elite and I wasn't there.
It's hard-wired into British culture - particularly amongst the middle classes - that only Oxbridge matters - other Universities are nothing special. That's not really an intellectual point (the British aren't that keen on brains) it's more about the beauty, history and cultivation that Oxford is supposed to possess. It's also about our perfectionism, we are quite hard on ourselves. Anything less than the best(?) is a bit pointless.
I reckon I would have been happy at Oxford, although the workload and some intimidatingly bright peers might have tested me to the limit. I'm easily infuriated by the very cerebral. Still at the time I wanted to go to some big city and have a crazy party for three years. A bit embarrassing now I think about it and a waste of three years. But you live and learn I guess.
It's hard-wired into British culture - particularly amongst the middle classes - that only Oxbridge matters - other Universities are nothing special. That's not really an intellectual point (the British aren't that keen on brains) it's more about the beauty, history and cultivation that Oxford is supposed to possess. It's also about our perfectionism, we are quite hard on ourselves. Anything less than the best(?) is a bit pointless.
I reckon I would have been happy at Oxford, although the workload and some intimidatingly bright peers might have tested me to the limit. I'm easily infuriated by the very cerebral. Still at the time I wanted to go to some big city and have a crazy party for three years. A bit embarrassing now I think about it and a waste of three years. But you live and learn I guess.
I think that's just plain incorrect.
Original post by Picnic1
Mick, you have bought in to the fantasy of what Oxford is supposed to be like. Have you even visited it? You don't see C S Lewis and Tolkien sipping ale in a smoke filled pub you know. And you see mostly nondescript students - they don't try hard to look nice during the day. They probably feel that they don't need to - their potential partners are Oxford students. They think that they have it made. They mostly lack even that loosely entertaining sense of 'rahness' that might make going to those universities like Durham a little bit interesting.
And the buildings... photos make Oxford look like it is dominated by honey coloured, ivy crept colleges. But Oxford doesn't actually feel like that at all. Most of the colleges have a very similar appearance to them which makes it a duller experience than visiting Cambridge colleges. Basically, a typical Oxford college looks like a blueprint for every redbrick university that came along perhaps centuries later - except for the Bodelian library and the Hertford Bridge which looks like some badly fitting pastiche of Vienna. (By comparison, a typical Cambridge college might look like a castle, stately home or cathedral with some exceptional exterior detail). To be fair, Oxford may have some good INTERIOR detail in places. The stone that Oxford colleges are made from and the busier environment results in some colleges having crumbled in places.
Basically the students at Oxford seem to keep their head down a lot. A lot of them are probably just great workshorses. Personally, I would find their quiet reticance (which I am capable of but rely on people to draw me out) to be depressing and the city itself to be as well. I'm someone who'd want to strike up a conversation about the merits of The Doors over The Beatles and I think that it could be like looking for a needle in a haystack- particularly when the said university wouldn't be interested in studying popular music as an art in its own right - and I would unfairly be looked upon as a working class person with ideas above their station unless I fit in to the cliques and academic cliches that being an 'Oxbridge mind' requires.
And the buildings... photos make Oxford look like it is dominated by honey coloured, ivy crept colleges. But Oxford doesn't actually feel like that at all. Most of the colleges have a very similar appearance to them which makes it a duller experience than visiting Cambridge colleges. Basically, a typical Oxford college looks like a blueprint for every redbrick university that came along perhaps centuries later - except for the Bodelian library and the Hertford Bridge which looks like some badly fitting pastiche of Vienna. (By comparison, a typical Cambridge college might look like a castle, stately home or cathedral with some exceptional exterior detail). To be fair, Oxford may have some good INTERIOR detail in places. The stone that Oxford colleges are made from and the busier environment results in some colleges having crumbled in places.
Basically the students at Oxford seem to keep their head down a lot. A lot of them are probably just great workshorses. Personally, I would find their quiet reticance (which I am capable of but rely on people to draw me out) to be depressing and the city itself to be as well. I'm someone who'd want to strike up a conversation about the merits of The Doors over The Beatles and I think that it could be like looking for a needle in a haystack- particularly when the said university wouldn't be interested in studying popular music as an art in its own right - and I would unfairly be looked upon as a working class person with ideas above their station unless I fit in to the cliques and academic cliches that being an 'Oxbridge mind' requires.
So many generalisations in that post; but you said to the other user "Have you even visited it?"
Why don't you ask yourself that?
Original post by Picnic1
the Hertford Bridge which looks like some badly fitting pastiche of Vienna
Is that because it links the Schonbrunn Palace to the Palazzo San Marco?
Original post by Wick3d
Watch Junior Doctors on BBC3 and you'll realise that going to Oxbridge doesn't count for s***. 
The worst doctor on the show by far, is the chick who went to Oxbridge.
The worst doctor on the show by far, is the chick who went to Oxbridge.
Amazing that you can judge how good a doctor is from a few short clips on a highly edited TV show.
Original post by im so academic
So many generalisations in that post; but you said to the other user "Have you even visited it?"
Why don't you ask yourself that?
Why don't you ask yourself that?
I have visited Oxford once- and I have visited Cambridge once.
Original post by SophiaKeuning
You have a narrow, pretentious view of life. Euch. Everything life means to you is academics, profession and prestige, sad creature.
How does wanting to be successful make you a "sad creature"? You need to stop trying to make yourself feel better by dismissing the qualities you so obviously lack.... also, inb4 cliche replies about how academics arn't everything and success means many different things.
Original post by Wick3d
Watch Junior Doctors on BBC3 and you'll realise that going to Oxbridge doesn't count for s***.
The worst doctor on the show by far, is the chick who went to Oxbridge.
The worst doctor on the show by far, is the chick who went to Oxbridge.
Yes, because you with your doubtless expert knowledge are in a good position to judge how "good" a doctor is.
(edited 13 years ago)
Original post by SophiaKeuning
Original post by SophiaKeuning
You have a narrow, pretentious view of life. Euch. Everything life means to you is academics, profession and prestige, sad creature.
OK, Goddess of all Knowledge, what is the meaning of life then?
It's quite annoying to see so many misconceptions about Oxford. I don't class myself lucky to go to Oxford, it's nothing to do with luck it's just an achievement for the hard work I put in. I don't come from the generic background - like quite a few other Oxford students. I do however class myself lucky to go university, and be given the chance to gain a qualification.
Time for some fun... 
Yes, I'm sure that if you worked harder you may have achieved the desired grades. But you didn't and you can only blame yourself for that one. Plus that's not all it takes. Grades alone won't get you anywhere.
You mean every other institution apart from Oxford is mediocre? Really? There are plenty of departments at other institutions which are far better than Oxford.
Not a fan of Cambridge then?
No it isn't. It's only hard-wired into the minority of snobs. No one with any common sense would deem every other university crap. How many times have you heard this conversation:
A: So where did you go to university?
B: Oh I went to Durham.
A: Oh. Well. That's...nice. Were you not good enough for Oxford or Cambridge?
B: I don't know I never applied.
A: Oh my goodness. How absurd.
So the British are a bunch of shallow airheads but they think anyone who hasn't been to Oxford is a thicko? Well, that just makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
The British? Perfectionists? Wait, what? Are you sure you're talking about the right place here?
I disagree. I think you would've been happy for about a week and then misery would set in when you realise you were only there for the sake of prestige and you couldn't care less about what you're studying. But hey, people will love you once you graduate so who the hell cares, hey? You'll get a job straight away and you'll get lots of money. You'll get the girls. You'll live in a 7 bedroom house with a butler and you'll own 5 cars. At least in your dreams of the future. But when you actually came to graduate you would have quickly found out that's just not true because you'll be one of those students who thinks that saying 'I went to Oxford' will get you everything in life when you have no life experience at all.
Why? Can't you understand what they're saying?
Anyone who thinks university is all one big party is living in a bubble and, well, I see that bubble has now burst. Well done for not thinking things through and being one of the countless numbers of people giving students a bad name. I salute you.
Original post by Mick Travis
Sorry, but I do. Maybe I wasn't clever enough to get in. Or maybe I just didn't work hard enough.
Yes, I'm sure that if you worked harder you may have achieved the desired grades. But you didn't and you can only blame yourself for that one. Plus that's not all it takes. Grades alone won't get you anywhere.
However I would love to have gone to Oxford rather than to some mediocre institution.
You mean every other institution apart from Oxford is mediocre? Really? There are plenty of departments at other institutions which are far better than Oxford.
Yes, I know by mediocre I'm referring to a university that 80-90% of people aren't able to go to, but so what? It isn't the best. Oxford is for the elite and I wasn't there.
Not a fan of Cambridge then?
It's hard-wired into British culture - particularly amongst the middle classes - that only Oxbridge matters - other Universities are nothing special.
No it isn't. It's only hard-wired into the minority of snobs. No one with any common sense would deem every other university crap. How many times have you heard this conversation:
A: So where did you go to university?
B: Oh I went to Durham.
A: Oh. Well. That's...nice. Were you not good enough for Oxford or Cambridge?
B: I don't know I never applied.
A: Oh my goodness. How absurd.
That's not really an intellectual point (the British aren't that keen on brains) it's more about the beauty, history and cultivation that Oxford is supposed to possess.
So the British are a bunch of shallow airheads but they think anyone who hasn't been to Oxford is a thicko? Well, that just makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
It's also about our perfectionism, we are quite hard on ourselves. Anything less than the best(?) is a bit pointless.
The British? Perfectionists? Wait, what? Are you sure you're talking about the right place here?
I reckon I would have been happy at Oxford, although the workload and some intimidatingly bright peers might have tested me to the limit.
I disagree. I think you would've been happy for about a week and then misery would set in when you realise you were only there for the sake of prestige and you couldn't care less about what you're studying. But hey, people will love you once you graduate so who the hell cares, hey? You'll get a job straight away and you'll get lots of money. You'll get the girls. You'll live in a 7 bedroom house with a butler and you'll own 5 cars. At least in your dreams of the future. But when you actually came to graduate you would have quickly found out that's just not true because you'll be one of those students who thinks that saying 'I went to Oxford' will get you everything in life when you have no life experience at all.
I'm easily infuriated by the very cerebral.
Why? Can't you understand what they're saying?
Still at the time I wanted to go to some big city and have a crazy party for three years. A bit embarrassing now I think about it and a waste of three years. But you live and learn I guess.
Anyone who thinks university is all one big party is living in a bubble and, well, I see that bubble has now burst. Well done for not thinking things through and being one of the countless numbers of people giving students a bad name. I salute you.
Original post by im so academic
One doctor from Cambridge =/= Cambridge is ****
Did I say that? No, I was merely saying that not everyone who attends Oxbridge is amazing and can succeed in the real world, but that they tend to have a better chance to.
Original post by aeterno
x
Quoted for truth - one of the few rational posts in this thread ...
Original post by im so academic
Define "special", as, generally speaking, Oxbridge students are the crème de la crème.
say that when you're doing your a levels.
Original post by im so academic
Define "special", as, generally speaking, Oxbridge students are the crème de la crème.
25 students in my year have been accepted into Oxbridge. Of those 25 I'd only rate one person as truly "special" (i.e. He is extremely intelligent and passionate in his subjects and has a personality and attitude that will get him very far in life). The rest are very clever and intelligent people but they are by no means "special". And you forget that the London uni's have the pick of the very best international students (LSE's international undergrads make up 50% of the whole undergrad population).
I was originally gonna post on here just to do some casual Cambridge > Oxford banter, but then again boat race and all that so... better not. However reading the posts thought I'd stick my oar in.
There are two misconceptions about Oxbridge: the first one is that they are the be-all-and-end-all of good education and career prospects. Clearly they're not. Then there's the other side: that Oxbridge are somehow 'declining'. Oxbridge are here to stay, no other UK university in our lifetimes will be worth as much as Oxford or Cambridge on a CV generally speaking (and that includes Imperial/Warwick for maths). They are amazing for many good reasons, from straight ol' history to the huge amount of money the colleges sit on and have to play around with as well as the universities themselves.
Oxbridge has a work mentality which is unique. No other UK university has the short terms, the short deadlines and in turn the incredible facilities that are in place to support those hard-working individuals. 114 libraries for Cambridge alone including a copy-library and some of the best specialist libraries in the world, I'm sure the figure for Oxford is similarly spectacular.
You go to Oxbridge, you go to university with many normal smart people like you do at other universities, you also go to university with some of the people who will change tomorrow's world, as you would at any other good university. But there are more of the latter at Oxbridge because that incredible work-hard-play-hard mentality is enstilled in such a way that it will for a long time yet be worth an awful lot on your CV.
In terms of the OP's point though, there are many amazing universities in the UK. Undergrad is just the start though, you can always come back to Oxbridge later.
There are two misconceptions about Oxbridge: the first one is that they are the be-all-and-end-all of good education and career prospects. Clearly they're not. Then there's the other side: that Oxbridge are somehow 'declining'. Oxbridge are here to stay, no other UK university in our lifetimes will be worth as much as Oxford or Cambridge on a CV generally speaking (and that includes Imperial/Warwick for maths). They are amazing for many good reasons, from straight ol' history to the huge amount of money the colleges sit on and have to play around with as well as the universities themselves.
Oxbridge has a work mentality which is unique. No other UK university has the short terms, the short deadlines and in turn the incredible facilities that are in place to support those hard-working individuals. 114 libraries for Cambridge alone including a copy-library and some of the best specialist libraries in the world, I'm sure the figure for Oxford is similarly spectacular.
You go to Oxbridge, you go to university with many normal smart people like you do at other universities, you also go to university with some of the people who will change tomorrow's world, as you would at any other good university. But there are more of the latter at Oxbridge because that incredible work-hard-play-hard mentality is enstilled in such a way that it will for a long time yet be worth an awful lot on your CV.
In terms of the OP's point though, there are many amazing universities in the UK. Undergrad is just the start though, you can always come back to Oxbridge later.
Original post by Mick Travis
Sorry, but I do. Maybe I wasn't clever enough to get in. Or maybe I just didn't work hard enough. However I would love to have gone to Oxford rather than to some mediocre institution. Yes, I know by mediocre I'm referring to a university that 80-90% of people aren't able to go to, but so what? It isn't the best. Oxford is for the elite and I wasn't there.
It's hard-wired into British culture - particularly amongst the middle classes - that only Oxbridge matters - other Universities are nothing special. That's not really an intellectual point (the British aren't that keen on brains) it's more about the beauty, history and cultivation that Oxford is supposed to possess. It's also about our perfectionism, we are quite hard on ourselves. Anything less than the best(?) is a bit pointless.
I reckon I would have been happy at Oxford, although the workload and some intimidatingly bright peers might have tested me to the limit. I'm easily infuriated by the very cerebral. Still at the time I wanted to go to some big city and have a crazy party for three years. A bit embarrassing now I think about it and a waste of three years. But you live and learn I guess.
It's hard-wired into British culture - particularly amongst the middle classes - that only Oxbridge matters - other Universities are nothing special. That's not really an intellectual point (the British aren't that keen on brains) it's more about the beauty, history and cultivation that Oxford is supposed to possess. It's also about our perfectionism, we are quite hard on ourselves. Anything less than the best(?) is a bit pointless.
I reckon I would have been happy at Oxford, although the workload and some intimidatingly bright peers might have tested me to the limit. I'm easily infuriated by the very cerebral. Still at the time I wanted to go to some big city and have a crazy party for three years. A bit embarrassing now I think about it and a waste of three years. But you live and learn I guess.
Oh my god, I so agree with you!
I'm in year 11 at the moment but I went on a few school visits to Cambridge, and I NEED to go there, I don't care if it's not the best university for my course, Oxbridge is Oxbridge. I want to be able to say I went to Cambridge
I mean, I just can't bear not getting in, even if I go to Imperial or something I would probably be sad that I didn't want to be there and wanted to be at Cambridge instead
My current aim in life is to get into Cambridge, let's see how it goes
Original post by Achajecki
How does wanting to be successful make you a "sad creature"? You need to stop trying to make yourself feel better by dismissing the qualities you so obviously lack.... also, inb4 cliche replies about how academics arn't everything and success means many different things.
It's not wanting to be successful that makes him sad, it's the doting on the prestige of Oxford that does. I just find it awful that some people build their lives around prestige, the thing they hold so dear is top academics and a top profession, with a top house, etc... to me it just seems sad, that's all I'm saying. I wasn't making myself feel better with what I said.
I don't feel sad that I'm not going to Oxford, sillyness. Can you understand why someone wouldn't feel sad because of that? Or is it completely incomprehensible to you? Like I said, there's more to life than education.Original post by therealOG
25 students in my year have been accepted into Oxbridge. Of those 25 I'd only rate one person as truly "special" (i.e. He is extremely intelligent and passionate in his subjects and has a personality and attitude that will get him very far in life). The rest are very clever and intelligent people but they are by no means "special". And you forget that the London uni's have the pick of the very best international students (LSE's international undergrads make up 50% of the whole undergrad population).
25?! What school do you go to, Colchester Royal Grammar?
Original post by Refrigerator
25?! What school do you go to, Colchester Royal Grammar?
No. And I'm not telling you which school I go to. But it is a state grammar school
Why do you envy them so much?
The media may have messed with your mind.
Incidentally, many Oxbridgers waste away after having achieved 2:1s and descend into being nobodies....
The media may have messed with your mind.
Incidentally, many Oxbridgers waste away after having achieved 2:1s and descend into being nobodies....
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