Studying Physics at Oxford (2025) - offer holder advice

I have recieved an offer to study at Oxford which is so awesome. I would really appreciate some advice or feedback on what the experience is like. I'll give some context to my background.
Over the past year I have spent so much time obsessing over random Isaac Phyics and Olympiad questions. The satisfaction recieved from solving these problems is so peculiar especially considering how frustrating some of them have been. However, overall the whole PAT, ESAT revision has honestly been fun for me: the excuse to ditch A-level studies and puzzle impossible problems is weirdly a blessing. It feels so strange that the achievement associated with gold awards / high scores feels comparatively small to the individual achievement of a correct answer on a difficult problem.
Ever since recieving my offer I can't stop thinking about whether I'll enjoy the experience, whether I'm strong enough etc. etc. but looking at module lists seeing reading list prep for the summer to prelearn tonnes of cool physics equally excites me. I have an engineering/physics placement for a few months over the summer but outside of this I'm excited to spend time doing things like binging the feynman lectures and classical mechanical textbooks. If anyone has any recomendations for reading material that would be really appreciated.
Most of all though, I would like to know about what is it really like to study at Oxford. Things like: is it fun? Is it really almost impossible? How much free time does one get? What level work is required to achieve strong test scores to get a first? What can I expect from the offer holder day? What is social life like in college? And anything else you might be able to advise.

I have recieved an offer to study at Oxford which is so awesome. I would really appreciate some advice or feedback on what the experience is like. I'll give some context to my background.
Over the past year I have spent so much time obsessing over random Isaac Phyics and Olympiad questions. The satisfaction recieved from solving these problems is so peculiar especially considering how frustrating some of them have been. However, overall the whole PAT, ESAT revision has honestly been fun for me: the excuse to ditch A-level studies and puzzle impossible problems is weirdly a blessing. It feels so strange that the achievement associated with gold awards / high scores feels comparatively small to the individual achievement of a correct answer on a difficult problem.
Ever since recieving my offer I can't stop thinking about whether I'll enjoy the experience, whether I'm strong enough etc. etc. but looking at module lists seeing reading list prep for the summer to prelearn tonnes of cool physics equally excites me. I have an engineering/physics placement for a few months over the summer but outside of this I'm excited to spend time doing things like binging the feynman lectures and classical mechanical textbooks. If anyone has any recomendations for reading material that would be really appreciated.
Most of all though, I would like to know about what is it really like to study at Oxford. Things like: is it fun? Is it really almost impossible? How much free time does one get? What level work is required to achieve strong test scores to get a first? What can I expect from the offer holder day? What is social life like in college? And anything else you might be able to advise.

Cant answer many of the questions but
https://www.google.com/search?q=University+Physics+with+Modern+Physics+Young+Freedman
is well regarded/readable and is useful as advanced a level reading as well as year 1 physics stuff. Theres the odd pdf kicking round, but Id fork out for a paper copy ~45 quid and read it, scribble on it, use as a coffee coaster/doorstop etc.
And (edited) congratulations and I doubt youll be the only one with imposter syndrome.

Thank you! I'll purchase one of those and have a read over the summer. Seen as there is a large amount of mathematics, would you recommend any mathematics for physics textbooks for pre reading / first year reading or does the one you linked have most of the mathematical tools introduced anyways?

I got an offer too, and I'm already grappling with imposter syndrome before I even get there. Wondering how I'm going to cope being nearer the bottom of the cohort when I've only ever known being at the top. It's a little bit scary. Any advice from anyone would be appreciated.

Thank you! I'll purchase one of those and have a read over the summer. Seen as there is a large amount of mathematics, would you recommend any mathematics for physics textbooks for pre reading / first year reading or does the one you linked have most of the mathematical tools introduced anyways?

I have recieved an offer to study at Oxford which is so awesome. I would really appreciate some advice or feedback on what the experience is like. I'll give some context to my background.
Over the past year I have spent so much time obsessing over random Isaac Phyics and Olympiad questions. The satisfaction recieved from solving these problems is so peculiar especially considering how frustrating some of them have been. However, overall the whole PAT, ESAT revision has honestly been fun for me: the excuse to ditch A-level studies and puzzle impossible problems is weirdly a blessing. It feels so strange that the achievement associated with gold awards / high scores feels comparatively small to the individual achievement of a correct answer on a difficult problem.
Ever since recieving my offer I can't stop thinking about whether I'll enjoy the experience, whether I'm strong enough etc. etc. but looking at module lists seeing reading list prep for the summer to prelearn tonnes of cool physics equally excites me. I have an engineering/physics placement for a few months over the summer but outside of this I'm excited to spend time doing things like binging the feynman lectures and classical mechanical textbooks. If anyone has any recomendations for reading material that would be really appreciated.
Most of all though, I would like to know about what is it really like to study at Oxford. Things like: is it fun? Is it really almost impossible? How much free time does one get? What level work is required to achieve strong test scores to get a first? What can I expect from the offer holder day? What is social life like in college? And anything else you might be able to advise.

which college? only because balliol has that insane professor lukas who sets them extra problem sheets on top of the fac ones and makes them feel terrible about themselves. merton also gets extra problem sheets but i hear shek (their prof) is really lovely!
a lot of my friends do physics and they do enjoy it? it is very hard work and you should probably get over feeling smart but that can be really nice! if you genuinely love your subject which it sounds like you do go for it just be prepared to not sleep.

No actual knowledge of oxford/physics, but
https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/physics-reading-list
Riley et als book mentioned by cactus sounds like the main maths book.
Tbh, Id put the effort in for your actual a levels and make sure you meet the offer. Dont go into oxford cold, but theres no need to have worked 24/7 over the summer either. So delve a bit deeper into some maths / physics (for fun?) over the summer and enjoy your time (work hard) at oxford.

I have recieved an offer to study at Oxford which is so awesome. I would really appreciate some advice or feedback on what the experience is like. I'll give some context to my background.
Over the past year I have spent so much time obsessing over random Isaac Phyics and Olympiad questions. The satisfaction recieved from solving these problems is so peculiar especially considering how frustrating some of them have been. However, overall the whole PAT, ESAT revision has honestly been fun for me: the excuse to ditch A-level studies and puzzle impossible problems is weirdly a blessing. It feels so strange that the achievement associated with gold awards / high scores feels comparatively small to the individual achievement of a correct answer on a difficult problem.
Ever since recieving my offer I can't stop thinking about whether I'll enjoy the experience, whether I'm strong enough etc. etc. but looking at module lists seeing reading list prep for the summer to prelearn tonnes of cool physics equally excites me. I have an engineering/physics placement for a few months over the summer but outside of this I'm excited to spend time doing things like binging the feynman lectures and classical mechanical textbooks. If anyone has any recomendations for reading material that would be really appreciated.
Most of all though, I would like to know about what is it really like to study at Oxford. Things like: is it fun? Is it really almost impossible? How much free time does one get? What level work is required to achieve strong test scores to get a first? What can I expect from the offer holder day? What is social life like in college? And anything else you might be able to advise.

I have recieved an offer to study at Oxford which is so awesome. I would really appreciate some advice or feedback on what the experience is like. I'll give some context to my background.
Over the past year I have spent so much time obsessing over random Isaac Phyics and Olympiad questions. The satisfaction recieved from solving these problems is so peculiar especially considering how frustrating some of them have been. However, overall the whole PAT, ESAT revision has honestly been fun for me: the excuse to ditch A-level studies and puzzle impossible problems is weirdly a blessing. It feels so strange that the achievement associated with gold awards / high scores feels comparatively small to the individual achievement of a correct answer on a difficult problem.
Ever since recieving my offer I can't stop thinking about whether I'll enjoy the experience, whether I'm strong enough etc. etc. but looking at module lists seeing reading list prep for the summer to prelearn tonnes of cool physics equally excites me. I have an engineering/physics placement for a few months over the summer but outside of this I'm excited to spend time doing things like binging the feynman lectures and classical mechanical textbooks. If anyone has any recomendations for reading material that would be really appreciated.
Most of all though, I would like to know about what is it really like to study at Oxford. Things like: is it fun? Is it really almost impossible? How much free time does one get? What level work is required to achieve strong test scores to get a first? What can I expect from the offer holder day? What is social life like in college? And anything else you might be able to advise.