I haven’t felt this happy in years!!! :DDD

I’m in Year 12 and have been struggling a lot with anxiety and depression lately, and things have been tough. But this week, during half term, I had the chance to attend a History taster lecture at Keble College, Oxford, and I stayed there with my mum for a few days.
I've always been really drawn to the course at Oxford, and Keble had always interestedme, so I thought it might be a good fit. I went in feeling excited, but also a little anxious. I was worried that, because of its reputation for being prestigious, the environment would feel uncomfortable or abnormal, and that I’d feel out of place as a state school student.
But I can’t even begin to express how peaceful and happy I felt while I was at Oxford, especially at Keble. I honestly didn’t feel out of place at all. If anything, it felt like the most at home I’ve felt in a long time.
I don’t want to ramble on too much, but I just got back home and I’m lying in bed crying, because after months of feeling mostly sadness and anxiety with only occasional moments of happiness, the past three days have been the calmest and happiest I’ve felt in what feels like forever.
Now, I’m so motivated to get the predicted grades I need so I can apply. Not because of the prestige or employability or anything like that, but because I just want to be back at Keble, where I truly felt like myself. I want to spend more time exploring that incredible city and its museums, feeling that peace again.
Sorry if this is random, I just needed to get it off my chest.

@Stiffy Byng studied BA History at Wadham College, Oxford in the early 1980s and is now a successful Barrister. She might be able to offer you some advice. 😉
However, don't set your heart on Keble College, Oxford as you will have interviews with 2 or even 3 different colleges and 1 in 4 applicants end up being made an offer from a different cyollege. ☹️
I wonder what you achieved in your GCSEs? Are you studying A-Levels? IB? Highers? If so which subjects?
You will also need a decent performance in the HAT test. 🙂

@Stiffy Byng studied BA History at Wadham College, Oxford in the early 1980s and is now a successful Barrister. She might be able to offer you some advice. 😉
However, don't set your heart on Keble College, Oxford as you will have interviews with 2 or even 3 different colleges and 1 in 4 applicants end up being made an offer from a different cyollege. ☹️
I wonder what you achieved in your GCSEs? Are you studying A-Levels? IB? Highers? If so which subjects?
You will also need a decent performance in the HAT test. 🙂

I’m in Year 12 and have been struggling a lot with anxiety and depression lately, and things have been tough. But this week, during half term, I had the chance to attend a History taster lecture at Keble College, Oxford, and I stayed there with my mum for a few days.
I've always been really drawn to the course at Oxford, and Keble had always interestedme, so I thought it might be a good fit. I went in feeling excited, but also a little anxious. I was worried that, because of its reputation for being prestigious, the environment would feel uncomfortable or abnormal, and that I’d feel out of place as a state school student.
But I can’t even begin to express how peaceful and happy I felt while I was at Oxford, especially at Keble. I honestly didn’t feel out of place at all. If anything, it felt like the most at home I’ve felt in a long time.
I don’t want to ramble on too much, but I just got back home and I’m lying in bed crying, because after months of feeling mostly sadness and anxiety with only occasional moments of happiness, the past three days have been the calmest and happiest I’ve felt in what feels like forever.
Now, I’m so motivated to get the predicted grades I need so I can apply. Not because of the prestige or employability or anything like that, but because I just want to be back at Keble, where I truly felt like myself. I want to spend more time exploring that incredible city and its museums, feeling that peace again.
Sorry if this is random, I just needed to get it off my chest.

I’m aware of this, I just really enjoyed myself at Keble. 😆
I achieved 9888777776 at GCSE (9 is in History) and I’m currently studying History, English and Biology A-levels.
Also, yes they were talking about the HAT and the written work yesterday, so I am aware of this.
I’m aware that I may be setting myself for disappointment, since I’m unlikely to even get interviewed for Oxford, nevermind accepted. I just really really enjoyed myself, and I’m glad my History teacher (who went to Oxford) encouraged me to go cause he thought I’d be a good fit.

And honestly, even if I did get rejected by Oxford it’s not a big deal. There are other universities that I really liked.
I just really love the area, and I hope that one day I just get to go there again and live there 😆 Even if I’m not at the university. I just felt so calm and frankly I want to feel that relief again.

Plus, I looked at some of the other colleges and they all seem lovely! I just really really liked Keble and hope I could get into it.

Have several practice interviews with your History Oxonian teacher!!! 🙂

Yes, there are over 30 colleges to choose from and Oxford is just so beautiful. I will be applying for Law at St.John's College, Oxford in October 2027 and will sit A-Level Maths next in June and A-Level Further Maths, French and Spanish the following summer. I can't stress how important it is to "think aloud" during the interviews, since it is much like a tutorial with the Professors. Also, you will need a high score in the HAT to be shortlisted for an interview. 🙂

I absolutely love History but I didn't take it as a GCSE. Really hope you get in!

You seem passionate about History and so should write a 'stellar' UCAS Personal Statement for Oxford. 🙂

I hope so. There still lots of things I want to do to prepare for it, but I have a feeling I’ll end up with too many things I want to write about. 😂 I feel like less is probably more, but it’s hard to pick just a few topics to discuss when I’m interested in so many things!!!