The Student Room Group

Dropped out of Oxbridge?

How many of you have or know someone whos dropped out and gone somewhere else? any particular reason and what are your/their thoughts since? its just that im considering doing so, and would appreciate another perspective on the whole thing.
essentially, if you turned out just as good at your subject at a different uni, do you think youd still be at a big disadvantage, because its not oxbridge?
any opinions much welcome..

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Reply 1
I know someone who dropped out of Cambridge maths because they found it too hard.
Reply 2
I know a lawyer who dropped out of Oxford after xmas. He wasn't really keeping up with the pace of things (he had the ability, but couldn't be bothered) and I think it was suggested to him that he left.
My maths teacher chose Leeds over Oxford cos he thought he'd have a better time.

He did!
Reply 4
Phonicsdude
My maths teacher chose Leeds over Oxford cos he thought he'd have a better time.

He did!

How can he say that he had a better time in leeds if he hasn't studied at them both?
Reply 5
I have met someone who dropped out of Engineering at oxford and she went to Newcastle the next year. My Dad knows someone who dropped out of Physics at Oxford and he went to Manchester the next year.
Reply 6
thanks for your replies, people. keep them coming
Reply 7
sezchwarn
How many of you have or know someone whos dropped out and gone somewhere else? any particular reason and what are your/their thoughts since? its just that im considering doing so, and would appreciate another perspective on the whole thing.
essentially, if you turned out just as good at your subject at a different uni, do you think youd still be at a big disadvantage, because its not oxbridge?
any opinions much welcome..

I hate to ask the obvious question but I just gotta... Why are you thinking about dropping out? What specifically, I mean?
Reply 8
I know a guy who dropped out so he could go to the Royal College of Music instead (he was doing Law)

I also know 2 people who dropped out because they weren't really confident enough about the work.

Same reasons anyone drops out, really...
Reply 9
I'm not an oxbridge student, but I've had considerable experience here in the states with people transfering universities... A lot of the time they've mistaken other problems in their life (such as homesickness, culture shock, long-distance boyfriends and so on) for a dislike of the university that they're at. So before you make the decision to transfer somewhere else, I'd advise you consider two things: 1) Whether you're unhappy because of the university you're at or something more general and 2) Whether you'd actually be happier at another uni.

Plus, it seems like it's a lot harder to receive credit for time attended at UK universities, but maybe i'm wrong there.

Most of happiness is making good with what you have; I think lots of my friends (sadly) didn't realize that until too late.

Anyway, I'll let people more qualified answer you. I just thought I'd throw in my two cents. (American! uh oh!)
sezchwarn
How many of you have or know someone whos dropped out and gone somewhere else? any particular reason and what are your/their thoughts since? its just that im considering doing so, and would appreciate another perspective on the whole thing.
essentially, if you turned out just as good at your subject at a different uni, do you think youd still be at a big disadvantage, because its not oxbridge?
any opinions much welcome..

I know someone who transferred from Cantabulous to Edinburgh (doing English) because the amount of work was a bit pointless.
zoraster
I'm not an oxbridge student, but I've had considerable experience here in the states with people transfering universities... A lot of the time they've mistaken other problems in their life (such as homesickness, culture shock, long-distance boyfriends and so on) for a dislike of the university that they're at. So before you make the decision to transfer somewhere else, I'd advise you consider two things: 1) Whether you're unhappy because of the university you're at or something more general and 2) Whether you'd actually be happier at another uni.

Plus, it seems like it's a lot harder to receive credit for time attended at UK universities, but maybe i'm wrong there.

Most of happiness is making good with what you have; I think lots of my friends (sadly) didn't realize that until too late.

Anyway, I'll let people more qualified answer you. I just thought I'd throw in my two cents. (American! uh oh!)

I know a medic who's gone to DC to get practice at pulling bullets out of people.
I knew someone in my year who started off doing maths and physics, changed to physical natsci which he theen found really easy and decided to move to nottingham to be with his gf. As far aas he was concerned he would find it easy wherever and he didn't care much about the oxbridge label.

MB
Reply 13
partly, the course,thers a broader course at durham (nat sci) but i think mainly because im aware this is like supposed to be the best time of your life, after this its work 9-5,and im not sure im having it, with the workload/competitivness and poorer social life that follows.
thanks zoraster, insightful post. i have considered all that and i know id both lose and gain in various aspects by transferring, im just trying to get other perspectives on what youd stand to lose for my benefit and others who are considering transferring.
Reply 14
out of interest what subject/year/uni are you at?
sezchwarn
partly, the course,thers a broader course at durham (nat sci) but i think mainly because im aware this is like supposed to be the best time of your life, after this its work 9-5,and im not sure im having it, with the workload/competitivness and poorer social life that follows.
thanks zoraster, insightful post. i have considered all that and i know id both lose and gain in various aspects by transferring, im just trying to get other perspectives on what youd stand to lose for my benefit and others who are considering transferring.


It depends on your social background and aspirations i.e. whether Oxbridge to you is merely part of an inevitable process you pass through, or a real means of pulling yourself out of the working class - in which case, who gives a crap if it's hard work for three years if it means real financial advancement.

I do understand what you're saying, but I think it might be a mistake to put so much emphasis on what other people think about you and what other people try to portray as a typical student life. The best time of your life is when you have clearly demarcated leisure time and pots of money - i.e. when you've worked your way up the career ladder a bit.

To be honest, there are compensations for the diminished social life inherent in Oxbridge. For example, how many students experience black tie events, formal halls, and such amazing accomodation. Of course, that doesn't really make up for what one has to sacrifice, in terms of lots more fun, but it just emphasises how the Oxbridge system is incomparable in some senses.

I hate many things about Oxford, but I came to get the best education and career prospects possible so I can grit my teeth. If that isn't your priority, then Oxbridge can be a very depressing place...
Reply 16
WelshPixie

The best time of your life is when you have clearly demarcated leisure time and pots of money - i.e. when you've worked your way up the career ladder a bit.


I think there are plenty of people who won't agree with that - I'm certainly one - have a career without that much leisure, or money (though hardly poor) but in the main having the time of my life.
Reply 17
RichE
I think there are plenty of people who won't agree with that - I'm certainly one - have a career without that much leisure, or money (though hardly poor) but in the main having the time of my life.

I don't think he was necessarily implying you'd be really rich, but when you reach the time of your life when you're financially secure (what ever level that may be).
Reply 18
Hoofbeat
I don't think he was necessarily implying you'd be really rich, but when you reach the time of your life when you're financially secure (what ever level that may be).


hmm - he did use the phrase pots of money :rolleyes:

Not that I knock that - but with a career/money I would have thought the best thing was the challenge or how you might use the influence that comes with a bit of seniority. :smile:
Reply 19
WelshPixie
To be honest, there are compensations for the diminished social life inherent in Oxbridge. For example, how many students experience black tie events, formal halls, and such amazing accomodation.


That's how I see it too. I'm fed up of working really hard and never seeming to have any 'free-time' and I don't look forward to going back to Oxford half as much as everyone else. However, when I do have free time I think I possibly appreciate it more as it doesn't feel like "oh I'm bored, I have nothing to do", it means I have a few hours to do something I've been wanting to do! I find (this is jusy my opinion) that all the work and stress are worth it when you get those few hours that are just heaven. It might sound ridiculously odd (but I'm a boatie so it's forgiven!) but after a night out with my rowing crew at Tthe Bridge, we walked down to the river at 2am and we walked along the tow path. Our coach and cox told us stories of their competitions and their experiences over the years and at that moment I felt incrediably humble and honoured to be part of my college.

I can't convince you either way whether you should leave or stay, but just sit down and have a think about all the good times you have had here. For me, they're sometimes the most random things (a few hours in which a fellow Lincolnite climbed some scaffolding and then danced in his boxershorts with the music blaring into the quad!!) and sometimes they're the most normal things (eating dinner in hall with friends) and sometimes they're just Oxbridge things (matriculation day).