The weekly essays might be stressful but by the end of the year you will come across numerous subjects. I believe that you learn not only how to work better but also how to conduct a good research. The tutor or supervisor is always a helping hand and this personal contact with them was a new experience for me.
Apart from the lectures, weekly seminars are organized, open to all students, usually by PhD students, on any subject of your interest (from Roman Archaeology to a Barbarian Seminar or a Linear B seminar). the community is great, very helpful, and all the libraries very well equipped.
the only disadvantage is the lack of postgraduate lectures. Master students (apart from their personal tutorials) attend the quite simplified lectures of the undergraduates. Apart from that, their “progress” is almost exclusively based on their personal studying.
For someone who can handle stress, the overall result is surely beneficial.