I have absolutely loved my first year at the University of Oxford! It has been a surreal experience, like that you would get at no other university, and although challenging at times, was all worth it.
One of the best things about Oxford is the college system – you are assigned to a college which is where you live, eat, attend tutorials (classes) etc. This means that you really feel like you are part of a community within your college and makes it so much easier to make friends.
Obviously Oxford is an academic challenge, and I have definitely had to do so much more work than any friends at any other universities (1-2 essays and a statistics assignment a week, involving long reading lists as a psychology student). You have to be interested in your subject, dedicated, focused and put in the work – it’s not going to be easy. But you can also have a life outside of work as well – I have joined many societies, sports and also have a full social life as well!