Top Tips for starting at Oxford or Cambridge

Starting your studies at Oxford or Cambridge is a hugely exciting moment; this is your first step into a new chapter of your academic career.  

Take a look at our top tips for settling into your first term at your new college:  

1. Try everything!

There really is a society and club for everything. Whether your thing is debating, Doctor Who, cross country, student politics, lacrosse, theatre or Taylor Swift, there will almost certainly be a group of students who are also passionate about it! Go along to the Freshers’ Fair and sign up for anything and everything you’re interested in – it’s a fantastic way to make new friends! While you might not have time to do absolutely everything, being on those mailing lists from the beginning is a great way to stay aware of all the great events and socials that are on throughout the year.  

Many colleges also have lots of college-specific societies, and will host a college-specific freshers’ fair. Why not join your college’s choir to make new friends across the years in your college, or the JCR (Junior Common Room) to represent other undergraduates to the college? Everyone is new and everyone is trying new things, so this is the perfect time to get stuck in with a new hobby, sport or passion!  

2. Eat in the Buttery / dining hall whenever you can

Eating in your college’s dining hall or Buttery is a fantastic place to meet people and make new friends.  

Everyone has a busy schedule but taking time to go to eat together with your friends each night is a real stress reliever. It’s a great way to bond, meet new people and ensure you’re getting a decent meal in your first few weeks away from home!  

3. Make friends with the porters

Your college porters are your friends! They are there to help you, especially as you get to grips with university life. Porters act like College security (they control who enters every college) but can help you with everything from losing your key card to being the first port of call in an emergency.   

Be courteous and nice to them – they’ll almost certainly help you out on multiple occasions!  

4. Buy or take a bike

It’s a classic stereotype of Oxford and Cambridge students – but it’s true! Having a bike is a great way to get around quickly, and the city centres and lecture sites are well equipped for locking your bike. It is especially helpful for those at colleges further out from the centre.  

Unfortunately, with so many bikes, cycle theft is quite a problem at both universities! It’s worth investing in a good lock or two to secure your bike. Some bikes have detachable tyres, so it’s not uncommon to see students securing the main frame of their bike with a D lock, and the frame to a detachable tyre with a secondary lock.  

We’d advise you leave your really nice bike at home – instead, invest in a cheaper bike at the Freshers’ Fair, or benefit from the start-of-term bike auctions many colleges run!  

5. Get organised quickly

Term goes by very quickly, especially as you’re getting used to your new environment. Get organised early to stay on top of your work.  

True to the stereotype, the workload can be heavy, so we’d recommend building a structure for your days and weeks, taking into account your lectures, tutorial or supervision work, extra-curriculars and down time, so you can create a sustainable balance.  

When it comes to work, try to get it done as soon as it comes in, otherwise it can pile up quickly! This is particularly true of lectures; don’t be tempted to skip or watch them later if they’ve been recorded, as it will be a stress in the holidays or ahead of exams. For most essay subjects, you typically will write an essay a week, so it’s important to not let these pile up and give yourself too much reading in a single week. If you’re not sure where to start, look to your new friends for how they’re organising their time; it’s often rowers or scholars who have the best structures and routines and who can teach you how to balance fun and academics!  

6. Make use of the facilities

Make use of the incredible facilities at your disposal! Oxford and Cambridge have some of the best libraries, labs and facilities on offer – so make use of them! Go on the Freshers’ tours of your college, subject and the university libraries. You’ll thank yourself for getting to grips early with the resources on offer.  

7. Get registered with a GP early

Freshers’ flu is real! Make sure you’re taking care of yourself proactively by registering with your college’s local GP as soon as you get there. Many colleges will also give you details on the best GP surgery to register with as part of their Freshers’ programme.  

8. Check your room contract

When you get to college, double check the dates on your room contract. If you need to leave your college room between each term, it’s worth investing in some strong packing bags to bring your things home! Many colleges will give you different options, including term-only accommodation and October-June accommodation, so it’s worth checking your contract and planning ahead.    

9. Lean into the special Oxbridge things

With so much history and tradition, studying at Oxford or Cambridge gives you the opportunity to experience lots of unique and amazing things. Try to take time to experience things like evensong, Christmas carol concerts, student theatre, punting, local museums, varsity matches and spraying or trashing after you finish exams. You’ll find that these are the things you’ll remember most!  

10. Never be afraid to ask questions

Finally, never be afraid to ask questions! Your lecturers, supervisors, tutorial leaders and tutors are there to help you get settled in – if you have questions, don’t be afraid to speak to them. Remember that everyone else is also new, and that it’s better to be curious and get it wrong than to never know the answer!