The University Countdown: Ten Days To Go (Part One)

Hello once again – I apologise for my extended absence from this blog. I can make the unequivocal assurance that it won’t happen again, bar unforeseen circumstances beyond my control, such as being stuck up a mountain with no internet access. Over the past week I’ve been in Oxford/Exeter, and when I wasn’t there I’ve been trying to delve further into the literary abyss that is the Oxford English Language and Literature reading list.

I’ll start with Oxford, given that that’s where I was first; I headed up to the City of Dreaming Spires on Saturday to finally see my room (and, of course, the city and college once again. First my family and I continued our peripatetic Parkrun saga, in which I took part in the Oxford Parkrun for the first time. It’s a lovely park, as city parks go, and the Parkrun was equally pleasant. It goes all around the outer edges of the park in a two-lap course, encompassing a bit of woodland, a bit of path and a bit of field. There is, however, a hill that needs to be negotiated twice, which of course shaves a considerable amount off one’s time. I managed to get round in 18:34, coming second out of a field of one-hundred-and-ten. I was pretty pleased, given the conditions and the fact I’d run forty kilometres that week already. I will very much enjoy doing it every week and hopefully I’ll be able to notch up a win or two – even if it’ll be hugely affected by rain and ice over the winter months.

After that, we had a quick shower and change at David Lloyd Oxford, then headed over to St. Edmund Hall. I’d forgotten how gorgeous it was and how much I’m looking forward to it all, even if that excitement is mixed with no small amount of trepidation and anxiety as to whether I’m of the requisite standard, whether I’ll make friends, and all the other worries that are (I assume) inextricably linked with starting university. Aside from that, I saw my room, which I love even if it is on the top floor of college  – my route to and from my room encompasses ninety-one steps and four floors, which will make moving in a pleasurable experience. Carrying my crate of books from ground floor to apex may require a couple of rest stops along the way, methinks. I was also pleased to find that I actually know someone on my floor as well as another person in my college – having a familiar face two doors down from me will, I hope, aid the acclimatisation process even if the person in question is more an acquaintance than a friend at the moment.

My family were pleased to see the college for the first time – my dad only dropped me outside the Hall for my interview – and hopefully it’ll motivate my two brothers to work hard enough to apply for Oxford (of course, under no circumstances would I allow them to apply for the Other Place) even if it may be slightly too late for my sister. They liked the college and were impressed by St. Edmund Hall’s not inconsequential collection of sporting accolades. They all bought Oxford University hoodies, leaving  all three of my siblings (though, ironically, not myself) with a memento of Oxford. I didn’t leave empty-handed, however; I picked up my gown, mortarboard and bowtie for a very reasonable twenty-five pounds. It was amusing trying to explain to my sister that I wasn’t buying a Commoner’s Gown because I was common, but rather because I hadn’t obtained a scholarship or exhibition from the university (which, I suppose, does make me common in this instance). I left feeling very odd – seeing my room and getting the subfusc was really the penultimate part of my preparation prior to coming up (apart from packing), and last Saturday really reinforced the reality of the situation: yes, I am really going to Oxford; nothing has (thus far) gone amiss and it’s now only ten days away. It’s been eighteen months since I left school (not including returning for exams and results), and so the entire idea still feels completely surreal.

I had little time to indulge in such thoughts, though, as after heading down the M40 back to London I had to depart for Exeter after a mere hour at home. This was in aid of spending some time with my girlfriend prior to my departure; unfortunately I’ll be unable to come and visit her during the Oxford term due to the envisaged time constraints, so we agreed that I’d see her at the start and finish of her term (that is to say, just before I come up and just after I go down again) and she’d aim to come up to Oxford in the middle of her term. How well this arrangement will work out remains to be seen, but it’s rather the best we can do given the distance between us and the monetary constraints. A trip from Exeter to Oxford is around four to five hours travelling and sixty-five pounds both ways. It will undoubtedly be difficult, but hopefully the shared affection will help to ease the problem of a long-distance relationship.

Regards,

Jack