Oxford said no? Well, say hello

By Will Charley, Comment Editor

Why being rejected from Oxbridge was the best event of my life - and will be yours too.

So, you’re an Oxbridge reject: welcome to Bristol

If you are joining the University of Bristol this week, there is a fair chance that you are an Oxbridge reject.

But, whether you are still licking your wounds from a missed grade or putting that failed interview behind you, wear that rejection letter with pride.

As you will learn, if you are an Oxbridge reject, you have found your home. Many, many students at the University of Bristol are. Welcome to the club.

But, more importantly, here comes the news that we have all been waiting for: you may have lost Oxbridge, but you have gained a healthy, sustainable social life.

As a fresher, many of whom have come straight from school, you will come to appreciate the freedom and independence that courses at Bristol give you. Whether that is half a dozen teaching hours for some arts students, or the simple absence of work that ruins a weekend, the University of Bristol allows you to join societies, make friends and go out - or stay in, if that is your thing.

you may have lost Oxbridge, but you have gained a healthy, sustainable social life.

Oxbridge may have meant something to your Careers Advisor last year, but what it translates to is an intense, punishing amount of work that makes it difficult to make friends outside of your course and even more difficult to be a part of societies, clubs and wider activities, the likes of which can be found in Bristol.

Even more, studying at Bristol encourages independent living that being a student at Oxford simply does not. At Bristol, you will live with your friends in houses after first year, and whilst you can do this in Oxbridge, it is not the done thing.

Living in a house with friends, independent of the University or scouts - those are cleaners to you and me - teaches students a resillience and responsibility that cannot be gained at Oxbridge. Most importantly, not living in college for three years means freedom to party, cook and relax whenever you want.

Going to Oxbridge is not everything it seems.

You may have lost an obnoxious word on your CV, but you have gained years of fun, friendship and opportunities that would have otherwise been missed.

Welcome home. Welcome to Bristol.

Featured image: Unsplash/Sidharth Bhatia