I mean, the fact that their is 5th week blue and 8th week despair give you a hint what the state of students mental health is at. What’s often missing in this conversation is the intermediate step between the student doing well to the student need urgent mental health support. This is often a long-term process, for example because of the workload you might start giving up your hobbies to compensate (in general you can probably have time for 1 major hobby in STEM) There’s also a saying: social sleep and work you can choose only two. Another analogy is studying at Oxford can feel like you’re managing a sensitive system, you can survive if everything goes well, any small thing goes wrong if managed incorrectly can trigger a snowball effect. For sample if you’re ill you can easily get couple of weeks behind, and then you can’t understand the next chapter (stem) but you don’t have time to catch up on the previous chapter. The only option you have is vacation, but it is incredibly hard to work during vacation (university need to do more at this!!! Such effective but underrated! Give us password protected tutorial sheet solution so we can catch up in vacation! Yes believe it or not they are not allowed to provide you solutions for assignments so if you missed going through the answer in tutorial you missed it forever. That’s in fear of students passing it on to next year) . I think despite these it’s still worth it for me for the name, and my growing ability of resilience. But bear in mind that I’m under no financial stress and have incredibly supportive parents who would never blame me for dropping out if I get to that point. There is also a lot of Q&A on Quora which I think is pretty accurate.

Thank you. My son finds out next week if he’s been accepted to Oxford university. It has been through your videos that I’ve found most reassurance and help. You are very brave and your candour is appreciated very much. I feel he would have the support he needs at Oxford.

@chrissears8575

2 жыл бұрын

I hope your son gets a place, you sound like a very supportive parent.

@zengjanezhu

2 жыл бұрын

Just curious: who is more anxious, you or your son? My son also interviewed at Oxford this year. I am much more anxious about the result tha he is. He is the person who will not spend one minute before and one minute after an event to think about the event.

@Chrissyhappy

2 жыл бұрын

@@zengjanezhu Oh I think we’re about the same! He’s very nervous as he doesn’t think the interviews went well at all. I’m nervous for him I guess, as he really wants to go there and nowhere else. It’s only a weeks wait now so that’s good!

@Chrissyhappy

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrissears8575 thank you very much for those kind words. I appreciate them very much.

@zengjanezhu

2 жыл бұрын

@@Chrissyhappy after watching this video, I actually stopped being anxious. The program is designed to be very demanding, my son applied for joint major. I would assume the work load is more than a single major. That translates if he is the borderline type of students, can get admitted, can be refused type, he will absolutely be under tremendous stress for sheer amount of workload. That in my view is not ideal. I want him to enjoy the college experience. So now I am content either way.

Brilliant as always.

Thank you Dr Williams for your candour and for all you do for prospective candidates. It makes me glad my son is at Jesus. I went to Balliol a long time ago and no-one talked about mental health or pastoral care and there was very little available. That said I have been shocked by how hard my son has to work ( he's doing a science, I did an arts subject so that may be the difference!) and how little time there is for extra curricular activities. It's very hard to get a good life/ work balance at Oxford. And these clever kids can be so hard on themselves. I am so glad that there is an openness about mental health issues these days. This video series of yours is much needed. Thank you again.

Thanks! Whilst I feel that I most likely won’t be accepted next week, it feels good to know that there are support systems in place if I somehow attended, given my worries over the workload.

I came to know about University of Oxfords contribution towards it I felt nice. I have been through it twice in my life and I took professional counseling and it helped. Thank you so much for these empathetic talks.

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment

Happy New Year, Matt, to you and to all your family which, from your videos, would include your students, too! It’s a huge responsibility that educators take on, especially since being in the education system means we all spent more time away from our parents and with strangers from a very early age. Your candid, empathetic approach must be so reassuring to albeit adults but young adults, starting out in a world which for some is completely foreign in very different ways. Please stay safe physically and mentally and warm wishes from freezing cold Germany, Zehra 😊

@zehrakhan-owald5675

2 жыл бұрын

P.S. Mental hygiene is not a question of age, of course…

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks, as ever, for your kindness Zehra! All best wishes, Matt

Absolutely great video!!

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Thank you so much for your openness. Imposter syndrome is a real scourge. I think your comments will help a lot of prospective students. There’s something soulless and dispiriting about the emphasis on efficiency and productivity in elite universities these days, even if mental health support is being offered to cope with the intensity of the experience. ‘More’ is not necessarily better. The bright, creative people I know spend a lot of time mooching and daydreaming. I hope the current system is not filtering out more delicate, ruminative minds in favour of robust fast processors...

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

It's a great point. We aim for a balance between deep thinkers and efficient workers, but I suspect the admissions process tends to be to the advantage of the latter. This could be an example of where elite universities are simply not going to be the best in the world for certain individuals.

@fluffurbia3501

2 жыл бұрын

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thanks for your thoughtful response, Matt. I've been enjoying your philosophical musings in other videos. Keep going!

Maths has about 40 problem sheets rather than “12” in my first term haha

From my experience, pretty much every single student at Oxford struggles with mental health due to the insane workload. That's just a fact!

@zengjanezhu

2 жыл бұрын

Really? Were you a student there?

@rohan7381

2 жыл бұрын

@@zengjanezhu Yes. Of course, not everyone is affected in the same manner, or to the same extent. As highlighted in this video, some (a small minority admittedly) find it so difficult that they need external, professional support. Many others simply (and quietly) persevere, but I have to say it would be a mistake to think that their wellbeing isn't also undermined.

@zengjanezhu

2 жыл бұрын

@@rohan7381 Thank you. This video and your feedback are very helpful.

@Brianna58321

2 жыл бұрын

Yup I'm in my second year right now suffering lol

@zengjanezhu

2 жыл бұрын

@@Brianna58321 oxford has very short terms, which adds the stress. But the flip side is that one gets lots of free time during the break. My question is that it is possible to reduce the work load stress by studying a bit during the break. I am interested to know because oxford is our first choice. My son got admitted into joint program of math and computer science, which means that his work load will be slightly more than a single degree one. Plus he is quite a few years younger than a typical student going into college. His immaturity and more than average work load is the vice, I wonder can it be offset by his studying off the term?

Hi Matt, We all have issues. I do. I have been dealing with mine most of my life. You do belong there ,Matt, or you would not be there. These kinds of problems, I find, can be traced back to childhood. Some kind of abuse of some sort. Even teasing can be bad, because it can take a young persons confidence away from them. I read a Book titled, YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE, by LOUISE L.HAY. I have had a copy for years. It makes it about the reader and is very self empowering. It is the best gift I can give another person. I have not written you or watched your wonderful videos for a while because I have been dealing with my issues. I care very much about your happiness and I hope this finds you well. You have to Love yourself, Matt. You are a good Man for sharing your situation with other people. It can give other people courage to come forward and seek help if they should need it. Jeff

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks, as ever, for your kindness Jeff. I'll look up that book.

@williamfahey6066

2 жыл бұрын

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Hi , Matt, I thought I would write to see how you are doing. When you get the book I would like to know what you think of it. All good to you, Jeff

Thank you so much for this video, I find out this week about if I get accepted and I feel a lot less stressed about the workload knowing I will be able to receive support at Oxford if I get accepted. However I did have a question concerning financial matters, as due to my family’s income I do not qualify for a high student loan yet I am expected to fund myself financially at Oxford without much external help, and due to the aforementioned workload a job during term time seems impossible. What would be my options in this case?

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your message. Your financial position will depend on whether you're normally resident in the UK or ROI. This website has some details: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding But, if you're made an offer, your college will be able to give you advice and guidance on financial matters. For the most part, you are automatically enrolled in financial support if you're eligible for it, but they will be able to explain that process more specifically.

Everytime I watch a video from this channel I regret not applying to oxford. Theres always postgrad T_T

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

You're very kind! Yes, there is always postgrad. That's how I came to Oxford.

If you state a diagnosed mental health disorder in your application and are admitted, are their special provision put in place from the start to support the student?

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

Жыл бұрын

Typically, yes. It'll depend on what sort of help you may need and is reasonably available. In my experience the support has been excellent.

Why oxford has such short term, why not a bit longer? It not only reduce the stress, but also improve the outcome because students can digest the information more carefully.

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

It’s a good question! The reason is so that there is more time for academic research.

@zengjanezhu

2 жыл бұрын

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you for the reply. Not expected. Much appreciated.

@chrissears8575

2 жыл бұрын

I truly think, the way these videos engage with the viewers will render the perception of the University Oxford reflective of its true culture. I am going to apply and feel much more comfortable seeing this content especially the information about the dropout rate.

My brother dropped out of Oxford last December because he couldn’t handle it.

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry to read that. I hope he's doing okay now.

Why don't they just make oxbridge term times the normal length of uni terms seems like it would make it far less stressful!

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

The reason is that the academics want more time for research. But it does mean that everyone ends up stretched!

Do you get discounts on the Oxford dictionaries if you get an offer from Oxford? Obviously I need an Oxford dictionary to understand the adjectives in the Oxford KZread videos. Insidious is a great word 😀, what a technocratic way to flex your English skillz … holla!

@JesusCollegeOxford1571

2 жыл бұрын

No discounts I’m afraid! Although there are a lot of copies of the dictionaries in Oxford!

@chrissears8575

2 жыл бұрын

How candid!

Jesus Christ gives me peace. I wish those of whom unfortunately suffer mentally could receive the peace of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you for doing these videos Matt Williams. I will pray for your health and wish you all the best in your life.