Hi everyone, long time no see! I’ve taken a bit of a break, but I’m back and ready to share my musings from across the pond. Before we get into it though, a little update:
Last column, if you can recall, I talked about my experiences with the food here in the United Kingdom. Believe it or not, my relationship with British cuisine took a tragic turn as both my friend and I got food poisoning. Yeah, it was about as fun as it sounds. If you ever find yourself wincing at Dewick’s never-ending supply of pasta, or perhaps Carm’s dry rice, just know that it could be way worse.
Anyway, on to the actual article.
Today, I wanted to talk about something that I’ve been trying — and sometimes failing — to adopt: the hardcore work hard, play hard ideology here at Oxford.
Recently, I’ve felt swamped with work, and I’m sure that many of you all can relate. Whether it is weekly essays, online Spanish assignments, algebra study groups or chemistry lab reports, many of you are currently going through your respective February funks. I’ve been spending numerous hours in the Pembroke Library (affectionately called the Plib), and I’m starting to get worried that I might have early-onset carpal tunnel syndrome from the nonstop typing, or at least some sort of blue light intake strain on my eyes.
If you’re feeling the academic pressure like I am, you’ll want to find a way to decompress. Cozy yap sessions with friends, Netflix nights and aimless walks all suffice. Here in Oxford, though, what’s the best way students deal with the workload? Party. And party hard.
Maybe it’s just British culture, but I’ve truly never seen anything like it. I mean, local club ticket sales are announced through our school emails, and the social reps are constantly promoting exciting outings in official school communication. We even have a college bar right under the dining hall — a location that gets quite a lot of traffic after formal hall dinners.
Don’t get me wrong, I love fun nights, but lately, I’ve found myself in a constant cycle of “Plibbing” to clubbing to Plibbing again, and I’m worried it is starting to take its toll. I mean, there’s only so much British club music a girl can take (no offense). I’m a fairly extroverted person, and I love a good night out as much as the next person, but even I am starting to crave the peaceful solitude of my room. It sounds oxymoronic, but rotting can be so healing sometimes, you know? (Perhaps I’m more introverted than I think.)
These days, I find myself longing for the “work hard, chill hard” environment that I’ve come to associate with Tufts. How amazing it would feel to sit in my sophomore year dorm with the LED lights glowing and a movie playing in the background. Oh, the good ol‘ days.
Anyway, if you’ve been feeling academically stressed, just know that I feel you, and whether your solution is a night in or a night out, I hope you’re able to take a much-needed break from the bowels of Tisch.
Well, the Plib is calling my name, so I better get back to it.
See you in the next one,
xx Grace
