My First Term at Oxford - Bassam
I am from Iraq and I am studying Law with Foundation Year at Keble College.
Bassam is pictured on the right-hand side
What aspects of the course are you enjoying?
The tutorials have been a highlight of the course. The tutorials tend to be very small, often including only two students. This has made learning easier and more informative since the tutor can fully focus on you. Having such a focus has been very helpful in making sure the content we learn is fully understood, especially when it comes to law and how complex it can get at times.
What aspects of the course are you finding challenging?
At the start of the term, it would have to be getting accustomed to everything. The essay-writing, reading lists and making sure you’re on top of everything. Being at Oxford you need to ensure your time management is a top priority. It was challenging, but it is natural when first coming to university. The workload can be overwhelming and intense at first, but once you establish a routine and pace yourself when it comes to the work that needs to be done, it makes a big difference in your performance.
Lawyers are also always learning and getting informed, and as a law student, that was something I had to get accustomed to quickly. Making sure I was able to read a large amount of information efficiently was paramount to my performance on answering questions and essays, and overtime, it became a very powerful skill for my studies. Honing that skill makes a big difference.
How are you managing your studies and free time?
I space out my work by having a task to do for the day that is achievable and not overwhelming. During essays, I would designate a day for researching and drafting, and another day to write the essay. It makes it achievable to finish the task, and it's nice to be free afterwards. Burnout is a very easy thing to run into while at university and having a system/routine to avoid this will make the course much easier.
If you try to do it all at once or leave your work to the last day, the workload will become much more difficult to manage. This is why I made sure to get a routine in place once I settled into my college.
What have you enjoyed doing outside of your studies?
The first few weeks were spent getting to know the Astrophoria Foundation Year cohort and settling into Keble College. Fresher’s Fair was definitely a highlight as you get introduced to many clubs and societies. A lot of them hold taster sessions, which I recommend trying out. The majority of taster sessions will be at sports clubs like powerlifting and archery, and if you have the time, definitely try them out as you get to meet a lot of people from different colleges.
The Astrophoria Foundation Year also attends a lot of Society & Culture events that familiarise you with Oxford such as Union debates and requiems. One event I attended this term was a Mozart Requiem at Merton College, which is pictured here.
What do you think of Oxford as a city?
I enjoy Oxford a lot as it reminds me of my own hometown. Its small size makes it walkable rather than needing to take a bus or car everywhere. Being a short distance away makes it easier to get food or meet with friends, and it's relatively safe. There is a lot of history within Oxford and being able to experience it as a student is a rare privilege, especially the matriculation ceremony at the Sheldonian Theatre.
What do you think of your college?
Keble is a great college, and one of the best-looking ones with its chapel and dining hall. Keble was made in a way that emphasises community, and you definitely get to experience that once you settle in. My only advice would be to hope you get into Keble, although I am biased.
What are you looking forward to next term?
It would definitely be learning more about law. I took a gap year after sixth form to wind down after exams, and it made me want to pursue law that much more. Getting back into the Oxford routine of tutorials, foundation year sessions, and the powerlifting club are the main things I am looking forward to.
Mozart Requiem event at Merton College.
