Alumni Testimonial

What inspired you to choose our school for your studies?

I was inspired greatly by the various academic and holistic activities that you have on offer at the college. I was an avid badminton player every Wednesday, which helped me relax, escape from the schoolwork, and made many new friends. The college being set in the environment of the prestigious Oxford University also played a big part in motivating me to further my studies and improve upon my skills.

How did your time at our school prepare you for your university studies?

Being in a boarding house has taught me a lot about independence, both socially and academically. While many struggled to get used to the environment of a university hall, I was quick to adapt to the independence and sense of responsibility in my first year of university. I would attribute a big part of this to the skills that Oxford Sixth Form College has given me through my days in the boarding house. A big part of my sense of responsibility was curated by the boarding house staff, our houseparents, and they have taught me a great deal on self-discipline and how to maintain a tidy common area. It has also driven me to be more proactive in my study, as I learned how to be productive in my own room, without the need of teachers or tutors, especially since COVID-19. Therefore, I would say the boarding facilities of Oxford Sixth Form College has sharpened my social and academic performance greatly.

How did our teachers or staff members support your personal and academic growth?

My personal tutor, played a great part in helping me formulate my academic personal statement. She was very quick to share with me her feedback on some of my original ideas, and gradually helped me build the personal statement that got me many university offers. I remember distinctly when I was only a few days away from submitting my scholarship application for the University of Bristol, and I was not completely sure of my scholarship statements.

My personal tutor was very proactive and engaged with me almost immediately after I raised the issue. She met with me and went through my statement with me that afternoon so I can submit the application on time. I was very grateful and felt appreciated by the school, as the meeting further improved my confidence in the application, and I would argue have enhanced it notably. She was also very supportive of my choices and was there for me every time I needed a professional as well as informal opinions.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned during your time at our school?

I think the most valuable lesson I have learned during my time at OSFC is how to collaborate with different people from different backgrounds and cultures. Being such a diverse and international college, OSFC has not only socially prepared me to be more receptive towards the world but has also professionally enhanced my interaction and communication skills with people from around the world. I am now adapting these very practical skills directly onto my daily life at university and at my internship as well.

What is one piece of advice you would give to current students to make the most of their time at our school?

Personally, I wished I had enjoyed my time revising for the A Levels more than I did. I was too preoccupied with getting what I wanted, was to get my first choice and to not disappoint my parents, my friends, my teachers, and myself. But looking back, I realised the revision period was also my last pre-university summer, I could have spent a few more afternoons hanging out having picnics at a park, or going for a walk, rather than just redoing past papers.

I also missed out on a lot of the extra-curricular activities that the college offered in my second year, as I believed I should be focusing entirely on my academic performance. But I highly suggest taking those badminton classes, or photography lessons, or just simply interact with the student council to make the most of your student experience, which not only improves your social skills, but would also look amazing on your resume for university applications and future employers.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during your transition from our school to university, and how did we help you overcome them?

Making new friends, especially being international, is hard. However, the school's inclusive culture and values have helped me to be more comfortable with unfamiliar cultures and people. It has opened my mind to being more receptive and friendly to new people and becoming more worldly. It was somewhat tricky when I first came to college due to COVID-19 and the awkwardness of being in a new country without any of your close connections or comfort zones. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me take on an active role in my own social life rather than a passive role, something I didn't realise I was doing.

After that, I met people with similar interests and people who understood my quirks and humour, and we got close quickly. I kept in touch with these newfound friends when I left for university. However, I have also learnt how to adapt my new mindset to a much bigger environment, with people from many more countries than before and different mindsets. It wasn't easy, but I believe it would have been even more complex if I hadn't been pushed out of my comfort zone by the environment, I was lucky to have experienced at Oxford Sixth Form College.