Friday 20th February 2026

Lifestyle

It’s 2016’s world, and we’re just living in it (or are we?)

Barely a month has passed since we made our flustered entry into 2026. But it seems like the verdict is already in: your honour, we’ve had enough. Bring back 2016.

All buttered up: Broche, and the art of the perfect croissant

During these cold winter months, in which – thanks to that pinnacle of British construction, breathable walls – I wake up in a freezing room, I find great solace in hiding beneath my blanket.

The case for doing nothing (on holiday)

My best memories of gallivanting around Europe were of parks. They were found in the tranquility of self-reflection as I enjoyed the serenity of nature, clutching my too-expensive coffee and watching the ducks swim about in the river as the cold winter wind whipped the fallen leaves off the ground beside me.

Why you shouldn’t finish your reading list

On being accepted into Oxford, everyone warned me about the reading lists. “You’ll be reading eight hours a day,” they said. At the time, it sounded almost romantic.

Pret A Manger or Pret A Danger

Rumplestiltskin top-hatted men have permeated many of the daily accounts of my fellow female students.

How my Hot Girl Summer landed me in therapy

I think I pretty much accepted the fact that my summer had been somewhat unhealthy when my mother sat me down and asked me...

French connection: My first two months in Paris

I have been shocked by how different I feel to those around me due to aspects of my appearance

Tinder Troubles: A cautionary tale of a match gone awry

Ronan* was sitting cross-legged on the pavement outside the pub, engrossed by his Kindle. As a first-time Tinder user standing anxiously at what I imagined to be the vanguard of online dating, I had been naively endeared by his suggestion that we skip the virtual small talk and just get to know each other in person. He stood up to greet me. “Ah, that was a lovely hug.” It dawned on me that this may have been a mistake. 

Traditions

Bop A bop is a ‘Big Open Party’, a fancy dress party organised by your JCR for your college. Bops normally happen 2 or 3...

Creative Pursuits

Drama Oxford student drama is probably pretty different from drama at school — there’s a really exciting atmosphere, you can try new things, and there...

Pubs (and Kebabs)

You should not fall into the trap of thinking drinking is an essential part of university life; however, for many of you it will...

Date Spots

Given how many people you’re likely to meet in your first few weeks at Oxford, don’t be surprised if you make a romantic connection...

Coffee Culcher

Oxford has a historic and beloved café culture — in fact, the UK’s first coffeehouse opened in Oxford in the 17th century! Today, drinking...

The 101 of Oxford’s Libraries

There are genuinely more than 100 libraries in Oxford, making it the biggest library system in the UK! So, here’s the 101 on a...

Academics

After two years of getting used to learning over Zoom and Teams, a return to in-person teaching for everyone is hopefully within sight. Advice...

Societies and Activities

It’s always worth joining at least one society during your time at Oxford. Whether that may be sports, music, drama, politics, student journalism, or...

Keep Off The Grass 2021

Hello and welcome to Oxford! Congratulations on getting here and starting the next chapter of your life in a place as special as this...

An Oxford-English Dictionary

0th Week (noughth week) the week before term starts, when most people move back to Oxford. This is when collections typically happen. Battels your bill for the...

A definitely unbiased and completely impartial guide to clubbing in Oxford

Parkend is the only place you will ever see people moshing to White Flag

Loneliness, and why we need to practise talking about difficult things

Feeling lonely is not something to be ashamed of, or something that you only feel when you are in crisis; it is a part of our daily lives.

Dominican delicacies: Food travels in the Dominican Republic

“Como de todo”, or “I eat everything”, was the first phrase I attempted in my not-so eloquent Spanish after landing in the Dominican Republic....

Summer Heat on the Tip of the Tongue

Readers, your quest towards Hot Girl Summer is incomplete without capsaicin. Run-of-the-mill summer recipes are heavy on sugar, acid, and ice, dominated by freezer-ready desserts,...

Deconstructing ‘Hot Girl Summer’

Is Hot Girl Summer only Hot Girl Summer if the world and its wife are there to bear witness?

Can you be a feminist and watch Love Island?

One of the main issues for me, and many others, is the sheer lack of diversity on Love Island.

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