Studying at Oxford, what should I know?

Originally Posted by Kohan

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But realistically, trousers+oxford shirt+sweater = acceptable day-to-day?
That will be more than acceptable, you will probably be smarter than many but not enough to stand out. You will find there are pretty easily identifiable "tribes" wearing different clothes at British universities, some of them dress relatively smartly, and some do not at all.

Originally Posted by Kohan

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Thanks all, some good stuff here I hadn't known.

I'm really not too worried, just want to be as prepared as I can so my attention can be focused where it matters.

I was curious about daily attire though, as a friend who studied -- pardon, read -- there a little while back commented that everyone dressed much more nicely day-to-day than any American university she had seen.

Then again, students here wear shapeless jeans and northface fleeces like it's our uniform...

But realistically, trousers+oxford shirt+sweater = acceptable day-to-day?

(I figure the bowties can be for special occasions

)

Oh, and I'll be there for the Hilary and Trinity terms.

Again, thanks all.

Seriously dont sweat it. Like any other university its not a homogenous student body and people dress in all sorts of styles. Button up / polo, jeans / trousers, possibly a v-neck sweater or sportscoat, etc will carry you through 90% of situations whether it's pub or tutorial. You will probably need academic dress for exams (dark suit, white shirt, white bow tie, gown). Gown and tie you can pick up at any number of stores in Oxford or borrow from a friend.

Avoid wearing Oxford logoed stuff while you are there. Its a sure fire way to inhibit integration with the full time kids.

Dont bring really nice shoes for daily wear. Between cobblestones and drunken nights in the pub you will trash them.

K

Oh, do your best to get into one of the older more central colleges. A lot of your social life will revolve around it, and if you stay in college housing it will mean living centrally as opposed to halfway to Summertown.

K

Bikes are handy. Oxford is maybe the world's most bike-friendly place.

Originally Posted by Augusto86

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Bikes are handy. Oxford is maybe the world's most bike-friendly place.

Amsterdam

K

I was just in oxford at the beginning of the month to visit my brother in law who teaches there. I think you can wear everyday "american" clothes and you will fit in fine. I think this idea of well-dressed europeans is something of a myth. while i didnt see many people wearing sneakers and baseball caps, most people were wearing khakis and dress shirts with shoes. This is what I see most people wearing to work here everyday in midtown manhattan. I did see a few well-dressed men in london, but the ratio of well-dressed men in london vs. NYC didnt strike me as drastically higher.

as an aside, to be perfectly honest, it is almost impossible to find a crowded cafe, restaurant, or bar that doesnt reek of b.o. I dont think you can have more than five to ten europeans in a room together without being overwhelmed by that old high school gymnasium smell. It really hits you in the face like a brick, so prepare yourself

also, keep in mind that you can catch the x88 from the gloucester green bus station in oxford and be at the northampton factory shops in 90 minutes.

Oxford is a pretty nice old town. I hope you enjoy your time there.
Philo

Originally Posted by VKK3450

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Amsterdam K
You can't fall into a canal in Oxford. Unless you're REALLY drunk. Wait, nevermind...

Originally Posted by Augusto86

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You can't fall into a canal in Oxford.

Unless you're REALLY drunk.

Wait, nevermind...

I know a few people who ended up in canals in Oxford.

And Amsterdam has bike lanes and drivers are more accustomed to bikers, so your chances of being hit / run over are less.

But you are right, it is a pretty bike friendly town. Also bike theft friendly.

K

Originally Posted by VKK3450

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I know a few people who ended up in canals in Oxford.

And Amsterdam has bike lanes and drivers are more accustomed to bikers, so your chances of being hit / run over are less.

But you are right, it is a pretty bike friendly town. Also bike theft friendly.

K

Yeah, I never got that. My friends when i was there would just randomly grab bikes and leave them @ the destination. Apparently they are like bike communal property.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the bike lanes appeared to be about 4-6 inches wide, basically a very small space off of the curb, with the outer edge separating the vehicle traffic marked by a double yellow line. So unless you can maintain a very straight line . . .

Originally Posted by PhiloVance

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the bike lanes appeared to be about 4-6 inches wide, basically a very small space off of the curb, with the outer edge separating the vehicle traffic marked by a double yellow line. So unless you can maintain a very straight line . . .

In OX? They are basically an afterthought.

You ride where you need to. Motorized traffic be damned.

K

Originally Posted by Augusto86

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I already have two, one for day wear and the other for special occasions.

Getting a bike sounds like a pretty good idea, though I wonder when I'll be able to use it. When in the year does England thaw?

And I hadn't given any thought to dressing for exams... Is that policy? How does it work?

On a similar note, how do examinations even work in the tutorial system? Is it more likely they'll be oral exams or written tests?

Originally Posted by Kohan

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I already have two, one for day wear and the other for special occasions.

Getting a bike sounds like a pretty good idea, though I wonder when I'll be able to use it. When in the year does England thaw?

And I hadn't given any thought to dressing for exams... Is that policy? How does it work?

On a similar note, how do examinations even work in the tutorial system? Is it more likely they'll be oral exams or written tests?

Thaw? I dunno, March-ish depending on global warming? No idea really.

Dry out? Never....

Originally Posted by Kohan

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Getting a bike sounds like a pretty good idea,

You'll just need to get used to the British bikes, which steer on the right instead of on the left.