My First Year as an Oxford Modern Languages Student

By Charlotte Lawton

As I head into my second year studying French and German at Oxford, I can’t help but think about everything I experienced in my first year, whether it was academic or social, a high or a low, and how I’ve changed along the way. Even though these experiences are personal to me, I hope this short blog gives those of you who are about to start studying languages at Oxford or are thinking of applying a little insight into what your life could be like!

There were definitely a few big changes in studying languages at university compared to A level. At first, I was stunned by how difficult some of the translation passages were, and I was suddenly confronted with loads of grammar rules I’d never been taught before, making me feel like I didn’t know the language at all. I soon realised though that lots of other students feel the same way, and after a while, I was amazed by how much I’d managed to improve. In my first term, I wondered how I’d ever be able to sit prelims at the end of the year, but by the time they came around, I knew that I would be absolutely fine.

Unlike lots of other universities, Oxford gives you the chance to study the literature of other countries in depth, and from time periods spanning nearly 1000 years. Having studied very little French or German literature before university, it was really exciting being exposed to so many new novels and plays and finding out what I enjoyed or disliked. Whilst I found out I love French medieval literature, I remain a firm hater of poetry, despite the attempts of friends and tutors to win me over!

A big thing I learned this year though is to never compare myself to others. It was intimidating at first when it felt like everyone else was so much better than me, but I had to remind myself that everyone comes to the University with different experiences and different levels of knowledge. I just had to make sure that I was trying my best and improving each week.

My first year at Oxford was even more amazing than I thought it would be – aside from the hard work, it was full of exciting things like matriculation, balls and a boat party in London, and I’ve made lots of incredible friends. I can’t wait to see what the second year has in store, and to all the new linguists starting at Oxford this year, I hope you have an amazing time and enjoy all the exciting opportunities coming your way!