Verity
Medicine, 3rd Year
I have grown up and lived in Wales my whole life. To be completely honest, I really didn’t want to study at Oxford – having been to a few events run by other colleges as well as hearing the extremely academic stereotypes throughout my state education, I had a really warped perception of what Oxford is really like. I applied (just because my mum wanted me to give it a go) with the impression that I wouldn’t ever go here regardless of how the application process went. Somehow I got an interview, and actually told my now-tutor that I just “came for the free food” (!) during it. However, it was my time staying at Teddy Hall during interviews which really did make me realise how wrong my perception of Oxford was. The community which welcomed us as applicants and their willingness to show us what life at the Hall was really liked changed my view completely. Because of this support and sense of community which busted all the myths and preconceptions I had, when I did receive my offer, I was excited to see what the Hall would mean for me.
I pretty much fell into Medicine as it was the only thing that really suited me (don’t tell the admissions tutors!). I couldn’t see myself doing a 9-5 desk job and was really interested in science, so it seemed the right fit. So far into my degree, I’m happy to say that is still the case. I really love learning about the science of the human body and how we are how we are. Currently I am interested in two areas: Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Psychiatry. Both of these are helping me pursue my interest in women’s health. I am doing a research project this year into inflammatory markers as a biomarker for endometriosis, as currently it is extremely hard for women to simply get a diagnosis without undergoing surgery. The field of psychosis also really intrigues me, so I would love to potentially specialise more in post-partum psychosis later on in my degree. I believe medicine as a whole has been extremely successful in not only accepting women as doctors, but embracing them.
Being part of the 2020 COVID intake, I definitely had a different first year. However, it did mean that, through “bubbles”, I made an extremely close group of friends who are now my rocks. Being able to really socialise this year, especially with other years, has only grown the sense of community which Teddy fosters.
I am now part of the college choir, University Trampolining Society and the college boat club. I adore the atmosphere and community that the boat club here fosters. I joined with no experience in rowing or coxing, and yet now am quite thoroughly obsessed. The women’s side of the club is one of the most supportive and friendly group of people I have ever met, and I adore being part of the team.
As a medic, my career path is hopefully fairly straight forward. I hope that when I begin my clinical years, I will really get a taste of what a being a doctor is like. In the future I do really want to spend some time volunteering in under-developed communities, potentially through charities such as Medicine Sans Frontiers.
I think my favourite memory of the Hall so far was finishing my 1st year exams. As medics, we are the last ones to finish and so there was such a large community waiting to celebrate with us. The post-exam traditions and the ability to celebrate fairly “normally” with COVID restrictions easing was an amazing feeling, and I’m very glad to have ended my first year on such a high.
What do you think when you hear ‘Women of the Hall’?
I feel like our student society antics with WOTH (Women of the Hall) is definitely the first thing which comes to my mind, however being part of this Hall community does go so much deeper than silly themed evenings and challenges. The supportive nature that older years (from our college ‘mums’ to our college ‘grandmas’) have fostered is an amazing help, especially in 1st year when you are still trying to find your feet. It can make such a difference knowing that older years and other members of college are there if you ever need a conversation. I don’t think I can stress enough how much the sense of community plays into your day-to-day life at the Hall and is something I will carry with me for a long, long time.