Nirupa Manoharan.....

.....is studying Classical Archaeology and Ancient History (a new course now in its second year). She came to Oxford from the Henrietta Barnett School, a state grammar school in London, where she sat A levels in English Literature, Government and Politics and Ancient History:

"I studied ancient history at A level and thoroughly enjoyed it, and liked the idea of taking it further at university. But I'd always expected to end up studying something more vocational, and for a while I was uncertain what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. I left the decision until my gap year, and while flicking through the Oxford prospectus came across this new course that was about to start, which focused on the ancient world but without so much stress on the ancient languages. The aim I had in mind when I was looking to find a degree was to do something which would continue to stimulate me like my A levels had. I made a good choice, as it turns out. The subject is really interesting. I've learnt so much in such a short space of time. A lot of what I've learnt I find myself applying to everyday things around me, and I'm often pulled into conversations with my friends doing law, politics and geography; and just because what I'm studying occurred a, er, little while ago doesn't mean I can't contribute my own perspective to these conversations."

Nirupa had some anxieties about applying to Oxford, but they didn't prove justified:

" I guess I had all the stereotypes of Oxford in my head. But in many ways Oxford is a representation of the world outside. Wherever you go you'll have groups of people that you'll really like and get on with and others you may not see quite eye to eye with; you'll have cliques, and you'll have stereotypes. But you'll find your niche in this place, you'll settle in, and you'll enjoy yourself. I've never felt that my values and beliefs have ever prevented me from doing anything that I've wanted here, and I personally don't feel Oxford is as snobbish or exclusive as some people believe: I'm here, after all, and I can do it. There's nothing to prevent others from at least giving it a try. When I arrived I was particularly dreading having one-to-one tutorials: to be grilled and torn apart on a weekly basis could do nothing, I figured, for confidence. But this isn't the point of the tutorial system, as I've discovered. It simply gives you an opportunity to really clarify your thoughts and ideas and discuss points you may not have thought of otherwise. The bottom line with Oxford is: the more you put in the more you get out, and this applies to both work and Oxford in general, which has so many, many pursuits that you can follow."

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