We’ve got

squirrels in
our quad!

,
Dear Peterite,

First of all, congratulations and welcome to St Peter’s College and Oxford University.
St Peter’s is a great place to live and study, and Freshers’ week is a fantastic way to start living
Oxford life for the first time; it will be all about having fun, trying new things and making new
friends—some of whom you will keep for the rest of your life.
I think back to my Freshers’ week, almost a year ago, and remember reading this guide’s prede-
cessor cover to cover in the hope of gleaning all the information I could about what University
life would be like. Now, I liken it to a first day at a new school—although definitely more nerve-
wracking! Not to worry, as I’m sure you will all agree, that with hindsight those first days are not
as scary as first imagined—at St Peter’s this is no different. In fact, these days will become some
of your strongest memories of university life. So get stuck in, try new things and in the years to
come you will be able to look back on your memories without regret.
The Freshers’ committee have worked hard to put on a week of exciting and diverse events,
open to all, and it promises to be a fun and enjoyable week. You will be expected to work hard
at St Peter’s, although with plenty of occasions to ‘let your hair down’ - Freshers’ week is a
great opportunity to play hard!
St Peter’s is a friendly and welcoming college—you will soon become proud to call yourself a
Peterite. I would like to say a huge thank you to Amy, your Vice-President, for putting together
this guide - it contains information on many of the benefits you will experience as a member of
the Peter’s family and answers a lot of your questions. If you have anything that isn’t answered,
please get in touch with one of the committee members—drop us an email or find us on face-
book!
If you aren’t already, start getting excited—Freshers’ week promises to be a great laugh. Re-
member everyone is in the same position so don’t be afraid to start conversations and get
stuck in!
Enjoy your holiday and come say hi when you arrive at Peter’s!

Much Love
X
Rob Collier
JCR President 2010

2
 The JCR & JCR Committee…………………..…………..page 4

Arriving at college……….........……………………………….page 9

Freshers’ Committee..……………………………………...page 10

Freshers’ week timetable.......................................page 12

Matriculation…………………………………………………page 14

Accommodation…………………………………………..page 15

Practicalities of living in college.........................page 18

Food…………………………………………………………..page 20

IT…………………………………………………………..….page 21

Banks and Budgeting………………………………..page 23

College Facilities……………………………………………page 26

Oxford: the City………………………………………………page 28

The different Unions........................................page 31

Welfare……………………………………….page 32

Sports and Societies at SPC…………………………page 34

Academic…………………………………………………….page 36

Glossary……………………………………………………...page 49

Photo courtesy of Tara Mulholland

What is the JCR?
Something that seems confusing now but will soon be part of your everyday language, the JCR
(Junior Common Room) refers to not only the actual common room but the collective body of
undergraduates themselves. You are all now members of SPC JCR.
What is the JCR committee?
Some of the greatest people you will ever meet (your JCR committee) are a small group of fel-
low undergraduates (mainly second years) who have been voted into their positions by the en-
tire JCR. It is our job to look after the welfare of our JCR members and represent your interests
and opinions, providing a link between all undergraduates and the governing body of college.
You will, of course, not want to miss JCR General meetings! Although the name makes them
sound about as fun as doing an essay at 4am, they are actually very interesting and often fea-
ture entertaining debates, leading to decisions made by JCR members voting. In our last meet-
ing of term ‘beer’ was made an honorary member of the JCR.
The meetings are every other Monday at 7pm in the JCR, and give you an input into how col-
lege is run. (The free cocktails are also a major reason to attend!) There is also a chance to get
involved from your first term here as First Year rep or First year Entz (entertainment) reps. Until
then, we look forward to seeing you in meetings, which depend on participation from JCR
members.
Say hello to your stunning new JCR Committee ...

Repr senti gtheundergaduatesatvariousdifer ntlev ls-comefindmeifyouwant oknowmore Rob Collier

Subject : Maths

andhowyoucangetinvol ed! Best memory of time at Peter’s: Rugby Dinner 2010- eating dessert.
Best bop outfit: Superhero at SPC Bop during my own Freshers’
week.
Job Description: Representing the undergraduates at various differ-
ent levels- come find me if you want to know more and how you can
get involved! rob.collier@spc.ox.ac.uk

Amy Ellis-Thompson
Subject: English
Best memory of time at Peter’s: Ripping Alex Worth’s clothes off at
a foam party/ Epic snowball fights/ touching Chesney Hawkes!
Best Bop Outfit: Just wearing a soggy poster that didn’t last long.
Job description: Poke my nose into everything, be Rob’s right-hand
man, attend various meetings, create this guide, help run Fresh-
ers’ week and generally listen to what the JCR has to say.

4
 Alex Yudin
Subject: Physics
Best memory of time at Peter’s: Throwing waterbombs in Chavasse
quad and outside Matthews. And inside Matthews. And inside New
Block.
Best Bop Outfit: Any cross-dressing outfits...
Outline Of The Job: Making sure the JCR finances run smoothly.

Disha Gulati
Subject: Law
Best memory of time at Peter’s: All the boys turning up to the
JCR photo with Eliot’s face plastered across their private parts.
Best Bop Outfit: Definitely the ship. Or the cow outfit. Or the
ship and cow put together.
Job description: Dress up in a secretaries outfit every two
weeks and pretend to type.

Florence Barnes
Subject: Physics.
Best memory of Peters: Any time spent in the bar.......
Best bop outfit: Maddie's hilarious 'Mole' costume
Job description: I attend OUSU council meetings along with Rob, our
JCR president, and represent the interests of St Peters students.

Pip Doyle
Subject: Biological sciences.
Best memory of time at Peter’s: Being in the JCR, dressed as a chav,
dancing like a fool and having the best time ever with the most amazing
people you could meet :)
Best Bop Outfit: A purple turtle—the name of Peter’s post-bop club.
Job description: I organise the entertainment events in and around col-
lege, from bops to quiz nights.
 Emily Clarke
Subject: History
Best memory of Peter’s: the chest-licking and general debauchery
of Ladies Night—hello naked rugby boys!
Best Bop outfit: none of mine, but Will Scargill’s speedos-and-
nothing-else swimmer at the SPC bop should have mention.. It was
October—brrr...
Job description: to receive nominations for our chosen charity and to
organise/receive suggestions for all the events we can do in order to
cajole a bit of money out of unwilling, poor students :)

Catherine Brinkworth
subject: Arch and Anth.
Best memory of Peter's: Arriving on the first day of Freshers' week and
immediately being hugged by a giant squirrel.
Best bop outfit: I make a scarily good chav...
Job description: I look after the ladies' welfare, so I'm always around for
tea and sympathy, between organising welfare teas on Wednesdays and
Sundays, running the Peer Support system, and supplying all the welfare
basics - we have more attack alarms than you could ever need!

Taz Subramanian
Subject: Medicine
Best memory of Peter’s: .It’s all been amazing!
Best Bop outfit: I could look good in a bin bag.
Job description: I look afte r male welfare, working alongside Cath-
erine to provide advice, sympathy, a friendly listening ear and basic
essentials such as condoms, to look after members of the JCR.

Johnny ’El Greco’ Spyrou

Subject: Biochemistry.
Best memory of Peter’s: The quad in Trinity.
Best Bop outfit: Sailor. Very short shorts. Standard.
Job Description: I'm here for you to talk privately about any sexuality
issues that you may have. Whether you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-
gender or straight, I'm here to help!

6
 Nick Fulton
Subject: Physiology
Best memory of Peter’s: Rowing.
Best Bop outfit: Chav.
Job description: I represent SPC sports teams and help members of the col-
lege who play sport at a high level for the university.

Theo Barry-Born
Subject: PPE
Best memory: Jamming, monging out, eating, singing.
Best bop outfit: Bop? Nah.
Job description in a sentence: Get people to write things down, encourage
pacifism, wear straw hats , bike rides, legalize it, get into graffiti, open mic
nights, jazz, reggae, and run St Peter's drama society... that kind of stuff

Abi Enoch
Subject: Biological sciences
Best memory of Peter’s: It’s all been amazing, but union debates are defi-
nitely a highlight, along with the Biology fieldtrip to Orielton.
Best Bop outfit: Part of a caterpillar
Outline of job: I look after and represent all the overseas students .

Adam Robinson
Subject: Earth Sciences
Best memory of Peter’s: It would probably be my highly emotional (see:
drunk) speech at the college play cast after-party, however since I can't
remember that...
Best Bop outfit: Peaked with the giant postage stamp right back in
Freshers week. It's going to have to make a comeback.
Job description: if you're having problems with your tutor, the library, or
an essay crisis, just drop me a line and I'll provide a friendly listening ear.

Josh Hopgood
Subject: Physics.
Best memory of St Peter’s: Water fights in Matthews.
Best bop outfit: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Job description: I fix broken things.
 (Environment and Ethics) Sinead Lane
Subject: Geography
Best memory of time at Peter’s: Boat club dinner.
Best bop outfit: Vicky Pollard at Chav Bop, embarrassingly, the easiest
costume to put together.
Job description in a sentence: Making sure college is doing everything
possible to be green!

(Food, housing & amenities) Zahava Lever

Subject: Music.
Best memory of Peter’s: Tutorial partner's uncannily accurate imitation
of our (un-named) tutor.
Best Bop Outfit: SPC (Siamese Pussy Cat.)
Job description: Dealing with any problems/requests the JCR might
have about food, housing or amenities! (Does what it says on the tin)

Alex ‘sexy’ Worth

Subject: PPE
Best memory of Peter’s: Boat Club dinner after failing hugely at row-
ing in Michaelmas .
Best Bop Outfit: Metro newspaper distributor.
Job description: Helping to organise college & student events to in-
crease applications to St. Peter's College from state schools .

Jonny Torrance
Subject: History.
Best memory of Peter’s: History dinner.
Best Bop Outfit: Ladybird.
Job description: Making sure the bar runs smoothly.

Peter O’ Connor
Subject: Theology
Best memory of Peter’s: A toss up between pyromaniac experiences
in clubs, pranks with crabs or drunken dares involving porridge.
Best Bop Outfit: One of my many disturbing cross dresses.
Job description: Aside from treasuring the bar in quasi-sexual alco-
holic love, I look after finances and make sure your drink is cheap
and that we make money.
8
Hello Peterite,
Firstly, congratulations on gaining a place at Oxford University and for choosing
the friendliest Oxford college of them all, St Peter’s! Your JCR and Freshers’
committee will all be here on the 3rd October to welcome you to St Peter’s and
show you to your room, and you will see plenty more of us throughout Fresh-
ers’ week and then the entire year. And don’t worry if you feel nervous: being
greeted by a sweaty second year in a squirrel suit will soon make you feel at
home.

A few practicalities on arriving:

You, your harassed parents and a car laden with everything you’ve ever owned
will be driving around Oxford before eventually negotiating the one-way system and making it into
New Inn Hall street. One drawback of such a centrally-located college is the difficulty of access by car.
When you arrive, the porters will be there to distribute parking permits for your car for up to twenty
minutes, which gives you plenty of time to move your stuff, with the help of the Freshers’ committee
members who will be there by the open gates.
By the large gates will be tables where you will be allocated your room, and once you’ve signed in,
given your room key for you actual door, and fob for the electric external locks. There are only two
blocks of first-year student accommodation (which you can read more about later) so it will not take
you long to find your room. There will be committee members present to show you the way and help
you carry your things too—grab any of these and ask them to help at anytime. Locate and unlock your
room first before you start moving suitcases to save carrying things up unnecessary flights of stairs
(unlucky top floor Matthews block people!)
Whenever you are ready and moved in, head down to the bar and JCR area, where cake and tea
(necessary and staple fuel for Freshers’ week) will be available; feel free to bring your parents and re-
assure them you will be well looked after at St Peter’s. Then its time to begin the endless round of in-
troductions which will become second nature throughout Freshers’ week (or time to don a snazzy
name label.) There will be plenty of second years and committee members about to chat to, or resolve
any issues, as well as all the other Freshers, who you will get to know very well, very quickly.
Early arrivals:
If you turn up before Sunday then just head straight to the porters’ lodge which will provide you with
your parking permit and room details. There should be a few SPC members hanging around so hope-
fully you’ll still be able to find someone to help you move in!
International Students:
If you are an international student, OUSU has just launched a Meet & Greet service to meet students
arriving at Heathrow Airport or at Gloucester Green bus station
on certain dates – details should be sent to you or available on
their website.

Please email any questions to rob.collier@spc.ox.ac.uk or

amy.ellis-thompson@spc.ox.ac.uk and we will do our best to
sort out any issues with arriving at St Peter’s. Until then, enjoy
your summer and we will see you in October!
St Peter’s love,
Freshers’ Committee 2010.
 -
As well as the Executive Committee (President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary),
Entz and Welfare Reps, the Freshers’ Committee is made up of a further seven second year
undergraduates who were chosen from many volunteers to help run events, settle you in
and get the party started. Freshers’ committee members will be running events in pairs
throughout the week, and also dividing into two teams to take it in turns to lead nights out.
The committee is a mix of people who take different subjects, drink, don’t drink and enjoy
different things. If you need anything in Freshers’ week, or even throughout the year, don’t
hesitate to ask these guys.

Stephen Dunne
Highlight of Freshers’ week ‘09: not remembering
anything..
Best memory of St Peter’s: Pollyanna roaring at me
moments before one of my classic stripteases.
What I will bring to Freshers’ week 2010: Debauch-
ery!!!

Alex ‘I’m on both committees’ Worth

Highlight of Freshers’ Week ‘09: Having my clothes
ripped off at the foam party by Amy and Pip.
Best memory of St Peter’s: Wearing women’s clothes.
What I will bring to Freshers’ week 2010: Fun! And an
amazing SPC Freshers’ Fair.

Bethan Westcott
Highlight of Freshers’ week ‘09: Foam Party! Freshers t-
shirt was put to good use.
Best memory of time at St Peter’s: Going to St. Hugh’s
Ball. Although not strictly at St Peters, having such a
good crowd of us that went really made it.
What I will bring to Freshers’ week 2010: Sweets.
Hmm... Sweets.
10
 Helen ‘H’ Miller
Highlight of Freshers’ Week ‘09: The first bop!
Best memory of St Peter’s: The massive snowball
fight after Christmas.
What I will bring to Freshers’ Week 2010: As much
fun as possible!

Zoe ‘Cheek-bandit’ Apostolides

Highlight of Freshers’ Week ‘09: First night on the
Pole. And having to ask Ben Conroy how to open the
door to the JCR on the first day ("just push it...")
Best memory of St Peter’s: the Christmas bop and the
ensuing Bodily Fluids Kit.
What you'll bring to Freshers’ week 2010: unadul-
tered mashup, and Boat Club grooming.

Tash ‘Cheek-bandit no 2’ Moakes

Highlight of Freshers’ Week ‘09: pub crawl mania—
going to the boys toilet, whilst duct taped to Adam.
Best memory of St Peter's: Hannah Bowers falling off
a bench on to the junior dean's feet while I was trying
to tell him everything was under control, also hen
night and the girls getting done for bringing a 'male
stripper' into the bar...turned out he was just your av-
erage buff man...whoops!
What I’ll bring to Freshers’ Week 2010: Ensuring Peter’s own the pole at
the Bridge.

Adam Patrick
Highlight of Freshers’ week ‘09: Pub crawl antics.
Best memory of St Peter’s: Being free to party post-mods
What I’ll bring to Freshers’ week 2010: The best nights
out you’ve ever had.
Here’s the programme for Freshers’ week! We’ve tried to make sure that there is something for everybody,
and that you’ll never need to be sitting alone in your rooms, twiddling your thumbs (unless you want to, in
which case that’s perfectly fine!). We hope you enjoy what we’ve planned and find it a fun introduction to Pe-
ter’s, Oxford & your fellow first years. Freshers’ week is invariably hyped up nationwide, and for good reason; it
is a lot of fun and can be a very action-packed week, but if you’re more of a mellow type, don’t fear that you
will be dragged kicking & screaming to club nights and forced to stay until the early hours—your Freshers’ week
is what you make of it. (On arrival you will also be given a programme of official College events, including regis-
tration, medical briefing, library tours, departmental introductory sessions etc)

Where? What?
SUNDAY
12 noon— St Peter’s College! JCR/Bar Arrivals - Refreshments/Games/Freshers Committee to
chat to.
4pm JCR JCR Welcome - your JCR and Freshers’ committee prop-
erly introduce themselves.
7pm Marquee Pre-drinks before Formal Hall - drink some champagne/
wine before a sit down meal.
7.30pm Dining Hall Informal Formal Hall - experience SPC dining Hall for the
first time, being waited on at your table!

MONDAY
8am Hall Freshers’ Breakfast and Welfare Welcome — eat brunch
to recover, followed by College Registration
2pm Marquee Welfare Event.
4pm Marquee Games—silly games to get to know people.
7pm Marquee Fun or Forfeit—friendly competition in teams involving
silly forfeits.
11pm Oxford nightclub. Club Night - Experience Oxford's finest nightclubs, along
with other colleges, at Varsity events. There will be a
theme...
JCR Post-Club Rehab - chillout with snacks, drinks and early
morning post-club banter.

TUESDAY
1Oam (hourly) Meet in the lodge Tourist Stuff (hourly) - See some of the proper postcard-
type images of the city of Dreaming Spires.
11am Hall Visiting Students’ brunch.
Morn JCR Welfare - drop in for cake, tea, a chat, a nap.... What-
ever!
1.45pm Chapel then JCR. Medical Briefing and Registration—compulsory
4.00? tbc Meet in Lodge Scavenger Hunt—see more of the city armed with a dis-
posable camera and cryptic clues!
6.45pm Hall Drinks with tutors - meet your tutors in an informal set-
ting (some drinks may be in tutors’ studies.)
7:30pm Marquee Freshers’ Dinner - free wine and good chat with your tu-
tors, plus another 3- course meal.
9-11pm JCR/Marquee Pub Quiz/ Film in JCR - show off your knowledge or ex-
perience SPC college drinks such as a Cross-Keys. Or chill
with a film in the JCR.
12
WEDNESDAY
9.30am Meet in Lodge University Freshers’ Fair - lots of stalls and free stuff!
A great chance to sign up/ discover all the different
University societies/ choirs/ sports/ writing/ charities.
2pm Meet in Lodge Grub Crawl—visit all the different eateries near St
Peter's.
4pm Meet in Lodge Ice Skating—you may be glad you registered with the
doctors now!
7pm- Assemble in JCR Pub Crawl/ Ice Cream Crawl - either pub crawl in dif-
ferent teams which will involve masking tape and
crawling... or eat epic amounts of ice cream!
Oxford nightclub. Club Night - Party in another Oxford club. (Tickets for
club nights available from your Entz Rep and Fresh-
ers’ committee at start of week.)
JCR Post-club Rehab
THURSDAY
11am Meet in Lodge Gym Trip - fitness fanatics will be shown where the
free gym on Iffley Road is.
All day Chavasse quad. Bouncy Castle - BOUNCE ON IT! ALL DAY!
4pm Hall. Family Teas - yet more cake, tea and your first oppor-
tunity to meet and chat with your college parents.
5pm (ish) Cinema (tbc) Film? (tbc )
5-6:30pm Mulberry quad. BBQ - yet more free food.
7pm- JCR Open Mic Night - listen to SPC musical geniuses or
after a few drinks have a go yourself!
10pm (ish) Meet in Lodge Alternative ice hockey (tbc)

FRIDAY
10am Meet in Lodge Bike Ride - see more of Oxford and get used to cycling
about on the roads.
10am- Mulberry quad.
Bike Maintenance - find out how to fix inevitable bike
problems .
11am- Mulberry quad. SPC Freshers’ Fair—find out about our college sports
teams and societies.
2-5pm Uni Parks (meet in Lodge.) Alternative Sports day - for EVERYONE - stress-free,
fun 'sports' events like egg and spoon.
6pm- Meet in Lodge Family Dinners - your college parents feed you at
their houses .
House parties at college parents’ houses / Film in JCR
SATURDAY
Morn JCR Welfare
1pm- SPC Boat Club BBQ
Outings - try your hand at rowing.
7:30pm- JCR/Bar SPC Bop— (fancy dress necessary, anything begin-
ning with S, P OR C!) along with 'gunge vote' (gunge
a committee member.) Peter's hits P.T'S club after-
wards...
An Oxford University tradition that means so much more than just walking around
the streets in ‘sub-fusc’ being photographed by tourists, Matriculation is the day
when you become an official member of the University, two weeks after the start of
Freshers’ week. Before this joyous occasion you will need to purchase sub-fusc: a
gown, hat (which you cannot wear until you graduate) neck ribbon, white shirt and
black trousers/skirt for females, or a suit and white bow tie for males. This Harry-
Potteresque garb can be purchased anytime from various varsity shops or Shepherd
& Woodward, although you may come across a gown in a charity shop if you’re
lucky.
All new members of the college, including MCR post-grads who have just joined St
Peter’s , are presented to the Dean of Degrees in the chapel. You then get to sign
your name in a big ledger with a quill pen (something that feels truly ‘Oxford’.) A
professional photograph of the entire year is then taken on one of St Peter’s quads:
although pricey, they are definitely worth ordering afterwards, if only for the com-
parison with the decidedly less respectable JCR photo later in the year. Also useful
as proof that you do actually attend Oxford University.
Don’t worry about feeling silly as you walk through the city centre in sub-fusc, to-
wards either Exam Schools/ Sheldonian Theatre, you will not only entertain hordes
of Japanese tourists but create plenty of iconic facebook photos with which to im-
press everyone you’ve ever met. You will also not get another chance to wear full
sub-fusc (outside the privacy of your own room anyway) until end of year exams.
The official ceremony itself is relatively short, the vice-chancellor of the University
gives a speech, some of it in Latin, before you are officially matriculated into the
University. On the plus side, you are definitely ‘in,’ but there is now also the option
of being ‘sent down,’ should the occasion ever call for it.
Once back at college, Matriculation becomes ‘Matriculash’ (the clue is in the
name.) ...

Pre-Matriculation brunch Inside the Sheldonian Theatre .

14
It does not even take the entirety of Freshers’ week to feel like St Peter’s College is
home, cheesy as that sounds. Whether you are in the less-than-aesthetic Mat-
thews Block or New Block , you will come to love your college room!

Revising hard (?!) on the Chavasse quad. Reasonably priced drinks in the college bar!

Contrary to many preconceptions of Oxford University as intimidating and overly

formal, St Peter’s is an extremely friendly community, something that is reinforced
by the layout of accommodation. All first years and some third years live in college.
Unlike other Universities where halls are often divided into self-catered flats, the
majority of Peter’s accommodation is arranged around corridors which means that
everyone has their own space, yet the proximity of everyone to each other provides
a strong sense of community. Although you will have access to a fridge, on every
floor in Matthews and one in New Block, and the facilities in the JCR kitchen, most
people frequent the dining hall in their first year; its easier, more accessible, and a
good way to talk to different people rather than just your next door neighbours.
Although other colleges may be surrounded by ominous amounts of quads and
lawns, it is unlikely that you can ever walk through Peter’s without bumping into
someone!
The rest of this guide devotes itself into informing you best on what goes on in Pe-
ters, at Oxford and at Uni generally—from finance and socialising to food and sport.
However if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in contact with any of us!
All your JCR committee are here to help with any concerns.
The majority of all first year rooms are located in Matthews, New Block and a couple within
Chavasse, yet to cover all areas, here’s a low-down of what you can expect for the next year.

Matthews
Matthews could be seen as a triumph of ‘70s architecture, which un-
surprisingly makes it the ugliest of all the buildings, especially the
metal exterior of the top floor. Remember, though, that living in it,
you have the distinct advantage of not having to look at it too much –
and it definitely makes up for its aesthetic shortcomings once you get
inside. It is really friendly and communal – you’ll always bump into
someone in the corridor to chat with, which is great when you’re just
settling in. There are also plenty of people to distract you when three
hours straight reading starts to make you go a bit stir-crazy.

The rooms boast a larger floor space than New Block rooms, and the
exciting feature of a washbasin in a wardrobe/cupboard-style enclo- Fun in a Matthews corridor.
sure! The basic layout on each floor is 11 rooms with 2 toilets, 2 showers, 2 baths and a shared
fridge – but don’t take that to mean the contents of the fridge are to be shared as well!
There are washing machines on all the floors apart from the top one – but the fourth floor
makes up for that by being furthest away from the noise from the JCR or the bar, which you
may or may not be pleased to hear are both at the bottom of Matthews. Looking out over the
bar often provides an entertaining vantage point for observing the effects of one Cross Keys too
many.

New Block
New Block is definitely the crème de la crème of St Peter’s accommodation; although every-
body will tell you that about their building. It has some of the best showers in the college, with
a boost button and thermostatic temperature control (whilst all buildings are meant to have
constant hot water, this is often a luxury of New Block). There are also baths on the top floor for
those of you who prefer a more relaxing form of personal hygiene. All but four of the first year
rooms have a red brick archway, which give the rooms a more cosy feel as well as dividing the
room into a work area and a sleeping area.
The rooms have ample storage, a sink, a couple of chairs and there are laundry facilities in
nearby Chavasse. Situated near hall, each room
has large windows, which either look over the
croquet lawn or the back alley. The floors are
set out in male and female corridors, but those
living on the ground floor, be warned. This tra-
ditionally male corridor has been home to many
slightly disturbing antics, so if you are foolish
enough to leave your window open whilst out
you may find your room rearranged on the cro-
quet lawn.

16
Chavasse
:
Only a very select few, eight to be precise, will get the privilege of a room in Chavasse.
Awaiting you, are large spacious rooms with high ceilings, an amazing power shower
and in some of the rooms at least, truly massive windows looking out over New Block
and Chavasse Quad.

You will spend much of the first week giving other Freshers a grand tour of the building
(if they can find their way up the illogical staircases), since having read this, everyone
else is desperate to find out just how luxurious your room is compared to theirs. Other
advantages include a washing machine (though everyone in New Block uses it so it’s al-
ways busy) and being right next door to the dining hall.

Staircase IV
Unlike the uniform rooms and corridors of Matthews, which can be a bit confusing for
the first couple of weeks, Staircase IV has a pretty eclectic mix of rooms, and residents
too. Sharing the building with tutors’ offices, the nurse’s surgery and postgraduate stu-
dents, staircase IV first year residents are a rare breed – but that’s all to the good. Your
distinctly Oxfordy rooms are likely to be the envy of your friends, and although you sac-
rifice the advantage of having a sink in your room, you are rewarded with spacious
bathrooms, thick stone walls (which mean that, unlike your counterparts in Matthews,
you won’t be quite as aware of your neighbours returning home at 2am), and laundry
facilities close at hand. There is a shared fridge located just outside the rooms, yet often
results in a dumping ground for unwashed mugs and crumbs. It’s quite unlikely that you
will end up here—most rooms go to second/third yeras and visiting students, however
if you do, you will enjoy being located near the bar but not too close to get disturbed
quite as much as Matthews.

The beauty that is Matthews Block. The outside of New Block and Staircase I.
You will not know which block of accommodation you will be living in until the day you arrive.
However, here is a quick guide of what—and what not—to bring. Your room will quickly be-
come your bedroom, living room, mini-kitchen and study area all rolled into one. Whilst not
everything on the list is necessary, it’s often nice to have some comforts, it’s amazing what peo-
ple manage to bring up with them each year!

- First Aid Kit (To combat the inevitable Freshers’ Flu, hangovers etc...)
- Mugs, glasses, plates, cutlery, bowls etc
- Kettle (with various forms of caffeine based drinks and cuppa soups. Lots and lots of TEA! If
you don’t drink it now, you will do after your first term, when caffeine has become a staple
part of your diet. You never know what you
- Duvet and pillows. may have occasion to wear ..
- Bed Linen (Sheets and Duvet cover (x2) for when one lot is being
washed.
- Rug (not essential but helps personalise your room/ absorb dust.)
- Bike, helmet and D-Lock (lock is essential if you want to keep your bike!)
- Sports wear and equipment (obviously only what is practical, don’t try
and fit a boat in your room.)
-Clothes (of a massive variety, formal wear such as prom dresses and suits
to any dressing up clothes you may have to hand, ready for bops.)
- Towels and hand towels.
- Washing powder, washing-up sponge, dish towels, fairy liquid, Vanish.
- Lamps—you might want an extra one, although there is a desk lamp and bedside lamp pro-
vided.
- Multi-socket adapter. Staircase IV rooms have but two sockets in the room, so essential.
- A CHEQUEBOOK – you will not believe how many of these you’ll have to write over the course
of the next year!
- Pictures, knick-knacks, posters to liven things up (but NB blu-tack is not allowed)
- Clothes horse (keeps tumble drying costs down, and combats climate change, woop woop.)

Whatever you forget, and there will, inevitably, be something, there is no better way to make
friends than the need to borrow someone else’s bottle opener on a daily basis. By the end of
your first year, you may even struggle to remember which things were yours or your
neighbour’s in the first place.

DON'T BRING A MICROWAVE, TOASTIE MAKER, DEEP FAT FRYER, RICE COOKER OR YOUR CAT
'COS THEY AREN'T ALLOWED.

Please note: All electrical appliances must be in good working order and fitted with a 13 amp
plug (BS1363) with sleeved pins. They may be checked by the College’s electricians. Check that
your electrical items can take UK 240V a/c supply, or buy a converter.

18
Bikes
Most students find a bike an indispensable asset, for despite SPC's cen-
tral location some departments and sports facilities are located at quite
some distance away. It is particularly important if you're considering
doing any sports or using your free gym membership which you get
from being a member of SPC, at the University sports centre on Iffley
Road, as it is a twenty-five minute walk. If you decide to row, then a
puncture kit is helpful as the path down to the boathouse is somewhat
riddled with potholes. A D-lock and lights are essential items – the po-
lice regularly fine student riders who don’t have lights, and bike theft is
a lucrative business in Oxford!

There is plenty of room to leave your bike in College, (next to the JCR, or in the Chavasse lock-up)
which is far safer than leaving it outside. A registration system will be explained to you during
Freshers’ Week; please register your bike as this will ensure that, should your bike disappear
mysteriously in the night and be re-found elsewhere in the morning, it can be safely delivered
back to your good self. Helmets are recommended, as bike related traffic accidents can be lethal.
If you don’t have a bike already there are great bike sales at the Oxford Union (which is less than
a minute’s walk away from college) every other Wednesday where you can get a very good qual-
ity bike at a decent price. Also when you arrive, it is a good idea to talk to some second years to
see where they purchased their bikes: often places in Cowley will do you a good deal on a bulk
package. Other than that, bikes are highly recommended—you can bring them up at anytime
during the year, just head to the lodge to register it!

Laundry
Doing your washing can be a bit of a challenge here at St Peter's, but you will soon get the hang
of it. Washing machines are scarce for New Blockers. There is one on every floor of Matthews
apart from the top floor, one in Staircase IV and one in Chavasse, along with tumble dryers. A
load of washing costs £1.20 but is paid for by a swipe card, which you can get from the lodge.
Some machines are almost constantly in use, so when removing other people’s washing at the
end of a cycle, please don’t just dump it on the floor. You charge your card up at the lodge, either
a £5 or £10 note, then head to the washing machine which will have instructions.

As mentioned earlier, another good idea is to bring (or buy at nearby Argos) a clothes horse, or
else your delicates will be permanently damp!

Other Domestic Equipment

If you’re lucky enough to live in Matthews you’ll soon find out that at the end of the corridor
there is a little kitchenette/cupboard with a fridge, kettle and large sink for washing up.
In the JCR, there is also the ‘Green & Gold’ kitchen, that was built just two years ago. Although
relatively new, there have been many threats of it being shut down. Irresponsible users are to
blame, leaving the kitchen, particularly the microwave, as a breeding ground for bacteria.
However, good news is that the kitchen has two large fridges, lockers, a microwave, toasters and
even a few hot plates; this means that if you’re peckish and not up for hall, you’re welcome to
make what ever you like (or what you actually can) in the kitchen—AS LONG AS YOU CLEAN UP
AFTER YOURSELF!
Informal hall
St. Peter’s is a catered college; this means that Monday—Friday, breakfast, lunch and dinner can all be ob-
tained at specific times in the dining hall. On a Saturday and Sunday, brunch and dinner are available. The way
in which you pay for your food is simple: using the upay website (www.upay.co.uk), you log on with your col-
lege email and password and ‘top up’ your account by entering your bank card details (a bit like online shop-
ping). Then in hall, you simply take your bodcard (University Card) with you, which you hand over to the staff at
the cash register to be swiped and charged. Each item has a specific price that you will be able to check on the
menu. A typical ‘informal hall’ dinner meal will offer two meat and two vegetarian options for mains, with ac-
companying vegetables, salads, fruit, dessert, yoghurts and juices: menus are available on the JCR website
(www.spcjcr.co.uk). ‘Informal hall’ refers to the usual, ‘canteen-style’ arrangement for eating.

Formal hall
Currently runs twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday, slightly later in the evening than informal hall. At formal
hall you wear your gown over your normal clothes and hear a Grace in Latin before you begin. It is optional but
popular, and great value for three courses. The food tends to be of better quality but there are only two op-
tions—one meat and one vegetarian. You are served at your table by the staff and can bring wine, but not spir-
its, in with you. The college community seen in formal hall is great to bring guests along to. You sign up for for-
mal hall via the upay website, usually two days in advance. Often certain events, such as Welfare Drinks or
Burns Night include formal hall and are extremely popular.

Meal times are as follows -

Breakfast Mon - Fri: 8am-9am
Lunch Mon - Fri : 12pm - 1.30pm
Dinner (informal hall) - 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Dinner (formal hall) - 7.30pm prompt
Brunch (Sundays only) - 11.00am – 12:30pm

For the first four days of Freshers’ week you will pay a total amount upfront so will not need to worry about
your upay account until the Thursday. Also, times will likely to be different, however information will be pro-
vided to you on the Sunday.

OTHER
The JCR kitchen is not a fully equipped kitchen, however it has the basics to keep you entertained. With our
central location and the wonder that is studentbeans.com eating out is easy and can often be very cheap.
Whilst take-away options include the famous Kebab Kid (Peter’s easily get discount) and Noodlenation, local
restaurants such as Pizza Express, Ask, Zizzi are always offering 2 for 1. Also Wetherspoons is a cheap place to
eat, whilst lunchtime snacks can be found at Mortons, La Baguette and other well-known shops near college.

Kebab Kid loves St Peter’s!

20
Getting connected in your room - what to bring:
We recommend bringing a laptop as it’ll prevent you having to pack up your PC at the end of
every term. Also it’ll mean you can take it to lectures and libraries with you. If you can also
bring a small printer with you, it could work out cheaper in the long run, although you can man-
age quite easily without one. (That’s what friends are for.)

All of the college rooms come with a high speed internet broadband connection. This comes from the Ethernet
socket in your room (not wireless), so you need to make sure that your PC/laptop has a socket for an Ethernet
cable too. It should look like this:

One thing you definitely need to bring with you is an Ethernet cable. Make sure it is a patch and not a cross-
over cable - ask when you buy it. We seriously recommend buying one before you arrive as last year Argos and
Staples sold out in record time, leaving many students destitute and unable to check their Facebook and add all
their splendid new friends. Some Ethernet cables were given out in the University Freshers’ Fair and there will
be a limited number for sale at St Peter’s, but don’t count on this as your sole means for obtaining one. How-
ever, if it’s not possible, don’t worry too much—stealing others’ internet is a great way to make friends (and
have a sneaky peek in their room) whilst the shops do restock!

Usernames and Passwords

At Oxford you will have a unique username and several passwords linked to it for different ser-
vices.

Your username will look like: spet1234 (‘spet’ is the unit name for St Peter's College). The user-
name is identical for both Oxford University IT Services and St Peters College IT Services. There
are differences between the services provided:

The St Peters College’s Services include:

Internet connections
Computer Room machines
Printing
Library Laptops

The Oxford University Services include:

Your Oxford email services
Data backup services
Personal web space
Remote Access (VPN)

You will need to set a different password for your Oxford University and College services.
On activating your email account please register your Computer with St Peter’s by visiting
http://gold.spc.ox.ac.uk. Along with the forms, there is valuable information about how to con-
nect to the network and requirements to ensure your Laptop has been setup correctly.

You must register here as soon as you activate your Oxford Email Account.

College IT Facilities
St Peter’s College has a ‘Library Laptops’ scheme enabling you to borrow a College laptop for 3-
hour sessions for use in the Library. These are kept behind the Lodge reception desk 24 hours a
day. (You will be required to hand in your University Card as a deposit.)

The main computer room and printing facilities are in Staircase II, Room 4. Additional printing
locations are in the main Library Entrance and Library Landing.
Printing costs: Black and White on A4 is 4p; Colour on A4 is 15p. All printing charges will be
added onto your battels at the end of term.

You are not permitted to bring any of your own Wireless routers or networking hubs etc.

St Peter’s is part of the University Wireless Service - Information can be found at: http://
www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/network/wireless/

The network at Oxford University is for academic use. Recreational use is permitted but any-
body found to be downloading using Peer-to-Peer (p-2-p) software such as BitTorrent,
Limewire, Kazaa and other variations will be blocked and fined. You have been warned.

If you are unsure please email it-support@spc.ox.ac.uk.

There is a full list of network rules are detailed at: http://www.ict.ox.ac.uk/oxford/rules/

http://nexus.ox.ac.uk - Your email account

http://gold.spc.ox.ac.uk - St Peter's IT Help Pages and Forms
http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk - Oxford University Computing Services
http://welcometoit.ox.ac.uk - A further help guide

It’s good to get your internet sorted out quickly, as other things quickly become more important
during the excitement of Freshers’ week. Once you have set it up you’ll need to check your
email every day, as tutors tend to send numerous messages informing you of tutorial arrange-
ments, extra lectures etc; and other facilities such as u-pay are all online.

22
At Uni, you will be expected to spend money , but for many of you it will be the first time deal-
ing with outgoings for bills, rent and food rather than just clothes and going out! For some the
start of each term brings the eagerly-awaited deposit of student loans whilst the lucky ones of
you will be draining your parent’s bank account with a monthly standing order. Either way,
keeping an eye on your finances is as almost important as keeping an eye on your essays; time,
research and organisation are key!

Make a Budget and Monitor your Spending

Making a budget can help you build up a picture of what you have coming in vs. what you are
spending. Try keeping receipts and making a record at the end of each month of what you have
spent to see whether you have stuck to your budget, and if you haven’t, where you can cut-
back. Also make sure you open all your bank and credit card statements – ignoring them does
not mean they don’t exist! The biggest thing is to be realistic. Your budget should reflect your
financial situation, and not the financial situation of a wealthy Arab Sheikh (unless you are one
of course!). Internet banking is a useful thing to set up, and will become vital when you are liv-
ing out in your second year, so it is useful to get this set up.
Where it is obvious that you are overspending don’t put off addressing the problem; instead,
make time to sit down and reassess your finances. And don’t forget to budget for the vacation
as well. Your income and expenditure will be different then, but remember you will be return-
ing to university so don’t go crazy down Harvey Nic’s.

Banking
Banks love students and therefore offer a wide range of different incentives, but they are a few
things you need to look out for:

• Overdraft. Depending on your bank the size of the overdraft on their student account will dif-
fer. Most however should offer an interest free overdraft for the duration of your degree, which
you will probably need to use at some point.

• Free stuff. Most banks will offer free stuff with their student account ranging from travel cards
to music downloads. Find out what they are offering and go with the account that benefits you
the most – but don’t get sucked in by freebies only to find out that the deal on your account is-
n’t actually that great. Shop around.

• Talk to your bank. If you are lucky enough to have some extra savings then you should discuss
this with your bank and they should be able to tell where the best place is for your money. ISAs
and online savings accounts are usually the highest interest.

• Don’t go over your overdraft limit! Try not to cut into your overdraft too much but if it is nec-
essary then don’t go over the limit – bank charges can be pretty high!!
It can take a couple of weeks to process a student bank account, in particular the overdraft, so
we recommend sorting it out now instead worrying about it during Freshers’ Week!
As well as student loans and parents, there are other sources of income available to
students that often don’t need paying back! The JCR, the college itself and the Uni-
versity provide various types of bursaries and grants for different needs, from help-
ing out with the general living costs to funding for trips, art projects and sports
equipment.

The Oxford Opportunities Bursary is available from the University ‘for UK under-
graduate students from low-income families who are eligible to receive both tuition
and maintenance support from the UK Government under the student support
regulations for variable fees’. Eligible students will receive their Bursary via the Uni-
versity Finance Office. The University can see whether you are eligible for this
from your household income assessment in your student finance application.

More information can be found out at: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/

undergraduate_courses/student_funding/oxford_opportunity_bursaries/index.html

Other sources of help

The College can sometimes contribute towards the cost of academic projects and
trips. For students who have obligatory field trips (eg. geography, earth sciences
and Biology), the college has funds that can often pay for a part, if not the whole, of
the costs. For personal trips, there are other grants, with deadlines often in March/
April, that can go towards expenses as long as you prove you’ll be spending it
wisely—these are available through the college and university.

For advice on all funding matters, see the Student Finance Officer, Izzy McKeand
(Monday to Thursday, 9.00—5.00).

If you have any questions about receiving bursaries or eligibility, please contact JCR
access rep Alex worth—alex.worth@spc.ox.ac.uk

24
Credit and Store Cards
Don’t go there! Store cards will just mean you have more things to worry about paying, and you
can get student discount in many places with your bodcard anyway. A debit card with a free
overdraft is a better bet than a credit card, but if you do get one, make sure you pay it off every
month.

Battels
Battels are the bills that you have to pay to College by Monday of 2nd Week each term. They
cover rent, heating, electricity and hall food charges. Library fines, punt charges, boat club din-
ners (or similar) and photocopying can also be charged here too. If you have problems paying
Battels on time, go and see the Student Finance Officer who will sort things out – please don't
keep it to yourself. The college can often make loans if your student loan is delayed for some
reason. Alternatively you can go and see the JCR welfare officers, who can give you advice too.

Cutting Costs
Buying Books – don’t go out and buy every book on your reading list, it will exhaust your over-
draft very quickly and you probably won’t read all of them anyway. Email your college parents
and ask them what books they’d recommend buying. Look on amazon.co.uk, where you often
buy copies with a large discount off the RRP. If you are buying second hand books, remember
that for some subjects it’s only worth buying the most recent edition; older ones may be a
waste of paper and money (not for English, though!) On the top floor of Blackwell’s you can get
second hand books for 2/3rds of the cost of new books. The college library lets you borrow
books for a month , and even then it is only a simple online renewal process to allow you to
borrow them for longer.

Getting a Job
Due to the short terms and heavy workload, you will have very little time for a job. The college
does offer some paid employment, mainly, the opportunity to work in the bar; not a massive
time commitment (usually 4 nights a term) but gives you a bit more cash in the pot. There are
also thing such as staying in the Christmas vac to help with interviews. Your long vacation in the
summer is probably the best time for you seek employment, as you will probably want a break
during the Easter and Christmas vacations as well have having to prepare for the next term.

Links
A really useful site with lots of money saving tips is:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
Oxford University Financial Information
http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/finance/
Department for Education and Skills Guide to Student Finance
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/
BBC One Life Guide to Student Funding
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/education/index.shtml?fundingtopics
The JCR
Short for the Junior Common Room, this is where you find something to do when you don’t
want to work. There are newspapers galore, including the Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Mail and
Sun as well as the two student papers, the Cherwell and (OUSU funded) Oxford Student (Oxstu
for short). If you’d rather not look at any more words, there’s a big plasma TV with Sky. This pro-
vides a great communal area for watching things such as political elections or big sports events.
There are also regular film nights organised by the Entz rep.

If that doesn’t keep you away from the library, there is the considerable attraction of the pool
table, the scene of much bonding and many a battle last year. It is a paltry 40p a game or 3
games for a pound. There is free table football and a tennis table too. Despite injury to some of
the little soldiers (decapitation seriously affecting the red team’s midfield), the table football is
in good working order and an endless source of distraction from education. Also, for those who
like sport but prefer to play it electronically, the Wii has prime position amongst our other game
machines.

The quiz machine has a cult following, and rather like a cult leader, it takes money from wor-
shipping masses and offers only dubious enlightenment in return. Some will argue that it is gen-
erous to a select few but generally it only pays out after the guy before has put in his student
loan. There are many such people though, so it may one day be your lucky day…

The Bar
The bar was newly rebuilt and refurbished recently; unlike many other colleges, it is fully stu-
dent-run and staffed (look out for jobs advertised each term which will beef up your bank bal-
ance a bit), and a great place to start a night out or just go for a quiet drink in the evening with
a couple of friends. The bar has a great collection of memorabilia on the walls (look out for the
inevitable nudity in JCR fun photos) which gives it a distinctive Peter’s character, and the Johnny
Fraser memorial garden is a good place to sip your beer/lemonade on warmer days in Trinity
term. The bar is also home to St Peter’s college drink—Cross-Keys, which consists of five shots
and has a unique aftertaste, not unlike paint-stripper!

Prices are very reasonable, and any profit goes straight back into the running of the bar, so that
the managing team can continue to improve it, for your benefit. If you ever have any sugges-
tions or queries, get in touch with Jonny Torrance (bar manager) (jonny.torrance@spc.ox.ac.uk)
who will be happy to take them on board. And otherwise – enjoy it, (in responsible moderation,
of course!)

The Punts
The JCR hires a punt from Magdalen Bridge each Trinity Term – you’ll hear more about this
nearer the time. If you’ve paid the punt charge, you can book the punt for free as many times
as your plans allow. You shouldn’t miss this opportunity to use it as many times as possible – it’s
the perfect way to while away one of those rare work-free afternoons, or prove to your friends
that you really are an Oxford stereotype, as you sip a glass of Pimms.

26
The Library
You’ll soon find out that people will use the college library in varying amounts. Whilst some find
it to be the perfect place to work all day, free from the distractions of their room, others use it
just for getting books, or indeed not at all. It's unlikely you'll find all the books for your course
here (often the college may have a book, but not enough copies to go around) and you'll have
to make the odd trip to faculty libraries, but the college library is a really useful resource
(complete with photocopier, computers and fancy self-issuing book machine), that is fantastic-
ally close to home and open 24 hours a day. If you're fond of delaying writing your essay and
pulling all nighters, you may also find the library a good place to make friends. Seats in the up-
per library are often more contested than those in the ground floor, lower library which is
somewhat deprived of natural light!

The Photocopier
This pile of plastic and metal with a mind of its own is found outside the upper library door and
swallows money like there’s no tomorrow (5p per copy into JCR coffers). You buy a photocopy-
ing card from the Finance Office. Tell Zavvi Lever (the food, housing & amenities officer) if it
needs more paper, or if it’s urgent, ask at the lodge. You may be able to photocopy for free in
your faculty library, though, so it is worth checking there first.

The Music Room (social/academic, depending on your subject!)

This is definitely one of the nicest music rooms in the University. It’s a large airy room situated
above the MCR (Middle Common Room) opposite Chavasse and next to New Block. It boasts a
grand piano and an electronic drum kit. It can be booked for rehearsals/ practices as long as you
fill in a booking form and send it to the music tutor about a week before hand. You may also be
able to practise on the piano in the chapel, with permission – ask at the lodge for details of
both.

Then ... And now....

The JCR has always been an integral part of life at St Peter’s.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Chew.

SHOPS & RESTAURANTS
Due to our central location, pretty much everything you need is within walking distance of col-
lege. We’re right by the high street, which is lined with shops including all the usual high street
chains and a few more unusual places too. There are two shopping malls within three minutes
walk from college: Westgate (which boasts a massive Primark) and the Clarendon Centre, and
there’s a large Debenhams too. There are also a lot of quirky boutiques in the covered market,
which is also home to the Alpha Salad Bar and the rightly famous Ben’s Cookies.

If you need to stock up on food, shampoo or other essentials then Westgate also has a Sains-
bury’s in it. There is also a smaller late-opening Sainsbury’s Local on St Giles (just round the cor-
ner from Debenhams, and only 5 mins walk from college). That branch closes at 11pm Mon-Sat,
but whacks an extra 10p or so on everything for the privilege. Both Sainsbury’s branches are no-
torious for their queues, but these are often not as bad for the self-service checkouts.

We’re right opposite the Castle complex, which has a range of restaurants and bars including a
KrispyKreme, Pizza Express and a new Wetherspoons pub. For chicken lovers there’s a Nandos
further down George Street. Jamie’s Italian, just opposite the end of New Inn Hall Street, is the
first in Jamie Oliver’s new chain, designed to be accessible to the student budget. Other nearby
highlights include La Baguette, The Mission (brilliant and very filling Mexican burritos) and
other chains—our best advice, hit Studentbeans.com and see which are offering the best offers
(usually 2 for 1) and availability.

CLUBS
We have quite few nightclubs in Oxford which cater to a range of different music tastes. Student
nights are mainly week nights, although P.T’s is a standard post-bop haunt. Here are details on
the main ones, though there are more.

Kukui
Kukui is one of St Peter’s most-frequented nightclubs. Situated in Park End, Kukui on a Tuesday
and Friday night is a favourite of Peterites, particularly following the mayhem that is SPC Rugby
drinks in the bar on a Tuesday. It’s a club themed around palm trees and tropical fish (yes, they
use piranhas as lampshades). If you want a sophisticated night out, Kukui probably isn’t the
place for you. If you want to dance to cheesey pop music, have a good laugh, and don’t mind
getting a bit sweaty and crowded, join the queue!

The Bridge
Another very popular, slightly larger venue. Big nights are normally Tuesday and Thursday. The
Bridge plays commercial R’n’B on the ground floor, and cheese and dance on the first floor. At
the Bridge, Peter’s own the pole as well! So when you’re there let other colleges know.

28
Lava/Ignite
Big nights are Wednesday nights—it’s now become THE night for Oxford sports teams. Much
larger than The Bridge/ Kukui, with three separate rooms and bars. Plays cheese and dance on
the larger bottom floor and RnB and Hip-hop on the smaller dance floor upstairs, with dance on
the big dance floor upstairs. Lava is always a wicked night. Plus if you really like RnB, Hip-hop
and dancehall and don’t mind going clubbing in Oxford on a non-student night then this is a
good club to go to on a Saturday as well, although entry fee and drinks prices become very ex-
pensive at weekends.

The Cellar
Eclectric nights run here every other Thursday (the other happens in Babylove bar) and is a
good night for anyone looking for an alt/indie scene away from hip-hop and dance music.
Hit’N’Run is the drum’n’bass night every other Wednesday. In the same place, Sunday Roast in-
volves chilled funk and is often a breath of fresh air from the standard music you hear in Ox-
ford. Often uses student bands. One big cellar next door to the Purple Turtle and the Union.

Purple Turtle (PTs)

Free for members of the Oxford union, and standard entry fee of a fiver to everyone else. Popu-
lar with the college, especially for bop after-parties. Another underground venue with cheaper
drinks and low doorways. PT’s is dirty, dank and cramped, and Peter’s loves it. Post bops you
can find a sweaty mass of bodies dancing with reckless abandon, wearing remnants of costume.

Clementines (Clems)
Not as popular a venue as the others, probably due to its location slightly out of the centre at
the Magdalen roundabout. It plays commercial RnB, pop and cheese. A Saturday night venue
which can be a great laugh if enough of you go, and worth heading to as an after-party if you
are at an earlier event in the immediate area.

Cowley/Oxford Brookes
The Pleasuredome is the Oxford Brookes union building and is huge and an amazing night. It’s a
chance to get away from the nights you are used to in Oxford, and enjoy seriously cheap drinks,
hip hop, R&B and dance. They have live acts sometimes too.

The O2 Academy
This is in Cowley and is a venue that gets some great bands, as well as hosting some great club
nights; Fuzzy Ducks runs every Wednesday and is one of the biggest nights in Oxford and good
for a big occasion like a birthday.

Clubbing in Oxford is divided between two large Entz companies, Pulse and Rockentz, that put
on different nights throughout the week at certain clubs, and charge different prices. Joining
their facebook groups are good ways of seeing what nights they are putting on, although the
messages might get a bit annoying! Freshers’ week is our chance to show you our personal fa-
vourites, St Peter’s style.
PUBS
Where there are students, there are going to be places for them to drink. It follows logically,
then, that in such an old university city there will be hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of pubs within
staggering distance of your front door. For the discerning drinker who prefers a pint and a good
conversation to a sweaty dance floor and vomit-covered shoes, Oxford is pub paradise. From
the tiny back-street charms of The Bear to the busy Turf Tavern, Oxford’s worst kept secret,
there are old pubs oozing with character to suit every drinker, and
every occasion. Sitting in the heart of the southern brewery territory,
every pub in Oxford has at least one real ale on draught; White Horse
Brewery and the excellent Wychwood range of ales are always firm
favourites. Also, there are a few pubs located out of town, such as
The Perch or The Head of the River, but similar to city centre pubs,
their locations mean high prices!

OTHER
Film
There’s two Odeon cinemas, located at the bottom of the road from college and near the Sains-
bury's local, showing all the big blockbusters, whilst the Phoenix cinema, about 15 minutes’
walk away in Jericho screens a wider mix including foreign language and arthouse pictures. The
Ultimate Picture Palace in Cowley is an undiscovered gem which offers a cheap, slightly shabby
experience which makes you feel as if you’ve been catapulted back a couple of decades. If you
become a member of the Oxford Union, their library offers a wide collection of DVDs for rent.

Theatre
There are lots of theatres, all very close to college, which put on some very high standard plays
throughout the year, many (if not most) of which are student productions. You’ll soon start get-
ting lots of flyers and emails about what’s on, and there are invariably several plays to choose
from almost every night, aswell as many student/college drama companies to audition for if you
wish to get involved yourself.

Museums
Oxford is unsurprisingly littered in Museums. The University museum is located between the
Science area and Uni Parks, and features skeletons, fossils and rocks collected over its history.
Alongside this museum is the Pitts River Museum which looks at the anthropological side of the
earth. The newly renovated Ashmolean is just a five minute walk from college, and offers a bit
of everything. Best of all, museums are free!

Sports
There is an ice-skating rink just past Park End Street, and an outdoor pool (Hinksey pool) off the
Abingdon Road. Also, each member of the JCR is entitled to free membership at Iffley Road
gym, in the Iffley sports centre which has an indoor pool. The gym is located shortly off Ma-
gadelen Brigde on Iffley Road and has CV equipment and weights. The gym also provides other
classes, such as circuits and houses many of Oxford sports clubs. SPC boat club is located
(unsurprisingly) by the river, a ten minute walk down the canal path on the right –hand side as
you approach it from the street.

30
One thing which can lead to confusion for the Oxford fresher is the question of the two ‘unions’.
The two big boys on the university political block, the Oxford University Student Union and the
Oxford Union are two very different things, not in the least by the fact that you are automati-
cally a member of one and not the other. If you are not already enlightened, then let me eluci-
date…
OUSU
Oxford University Student Union (OUSU for short) is the official student union, representing the
views of all students to the university and also nationally on a wider political level as part of the
National Union of Students (NUS). As well as giving voice to student views, it provides a wide
range of services, including a strong welfare support network and resources to assist JCRs as
well as individual students. Many of your JCR committee members may have been trained at
OUSU. It also runs the big university Freshers’ Fair at the end of Freshers’ week, and heads a
campaign to widen access to Oxford. All students are automatically members of OUSU and eligi-
ble to vote for its officers in the elections. It may lack the glamour and high profile of the Oxford
Union (see below), but it is an incredibly important body which provides a lot more in terms of
services and support than many students realise – it’s worth looking at their website to get a
real sense of what they provide. OUSU offices are on Bonn Square, about 30 seconds from col-
lege, which is also the headquarters of The Oxford Student, the official student newspaper pub-
lished by OUSU. To gain more information please contact your JCR OUSU rep Florence Barnes—
florence.barnes@spc.ox.ac.uk or see the website: http://www.ousu.org/main

The Oxford Union

The Oxford Union Society (usually just called ‘the Oxford Union’ or ‘the union’) is a private
members’ club situated on St. Michael’s Street. A prestigious debating society, the union hosts
competitions, as well as weekly debates featuring students and guest contributors. Famous
speakers appear regularly, and the society also runs numerous social events throughout the
year, including a ball every term and an annual trip to Paris. It does not represent the student
body, and is in fact entirely separate to the university, but with a membership comprising a
large proportion of the total students, it plays a prominent role in Oxford life – or Oxford gossip,
at least. The Union runs a cheap bar and The Purple Turtle nightclub – to go to either after
Freshers’ week you must be a member, after which entry to the club is free. Life membership
costs around £190, (discount during Freshers’ week at £170) but they also offer lower ‘access’
price (see website for details).

The Union is not to everybody’s taste, and it’s worth deciding how much you think you would
use your membership before buying it, but it certainly provides access to a wide range of social
opportunities as well as the chance to see celebrity speakers and engage in debating.
http://www.oxford-union.org/home
You’ll often end up reading about these two in the student newspapers, and can often find
yourself mauled by people trying to coerce you to vote for them. People who do this are called
‘hacks’ by University newspaper gossip columns.
Along with your male and female welfare officers, Catherine and Taz, we have a whole team of
Peer Supporters at College that are here to help out with any problems you may have, confiden-
tially and for free. They have all attended training sessions and know how to cope with any
situations and their phone numbers are posted around college. They’ll be around a lot in Fresh-
ers’ Week, expect to see them during Freshers’ Rehab in the JCR post-club! Don’t forget all your
JCR and Freshers committees care about your welfare and are happy to help with any problems
as best as we can. The official college Tutor for Welfare, Henrietta Leyser, is also a very reliable
person to turn to, and can help you approach your tutors if you have issues that may affect your
work (although we hope you never do!) You can approach Henrietta at any time in Staircase IV,
Room 16; she has an open door policy.

Twice a week, there are Peer Support Drop-Ins ("Just Drop In!"). During these, one or more peer
supporters will be in the Theberge room (although this may change, posters will be going up in
Freshers’ Week) for you to come and chat about any problems you have, or anything you want
to get off your chest. Anything from problems settling in to worries with work, we'll do our best
to help and support you, and also, just to listen. We also have good links with the University
counselling services and can be your first point of call if you want to get in touch with them.
Also if you want free contraception we'll be able to help you with that too. We are currently
working on replacing the Safex condoms machines with fully stocked Durex machines. At the
moment, you can get durex condoms, pregnancy tests, attack alarms and earplugs from your
college welfare officers, completely free.

As well as the drop-ins there are other welfare events each week. Sunday afternoons are fa-
mous for men’s and women's teas. These are great chances for the guys and girls to get to-
gether and chat, eat and hang out and will be put on by members of the welfare team. Wednes-
days also witness welfare tea madness with a joint session for anyone in college who fancies it
and will take place in the JCR or just outside (depending on the weather). Take advantage of the
free food to unwind at the end of the week or break up those mid-week blues!

As if all this welfare love wasn't enough, we've gone one step further and given you college par-
ents! Both of your parents will be second years, one will be studying the same subject as you
whereas your other parent won't. This ensures that if you need help with your work, social life
or anything else there will be two loving parents willing and ready to help you out!

There will also be other welfare events this term which we'll let you know more about nearer
the time (look out for our welfare posters!). Recently introduced, ‘Welfare Drinks’ have been
occurring once a term on a Thursday– before formal hall you are entitled to a few drinks on the
house at the college bar and get to schmooze with the dean and various tutors (including Henri-
etta Leyser, our own college tutor for welfare, see above) and discuss any points of concern.

Oxford Welfare
Student Advice Service (SAS); Telephone: (01865) 288 641; e-mail: welfare@ousu.org or drop in
to the OUSU Offices in Bonn Square.
32
The SAS is a service run by the Oxford University Student Union. It is an impartial, confidential
advice and information service, and can advise on a whole range of issues from pregnancy to
housing problems to academic issues.

Nightline - Tel. 270 270, 16 Wellington Square.

Nightline is a listening and information service run by trained student volunteers. The office is
open from 8pm until 8am. If you want to talk things over with someone, telephone or drop in
personally. There are always two people on duty, one male, and one female. They can call you
back or accept reverse charges if you’re calling from a 01865 (Oxford) number. Nightline is run
by students who are not a branch of any counselling service and, though not professionals, are
well-trained and dedicated. All calls are treated sympathetically and in the strictest confidence.
Nightline can help you with a wider range of things than you might imagine, and they also pro-
vide information on just about anything you could imagine. So if it’s the middle of the night and
you want to get a condom, but don’t know where to go, or if you’ve just finished a really diffi-
cult essay and everyone else in college is asleep, but if you want a chat, then give them a ring.
Nightline volunteers need talking to at four in the morning too! Nightline is always looking for
new volunteers, look out for information at University Freshers’ Fair or posters in College. It’s
one of Oxford’s most worthwhile things to do.
University Counselling Service, Tel. 270 300, 11Wellington Square.
Run by professionals for members of the University, they deal with a wide range of issues af-
fecting people’s lives, whether social, academic or personal. You might like to use it in times of
crisis or in a more developmental and exploratory way. The staff are a mixture of full and part-
time professionals who, as well as dealing with broad counselling issues, have specialist skills in
areas such as study related issues and anxiety management. Help is usually offered on a one-to-
one basis, but there are also groups, which cover topics such as communications skills, exam
anxiety and sexuality. The centre is open from 9am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday (check vaca-
tion times). Appointments can be made by telephone or by a personal visit.
The Samaritans, Tel. 722 122, 123 Iffley Road.
You can phone 24 hours a day, or call in at the centre Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm. They will
accept local reverse charges. The Samaritans are a nation-wide organisation particularly in-
volved with the despairing or suicidal, but anyone who simply wants to talk is welcome. They
are not a religious organisation and treat all calls confidentially.
Oxford Women’s Line, Tel. 726 295 Open Monday to Thursday 7pm to 9pm, Wednesday 2pm to
10pm, Friday 2pm to 4pm.
They provide a sympathetic ear and advice to women who have been sexually assaulted. Other
sources of help may be found in the Oxford Handbook or from the JCR Welfare Officers.

A final tip...
Not strictly welfare, but in Oxford there are various organisations that act as a chaperone if you
ever find yourself lonesome on a night out. The Safety Bus is run jointly by Oxford Brookes Stu-
dents’ Union and OUSU. It was set up to provide a safe means of transport late at night. To use
the service simply ring 07714 445050 between 9 p.m.–3 a.m. Monday to Saturdays and 9 p.m.–
1 a.m. on Sundays. The bus will pick you up and deliver you to any destination within the ring
road.
 Sports and other Societies at SPC
At Oxford, extra-curricular activities occur at two levels; either through the University or with a
college. Enthusiasm and enjoyment are the key to getting involved or starting a sport at St Pe-
ter’s. University sports teams take people from all colleges, so it is harder to gain a place on a
University team for some of the more popular sports. Some sports, such as martial arts, shoot-
ing or watersports occur solely as University-wide sports clubs, as they cannot feasibly be run
separately within each college. The Oxford University Freshers’ fair will let you se all the differ-
ent activities throughout the University, however Peter’s itself is a huge hub of activities,
whether sport, music, art or drama!

SPORT AT PETER’S
Peter’s prowess in sport is renowned throughout the University...however which sport and at
what time of the year is often left to chance. Just some of the sports available at Peter’s:

Rowing Football Rugby Netball Cricket Table Football

Table Tennis Tennis Lacrosse Badminton Hockey Rounders Croquet

Over the last couple of years, girls have set up their own society called the Ladies Lawn Sports
Society (LLSS for short!) for Rounders and Cricket, where basically ANYTHING GOES and we
have a dedicated sports rep to help out any new teams!

Each team has their own mantra for practices and matches. In your first couple of weeks, trials
and tryouts will be occurring alongside practices and the start of season matches, get involved,
get bonding and get representing—or at least keep fit! You’ll be able to meet the captains and
sign up at our own Freshers’ Fair, on the Saturday of Freshers’ week.

A bit more on rowing...

In your first year there will be lots of opportunities for you to experience that most Oxford of
sports—rowing. In Michaelmas term there is the Christ Church Regatta, a competition solely for
people who have not rowed previously. In Hilary term, the competition Torpids runs in a differ-
ent way; points are gained for bumping another boat. This also occurs in the Summer Eights
competition in Trinity term. All SPC boat crews intend to work harder than ever over the course
of the next year, with the ultimate aim of ‘blades’ - though this, of course, is a goal always
placed secondary to just having fun and enjoying mornings on the river.

Nick Fulton (Men’s Captain)

Zoe Apostolides (Women’s Captain)
Tom Lewis (Boat Club President)
You’ll be seeing them throughout Freshers’ week probably in some too-close fitting lycra en-
couraging you all to get on a ‘erg’ and improve your ‘split’!

34
ARTS AT PETER’S
As with many Oxford colleges, St. Peter’s takes the arts seriously, but at the same time has a
very relaxed and open-minded attitude towards people’s ideas and involvement. Regular op-
portunities for artistic expression include open mic nights, jazz evenings, jam sessions, and
other recitals and performances hosted in college, as well as the opportunity to contribute to
the termly publications of the college arts magazine, MISC, or the satirical Peterphile. Peter’s
students are often ‘famously’ involved in drama, both within college and the university as a
whole. For freshers, the drama cuppers competition in Michaelmas term offers a great oppor-
tunity to act in and produce short plays, even if it’s your first time. This year, St Peter’s has
started its own drama society ’Cross Keys’ which put on its successful debut production in Trin-
ity term. Every Trinity all our Arts events culminate in ARTS WEEK; this year included everything
from painting to creative writing and even a short film competition. The most important thing
for the Arts at Peter’s is ideas and involvement, there really is something for everyone.

MUSIC AT PETER’S
There are a variety of opportunities to play music at St. Peter’s, both in a formal and informal
context. For your own personal or group practice it is possible to book the music room, or use
the chapel, both of which have pianos in them. More formal musical activities include the
twice weekly evensong performed by the Chapel Choir, with auditions taking place in 0th week.
Other classically orientated musical activity includes the fortnightly series of student recitals on
Tuesday lunchtimes, with additional recitals together with large scale orchestral concerts. Less
formal musical activities include open mic nights and jam sessions in the college bar, in which a
variety of people often get involved. This year Peter’s alternative
choir has also delighted members of SPC with its renditions of many
Disney classics.

OTHER SOCIETIES AT PETER’S

At Peter’s there is more than just sport, music, art and drama. Many
get involved in societies inside and outside of Peter’s that can often
take up just as much time as any sport!

The SPCCU, or St Peter’s College Christian Union provides a huge wealth of support and meet
together to pray, discuss and to support one another within the college, as well as meeting to-
gether with Christians from other colleges once every two weeks. Most meetings are quite in-
formal, and everyone will have a chance to contribute. For more information, their website is
http://oiccu.org.uk/stp/.

Many of Peter’s students have set up their own societies and charities, such as the Oxhub web-
site (a website connecting students with charitable causes). The ball committee comprised of
second years are currently beginning to make preparations for the SPC ball at the end of Trinity
2011. Let’s not forget the JCR committee as well - the time will roll round very quickly when you
will soon be able to start thinking about elections!
If you want reassurance, here it is. Real, actual members of SPC JCR telling you
that tutors are not unreasonable and the workload for any subject is manageable
with organization and efficiency. Many of you will have, by now, received your
summer reading list and may be looking at it with horror. We hope these subject
reports prove that academic life at Peter’s is both challenging and manageable!

Law
Welcome to St Peter’s!! You’ve picked easily the least intimidating and friendliest college in Ox-
ford and one of the most interesting subjects! One of the best things about starting to study
law is that nobody has done it before so there is no need to panic because no-one expects you
to be able to do it straight away. Law is a great course because of the sheer variety within it. You
will study two modules every term (one of these modules is taught fortnightly so stretches over
two terms) and all the modules are totally different. If you’ve particularly enjoyed a module you
might be able to do something similar in third year and if you haven’t you only have to put up
with it for 8 weeks. There’s loads of discussion in law, it’s definitely not just a matter of learning
lots of cases. You will be expected to have an opinion and to voice it, this might be intimidating
at first but you will soon get used to it and find that it gives you a lot of confidence and forces
you to become much more involved in the subject which then makes it a lot more interesting.
The main skill that you will learn in your first year is learning to think like a lawyer, it will happen
without you even realising! Things that seemed intimidating at first like referring to cases and
forming a legal argument will be second nature to you by the end of the year and will certainly
take you a lot less time than it did to start with. One of the best and worst things about study-
ing law is that you have your exams at the end of the second term, which is earlier than every-
one else (except the theologians). Although its annoying having your exams at a different time
to everyone else it does mean that you get them out of the way early on and then you are free
to enjoy the summer term, which is easily the best 8 weeks in Oxford, without any stress. A ma-
jor advantage of St Peter’s is that we have our very own law library. Not only is this really con-
venient but it also means that the three years of law students get to know each other really
well and so there are always plenty of people around to answer any questions you have. So en-
joy the rest of your summer, don’t worry too much about any summer reading you are given to
do and looking forward to meeting you in October! Katherine Parkinson.

English
Lets not lie, we’re not Chemists. We don’t have labs all day, we don’t have hours of compulsory
lectures and we don’t have a million tutorials a week. Comparatively we are freeeeee! But the
thing is, to do well studying English at St. Peter’s you have to love it! You have to love reading,
you have to love thinking about literature and you have to love talking and writing about it too,
because although our schedules are not exactly packed full of compulsory activities it pervades
every aspect of your daily life. You will find literature and art in things you never thought you
would! When you find something you love you’re going to really want to read about it, but of

36
course, no one expects you to enjoy everything you’re going to have to do.
There are many preconceptions about studying English, or more accurately, the people
that study English. It’s often said that English is a ‘doss’, or you have to be of a certain ‘type’ to
study it. But I can honestly say from experience that it’s not true at all: every one of the English
students that I know at St. Peter’s is different from the other, with a different voice and a differ-
ent ambition. The English tutors at Peter’s nurture and encourage this difference, this process
of finding your own voice and developing your own thoughts. No one here wants you to learn
how to churn out identical essays, you have to be bold, embrace your diversity and really search
for what interests YOU. Peter’s provides the most inspiring and personal experience of studying
English you could possibly ask for. If you’re looking for the stereotypical Oxford English tutor
you may have come to the wrong place, but if you’re engaged, enjoy discussing things with a
real passion and appreciate someone who values your own thoughts as a student rather than
just telling you you’re ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ you will be beyond pleased. Even if you are looking for
the stifling stereotype you’ll definitely be won over by the passion and thoughtfulness of the
English department at Peter’s..Despite each one of us being so different, in terms of both work
and personality, my fellow students and I have really formed a bond; you’re never alone, there’s
always someone there to moan to…
As a final comment, just keep in your mind how much you love literature and why you’re doing
this. Although the work can seem dense and tough sometimes if you just remember your pas-
sion for it as a whole, you’ll find the process a whole lot easier! Elle Griffiths.

Maths
Firstly, I’d like to congratulate you for getting in to study maths at St Peters! I’m sure you’ll have
a fantastic time! The course is very broad over the first year and you’ll get to really find out
what mathematics is all about.
Your lectures will most likely be 11-1 each day Monday to Friday (so you don’t have to get up
for 9am lectures!) and each week you’ll have to complete a problem sheet on each of the lec-
ture courses you are studying (there are five courses in Michaelmas term). You will then have
tutorials to go over sheets that you hand in to tutors. These are nothing to be worried about –
so long as you give them a good go!
In the first week you will be given an introductory sheet. At first glance, this may appear to con-
tain some of the harder things you’ve studied previously, but as with any problem sheet, it’s
nothing to be worried about and I would advise collaboration with your fellow mathematicians
(but make sure it’s your own work!). You will be paired up with another student for tutorials
throughout the first year so this will also give you chance to practice working together.
If you have any problems at all, speak with your tutors. They may seem a little intimidating at
first but they want you to do well! Some topics will utterly baffle even the brightest of students,
but I promise you’ll get to grips with it all by the end of your first year! You’ve also got your col-
lege parents around to help you with any other issues, not just academic ones.
Finally, I’d like to reassure you that it’s all about having a good time! I would advise you to take
some time to chill out over the Summer and make the most of Freshers’ week. Get involved
with sports and societies and try new things! If you’re particularly keen to read ahead, ask your
mathmo parent to suggest what’s best.
Congratulations again – I hope to see you around Peter’s next term! Nathan Turner.
Theology
If you’re reading this because you’re going to be studying theology, feel smug. If you’re not go-
ing to be, feel jealous. Life as a theologian consists of swanning around, writing barely an essay
a week, waking up late without consequence and generally doing very little. Whilst scientists
will be up for labs and lectures at 9 a.m everyday, the Theologian is the academic equivalent of
the sloth. Slow, purposeful- but wise. Crafty. Ok, so maybe sloths aren't the best example.
We're more like the leisurely bastard offspring of an owl and a fox. A Fowl. Errr, that isn't good.
Crap. Anyway, throwing the straws of Shit metaphor aside which I'm desperately clutching,
you’re going to be reading Theology at SPC. So, here are some facts.
One of the most varied courses in Oxford, you'll broadly have to do some Biblical studies, his-
tory and doctrine. If you’re doing Philosophy as well, (a PhilThe, as you'll come to be known!),
you'll get the joys of logic, Mill and Descartes, among other options. The courses vary only
slightly in the first year- if you’re a Theologian you have the daunting task of learning a dead
(boring) language- either Greek or Hebrew normally (other languages are being introduced as
well, eg. Quranic Arabic!). However, the tuition is excellent- even I managed to get through it
well enough in Prelims despite my inability to even string 2 words together in French! You can
drop it after 2 terms anyway, so it is a small price to pay. Of course, you may love the language,
become a professional Greek scholar and argue about the meaning of obscure propositions as a
career. However, before your up, you'll get language summer work. Generally, as a rule, ignoring
all summer reading lists and work is possible. However, do the language work. Do it well. Do a
little more than required. The last thing you want in freshers’ week is introductory sessions
where you need to think and learn the morning after the night before. Trust me. O, and before
all you PhilThes boastfully laugh at our linguistic lament, however, you'll have the joys of logic
classes and logic sheets- so things work out fairly evenly between the single and joint honours
school!
In the first year, all Theologians and PhilThe's offer 3 papers for Prelims. Both must do a paper
on Mark's Gospel, usually taught at Mansfield college, with the option to do either Old Testa-
ment or the interdisciplinary study of religions as the second paper. Theologians then offer a
language and PhilThes a Philosophy module.
The only real difference between Theology, as a single or joint school, from most subjects, is the
timing of exams. The double edged sword of examinations means that along with lawyers, we
have our preliminary exams a term earlier than any other subject. No one knows why. Some say
that is because the signs of the zodiac align better in Hilary term. Others, that early examina-
tions enable theologians to affirm their status as lazy, work shy cretins in Trinity. Whilst this
does mean that Hilary term can be a stressful time, the subsequent Trinity term in one of the
finest in Oxford- in comparison to your peers! A lack of summer exams means that the Great
British summer can be enjoyed in all its glory- picnics in the rain, punting in the rain, Pimm's in
the rain- what more could you possibly want? I've even managed to catch cold writing this on
my laptop, in the rain! Following the tyranny of exams, you can choose 3 broad tracks for rest of
your degree: Biblical studies, history and doctrine, or world religions. The choice of both Theol-
ogy and Philosophy and Theology means that you get to dabble in just about every academic
field you want. Which is nice. Any further questions (don't ask me about the existence of God)
e-mail peter.oconnor@spc.ox.ac.uk, or facebook stalk me. I'll happily answer anything you have
to ask! Peter O'Connor.

38
Earth Sciences
‘Earth sciences, is that like geology?’ Well yes... and no. Congratulations and welcome to the
most fun, friendly and diverse course in Oxford. With an intake of only around 30-ish a year, the
Department of Earth Sciences is a small and close knit community where you’ll soon get to
know everyone else in your year. This will be helped greatly by the field trips which you’ll un-
dertake in your time here and which form the lifeblood for the study of earth sciences. Soon af-
ter you arrive in Oxford in fact (the end of 3rd week) you’ll all head off to Wales for the week-
end. Trips like these will continue throughout the time you’re in Oxford, and provide a great
learning environment where you can observe the processes you’re being taught in lectures and
will allow you to visit beautiful and geologically significant places. So why’s is called ‘earth sci-
ences’ then and not geology? Well, expect in your time here to be given a rigorous education in
‘classic’ geology, with subjects in the first year including igneous and sedimentary petrology,
geological maps and palaeontology (Note: don’t worry if you’re coming in with no previous
background in geology, I’d never studied it properly before coming here either). However, in ad-
dition to this you will also take a maths course, which sadly usually involves 9 o’clock lectures
(but they are well worth going to, they make doing the work much easier), be taught funda-
mentals of physics, chemistry and biology which are relevant to the study of the earth and also
study topics related to the dynamic aspects of the earth such as seismology and physical atmos-
pheric and ocean science. Teaching principally takes place in lectures, often supplemented by
problem classes, and in lab sessions involving examination of rock specimens, fossils and the in-
terpretation of geological maps. Supplementing this will be the tutorials, which you can proba-
bly expect two of per week. One will be based on the geology/earth sciences aspects of the
course and may involve preparing an essay or presentation, completing a problem sheet or
making careful observations on geological specimens. In addition to this will be a maths tuto-
rial, for which preparatory work for involves completing a set of problems related to the mate-
rial covered in the lectures that week. Now, that may all sound like a lot of work, but we earth
scientists like to have a bit (a lot) of fun too. That’s where GeolSoc comes in. They’ll be organis-
ing events throughout the year, from guest speakers to cocktail nights and the traditional Christ-
mas and Summer Dinners.
That’s about it, so if there’re any questions please do feel free to drop me an e-mail at
adam.robinson@spc.ox.ac.uk, and I look forward to seeing you in October when we have our
lovely, shiny new building – it’s going to be great. Adam Robinson.

Chemistry
I chose to take a degree in Chemistry, not only because I get geekily excited by it all, but be-
cause I knew it would be challenging. Taking Chemistry in Oxford is a gladiator short of
a gauntlet! But it's been an exciting ride so far, so don't get discouraged. First year throws you
straight into the four main divisions of Chemistry: Organic, Inorganic, Physical and Maths. Con-
trary to my initial hope these subjects remain fairly well divided all year and so if you ever get
overwhelmed and feel like you've taken on four degrees and not one, don't worry- we've all
been there! As well as a pretty rigorous lecture timetable and what at first feels like mountains
of tutorial work each week you also get thrown into twelve hours of labs over two consecutive
days a week. Labs at Oxford can sometimes feel a bit like trial through fire, especially as you’re
not always given the best direction, but everyone seems to get through it, and some of the ex-
periments are pretty fun if you get excited by pretty colours and fire like me. This basically
means that the one thing I have definitely learned this year, or at least started to do, is how to
organise myself. The work can easily run away with you so self-discipline is key; especially in
consolidating the work you've done during term time in the vacations. Although it’s quite
tough going at times, I have really enjoyed my first year. There is, contrary to some of your tu-
tors’ belief, time to get involved in other activities like sports or choirs or rowing or whatever
takes your fancy- there’s so many different things going on all year so I’d definitely advise having
some activity that takes you away from the Chemistry bubble for a while! Being in Oxford is as
much a privilege as it can be a pressure so my best advice really is work hard for what you want
to achieve and enjoy yourself! Sarah Galloway.

Arch and Anth.

Congratulations freshers for getting into Peter’s to study the weird and wonderful world of ar-
chaeology and anthropology. Firstly, this college has an epic bar. Secondly, only doing arc/anth
can you learn to justify Freshers’ Week as a rite of passage and legitimately discuss bar Olym-
pics in a tute. Arc/anth involves 8 essays a week for the first term then 12 each for the final two
terms. The lectures aren’t compulsory (although they do come recommended!) and there are 5
a week. Most of the lectures are at the Institute, a 5 minute walk from Peter’s, so even if you’re
adverse to an early morning start you can still stagger over there. I found the ‘Principles of Hu-
man Evolution’ by Lewin and Foley, and ‘Archaeology: theories, methods and practice’ by Ren-
frew and Bahn to be particularly helpful for the essays. Don’t worry too much about any read-
ing list you may get before you arrive here; reading lists pre-uni are just meant to give you a fla-
vour of the subject so it’s up to you whether or not you pick up a book. Make sure you enjoy
the summer and see you next year.
And remember, only doing arc/anth can you learn about bizarre groups of people like the Naci-
rema where the men lacerate their faces and the women bake their heads in small ovens! An-
drew Llloyd-Harris.

Physics.
Physics is definitely not an easy subject, but if you commit early and keep up it's highly reward-
ing. The teaching staff at Peter's put as much time in to your tuition as they can spare from
their research (and your head tutor is the head of astrophysics). No matter how busy they are,
they are only an email away and will always get back to your questions, queries or even asking
for a reference for a summer placement. The college library has recently had its physics section
(upstairs, by the awesome cabinet) revamped with plenty of new first year textbooks, so you
will never need to go into the dungeons of the RSL, and the friendly atmosphere that is every-
where in Peter's means that if you ever need help another physicist will always be around to
point out that your problem would be ten times easier in polar coordinates...
In your first year you'll start off with a lot of maths to bring everyone up to the same mathe-
matical speed, and then move on to proper physics like Electromagnetism and Normal Modes
and Waves in Hilary. Trinity is largely revision with a short option that you choose from Quan-
tum Ideas, Astrophysics and a horrible maths module that no one in their right mind should
ever do. Ok, maybe it's not that bad, but seriously - do quantum instead. The short option is in-
teresting but you don't need to pass it to pass the year so during Trinity remember to stay fo-
cussed on the main modules.
If you let work slip then it can be easy to go under, but keep at it and you'll get used to the

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workload, learn to love differential equations and realise that physics is the best thing in the en-
tire world! Simon Clark.

Languages (spec. Spanish and Portuguese.)

Doing languages at Peter’s is great. Not only, can they certainly be considered one of the col-
lege’s strengths, with excellent resources, but also the linguists are a really good bunch of peo-
ple. In terms of Spanish, before coming up I had not read anything at all (so really don’t worry if
you are in the same position) but in retrospect I would recommend reading a little as it is hard
to do so in the term! Thankfully, doing two languages you should never have two essays in the
same week. Of course this can sometimes not be true, but the tutors do try and accommodate
your other language as much as possible.
Portuguese was more of a challenge for me, starting it completely from scratch. I did not know
anything about the language before the pre-sessional course (once again I would recommend
having a little look at the basics since this will definitely help you in the first term). However, the
tutors on the course were lovely and you will definitely see yourself improve throughout the
year. Portuguese, being so small, definitely has its benefits. It is a brilliant way of integrating
with people at other colleges and in other years, since the department love putting on Portu-
guese events. I hope this does not seem to be too daunting because I have had such a brilliant
time doing languages and nothing was as scary as I had imagined it to be before. So enjoy the
summer and I look forward to meeting you all in Freshers’ week! Hannah Bowers.

Medicine.
Firstly, congratulations on getting into medicine and doubley congratulations for getting into
SPC, where all the best medics end up.
I dont think you need to be told that you will work hard next year (and every year after that)
and you are doing something wrong if you get a 4pm lie in like the historians, but you will have
an absolute riot too. One of the best things about medicine is that we get to make loads of
friends at other colleges while we are trying to stay awake looking at rat kidney down a micro-
scope in histology classes or battling the urge to vom during a post-night-out anatomy sesh.
Most of your time will be spent up at the MSTC (Medical Sciences Teaching Centre) but you'll
also have 1-3 tutorials in college per week. You'll start slowish with only one or tutorials a week
but you will get busier as the year goes on. You will be able to manage though, and you'll have
plenty of time to relax, row, run, or whatever you want to do. Your timetable will vary a lot on a
day-to-day basis but generally you have around 10-15 lectures a week, one or two practicals, a
seminar every now and again, and then either a histology (microscope) class or a dissection
room (DR) class to top off your week. DR is sort of a "here's-one-I-prepared earlier" set-up
where you talk through prosections, but if you really want, you can set up a class where you can
dissect a body yourself. You'll also find yourself shipped out to visit a GP clinic in Witney and
you'll probably have some tutes at the hospital, so you definitely won't get cabin fever from be-
ing stuck in the one lecture hall all day.
Some important advice I can give is definitely DO NOT buy any textbooks, as the SPC library is
really good and whatever you can't find here will definitely be available in the science library.
The only book you might wish to buy is the "Oxford Handbook of Medical Sciences", which
pretty much everyone finds to be their glorious light blue and pink bible.
You probably won't be set work before you come, but during Freshers’ week you will have a
welcome meeting with Huw Dorkins (the main tutor) after which you'll leave with a list of your
essays for the term and, if you are anything like me, will have to individually google every word.
Don't panic, it happens to everyone.
I look forward to meeting you all and seeing you all embarrass yourself at our future medic cur-
rys. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me (emily.currie@spc.ox.ac.uk) or your
college parents, and we'll do our best to sort you out. Medic love, Emily Currie.
p.s. "ionic basis of the resting membrane potential"

History
Ahoy freshers, well done for getting into St Peter’s and more specifically well done for choosing
history, voted in a recent poll of St Peter’s history students as the best subject in the college,
university and indeed all of time and space. First of all, the summer reading list; it looks terrify-
ing but let me remind you it is a guideline rather than a mandatory list of texts. As you will
quickly discover upon arrival, not that many people will have even opened a book, and the ones
who have finished one are the exception rather than the norm. After the delights of Freshers’
week you can then dive headlong into the course. First thing you’ll notice is that the format
might not be quite what you’re used to. History students are the most independent in the col-
lege – aside from one tutorial and an average of two lectures a week, you are pretty much left
up to your own devices. After years of school this lack of structure might seem a bit overwhelm-
ing, especially when you cast an eye over your first reading list, but you’ll soon find that the
freedom is a blessing, as you can tailor your day to suit your own study style, and, crucially, you
won’t have to be up for early morning lectures every day of the week – History students have
more opportunities than most to sleep in till noon, making us the envy of the rest of the col-
lege. As for that reading list, just remember that you are not expected to read each book from
cover to cover – you will quickly become very skilled at finding the relevant information and fil-
tering out the rest. There are more history students in the college than for any other subject –
there were 15 freshers last year either doing Single or Joint Honours History – so if you ever
have a problem you can always find someone to talk it through. St Peter’s historians also have
some of the finest (and nicest) tutors in Oxford, and, via the regular tea and drinks events they
hold, they will take great care of you. All in all then, you’ve got plenty to look forward to. Enjoy
your summer, and we’ll see you in October. Hugo Gordon

Biology
Biology comes from the Latin words "life" and "study of". Put them together and you get biol-
ogy. B-i-o- l-o-g-y. Amazing. Like ~ omg. In all seriousness, biology is a great subject! If you are
a hard worker, it gives you the chance to study many topics in depth. If you are less keen, with
efficient time-management, it gives you plenty of time to get involved in non-academic activi-
ties. We St. Peters biologists have a motto 'Work hard, Play hard'. Cliche, whatever. A typical
week comprises of about 10-12 lectures,3 labs a week and 1 tutorial essay of about 2000
words. You will spend most of your time in the Zoology Department, from about 9am - 3pm all
weekdays. You may be jealous of the arts students, with their pathetic number of contact
hours, don't be, its so much more fun this way! The best is saved for last, for us biologists, be-
cause at the end of the year, at the height of examination stress in Oxford, we get to go on a
field trip with the whole year, and some of the best lecturers. We hope you enjoy your first year
in Oxford as much as we have. Love the biologists x

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Geography
Welcome Freshers to the best subject at St. Peter’s—and ignore the others, as I’m the one writ-
ing this guide! The people make the subject here, somehow Darek and Ken manage to pick a
good group of us, and as there’s usually only 4 per year so it always balances nicely. You’re re-
quired to produce one essay a week for one tutorial (and it stays like this for all three years!) -
each term is divided between four human and four physical tutorials. On top of this, the sylla-
bus is split into two further units, Critical Thinking and Geographical Techniques. These units
you get extra lectures, classes and individual project work—it’s a good idea to get these organ-
ised quite early on, but each really doesn’t take too much time. The course itself allows you to
build on (and by build on, we certainly mean IN DEPTH) content you’ve probably covered in A-
Level. But don’t be fooled, A-Level knowledge is not enough, and you’ll find out not always cor-
rect– reading is thus a big thing for geography. Although there are the countless colouring-in
jokes, you’ll find yourself reading quite a few books (there are certainly a few staple ones out
there) and journals. But don’t fear, you’ll find plenty of time on your hands—lectures don’t start
before 11am! Both the tutors are really helpful, email away and they’ll always get back to you—
there’s a lot of changes in store this year, including extra classes, seminars (across all three
years) and presentations. Whilst this might seem a bit much, you’ll appreciate them in the end.
Geographers are a sociable bunch with regular social events both in college and across the
whole university. In fact, the geography society is probably one of the most social 'subject' so-
cieties in the whole university – and people other than geographers will tell you that as well –
so you have a lot to look forward to! This is largely as a result of the amazing annual fieldtrip
(the fieldtrips this year were Paris, Dublin and Fort William), where you spend a week away and
are required to produce a project based on a title of your choice – it’s great because you have
so much freedom. This year also saw the introduction of Peter’s fieldtrips that you will be sub-
jected to in your second and third years—what is geography without the wellies and the clip-
boards! You’ve probably been set some summer work (a few essays?), get them done and be
ready...geography at SPC is one of the best choices you can make, and by the time Ken’s Christ-
mas Party swings around, you’ll be part of the family! Jo Wilkin (Finalists Rep on the JCR com-
mittee)

History of Art
All I can say is congratulations! Not simply for getting in but, rather, wisely picking a subject that
you won’t grow to resent over the next three years. Also I can see you are clearly the most in-
telligent specimens of the Art History elite for choosing a college that is so close to the depart-
ment and allows for optimum sleeping time (making it to a lecture on time having woken up 3
minutes beforehand is fully achievable). Although many people seem to believe that it is noth-
ing more than looking at pretty pictures, History of art is one of the broadest subjects on offer
and delves into philosophy, psychology, sociology, politics, economics, theology, literature, clas-
sics - pretty much a little bit of everything (except maths thank God). Basically it’s about looking
at social and cultural changes throughout the course of history through art and tracing how
theories and ways of thinking that have come to be expressed both through art and its recep-
tion. Although that may sound a bit daunting, you don’t need to know very much to begin with
and you’ll learn a lot very quickly so don’t get bogged down with the reading list (Emily and I
managed to survive not having glanced at the thing before arriving) although perhaps a quick
look at some of the major titles would be very helpful.
The workload is comparatively light by Oxford standards, and with usually just 1 essay a week
and probably the lowest amount of contact hours you will steadily become the envy of all your
friends. This unfortunately can lead to prejudice in the form of ‘not even a real subject’ insults
from unenlightened students who foolishly chose to burden themselves with a science subject-
simply smile politely, feeling both content and superior in the knowledge that such insults are
founded on pure jealousy.
History of art is one of the smallest departments in the university, so not only do you feel spe-
cial being part of a rare and prestigious breed, but also you get to know both your tutors and
the rest of your year very well. This means you will instantly have friends outside of college as
well as inside (all teaching is departmental rather than college based unlike most subjects) and
on an insanely dull note it’s very easy to keep track of all the books you need.
Your first year will consist of four modules. The first is called ‘Introduction to the History of Art’
which is pretty self-explanatory and gives you a broad ‘introduction’ to the discipline covering
various different periods and styles. The second is called ‘Antiquity after Antiquity’ which is
about exploring how the classical Greek and Roman art has been re-appropriated over the
course of history. This is led by Gervase. who you will fall in love with. The third is called
‘European art 1400-1800: meaning and interpretation’ which is the most theoretical of all the
modules and looks at what effects/the ways in which we read images, but you only study this in
trinity so don’t worry about it just yet. You also have the wonderful privilege of writing and ex-
tended essay (kind of like course work as it counts as a module) on any object/painting/building
in Oxford. Providing you manage your time, don’t leave it all until the very last minute and/or
accidentally delete the entire thing several days before the deadline (Emily Girkins), this is an
interesting opportunity for you to explore the bitter-sweet delights of unregulated research/
study (In theory this requires self-discipline, but as I and Emily have none it’s clearly not that es-
sential). Oxford Is an amazing place to study History of Art not only because of the amazing
Ashmolean Museum , which you will come to both love and hate over the next year, but also
the wealth of other collections throughout the university that you will get to work with /in /
around as part of your classes and tutorials- another reason why History of art is so enjoyable.
If you have any questions about anything just email me at joseph.funnell@spc.ox.ac.uk or pes-
ter Emily at emily.girkins@spc.ox.ac.uk.
See you soon.

Music
Musicians, as I'm sure you open-minded, up-to-the-minute music students will be aware, the
esteemed philosopher Kele Okereke (of Bloc Party fame) once wrote on the obscure B-Side
'Storm & Stress', "You really suffer for your art". Us musicians do seem to have a lot to 'suffer' -
ridicule from acultural, philistinic students of their so-called 'real' subjects (yes scientists we're
looking at you), the manifold, untold joys of keyboard skills (you'll see. . .), as well as a plethora
of ever-growing, infinitely diverse musical works with which we feel a frequent, nagging, guilty
need to become wholly acquainted.
However, before I instil in you a horror-stricken, sinking feeling of sickening dread as to exactly
what you have unwittingly let yourself in for, let me be the first to say that you have pulled an
'applicational blinder'; you have picked what is comfortably the most enjoyable, accessible, in-
teresting, comprehensive, varied - in short, best - course but none (keyboard skills aside).

44
Whilst these so-called 'real' students have to feign an interest in the intimate workings of why 'x
equals whatever it happens to equal on that day in that particular situation', we get to work
with and study music - something which, in some form or another, everybody loves. Further-
more, we only have between two and four (optional, encouraged, but still, optional) lectures,
three tutes, and one class per week, at reasonably humane hours. Finally, the people, the tu-
tors, and the community in general - both within and without St Peter's - is one in which you
will have to try your utmost NOT to be involved, and indeed you can get involved as little or as
much as you want.
Whoever you are, and however you are, remember that there are always peers, elders, and
much-elders around who you can always contact (even if there are mere, frantic, very-early-
morning minutes to go before an essay deadline), or simply just for a chat (though preferably
not in the early-morning-minutes scenario). Music. As Kele said, "you really suffer for it". Music
students. "You’re the life of the party". Pretty much sums it up. Love the musicians.

Philosophy
First of all, congratulations on picking a truly stimulating, intellectually rigorous subject which
far outclasses the rest. If anyone ever tries to tell you otherwise, just ask them whether they’ve
ever stopped to consider what knowledge actually is before they go about trying to amass it.
No? I didn’ae think so…! You, on the other hand, will be occupying yourself with important
questions of just that nature – not that you’re likely to happen upon answers very easily, but
the quest for them is nonetheless very interesting. One essay a week is the norm, and the read-
ing lists tend to be quite short, although can take a bit longer than expected because the mate-
rial is often quite complex. But don’t worry if you can’t understand a concept, even after several
readings – the tutors invariably find a way of putting it to you so that it clicks. You will probably
study General Philosophy with Peter Kail (he’s going away on sabbatical at some point so that
might change). It is a very wide-ranging and quite challenging course, throwing you in at the
deep end of a lot of different philosophical debates, but that’s the beauty of it; and you’ll never
be left to struggle on your own; Peter is very thorough and helpful in his explanations. Moral
philosophy comes in the form of J.S. Mill’s Utilitarianism, taught by Tim Mawson (our very own
Stephen Fry look-a-like) who fills his tutorials with amusing anecdotes and hilarious example
cases. Focusing on one main theory means that this course is probably easier – and it gives you
a chance to explore ethics, which can help you with your choices for second year. The third as-
pect is Logic, which you will learn in classes. Apart from for those studying maths/physics & phi-
losophy, logic is optional when it comes to exams, and can be avoided if you find it really tough.
In fact, I never even learnt logic because I transferred to philosophy after the first term. How-
ever, it is certainly a useful discipline for the student of philosophy, and for some, an easier and
more certain way to gain marks.
In terms of reading before you come, don’t worry too much – the reading lists are manageable
in term time – although you might want to familiarise yourself a bit with Utilitarianism, and
Simon Blackwell’s Think provides a useful grounding for the general philosophy course. Apart
from that, enjoy the rest of your holidays, and good luck with starting your course! Love from
the Peter’s philosophy students.
Being in Oxford, you may start hearing a variety of words that no one else in the country can
understand. To be fair, many of us don’t understand them either. Which is why a glossary is so
handy…

Term names
For some reason we do not have ‘spring’ ‘summer’ ‘winter’ terms in Oxford, we have:
Michaelmas – October to December
Hilary – January to March
Trinity – April to June
Oxford weeks are also confusing:
You arrive at college sometime in 0th week – in Michaelmas this is Freshers’ week, and then in other terms you
may have exams in college. Work officially starts in 1st week, and goes through until 8th week; therefore you
have 8 weeks of work in a term.
9th week is the week after the end of term, where most people get to go home and sleep. The week starts on a
Sunday, so Saturday the 7th of October is Saturday of 0th week, and Sunday the 8th of October is Sunday of 1st
week. Gettit?

Abingdon – for SPC students, this does not mean the town of Abingdon just outside Oxford, but an area off Ab-
ingdon Road where there are lots of 2nd years living out

Balls – Massive parties, usually held in May or June. Involving huge ticket prices but promise a great evening.

Battels – Payment of tuition fees and college accommodation charges plus all those extras such as library fines,
photocopying etc. Needs paying by Monday 2nd week of each term.

Black tie – Absolutely loads of Black tie events in Oxford, any excuse it would seem. For guys, dress is what it
says, and for girls this just means smart.

Blue – what you get awarded if you play sport in a Varsity match

Bop – What can I say? Bops involve dressing up in stupid clothes (aided by vast quantities of alcohol for those
who feel they need it), cheesy music in the JCR, singing the Peter’s songs whilst swaying out of time with your
arms around whoever you end up next to, often followed by a mass exodus to PT’s

Botley – another place where some 2nd years live out, although generally less popular than Abingdon Road or
Iffley/Cowley areas.

College Bar – where you will undoubtedly spend a lot of your time

Collections – three types: Masters collections, collections and crucial collections. Masters collections are where
you have to go and talk to the Master and tutors at the end of term about your progress. Collections are exams
taken in the college at the beginning of term (end of 0th week) to let you know how much (or little) you know.
Crucial collections only occur if you do badly in your normal collections but are generally rare.

Come up – when you arrive at Oxford (I have never actually heard anyone say this…)

Commoner – someone who isn’t a scholar or an exhibitioner and who wears the short gown.

46
Cowley – when used by students, this means the area of Cowley Road, a main road out of Oxford next to Iffley
Road. Boasts a big Tesco, the Zodiac and a lap dancing club.

Entz – Entertainments. In college these include band nights, bops and RAG events

Exhibitioner – someone who does brilliantly in their exams and wears a very long gown.

Fifth week blues – Very odd sinking feeling that affects virtually everyone in 5th week when you realise that you
still have half a term to go. A good excuse to go and speak to our lovely Peer Supporters...

Finals – the exams you take at the end of your degree to determine what you will end up with

Fresher – what you are if you haven’t sat prelims, i.e. you.

Go down – when you go home for the holidays or when you eventually graduate (never heard this said in this
context either…)

Gown – this is effectively a bit of thin black material that you put on over your sub fusc for exams/
matriculation, or over normal clothes for formal Hall and collections.

Iffley – the area around Iffley Road, parallel to Cowley Road

Hack - term used to describe people deep into Oxford Union politics. To be found in the lodge/outside the un-
ion trying to get you to vote for them on union election day.

JCR – Junior Common Room – the undergrads as a student body, and also the place where we all hang out (SKY
TV, pool table, table football etc)

Jericho – a nice area of Oxford popular for living out. The college doctors can be found on Walton Street in Jeri-
cho

Kebab kid – Highly rated kebab shop very close to college opposite the Odeon cinema. Gives discounts too.

Kebab vans – Oxford has absolutely loads of these. When sober, virtually everyone has concerns about the hy-
giene and grease levels in these vans, but when alcohol
fuelled it is a completely different story. They act as a magnet, drawing in drunken students who may have
walked half way across town to reach them.

MCR – Middle Common Room, for those mature students amongst you.

Mods – Moderations. One type of exams that you take as a Fresher to ensure that you can stay on at Oxford,
usually at the end of the year (unless you do theology or law when they are earlier). The alternative is Prelims.

OUSU – Oxford University Student Union. The official Student Union, of which most colleges are members. Not
to be confused with the Oxford Union.

Oxford Union – Elite club thing which you can join when you get into Oxford.

Peter’s songs – College songs are loudly sung at all opportunities, including at sports matches, rowing competi-
tions, the end of Bops and queues for PTs.

Prelims – Preliminary examinations. These take place at the same time as Mods, and differ because you have
to pass each paper to pass Prelims, whereas in Mods, an average pass is all that is required.
PTs - The Purple Turtle bar, situated beneath the Oxford Union. Tiny, nearly always packed, and with low ceil-
ings and long queues but…free! (If you are a member of the Union).

RAG – Raise and Give – Student charity organisation. Colleges are as involved as possible, with most having a
charities rep and putting on events often involving alcohol and humiliation
Rustication – if you’ve been naughty then you may get rusticated i.e. asked to go home for a bit

SCR – Senior Common Room. For tutors and fellows and suchlike.

Scholar – someone who has achieved a First in their Mods or Prelims. Gets to wear a longer gown and look
even more poncey than you normally do in Oxford.

Sent down – if you get chucked out of Oxford, then you have been sent down.

Tabs - those unspeakable people from Cambridge.

Photo Courtesy of Penguin Photography

48
 Photo courtesy of Tara Mulholland

“With the keys on my chest ...”

Your JCR and Freshers’ Committees hope you have an amazing summer
and look forward to welcoming you to St Peter’s College in October!

50