Student told ‘don’t even think about Oxford’ graduates with honours | UK News
A student who was the first in his family to attend university has graduated from Oxford with a 2:1.
The 21-year-old is from a disadvantaged background and went to a state school in an area with one of the worst levels of social mobility in the UK.
However he became ‘queen bee’ on campus through his intramural roles and DJ stints at student functions.
The crowning moment came last month when the popular face on campus donned a gown and mortar board for his graduation ceremony at the university’s 17th Century Sheldonian Theatre.
‘The graduation ceremony is quite an experience – the same as it has been for hundreds of years, much of it in Latin, but really quite a special occasion,’ Daniel said. ‘The dressing up in gowns and hoods seemed quite intimidating initially but was actually great fun and it was nice to see many from my year again as we all go on our own paths.
‘It was also really nice for my parents to meet my tutors for the first time and to reflect on my crazy time at Oxford.
‘I think this was one of the moments when studying at Oxford felt very “real”, as it can be easy just to think of it as an everyday place rather than reflect on its historic and global reputation.
‘It was very much an “I did it” moment that made me reflect on the years up to that point, from studying hard for my GCSEs, even though at the time I didn’t know what I wanted to do with them, to going to summer schools and preparing my application, to my time actually at Oxford.
‘The moment that stood out most was the pro-vice chancellor talking about how an Oxford degree represents the fact you have a set of core competencies that are not easy to acquire, and a degree of any classification from Oxford is hard won. It put the last few years into perspective.’
Daniel, from Peterborough in the east of England, applied for Oxford even though his own dad had doubts he would study in the city of dreaming spires. He went to school in Fenland, ranked as the second-worst place in the UK for social mobility according to government-commissioned research.
The high achiever has summed up the thoughts of some of his teachers as: ‘You’re not Oxbridge material, so don’t even think about it.’
His dad left school with only his GCSEs before working in computer software while his mum stayed at home to look after him after he was born.
Daniel was one of three students in the first ever cohort from his state school to achieve an Oxbridge place, despite not even having known what the phrase meant until Year 12.
Another obstacle was fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body, with his diagnosis coming during the application process.
But highlights included a term as vice president of the debating society and being described as a ‘queen bee’ who was ‘working hard to improve access at the university’ by the university’s Cherwell student newspaper.
Looking back at his time at the university, where he was based at Magdalen College, the Oxonian hailed the ‘power of opportunity’.
‘I feel thankful for having been given the opportunity to grow my potential and to have had so many inspiring experiences,’ he said.
‘I’ve met some incredible people and been privileged to have been taught by excellent tutors. I will certainly look back fondly on my time at Oxford.
‘I hope others who aren’t sure whether to apply absolutely go for it, as you don’t know if you don’t try.
‘I would say my experiences over the last few years have shown to me the power of opportunity, that everyone deserves a chance to show what they are capable of and also the power of education to transform prospects.’
Daniel interned at financial data management company Finbourne Technology over the summer and has since accepted a full-time role as a graduate business analyst.
He has also won a Talent and Opportunity Scholarship from the Graduate Management Admission Council and is preparing to apply for business school in the long term.
Outside working hours he continues to DJ, having first jumped behind the decks at the age of 15 before playing out widely, including at large student events at Oxford.
The graduate, who commutes to London from his parents’ home in Peterborough, landed his place with support from the Zero Gravity social mobility tech company, which helps students from low-income families to land places at top universities.
‘I think particularly at a time where the cost of living is becoming challenging for many, nobody should miss out on the opportunity that education provides,’ he said.
‘Government, institutions and partner organisations need to ensure that students have adequate financial support so they can make the most of what their course has to offer and so they can thrive, may that be an apprenticeship or further or higher education.
‘Nobody should be dropping out of education because they can’t afford to stay there – education is a vital path to social mobility, and fundamental to adapting to the modern world’s increasingly challenging environment.
‘Also if you ever aren’t sure about someone and you can, give them a chance. Sometimes someone only needs one chance to absolutely flourish.’
MORE : Student told ‘don’t even think about it’ by teachers about to graduate from Oxford
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