Becoming an Oxonian: The one where I study at Oxford!3 mins read

For a while, I considered not sharing this milestone publicly – which is strange considering how much I love to share. Mostly because a part of me realises that an admission for an MSc is not an end in itself – you still have to study to get the degree. Also, successfully completing an MSc is not an automatic pass to a great career. But as I muse about the work ahead, I equally acknowledge that it’s okay to share bits of the journey as I go along. Not just for myself, but for the others that may be inspired.

For the next 2 years, I’ll be studying for an MSc in Clinical Trials at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford! I’ve always wanted to go for postgraduate studies, and reading about the stories of others gave me confidence to pursue this dream not just at any place but at the Number 1 university in the world!

Now, I think about what to write or share with prospective applicants and all I can think of is – just put in the work. My first scholarship attempt was for the 2021/2022 academic session. I applied for over 5 scholarships that year and did not get selected for any. It shook my self confidence in ways I didn’t anticipate. I’ve since learnt to handle failures better, and consider them redirections to something different – as I share in this post.

In the years between 2021 and 2024, I prioritised personal survival career wise while ensuring I delivered at my best in each role I held – whether or not it felt like a ‘dream job’. I networked and have formed lovely relationships along the way – mentors turned to friends, co-applicants turned to family.

In 2019 when I wrote my first 5 year career plan, I never envisaged studying at Oxford, yet alone on a full ride. Yet, here I am. I could never have written this story this way.

There’s so much serendipity in life, and I believe the way to make it work in our favour is to stay prepared – by doing all that is within our power and resources. Some dreams can get delayed, or even tweaked from our original plan. The role we play is being prepared, doing the work, and keeping hope alive that the tapestry of our lives would be woven ever so beautifully in the end.

The rest of this blog are thoughts I penned down to document my feelings as the months went by prior to resumption.

I hope anyone reading this and aiming for something is not only inspired but also moved to take the needed actions to bring to reality those dreams they have.

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June 2024

My first scholarship attempt was for the 2021/2022 academic session. Being very detail oriented and a top planner (sometimes 😅), I started prepping over a year prior – got my transcript ready, took necessary exams, reached out to past scholars, watched YouTube videos and read articles on personal statements and other needed write ups.I believed I had my arsenal ready and there was no way I would get rejected.

I applied for over 5 scholarships that year and did not get selected for any. Prior to then, I had thought up different blog posts I would share on how to make scholarship applications. To say I was shattered by the rejections would be putting it mildly. I could not summon the strength to try again the following year.

This year, I applied to only one program and while I really really desired funding. The application process was pretty straightforward, still, I had a lot of anxiety around it. It may have been residual effects from my last experience (I couldn’t bring myself to apply for post graduate studies after the 2021 season). But thankfully, I had an ‘arsenal’ of people around me. With tough love and soothing words when needed, they guided me towards submitting an application worthy of being shortlisted for an interview.

When I was called for the interview, everyone around me thought it was a big deal except me. To me, it still wasn’t an assurance of anything just yet. (I now recognise that it still was a big deal considering that applying doesn’t automatically qualify you for an interview).

Then I got a conditional offer and everyone thought it was a big deal (again). But somehow, I still couldn’t muster excitement. I remember being out at the time and I had no emotion – I felt blank. There were some other opportunities I wanted at the time which were not coming through so I think that dampened my mood more than I thought it would.

Some months after, I got upgraded to an unconditional offer AND got a fully-funded scholarship. I was sufficiently over the events of Q12024 so this time I was elated. But while I screamed and was super excited for this very generous financial support, my mind immediately went to thinking about how hard an MSc is. Let alone an MSc at Oxford while working a full-time job alongside other commitments.

It took a few weeks and my friend HassyTee consistently posting about succumbing to joy when it presents itself because sadness will ask for no invite.

I sometimes downplay how much effort I put into work but I’m thankful I have friends and mentors who have a front row seat to my life and remind me that I worked for this! And I’m deserving of this merit award and the overall progress I experience in my career.

So this is me basking in this moment of intense joy. I’m an Oxford scholar! On a full ride! An Oxonian fr! Whoop whoop 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

PS: I printed out the scholarship offer letter on the day just so I could believe it was real 😅 I may frame it 🤭🙈

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October 2024

It’s been a few weeks since resumption. And it’s been overwhelming. But it has also been exciting. And inspiring.

It’s a pot of multiple emotions and experiences, and I’m doing my best (with the help of friends) to hold on to the positives and go through this process with grace.

Cheers to the next 2 years! 🎉🎉

Xoxo,

Sisikunmi