Joy Aston (Biological Sciences, 2012)
Joy studied Biology at Hertford and is currently working towards a Masters in Science Communication at Imperial College. She took part in the Tour de Hertford bike ride for student support and volunteered with Oxford Nightline (an independent listening, support and information service run for and by students at Oxford and Brookes) for two years whilst completing her degree.
I was the first cohort to go to university after the fees tripled, and initially I ruled out higher education, mainly as I couldn’t comprehend the levels of debt I would be in. I remember floating around amongst ideas like becoming a tattoo artist, but at some point a particularly inspirational teacher changed my mind. I decided that if I was going to be in that level of debt I might as well get the best value for money, so I applied to Oxford. I chose Hertford arbitrarily; it felt friendly on the open day and had the nicest pens. I remember after getting my offer one of my teachers saying I’d “better pull my finger out and do some work” – I wasn’t top in my classes at the time by far, but I managed (with more hard work than I think I remember) to get my grades.
My mum was seriously ill and hospitalised two days before my A-levels, and when it came to leave home for the first time the nerves of this were coupled with the anxiety of leaving her. Times at university, life in general, can get tough, and having a supportive environment specifically regarding mental health is vital. I think the event that summarises to me personally how lucky I feel to have been at Hertford was my very first night in Oxford; I was sat next to my tutor at our welcome dinner and he turned to me and asked me how my mum was. I had no idea he even knew but it made me feel instantly more at ease and welcome, a feeling which never left me. It was also great to be sat next to him so I could copy him, as I had no idea which knives and forks to use. The welfare network available at Hertford and the University at large was available to me when I realised I really needed it. Mental health services are far from perfect, but among the awful experiences I have heard of (at Oxford and elsewhere) I felt supported and encouraged in asking for help.
I got my degree. I threw myself into extra-curricular activities. I made lifelong friends. I still have no idea what I want to do, and am currently studying a Masters in Science Communication at Imperial College – I waited for the new government post-grad loan scheme. Hertford has changed my life forever in so many ways, and I still find it amusing (and slightly terrifying) how much of where I am today has been down to chance (and nice pens).