Sounds to me like you might need an extra year to think things through properly. 14 days really isn't long enough to make such a huge decision. But maybe I'm a little biased because this is exactly what I'm doing. I think that after so many years forced into the drudgery of education it's easy to lose enthusiasm for your subject, even if you have a genuine interest in it. It's equallly easy to become convinced, by yourself and others, that getting into Oxbridge is the be all and end all of academic achievements and end up working so hard for something you don't actually want. Maybe having some time away from all that pressure could help to clear your head and work out what would really be best for you. It would be pretty dire to push yourself into going to Oxford only to regret it and be thoroughly miserable there, and likewise to go to Sussex and feel like you'd wasted such a great opportunity. I dunno, just my two cents.
This makes a lot of sense. On the other hand I can see myself ending up in exactly the same position with two different universities if I do take a year out. Plus the application process is enormously stressful and is not something I want to repeat. Really I would lose nothing by going to Oxford, because it would be very easy to transfer to a different university if I didn't like it, but on the other hand I can't see the point in bothering if I already know I won't enjoy it. The course at Sussex has fantastic modules at the moment - I'm just worried that by the time I get there the options will have dwindled because they've made everyone redundant. Hmm. Food for thought.
True facts on both sides of the argument. However, I wouldn't necessarily say that you've got 'nothing to lose' by going to Oxford. Even if the transfer itself would be easy, you have to consider that it's another move, another upheaval, another atmosphere to adjust to and another social group with which to integrate. I'm no expert, but it might be harder to make friends and fit in if you've missed the initial socialising phase, Fresher's week etc. I guess it really depends on how well you adapt to change, but if it was me I would much prefer to get it right the first time and save myself the hassel of reversing a wrong decision. On the other hand, I suppose the only way to be certain of whether Oxford is the right place for you or not is to try it out, and that way at least you can avoid feeling guilty about letting the chance pass you by. Pros and Cons either way, as with any big decision. :)
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I think that after so many years forced into the drudgery of education it's easy to lose enthusiasm for your subject, even if you have a genuine interest in it. It's equallly easy to become convinced, by yourself and others, that getting into Oxbridge is the be all and end all of academic achievements and end up working so hard for something you don't actually want.
Maybe having some time away from all that pressure could help to clear your head and work out what would really be best for you. It would be pretty dire to push yourself into going to Oxford only to regret it and be thoroughly miserable there, and likewise to go to Sussex and feel like you'd wasted such a great opportunity.
I dunno, just my two cents.
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On the other hand, I suppose the only way to be certain of whether Oxford is the right place for you or not is to try it out, and that way at least you can avoid feeling guilty about letting the chance pass you by.
Pros and Cons either way, as with any big decision. :)
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