Trying to make the most of residency time rarely includes much other than lectures, seminars, tutorials and endless library hours.  

I admit I am not the most focused of students at times and I miss being around my family.  I have always told my kids to make family wherever they live, so I have to do the same.  Lately on Fridays I have encouraged a few other students to meet up at Posh Chips in Headington at 7pm.  It's cheap and cheery.  They serve a variety of comfort food, soft drinks or a beer.  As the restaurant part is rarely busy we are free to use the tables for as long as we want.  In fact the waitress just leaves me with the order pad and I turn in the orders when we are ready.

We talk about studies.  Some of us are on the verge of a breakthrough, some have progressed through the next phase, some just feel miles away from anything.   Any way we all share the same joys and frustrations and we encourage, comfort and console each other.  The conversation is lively and the jokes are pretty lame but we look at each other and see that no matter what it feels like we are actually in this together and we can help each other along sometimes through casual chats over food.

Friday nights with others breaks up the monotony and we try to end by making vague study goals for the coming week.  

If you are a student or even if you just want to hang out with us, please leave a message on the 'Student to Student' board in the hall way at OCMS or ask someone to come along with you. You could even email me at ureifsnider@ocms.ac.uk

See you soon, I hope!