Reflecting on my first term at Oxford
Vložit
- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- You can still get 30 days for free with Headspace with my link and code: headspace-web.app.link/e/RG30 & RUBY30D
Studies to read on meditation:
www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/22/...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.frontiersin.org/articles/...
link.springer.com/article/10....
link.springer.com/article/10....
Katherine Philips poems to try:
Friendship’s Mystery, To my Dearest Lucasia - www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
To Mrs. M. A. Upon Absence - www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
instagram: @_rubygranger
tiktok: @rubygranger8
Pumpkin Productivity (my stationery company): bit.ly/3wgsR85
Frequently Asked Questions:
😇 How old are you? 23
📝 What are you studying? I am set to start my MA in English Literature at Oxford this autumn.
📚What are your favourite books? • 200 book recommendatio...
📚 Do you have a book club? Yes! You can join it here for free: fable.co/club/reading-with-th...
📝 Have you written a book? My life goal is to be a published author and make a living from writing and I am using this year to gain experience, build up a portfolio and work on a book with my agent. I have just finished the final draft of that book, as you can see in this video. I did self-publish a book about bullying when I was seventeen which is available on Amazon (amzn.to/3mdJKLm), but I'm slightly embarrassed by it now!
🎃 Do you have merch? I don't have merch in the traditional sense (I can't imagine selling something with my face or name on haha!), but I do have a stationery company where I sell planners for students. These are all designed with students in mind and follow models which I've used when planning my studying. Our products are printed in pastel colours on recycled paper: bit.ly/3wgsR85
🍵 What's your favourite tea? That's a REALLY hard one, but I think I'd have to say the B&B Chocolate Digestive Tea: bird-and-blend-tea-co.sjv.io/youwilllovethisone (affiliate link)
Ruby. I am a 70 year old granny and I wish I had you back in the day. My granddaughter is just about to do her GCSE’s and I am going to share your channel and your letter “ to my sixteen year old self”. Lovely lovely person so you are .
Boggles my mind such older people are online when my father is your age and he doesn’t even own wifi at home 😂 I think he used a computer once back in the 70s when he was in college 😂😂😂
@@kurlykaitlyn I hope to take that as a compliment!
Congratulations on making it to the home stretch in style, Ruby! As an author and a librarian, I've so enjoyed being on this journey with you.
I think I’m enjoying you being at Oxford as much as you are 😂 I hope you enjoy your well-deserved Christmas break
When you asked "How are you?", I hit pause, and for the next 5 minutes, talked to you. Though unheard by you, it was an amazing chat that I really needed. Thanks, Ruby!
It feels so cool to relate to you being an introvert. All my life I was embarassed about being an introvert. People called me anti-social, but introversion is a very different thing. Knowing you are an introvert gives me confidence to assume this part of my personality. Hey world, I am an introvert and that's OK!
I think we have all found joy in watching your dreams come true. You have been glowing with happiness in your Oxford videos 🌟 Wishing you a wonderful Christmas 🎄
I wish I was more like you at uni. More routine, structure and work. You amaze me every vlog with how hard you work. Keep it up!!
I find it so endearing how much you enjoy latin, as a portuguese speaker studying literature latin is mandatory, and most of the students don't take the classes beyond the mandatory "Introduction to Latin", BUT IS SO FUN, it's hard even for latin language speakers so don't beat yourself up for it, PLEASE keep studying latin, I'm sure you'll love it.
❤,,👍🇧🇷
Hi Ruby - you are a real inspiration to an old 75 year old woman who graduated over 50 years ago from Aberdeen Uni ! I wish you had been around then, to encourage me to be a bit more disciplined than I was..all the very best for your future!
Omg I’m graduating from Aberdeen Uni this May! Did you enjoy your time there?
Whoa!! She is so into studying that she can't tell which part of her routine doesn't count as studying❤✨love that about her so much✨❤️
"Hope that you have much more than a productive week" I LOVE it, it's such a nice evolution from your previous ending sentence :) Productivity isn't the most important thing, joy is :)
As a French literature student, it is a real pleasure to grow with you, to have the same realizations that you have, year after year. I am falling in love with your channel for the second time in five years !
Hi Ruby, You are doing an essay for a Masters!!! From someone who has sadly had to drop out of my Degree permanently due to my Mental Health i admire you enormously! Keep going you have got this!!
Such a lovely video! I am a paper and pen person and always used to do references at the end of an essay too. I recently started my PhD and I'm now using a reference manager (I'm using Zotero) - it's game changing! I would say 100% check it out for postgraduate study x
Thank you for asking how we are, Ruby. For me, it's been perhaps too long since somebody genuinely asked if I'm doing alright. Things are a bit confusing and difficult at the moment for me, but I enjoy coming to this channel and finding a bit more peace watching you. Your bright spirit lifts my mood instantly, so thank you for that.
My grandad always said that too... "nerves are good, they mean you care" and it's always helped me too. ❤
My communications teachers always told me to “cite as you go.” Which I do. I save all the links but I always forget one so I don’t wait until the end.
I think, what I liked this semester is I didn’t overwhelm myself with a bunch of courses so I could make time for reading/independent learning. And how to feel and become more connected with the natural world by seeing it through the perspective of another culture. Trying to invoke some natural healing.
Your first videos this term inspired me to pursue a dream. Though I already completed my studies many years ago, I'm pursuing an online beginners linguistics course and hope to take my studies further, depending on time and money available.
Thank you, Ruby, and all the best with your essay!
God bless you at studies at Oxford, and in your daily life, dear young Ruby. Be proud of all that you are accomplishing! Enjoy the moment, absorb all that this wonderful experience presents to you. Those memories of Oxford life are going to be such treasures in future! You are surely an inspiration to others, and your family must be very proud of you!
Well done!!
Merry Christmas! 🎄
You are a beautiful soul. The vibes you send out into the world are encouraging and heart warming. Thank you.
there's such a glow of confidence about you in this video
Ruuuuubyyyy please reference as you go 😭
I loved the video and I'm so glad that your time in Oxford has been so fulfilling in so many ways!
My second term ended today, last week I got the amazing news that I got a 10 on a 41 pages long report I spent over a week writing, while barely being able to sleep and having to prepare to two presentations. It felt like all my effort and dedication was worth it in the end.
But the happiest memory from this term was probably way before that, when we did a field trip (which culminated in that final report) to another city, where we hiked for two days and studied the vegetation. It was a surreal experience, I learned so so much, and at no point did it feel like a class!
Love getting to live your Oxford experience vicariously through these videos ;) Thanks for sharing! I think having a greenhouse full of exotic plants to study in came quite high on the list of term highlights for me!
so lovely to watch you doing something that fills you with so much purpose and joy in your dream place, I really really just admire your love for learning and how hard you work at what you love
Congratulations 🎈🎉 ❤on the completion of your first term! What a terrific achievement. You’ve earned your break and although I understand why you want to improve your Latin skills during your time away, take care of yourself and rest some too. If learning something is relaxing for you then keep going but listen to your own instincts and rest and rejuvenate too. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 ❤to you and your family!
Always an inspiration Ruby - your unbounded enthusiasm firmly grounded in realism is amazing ✨
These Q&A videos are the ones in which you truly shine. I was impressed by your maturity and eloquence when you speak and would listen to a lot more of them if you would ever make more videos just talking about your learnings and experiences about life through the years.
aww congratulations Ruby! I'm so happy to see you living out your dreams and studying at Oxford. I'm not a student anymore but I love your Oxford videos. The community here is genuinely so kind and lovely and I think it's because you are such a kind and beautiful soul
I'm really sick today, and watching your content is always so cozy and warming. Thank you for sharing these parts of your life with us.
❤ You are a very relatable person in your videos which makes us feel close. Which in turn makes us curious and want to know more! Kudos Ruby keep being you!
Congratulations Rubbyy!!!
Love seeing your journey❤
New subscriber here. I found your channel by accident but love it. I’m due to begin my Masters in September in my 40’s and your discipline has inspired me!
Love watching your videos! They are so motivating and calming. My favorite assignment for my term was interviewing one of my professors. She had a lot of great life advice to offer! The one thing she said that stuck with me was to stay open to all opportunities in life. She moved to a town she had never heard of because she got offered a great teaching job there. It was really fun interviewing my professor and learning more about how she ended up as a professor.
Ruby watching you videos is the best meditation I could have. I always feel so calm and at ease
Ruby, I've been watching since before your undergrad rejection, and I feel like we're all fulfilling a dream watching you have this experience now!
So glad you have had such a wonderful time at Oxford so far, Ruby! One of the highlights of my term has been my Oxford Interviews, which were such a fantastic opportunity - albeit very stressful - and I am so grateful to have had the chance to speak to some incredibly interesting tutors! Have a lovely restful Christmas break! ❤
I’m so pleased to see how happy you seem to be there at Oxford. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas 🎄 xx
I love your enthusiasm, it makes me smile watching you! Merry Christmas Ruby!
I also took a gap year. It honestly felt like the worst decision of my life until I started school again. I've never gotten all A's before, but that gap year reminded me how much I love school and how passionate I am about learning to a point that I actually did get all A's. Not to mention it let me realize that I need to go to school for what I love, not for what will make me the most money. I went from a computer science major to a psychology major.
Hello Ruby. I've been very much been enjoying your videos. From a fellow introvert who also loves walks in the rain I feel connected to you. My father was an English Literature professor and I was raised on Shakespeare and Charles Dickens and read endlessly and I know he would have loved your videos, also. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. Have a productive day! ❤❤
You really put your heart into this video, one of your absolute best.
30 years after doing my first degree, I’m on my 2nd in preparation for ordination. Getting back into studying has been a complete and unexpected joy: new friends, super interesting lecturers helping me think in such different ways. And learning study tips here has been so helpful - including those from your followers. Hope you have a great festive break and I’m looking forward to next term. After my assignment is done of course 🙄🤪😆 x
I graduated college last year, but I'm still enjoying your videos every time! It gives me such nostalgic feelings and makes me miss those good old study days. Hope you have a beautiful holiday season!
I, too, like thinking about "if you're stressed, it means you really care about something" and channeling that positively. I think a way one can do that is to let go of the part where you're worried about how something is going to turn out - the parts that aren't in your control, like the kind of grade you might get or something like that, and instead, think about the investment you're making into something you care about and live in that moment - that is in your control and it's also about channeling love and attention rather than swimming in dread about a future moment. Congrats about your first term at Oxford. I've loved watching your journey and living vicariously! So exciting. Happy Holidays.
The highlight of my term was finding you at the beginning of it and trying to get better at academics. I have prioritized my mental health and academics over some unhealthy people and I am glad about my development
It's really wonderful to see someone following their passions. I have a masters but I have to say I wish I'd had the same passion for mine as you have! Merry Christmas!
I started my MSc in Biology this September, and I feel like I have found my life direction (which feels crazy). It's lovely to see that you are as enthausiastic about your masters as I am right now. Feels so nice to share that :) Have a lovely christmas!
Truly appreciate these videos. Find them inspiring and mentally calming. I'll share with you here that this season I was blessed to have been granted from the writing gods an amazing creative story idea that I could see the beginning, middle and end to and I am writing feverishly and so enjoying the process. Keep leading the way. We appreciate. And we're trying our best, right along side you. Congratulations on Oxford and enjoy your holiday.
First term of my first year at university has been a rollercoaster, but the highlight has definitely meeting my small circle of friends. I’ve always found forming bonds and connections with others particularly difficult, but these people have made it feel so easy: I adore them. They have really helped me to feel comfortable in my own skin, and to feel like I am worthy of being loved loudly.
I never comment. I never give a thumbs up. But I watch all your videos and I love them all. I graduated university several years ago and I miss it a lot. Feeling melancholic and happy here. Thank you for the memories and inspiration!
Your content is absolutely beautiful….. Thank you kindly for sharing your world with us!!
I truely love and appreciate you, Ruby Granger…. What a beautiful soul you are!!
I’m always glad to see some updates from you. Wish you all the best Ruby. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.❤
Thank you Ruby, for the sweet content that resonates with my mind like nothing else does.
Oh, her real voice!
Oh my God I'm so early! First view :)
Love you Ruby, You inspire me to study and make it feel that getting admitted to my dream university really isn't just a fever dream
Thank you so much for answering my question 🥰 I hope you have a wonderful festive season and find time to re-charge for your next adventures!
This is why you are my favourite person on CZcams. You actually care and respect us all. As an almost 39 year old woman, i often need distracting from reality. Things have been really tough. A real tough, exhausting bad year. My husband had a heart attack (he is terminally ill ) my uncle passed away, my amazing wonderful perfect courageous dog passed away and im drained at fighting my own pain with back issues- so my studying is on the back burner atm with my coursework. I live 200 miles from family. Everybody seems to complain about their life to me, and im the person with a lot on my shoulders, and not one person cares or ever asks about me. Full time carers are forgotten about by so many.
I can feel you so much. Not everyone has the privilege to have healthy family support but it doesn’t reduce our value as a person a little bit because we just have bad luck. If the society or the community we are in doesn’t care about us, we care about ourselves.
I am so sorry for what you had to go through. Wishing you a much, much better 2024 with loads of love ! Blessings to your husband, sending him energy.
thats such a lot to deal with. how are you doing?
So for context, I am a musician and all my exams at uni have basically been performing for 40 mins, I also steward practical music exams and some of the best advice I've been told is "you're not nervous, you're excited" because the two feelings feel very similar, don't know if it would help with essay writing but it's certainly helped my performing!
(and yes you're right, I'd be more worried if people weren't nervous going into a performance)
I dont tend to comment a lot but i wanted to say thanks for being so dedicated! I was finally accepted into Veterinary School (which is extremely competitive) and you were a huge part of my motivation, especially during the long nights and the rough weeks. I had been watching you since the beginning of my colege career which was 4 years ago. I always enjoy all of your videos, so again, thank you!
Im always so excited to watch your videos, you’re just such a calming person
I am so grateful to YOU, Ruby! I have been watching your videos for about two years now and they are such a delight! They always bring me joy! The Lord is looking out for you and I know He has great plans for you. You are such an incredible human being and have so much beauty and joy ahead of you. Always reach for the highest and greatest. Have a Merry Christmas Season!
When I started as a postgrad I swore that I'd never leave my referencing and citations until last again (like my undergrad days); I always do them as I go along and it leaves me feeling so much more relaxed about my assignments!
Bless. You're thriving, and its lovely to see. Stress and joy can coexist because, as you say, stress often just shows you're working on something meaningful Have a lovely Christmas, Ruby, and be kind to your mind. ❤
I'm okay :) I graduated from my MA last month. I'm severely chronically ill and I'm learning to now rest and slow down. It's lovely seeing your Oxford journey.
I want to thank you for the time and effort uou put into sharing your experiences . You are such a source of enthusiasm and inspiration. The end of essays and anything we create can feel so challenging. I describe this phase of an essay or any creative activity as transtion .
This is a stage between crewting abd developing your creation and coming to terms with finishing tgat process abd preparing to reslease or share that creation where ptgers will firm opinions can be far more challenging than creation itself.
I love your enthusiasm for literature. I am currently reading John Locke's 'Two Treatises of Government', published 1689, and my last was Thomas Hobbes' 'Leviathan', published 1651. Mainly because so many commentators refer to them and their ideas, I felt I should read them. But I got into old literature years ago with Laurence Sterne's 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman' 1759.
Having never been an academic of any kind, I truly envy your access to like-minded people, be they students or tutors.
I will also add that you have matured in a most remarkable manner since you began at Oxford. Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Thanks so much for this video. I love hearing other people study experiences
I am currently doing an English literature degree with the open university and have been really struggling with the multidisciplinary aspect of the first year. Your videos have helped so much to get me motivated when I felt I couldn’t do the work.
The highlight of my term was definitely sitting my first ever GCSE, but it taught me that exams are not as scary as they seem! Merry Christmas Ruby, I love you ❤
Wonderful video, Ruby! I truly wish you lots of love and that your essay will be recieved well; you have been putting so much effort in. And Merry Christmas!
What a joy it was to have your company today; knowing you’re doing well makes me glad! Your personality exudes thoughtfulness and care, and meditation is an excellent way to groom these characteristics. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” What we think about or meditate on will shape our thoughts and attitude. Thank you for introducing me to Katherine Phillips formally unknown to me, and after reading just one of her poems I want more! Epitaph is filled with empathy and pathos over her dead son-very moving. Ruby, I hope you have a Wonderful Advent season coupled with rest, joy, and peace.
Congratulations, Ruby!! I am so excited that you have enjoyed your first term so much!! Taking that gap year between your undergrad and grad school seems to be really helpful. I did the same between my undergrad and Master's in English program which I also really enjoyed, especially since I worked in the bookshop of a major publishing house. When I started my Master's, I became a research assistant for the department chair who received her Ph.D. from Harvard, and I helped her collect and edit the essays of her department chair at Harvard, Morton W. Bloomfield, whose areas of study were medieval literature and Judaica. I was thrilled to have half of my tuition paid for this job (10 hours/week), but my department chair added me as a co-editor of the book. Thus I walked into my adjunct teaching position with a published work -- such a rewarding experience!!
P.S. I also have a glass teapot with an infuser for loose-leaf tea ... but I just broke the lid so I'm back to my old trusty "Brown Betty" teapot that happens to be blue. ;)
Ah i loved the Taylorian too! They sometimes put the fire on in the fireplace there and it was so cosy.❤
Such an helpful and comforting video, really needed it, thank you Ruby :) glad you're doing so good and enjoying the Oxford life, you truly deserve it 🤍
Hi Ruby, I thought I would join in and let you know how you've helped another stranger. I'm 30 and have been out of academics for a while, but I still write occasional exams for my career. This year, I struggled the most I ever have with anxiety and thought I wouldn't be able to write the exam to get my highest level for my career. After watching your videos this fall, I was so motivated to study I finally signed up for the exam and passed :) you honestly helped me so much. Love your content. Have a Merry Christmas! 🎄
The highlight of my term was probably the philology course, where I learned more about how Latin can be researched and in which ways you can work with Latin. I have ADD and struggle with following my study plans, but watching your videos has motivated me and helped me get started on bad days! You're such an inspiration and your videos are so cozy with the music and landscapes/libraries and even your voice, it's so soft 😊
My last exam is in two days, so now it's time to go back to studying...
i love watching your videos! im not currently a student but ive recently applied to an online masters program 🎉
i also love the generous trial that headspace has offered in conjunction with your video!
sending you lots of holiday cheer❤
Thanks for sharing your life at Oxford, Ruby! It is very exciting for me to follow your adventures (I'm from Belgium).
The most special thing I did this semester was interviewing a single mother for a research project I'm participating in. The last thing the interviewee said really stayed with me: "The government should become humane again."
It reminded me of the fact that some people can barely hold on and that they feel politicians don't care about their harsh lives. It made me sad that she felt so alone.
But then I thought of your beautiful habit of writing Christmas cards, so that's what I did! I'm sure it will brighten up her day.
Hi Ruby.. I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You motivate me so much by creating amazing videos like this. I'm really happy that I can watch this video from a country so far away. Imagine when I am having difficulty and don't want to study. I just entered Ruby's channel and enjoyed watching your latest videos. Makes me excited. You made the video so cute and so relaxing. Well, in the sense of “healing the soul”, Oxford is one of my goals, and I am happy to see someone showing us things naturally there, as if saying to me: “No matter how hard it is, you can do it.” Thank you again. I hope you continue to release a lot of good videos... Have a nice winter! Happy 😊
The way you asked how are u was so touching 😭all the very best for the future classes.Also the teapot thing😅yeah i felt that,coffee n tea is something that keeps us motivated to keep going.
The highlight of my term was probably graduating! It definitely didn't feel real until my grades came in (after the graduation ceremony) but I was honestly in denial. I've watched your videos the whole way and have to take this moment to thank you, Ruby.
You've inspired me to be more productive and proactive so much so that I'll be leaving my toxic job and will be starting my new job in the new year! Hope you have a lovely Christmas and you read some great books x
Glad that dumb ass reply to my comment got deleted. What a strange person
Ruby you're getting more charming and poised with every video. Thanks for posting.
Your happiness shines through in this video :) Someone said to me recently that we should view rest not as lazy but as one would view the priming of an arrow when attached to a bow. The arrow might move backwards, but it is because it is preparing to launch forward. So whilst rest or taking a break might feel like a move backwards, it's actually priming you to be able to launch forwards 🥰
Return to study after a break gives you perspective. It's like you are more open to enjoy. But everything around you move so fast, it's like try to keep calm when everybody is running.
And I'm not studying, but I'm doing things to keep active. Thanks to ask. You are a lovely person, thanks to share this amazing experience with us 😊.
I really enjoyed hearing the questions from everyone and listening to your answers.
Thanks for putting on the blue sweater and everything else you've done this year, hope you're relaxed and happy.
Congrats on almost having finished your first term, Ruby 🤩
Glad you’ve enjoyed your first semester of grad school at Oxford. I visited Oxford once when I did a study abroad semester in the UK. I wish you a Merry Christmas 🎄 and it would be great if you listed all the books and poems you’ve read this semester. My cats and their antics make me smile 😊
I have loved watching you progress. I loved your videos on old fashioned ways of liveing and when your mum joined in.
I totally relate to the pressure you put on yourself when you study in a very prestigious college! It's super internal, everyone else is amazing and sweet but you know everyone is just as smart as you are because none of you would be there if you weren't so the self-pressure is massive
Rubyy!!! This journey was such a fun with u i wish u a happy and long life and i was so grateful that u uploaded a oxford journey helped me a lot ♡♡♡♡ love u gurl♡♡♡
I really liked hearing you talk about these questions, I'm so happy for you.
I've also been on the first semester of my master's program (they start on august and end in December in my country) and even though I'm doing a master's in physics, I took a philosophy class that was really meaningful to me in every sense, I not only learnt from the contents of the course but also from the dynamics of the class and the expressive language of the professor. I've also been way happier (like, life-changing happiness) since getting a gender reaffirmation surgery, which I think also made this semester so good, and I'm so thankful for it c:
Congrats !! ❤I love your videos🎉
hey ruby, I'm in third and final year of my undergraduate and this term has been very busy and stressful at times but equally I'd say so far it has been my favourite year and I can't believe I only have one more term of studying left!! lots of love and merry Christmas xxx
Be super careful coupling worry, anxiety or stress with 'caring'. It’s a very maladaptive belief about worry. It is actually referred to as a 'positive belief about worry' ❤
Thank you for the tip here actually - I didn’t know about that x
Hello, can you provide me with more info about this? I am a psychology student, and from what I know, it depends on the paradigm from which you look (like a pair of colored lenses). In cognitive behavioral therapy there is a distinction for maladaptive and adaptive emotions, but in acceptance and commitment therapy (3rd wave CBT) emotions aren't categorized as good or bad buth rather for the function they have. So, seeing worry as a sign that you care isn't that bad or seeing nervousness as excitement. Worry would guide us to find our values and act upon them. I would like to read more about the distinction you made (if you could give me a link or something). Thank you!
Im not at uni, im working, but I live in oxford, and your videos inspire me so much, and have brought back my love for oxford 🙈, i stopped romanticising it, and ignoring the beauty that oxford is, and you brought that back xx
Following from north africa, you are a source of inspiration Ruby ❤
I have a big spooky exam on Monday morning waiting for me and am not prepared enough, since I always start way too late with studying. But with your video, I am now set up to get it all in my brain and hopefully write a good enough assessment in my civil law exam to be happy with myself and go into my Christmas break feeling good and finding peace to then actually get a headstart on my exam prep or the 22nd of January.
Love your jumper. It looks so nice on you and very huggable.
Good luck! Hope your exam goes well 💫
Thank you @@olgapavlova81
Ruby, u never imagine that i have been watching you through my journey to pursue further degree, u inspire me alot along the journey as my mate, u also make me think about why I want to pursue education is to learn something ❤❤❤ lots of useful sharing and advice for balancing mindset and study 📖
The last time I watched one of your videos was in 2020 or 2021 and I have to say you seem like you are really growing into your own. You sound much more confident, relaxed and mature overall (not that you didn't possess those qualities before).