The most common advice for Oxbridge interview candidates is to be confident and to be yourself. But how do you do that if you're so nervous you can't think straight? In this blog, we'll give you some practical tips to manage stress and anxiety, perform well at the interview, and understand that ultimately, nerves are your friend!
The Oxbridge interview is definitely a nerve-wracking part of the application process, and it's easy for the pressure to get to you. Nerves are natural, and in some sense they're a good sign (it means you care, and they provide adrenaline to the body for when you have to think on your feet)!
So while it might feel like your nerves will spell your Oxbridge interview doom, that doesn't have to be the case. There are ways to channel nerves effectively and make sure you feel confident in your interview.
Understanding the source of your nerves
Time for a little introspection.
Why do you think you feel nervous? Is it the pressure to perform, fear of failure, or perhaps general uncertainty about the interview format? Many applicants feel particularly nervous because the interview is notoriously opaque, and applicants don't know quite what to expect.
Understand where your nerves stem from, and you'll get a better grasp of how to manage them.
Nerve-calming tips for before the interview
For the weeks leading up to the interview, managing your nerves is easiest through effective preparation. Try to personalise this to your nerves. For example:
If you're stressed about what the interview entails or speaking aloud, try mock interviews.
Mock interviews are second to none in terms of managing stress levels because they provide you with a way to get comfortable with the format. Many applicants are nervous about having to speak aloud about their subject and vocalise their thoughts; if this is you, try focusing on building oral skills.
Avalon offers a comprehensive mock interview course in which you can expect a series of accurate mock interviews with clear and helpful feedback. You can also check out our guide to Oxbridge interviews, in which we cover everything from structure to likely questions.
If you're stressed about the pressure to perform, try 'revising' your personal statement.
There's lots of ways to go about this, and we cover all the best ones in our interview guide, but familiarising yourself with your statement will help. Usually, about half of the interview questions stem from things you've mentioned in your statement, so try reading around the things you've said you're interested in. Tutors are not trying to catch you out!
Tips for during the interview
Start by taking a deep breath. Remind yourself that you've prepared for this, and, above all, that you deserve to be there.
To reduce pressure, try to reframe how you're thinking of the interview. We recommend that you think of it like a learning opportunity, a chance to talk about your favourite subject with some highly knowledgeable people, rather than like an interview.
Think of it like a conversation, not a judgement.
Pace yourself. There's no need to rush into answers; tutors don't expect applicants to have instantly fully formed answers. You aren't ChatGPT, so take a breath, take a pause, and think through your answers. Tutors won't mind waiting, and they'd rather a better thought out answer than a rushed one.
Interviewers, Oxbridge ones especially, value intellectual curiosity and honesty over knowing absolutely everything. So it's okay to admit you don't know something and ask questions. Remember, tutors look for potential, not perfection.
Reducing nervous energy
The crazy thing about the mind-body connection is that you can trick your mind into feeling less nervous simply by acting like you're not. In other words, fake it till you make it.
Power poses are a great way of signalling to the body that you feel confident and comfortable. Even giving a smile releases dopamine, as the mind associates the action with happiness and comfort.
Breathing techniques (like box breathing) helps calm the body, and in turn, the mind.
Grounding techniques, in which you focus on five things you can see in the room, also help keep you present and focused.
All of the above techniques are great in all kinds of high pressure situations, so consider using them across the course of your interview.
The interview is not the final judgement
Don't dwell on the interview once you're done. Take some time out of what has been a stressful time of year and relax with friends and family.
Even if you really feel that it didn't go to plan, remember that the interview is not the final judgement. Tutors take into account your personal statement, your exams, and any written submissions when making their decision. It is not the be-all-and-end-all!
"I was convinced I blew it -- I thought I'd done so badly and even cried after my interview. But I ended up getting an offer, and began my PPL course at Oxford in the autumn! Just goes to show that you shouldn't assume you know how it went. Trust the process and enjoy the journey!"
-2024 PPL graduate, Oxford
So, don't overanalyse your performance. There's no way to know how you really did, so focus on celebrating the hard work you put in and the achievement it was to get an interview offer in the first place!
If you’re looking for tailored support to handle your nerves and prepare you for your interview, Avalon Education is here to help. Our Oxbridge mock interview course will equip you with the tools and confidence to succeed, and our expert tutors provide personalised feedback to refine your skills. Get in touch today and take the next step towards securing your Oxbridge offer!
Let us help you turn those interview nerves into success!
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