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RMS alumna and former Head Pupil Miranda Conn left RMS in 2021 receiving 4 A*s and went on to study at Oxford University
We caught up with Miranda to hear more about her Oxford journey thus far
Could you introduce yourself and share a little about your journey from RMS to studying at Oxford?
I left RMS four years ago, having been there from Year 7 through to Sixth Form. Since then I have been at the University of Oxford studying for an Integrated Master’s in Maths & Computer Science. I am currently in my Master’s year, having completed the Bachelor’s last June, and will graduate next Summer.
How did you achieve such an outstanding First Class result, can you tell us about what scores you achieved and how you got there?
I will first say that it definitely wasn’t a linear trajectory – the Oxford system of learning can be a bit more turbulent than school, so it took time to get used to the fact that I could be failing mock papers, and still do well at the end of it all.
Ultimately, I am very pleased to have achieved a First, averaging 81% in my 3rd Year Exams against a year average of 65%, and achieving a highest mark of 95% in Databases against a year average of 57% (credit to Mr Lilley, my RMS Computer Science teacher, who always told me Databases are great...now I agree).
Getting there definitely involved grit and an effective revision system, however the biggest thing I have learnt is how to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I’ve gotten used to the fact that, more often than not, I am surrounded by an overwhelming sea of concepts I don’t understand, and have less time than I’d like to get to grips with them. That used to make revision feel stressful and insurmountable; now, I feel less worried about not being able to see my way through, and know that once I start the next steps become clearer.
How did your time at RMS prepare you for the academic and personal challenges of studying at Oxford?
I think the focus on challenging yourself at RMS is brilliant. Not because doing difficult things wins you “impressive points”, but because it builds confidence in your ability to work stuff out when you don’t feel perfectly prepared. You won’t always have the perfect academic skillset to solve a problem, or the experiences to help you navigate personal challenges, so you have to feel confident that you can move forwards anyways and figure it out as you go; I built that confidence at RMS. I am very grateful for all the opportunities I had at RMS to take on a challenge, whether it was building a mini-satellite in the CanSat competition, going for gold with the Gymnastics Team, or overcoming the challenges of Covid-19 as Head Pupil.
What advice would you give to current RMS students about succeeding academically and balancing other interests?
The two go hand-in-hand. Even in my 4th Year at Oxford, I still dance at least four times a week with the university dance team, and keep up my other interests. My advice is to leverage your other interests to give you energy: if you’re ever in a rough patch academically or feeling a bit unmotivated, try to go and achieve something small in one of your other interests e.g. learn a new song on guitar, or knit a new scarf. The sense of accomplishment can often be transferred back to your academics, picking you up, and making you feel more motivated that you can achieve there too. It’s of course also important to learn to prioritise, but that means choosing the most important things across both your academic and personal interests, not one or the other.
What tips would you share specifically with RMS students aspiring to apply to Oxbridge?
If you’re younger in school, I would say to start a side-project. As I mentioned earlier, I think you learn the fastest when you have to work things out for yourself, and it’s great to follow your own interests. So, build a website for your family’s chore schedule, build a Lego robot to deliver the post from the front door, write a mini-EPQ on whether Cleopatra was a feminist…whatever you like, just start it yourself and explore.
If you’re higher up the school, it’s important to learn to think independently and reason clearly. Academic competitions/challenges are great for developing these skills. As you approach Year 13, try to get good at articulating your thoughts out-loud too. You can help each other to do this – my friend Elizabeth and I used to ask each other mock interview questions in form time, just so we got used to explaining our thinking to someone else.
What’s next for you after your Master’s, and how do you see your career developing in technology and innovation?
I’m still working out which path I want to go down. Right now, I’m really excited about tech startups. I am quite involved in entrepreneurship within Oxford, and love the ambition and optimism you feel in a room of people who want to build something that makes the world a little better. It reminds me that everything you learn in school and at university is not just for exams, but can really be applied to things you care about. I’m not sure exactly what form that will take for me, but I’m enjoying working it out.
Congratulations to Miranda on her outstanding achievements at Oxford, and thank you for sharing your inspiring journey with us!
Our alumnae are a vital part of our vibrant RMS community. Whether you were a boarder in the 1940s, a recent leaver, or somewhere in between, we would love to connect with you. Please send us your details using the alumnae connect form to stay in touch.