Standing Out (Without Burning Out) at Oxford
When Nicole graduated in 2022 from Wellington College Education (China) – Tianjin, her teachers saw her as the very definition of an all‑rounder. A founding pupil, she spent a decade growing with the school. She served as Head of College, took leading roles in school musicals, played cello in the orchestra and threw herself into sport. She seemed ready for whatever the future would throw at her. But applying to universities gave Nicole pause.
From Crisis to Clarity:
A Pivot During the Pandemic
She had top grades in her IGCSEs, but she was at a loss as to her next steps. Like many of her classmates, she had applied to Oxbridge and some Ivy League schools, but two questions kept nagging her: Why go and what to study?
Then, the pandemic hit. The world seemed to screech to a halt. While many felt unsettled about the future, Nicole found clarity. She decided she wanted to help heal people and build a better future with science.
Balancing
Passions and Priorities
Nicole’s gentle demeanour belies a quiet resilience. She is grateful to her school for encouraging her to keep up music, art and other interests, even during peak application season.
It’s a lesson she has brought with her to Oxford. Despite a heavy workload, she still makes time for one of her biggest passions, music. She has even formed a band with friends.
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“Of course studying matters,” she insists, “but so does enjoying life and what I’m doing now.”
Nicole strikes a rare balance. In a fast-paced and demanding world, she takes time to appreciate the journey. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?
We call our graduates ‘Old Wellingtonians’ or OWs because, in our eyes, they never really leave us. Once a Wellingtonian, always a Wellingtonian. And it is in this spirit that we have launched We.Connect, a new alumni platform that brings the Wellington College Education (China) Community a wide range of benefits — from networking opportunities to mentorship programmes and so much more.
We.Connect
Alumni Meet-Ups in China, the US and the UK
We.Connect empowers our pupils with the resources they need to build a successful and fulfilling future. It is a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who support and mentor each other. Most importantly, it provides fertile soil where lifelong connections can flourish.
More stories about our Old Wellingtonians are coming soon! Stay tuned to our WeChat video channel to hear from our alumni!
If you would like to widen your world with We.Connect. You can access our application form by scanning the QR code below.
