We caught up with recent Magdalen alumna Marianna (2020) to chat about what she’s getting up to after finishing her Human Sciences degree, staying on at Magdalen in the Development Office, and all of Oxford’s best kept secrets.
What does Magdalen mean to you now that you’ve left?
I haven’t actually left yet, I think its going to be a bit of a wrench when I do but now that I’m not a student here I feel like I can really appreciate it!
What are you doing now?
I’m the baby of the development office at the moment. It’s my first proper job and I’m really enjoying seeing Magdalen behind the scenes.
How do you think Magdalen helped you get there?
I worked on 2 telethons at Magdalen which is where I first became interested in alumni relations and events. It also gave me some of the skills I needed to do this job now and the confidence to talk to alumni across generations. It’s nice to feel part of the Magdalen community this way, and see how it stretches out across loads of different kinds of people who all have Magdalen in common.
It’s nice to feel part of the Magdalen community this way, and see how it stretches out across loads of different kinds of people who all have Magdalen in common.
What’s your favourite memory from your time at Magdalen?
Its really hard to pinpoint because there’s a lot of memories that I don’t appreciate how special they are like playing scrabble in my friends room or whispered jokes in the library or nights spent singing in the kitchen.
What’s Oxford’s best kept secret?
That Oxford clubs are an acquired taste. I’d save yourself the hassle and go to a pub or a bar and dance there, if I were you!
What’s Magdalen’s best kept secret?
I really like the artwork and I think a lot of people don’t notice it because you never expect to see such nice things in such normal places. The Terry Newport room has such an amazing piece of artwork on the back wall that’s really bright and abstract that I love looking at every time I go in and the second floor library has this gorgeous painting of blue robes and jewellery that I spent most of my final’s revision time looking at.
How do you relax?
I read a lot. I’ve just finished the Hound of the Baskervilles and am moving onto the Right to Sex. I also enjoy making lists and doodling in my fancy notebook. More recently I’ve been really enjoying getting back into dance, and I’m doing salsa and tap this term which is really fun!
What’s on your playlist?
Absolutely everything. I make a playlist every month of songs that really stood out and that I liked. This month I went to a firework display so there’s all the songs from that. This month is ranging from Cilla Black to Scouting for Girls.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
Not too warm, not too cold, meandering around, taking things not very seriously. Some really good food, ideally in a picky bits set up so I can have lots of different things. Spent with my family, friends or boyfriend and then watching some really cringey reality tv programme like Below Deck or a rom com I’ve watched a million times.
Let’s finish with your best joke…
A sheep said to the farmer ‘you’re always bossing me about’. The farmer says ‘you what?’ and the sheep responds ‘you herd me’.
