Page 55 - Future Leaders Magazine

Stormzy’s humility

and kindness has

truly inspired me

Fiona Asiedu speaks to
aspiring Oxford
students at the Annual
Access Conference

“If my 15-year-old self knew she’d year and vice-president in my second year) and volunteered at
year and vice-president in my second year) and volunteered at
end up at Oxford, she probably the conference, but his attendance was a total surprise for me!
would have said: “Swear His donation meant so much to me, not only did he relieve the
potentially huge nancial strain of attending Harvard, but he also
down… Mauddd... Skeen, is relieved the stress of running a crowdfund during my nals at
that you, Fiona? Go deh girl!” Oxford! Most of all, his humility and kindness lled me with joy and
that has truly inspired me. He was so down to earth and humble
about it all. All I could say was how grateful I was and to thank him.
He just said ‘don’t worry about it, just make sure you go and show
them how its done. You should be very proud of yourself’.
with younger students?
Oxford study life is intense. In my rst year, I had two 1,500-word What do you think your younger self would have said
essays and a set of statistics questions every week. Take it easy, Q if she was told that one day she would not only get to
if you don’t know the answer, take a break and come back. Ask Oxford, but also make it to Harvard?
your friends and tutors for help. Don’t beat yourself up for making My younger self probably just would have laughed … a lot. I wouldn’t
mistakes or getting a lower grade than expected on your rst have believed it for a second. In the words of my 15 year-old self, I
couple of essays. Unless you really need to, don’t do all-nighters, probably would have said, ‘Swear down… mauddd... Skeen, is that
going to sleep will clear your mind and a lot of the time, when you you, Fiona? Go deh girl!’
wake up, you are one step closer to the answer that you need. The
biggest lesson is to be you and no one else but you. Being true First impressions of Harvard?
to yourself and sticking to your values will make everything a lot Q Harvard has been great so far. It has been so busy and there is
easier, especially when it comes to social life which is a signi cant just so much to o er in terms of events, both academic and social,
part of life at Oxford. You will attract people who you have things in course options and internships. To be honest, I thought that I would
common with, even if you don’t see it on the surface level, and this be very intimidated but really, everyone here is really humble
is one of the most valuable things that I learnt from my experience (including lecturers) and everyone comes in with the imposter
there. syndrome – the feeling that they aren’t really supposed to be
here or don’t deserve to be here. Having people voice that to me
Did you manage to personally thank Stormzy for helped me settle a lot! There are so many resources available that
Q donating to your crowdfund in the end? What did everything is quite overwhelming but I am just trying to take it all
his donation mean to you? in because nine months will y by! Americans are very friendly and
I did, thanks to Oxford University’s African and Caribbean love a British accent so I’ve had no issues on the social front thus
Society. This year they invited him to their Annual far! Looking forward to what is to come!
Access Conference to award him as Person of the
Year. I was very involved in the society throughout You can follow Fiona’s Harvard journey on her Youtube
my time at Oxford (junior events o cer in my rst Channel: SW2Harvard

2017-18 | FUTURE LEADERS 53