Uni interview worry

[WasYoYo80]

My Oxford interview is next Tuesday. I’m a grown woman of 40 with an excellent academic & professional record, yet all I can think about is what they will think about my size and how I Iook!! I know it’s bonkers but that is where my head is at today. I just wish it was like ITV’s The Voice blind auditions i.e. my interviewers wouldn’t see me until they’ve made their decision. How do you work on your body positivity?

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

I'm not sure that body positivity is it: maybe it's 'you-positivity' that you need to draw on: the whole of you, the you that has earned this interview and that has so much to offer.

lucigret posted this a while ago: it says it better than I can healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Go in there and show them they'd be lucky to have you

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thank you for your support BridgeGirl - I’ve checked out the poem & have printed it off to put on my notice board. I think you’re right; rather than focusing on what I look like, I’m going to try to push through the negative thoughts, feel positive about how far I’ve come in life and follow my dreams.

[Greendream123]

Interviews are nerve racking! I'm sure you'll do really well and your intelligence, experience and qualifications will shine through.

I over prepare for interviews and was told in my last one that I answered everything very well but forgot to show I had a personality. 🤣🤣 I still got the job so that just shows that personality isn't everything. 😆

I'm sure you will look great too, your size won't come into it, have you got an outfit picked out? I don't like my appearance either but have learned the hard way that it's better to choose comfort over style (especially in terms of interview shoes!)

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to Greendream123]

I bought a better fitting smart A line dress yesterday and have tried it on a few times to feel more comfortable in it. I have a practise interview tonight with a colleague who’s become a very close friend, so hopefully that will help.

[bikegrrrl 1lb in reply to WasYoYo80]

I have no advice to add about weight, I just wanted to say "Good luck" and I hope it goes well. 💐

I have a habit of travelling to an interview with a positive, life-affirming-type piece of music in my head, as a kind of soundtrack to how I will triumph. Also useful if kept waiting when you get there. 🙂

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to bikegrrrl]

Tank you - great tip about the music

[Greendream123 in reply to WasYoYo80]

Hope the practice went well and I'm sure you'll look great in your new smart dress.

[PandQs Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to WasYoYo80]

Hi YoYo80, you want to feel good about yourself when you walk in the room - you already have the dress. You're not a young student but already a professional like themselves, so dress and be the part. As well as the dress, do you have jewellery or a scarf that is eyecatching without being over the top, expensive perfume that is not overwhelming - subtle elegance and a calm exterior Good luck!

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to PandQs]

I'm just going to try to be my authentic self - unfussy minimalist. Going to wear my late mum's plain gold chain - I wish she was still around to see how far I have come. It's moments like this that I really miss her.

[PandQs Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to WasYoYo80]

My mum always used to give us her locket to carry when we had exams. You're only 40, you've lost your mum too early - me too, I was only 28 with a new born baby, when she passed suddenly. I have missed her for more of my life than she was with me here. But she is ALWAYS with me. I wear her eternity ring on important occasions.

[PandQs Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to WasYoYo80]

Ok, I admit it, I'm crying just because I know how you feel xx

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to PandQs]

Bless you x

[setterlover]

Good luck with your interview. Are you interviewing for a job or are you going back to university? I think the most important thing is to decide you are going to actually enjoy the interview process.

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to setterlover]

🙏 It’s a part-time postgrad educational research course I’ve applied for; I will be continuing with my usual HE teaching and studying this on the side

[setterlover in reply to WasYoYo80]

It sounds fun. Are you interviewing for a place or for funding?

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to setterlover]

I’m interviewing for a place on the course - I already have a full bursary lined up

[setterlover in reply to WasYoYo80]

Congratulations.

[Hidden]

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes for you.

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to Hidden]

I will keep you all posted👍

[smartoak 2kg]

They’ll be lucky to have you!

Ironically, the better-rounded you are, the better for chances of getting in to Oxbridge! Sorry, that pun just appeared as I was typing... 🤓

But seriously, in my experience, senior academics rarely notice what other people look like. 🤣

Does any of this help!? 🙈

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to smartoak]

Thank you Smartoak. Yes, all words of encouragement appreciated (I have a wicked northern sense of humour, so love a pun🤣). I was too scared to apply for my first degree there, even though I got straight A*s in comprehensive school and 4 As at A level, but I feel like now is the time to get over my working class ‘imposter syndrome’ - I just need to get over my weight stresses (harder task than any exam I’ve had to sit!)

[Aish_]

All I know is that if you are applying at Oxford, I am so impressed with your knowledge base!! Know that I am so happy for you no matter what happens! Think of all the things you have accomplished and how you are just an amazing contribution to humanity. Thinking positive for you from afar!

[TeamAdmin Administrator in reply to Aish_]

Hello and welcome, great to have you with us ! Lovely wishes

We hope you'll be joining us on all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weekly weigh in and the Daily Diary, the best places to give and receive advice, support and bucket loads of encouragement.

Here's the link to Pinned Posts where you'll find them all, Good Luck and hope to see you around! x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to Aish_]

Bless you Aish_ Thank you for your encouragement🙏

[gman1961 Restart April 2024]

It's about you - Be yourself and things will be fine .It's not about your body. If you over think things that won't help.Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Gary

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to gman1961]

Thanks; will do!

[Tank_EG Maintainer 7 stone]

Hi YoYo80,

firstly all the best with the interview, I'll being keeping my 🤞 for you.

In the short time you have been here I have come to see some of the intelligent and passionate person you are. You have so much going for you and you just need to let that shine through 👍

So don't fixate on body image, go in confident and show them just how wonderful you are 😀

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to Tank_EG]

Thanks Tank_EG! I'm really lucky to have found this amazingly supportive community

[Caro_Cotswolds]

Go Yoyo80! Best of luck with your interview and I hope all goes well on the day. You've received some wonderful words of support and encouragement here which are well deserved. Fingers crossed 🤞🙂

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to Caro_Cotswolds]

🙏 Everyone's positivity is really helping me

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

Think of what you have achieved . I am sure their intelligence will have them listening not looking .

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to focused1]

Wise words focused1😀