by Beary McBearface

Beary McBearface, treasured Oriel mascot and JCR staple, is here to help you with your troubles. In this column,  Beary will attempt to find solutions to your little college worries; trust him, he’s seen it all. All you need to do is email thepoorprint@oriel.ox.ac.uk with the subject line ‘Dear Beary’, and if you’re lucky your problem will be solved in our next issue.

Of course, if you’d like to remain anonymous – and Beary encourages naming no names, we don’t want any beef here – just drop a note with your Beary concern to one of the editors’ pidges. And please do, Beary needs a hobby in his twilight years.

[If you’re really struggling, or if your problem contains sensitive information, be aware that Beary has received no formal Welfare training; please message Sophie Irving or Monim Wains, our beloved Welfare Officers, or the peer supporters, for more information, or get in touch with the Welfare Deans or the College Nurse.]

1) Dear Beary, I miss you! Will I get to see you at Oriel again?

No worries! So far, there haven’t been reports of college bears testing positive. Since everyone’s left, I’ve been isolating in the JCR with my fellow bears and none of us have shown any symptoms. If you stay at home and wash your hands, I’m sure the day will come when the pandemic will end and we can all see each other again!

2) Dear Beary, Trinity term is going online, exams are being cancelled or postponed, and I haven’t done any work so far. Is that my fault?

It’s very important that you relax – that’s what vacs are for! Just make sure you don’t forget you’re still a student and you still have lectures and tutes to attend next term. Also, don’t count on open-book exams to save your grades, it won’t work!

3) Dear Beary, I paid so much for college ball tickets, but obviously they’re not happening now. What if I don’t get my refund?

These are difficult times and productivity won’t be as high, so if you be patient, I’m sure you’ll get your money back. In case you don’t, at least I’ll be around for a hug or a chat.