Being Poor at the Richest University ...My advice to disadvantaged students! 

I never really felt poor till I began medical school and realised that most of my coursemates already came from a family of doctors, two parents, private school etc...

sees the title: *does not skip an ad*

I didn't realise how incredibly smart Ibz Mo was until this video. Coming from a less privileged background with unsupportive family and yet you're able to attend Cambridge and Oxford that's incredible

Ibz is the only person that I don't skip ads for. You are the best

Oh my! You hit the nail on the head every single time. This video NEEDS to be seen by so many people. State school cannot mean ‘disadvantaged’, 93% of the UK population attends a state school. Some state schools are phenomenal and out do their local private school, yes there are plenty of bad state schools too but we need to get away from this state = bad as that’s not always true. Particularly recently I’ve seen many people claim that they are ‘disadvantaged’ when in fact they are so incredibly privileged. It’s like people are embarrassed to acknowledge their privilege and the huge inequalities in this country. Coming from a disadvantaged background is being romanticised. Have these people been to a council estate? Have they seen the children at school begging their classmates for money to buy lunch because their parents earn a few pounds over the threshold for FSM? Or the girl who is working so hard to break the cycle of poverty for her family but gets yelled at every maths lesson for not having a calculator when in reality she just can’t afford it. Or the siblings that everyone at school gossips about because they smell sometimes when at home they are forced to share the same bath water? But little Johnny who goes to a brilliant grammar school, who’s parents are well educated and supportive, who has his own room and doesn’t have to think about how much the weekly food shop will cost claims he’s ‘disadvantaged’ because he goes to a state school??? People need to educate themselves, they need to listen to and talk to people from all different backgrounds and hear first hand what it’s like. There’s more to privilege than what type of school you went to or what county you live in. I meet too many people who think they know enough and therefore refuse to educate themselves any more when in reality they haven’t got a clue.

You nearly made me cry when you mentioned the kids who have parents that invest in their kids lives. It feels so alien to me when i see it around me and when my friends talk about it. Been watching you for years Ibz and it’s nice to have a POC role model, I feel like kids of colour really need more role models like you.

okayyyy so Ibz really meant it when he said he'd stick to a schedule

One thing I noticed as a disadvantaged student in uni (single parent, poor, dysfunctional mother dealing with alcoholism and mental health issues) is the lack of confidence i had in tutorials compared to my peers. I had never grown up in an environment where my family was interested in what I had to say and my state school wasn't academic. It took me until my third year to realise that I was just as capable as the advantaged/"normal" kids in my classes and learned to speak up. It's hard to speak about academic or political issues when you've never had anyone encouraging this type of thought before and in your family life you often had to stay quiet to stay safe. This confidence takes so long to build.

Durham alumni here 👋🏻 I totally agree with you about being more analytical about the class divide thing. Not all private school kids are enemies and not all state school kids are humble allies. Private vs state school is a very crude way of understanding class to be honest, and we’ve all been guilty for seeing it in such simple terms, at least I have.

Who else is waiting to see Ibz throw some shade in his Oxford move-in vlog? 😂❤️

I got 8 A*s and 2A's at GCSE and really wanted to go to Oxford Uni for medicine but was discouraged due to my low self esteem and by college teachers. Wish I had seen this then.

Ibz man idk why I’m saying this but I got an A in my eng lit- I thought I wouldn’t live to see the day I would get an A in English Lit for Alevels. This is so random but you’ve genuinely helped me through so much

Totally agree with you on the lack of family support. Come from a difficult family background. I'm a medical student so have a lot of people around me who are very privileged in that sense (money/no money), have had parents micromanaging their lives, cook and clean for them and it's really difficult to not feel like you've missed out or upset because they have something that you only wish you had.

I didn't have a supportive family ...until I got into University. Suddenly I was no longer a "bum" so they cared. -.- Still feels weird going back to my old ex-mining council estate full of drugs.

There are pros and cons to being from a dispriviledged background. I come from Bradford and went to a state school and I feel like it’s made me become a stronger person than a private school student because I’ve had to learn to not take shit from people and seen what happens when you don’t try in life, which has pushed me to work harder. You’ll be more humbled and you’ll be able to see life from everyone’s perspective which can really help you in your future.

You are literally so intelligent. You've hit every single point right down to minor details. Everything you said s right

Living for this consistent content!

I found my original student finance application recently that showed my single parent household income being declared as £4500 A YEAR. Not £45k but £4.5k. Now within a few years of graduating I’m making about £6k a month. One international student was shocked when they learned I was there “on a loan”, but apart from that I never had any problems.

I'm a middle class white female who isn't applying for oxbridge- but it's imbz which means I NEED TO WATCH EVERY VIDEO AND NOT SKIP ADS

thank you, so much saying private school kids not all the same or what you think they are. My parent( teacher and nurse) work very hard for go to private school because give me more support.

Thank you for this! That was really useful :) I'm moving in to Cambridge in a few days, and after that A-level fiasco I was initially rejected. I was honestly in awe with how many alumni reached out to me to fight my case. I'm also a BAME student from a disadvantaged background. My downgraded grades were changed and as you may have guessed, I got my place back! Starting Physical Natural Sciences this year :)

I agree but it’s not private school students fault that they have privileged parents. As a parent of two private school educated girls, I can categorically state that my children were very aware of the hard work we were putting in and our own humble beginnings which were always made known to them. Arrogance was never an option especially so due to our Muslim faith. I don’t think they ever realised that they were even going to a private school until much later as we never talked about money unless it was in the capacity of budgeting or financial education, where they were always told you have to assume your starting point is zero. My children’s were very aware we had a budget and that expenses had to managed and money was not free-flowing. They packed their own lunches as there was no money for lunch, maybe only once a week as a treat. So yes arrogance should never be an option 👌👍

the supportive family point especially resonated with me, thank you for that as I unfortunately am not able to receive financial or emotional support from my parents in any way. I'm applying to Cambridge this October and the point about becoming your own supportive family is something I will take in stride.

I feel like a disadvantaged student in my state school and watching this video I feel like I need to say there's always going to be someones worse off than you so practicing gratefulness no matter what your situation really helps.

The unsupportive family part was heartbreaking, but this is the truth and I appreciate you Ibz for sharing your story so honestly... This is what keeps us going!!!

Can we talk about how ibz's skin is GLOWING

Thankyou for recognising that the state school/private school thing isn’t black and and white. Disadvantage is so much more than that and sadly people look at it as a black and white issue. I definitely find it being disabled thinking someone visibly disabled is “more disabled” without considering the whole of the person. You can’t compare.

I’m in medical school now and its so hard not being able to go out with my friends regularly because I just can’t afford it sometimes :(

Even just the Minimum Dining Requirement and Establishment Charge seem financially CRIPPLING. these costs are insane.

Omg the production quality on this

I feel this experience & a slight imposter syndrome working in a professional field (accounting) with being from a poor background. Sometimes I just can't relate to my colleagues buying houses at below 25. But even though I may not have even progressed in the financial sense (even if earning well) I have definitely culturally progressed in the social mobility sense! OMGGG, counselling has been my life saviour especially post uni & undoing childhood traumas / understanding why I am the way I am! thank you for this video :)

I have mad respect for you brother. You've inspired me.

I totally agree that one of the biggest disadvantages is money/family. I am also from a council estate, first generation to go to uni. I worked two part time jobs up to 30 hours per week throughout my full time BSc and it was so tough. I went to KCL, and living in London is NOT cheap. Plus, my family did not finish school (let alone uni), so I really felt alone knowing how to navigate the academic struggle sometimes!

This video was so good! I’m a Sociology teacher and I’m defo going to get my students to watch this when we study the topic of Education!

Well done Ibz....you smashed it! 🧠 Brains of achieving to make you...you..& now sharing with & motivational for all of us all 1👏🏾👍🏾💻📚🎊🎉

I’m so proud of youuuuu, thanking for sharing your journey 💕

I’m loving these regular uploads SO MUCH !!! 😭😭❤️ yesssssss

This is the exact video I needed before moving to Cambridge, thank you Ibz for your wisdom!

Wild how mature you've become over the years

No lies were told here. The way I can relate to every single point Ibz has made. Thank you for this video Ibz, you are incredible xx

Thanks Ibz, I go to Oxford next year and this meant a lot to me.

Further words of loving wisdom. Thanks Ibz X

I go to a different uni in a different country, but I can relate to every single thing said in this video!! Thank you Ibz for putting words on all of this. Sometimes I feel ashamed to talk about this stuff like I’d be trying to show myself as a victim or something. But no, it’s just our lives and like you said we have to accept it and actively work harder. When I’m feeling defeated in uni, I’m definitely coming back to this video for encouragement 🧡

Ibz, you have matured so much! Good Luck for the future! i can relate to lack of support at uni. I used to think my friends had weird families as they were so close and supportive. Then i realised it was more to do with me, and my reality.

Im learning so much from this video. the point about having family support is so important yet this is the first time I’m hearing about it. great video, ibz! 💕

Thank you so much for this video! I grew up in a very abusive household and thankfully my teacher helped me going to a foster home because it was getting too bad when I was 15. I am studying Biochemistry now and I plan on applying to Oxford for my grad studies and I was always wondering how it could be and you really opened my eyes and prepared me for that but moreover I feel seen right now because it feels like no one talks about the REALLY disadvantaged students. Thank you!

Hello. I watched a video of yours about a year ago and really didn't like it. I thought you were entitled and arrogant and a typical negative stereotype of the Cambridge student, coming from my judgment from a state school and poor family. However, I could not have been more wrong. I've started watching you as of about 2 weeks ago and the challenges you have overcome are incredible and you faced everything with a smile and joke. This video is so refreshing and will really help me. Thank you so much. Keep thriving. Sorry for the misjudgment. Youve proved me wrong a hundred times over.

"sorry CIndy, I can't spend this much time talking to you about your bf... HES GAY!" - I cackleddddd

Ibz your inspirational. I can relate with the struggles and I manage to get to UCl. It was ibz mo who inspired me. I am so grateful for him. 💖

hearing Ibz talk about his family life makes me so sad like I wish I could be his mum so I could treat him better :(

I felt it when he said 'I haven't asked my parents for money since I was 17'.

I understood and relate to ibz on another level . Thank you 🥺

ad time = comment reading time! the only person i actually watch ads for, you ask nicely and have a reason you need us to, so i will happily do so!

Thank you. This video should be shown in every 6th form college x

OMG THE ADD WAS FOR EXETER UNI I AM SCREAMING

You're the only youtuber I don't skip ads for

Ibz... this is the realest video. You dissected every aspect of uni life that working class people/marginalised people/racialised people from lower socio-economic backgrounds face that NEVER GETS PUT OUT THERE! You make us all feel so seen and inshsalla Allah blesses you with all your dreams come true..you truly truly deserve it. so much love xoxo

Bless you so much for this video im thinking of applying to Cambridge in the 2021 academic year. i am also a first generation student and from a low income family and dyslexic. This video helped me so much. I still feel very inspired to apply!

You deserve way more followers!! You are literally so fun and amazing

ive become accustomed to not skipping ads for ibz 😌

You are a supportive fam for many of us, you don't have to kids to become supportive fam member, wish you best of luck

Thanks for that video dude lots of folks would be very happy to watch it.

Yessss!!!! This topic needs to be addressed

You preached the gospel and I thank you ❤️ 🇿🇦

I am sure you will be successful. Rooting for you.

I am SO glad I just came across this video. I completely identify with everything discussed here. I am from a very very council estate, I have two disabled students and all the other things mentioned. I also have never mentioned this to anyone at uni, I'm in my 4th year. I have always just hid the fact that I am actually very poor and I have 0 support (emotionally, financially, academically) . This video makes me feel like I shouldn't hid it anymore. I want to address the issue! I suffer from low self-esteem because my peers have a lot of money and resources. They have much more time than me due to help from their families. I basically run everything myself and have been doing so from I was 16. This video is so encouraging. Thank you so much!

Keep making these amazing videos - This is much needed content - love this channel x

You are such an inspiration. I just know this video will help so many people

I'm loving the consistency Ibz! I am so proud of you, you're an inspiration to us all🥰🥰🥰

you are such an inspiration Ibz 🥺

I felt that when he said he had people calling him dumb imagine being in Cambridge and called dumb asian families love taht word

You’re a brave and a wonderful soul, i hope your relationship with your future kids make up to you. Oh.. i didn’t skip the ads ;)

I really relate to mo I also have been living in hackney after my parents got divorced I'm going college atm and my mum is also a single mum. ngl this vid helped me a lot to know that even people like me can aim high and get to places like you have.

Just had to say, hearing you mention Malaysia was so shocking because it's so rare to hear youtubers mention my country! Anyway I'm glad you're doing so great in life, keep it up

I enjoy these regular posts soo much ❤️ I missed you and your content very much

as a private (secondary) school student i can vouch that we’re not all arrogant. my parents saved and saved for my education, we never went on holiday and my clothes were usually secondhand, unlike most of the kids at my state primary school. even so i know i’ve gotta be aware of the privileges my education gave me, and how increasing accessibility for disadvantaged students should be more of a priority for elite unis like oxbridge

The come up is real ✊🏾🙌🙌

Just bopping to the paypal music while scrolling through comments :)) Thank you Ibz !

This was such a personal video, well done tho, u deserve all the success u get Masha’allah

Wonderful channel you've got. Guess I will have to spend some time here. Just found your channel and I must commend your presentation style. I am certainly watching your ads till the end, you deserve the pays. lol

really supportive. thank you!

I really hope I can be as strong as you when I start uni in September. I've had a job since I was 15, and I haven't asked for a penny from my parents since I was 16. I've been working 30 hours a week alongside my a-levels so I can have money for when I start and I will still be working alongside my degree. I am not going to a top uni as they didn't offer my course but I'm sure it will still be tricky!

This was brilliant, thank you so so much

Extremely relateable!! love ur vids ALWAYSSS

talking about being family deprived I experienced this during my undergrad which affected t my GPA and I'm so tired now explaining it to oxford...akhh .so I really understand your point of the importance of having a support system.

I NEVER skip an ad on ibz's channel.

thank you for this ibz!!!

Hey, I might be such an old lady but you’re an inspiration.

It’s refreshing to see your opinion on private school students at your time at University. Personally, from 11-16 I went to an all girls, private school- but that was because my parents COULD after a death in the immediate family. Both my parents knew I would thrive better in a smaller class, and the likelihood of me being bullied (shy kid problems with hyperactive joints - two things which would have probably made me a target). Throughout my time (am going to uni) I’ve always been taught to treat people with kindness and respect, and it breaks me to be treated differently (yes, it happens) by state school children who see me as “privileged”. I wouldn’t have been in that situation if it wasn’t for another situation, and yes there are private school kids that are arseholes (mummy and daddy buy me 3 horses for my birthday and a Ferrari- we know the type, right?) but private school kids, and my friends I’ve made are not the enemy, and to be fair there are so many people I’ve met with learning difficulties/ autism or other conditions that if they went to a local state school, they wouldn’t have had the support , and probably would’ve been left behind because of it. This is not me saying “private schools are elite” by any means. I’m grateful for what my parents did for me, and I’ve never once looked down on someone because they didn’t have the same upbringing. I think there needs to be more done to bring private school and state school kids together because there’s so many stereotypes on both sides and it isn’t fair for anyone!

This is the realist video yet... You really won't hear anyone else speaking on a very real duality that can leave you feeling neither here nor there

This video made me realise a state school education does not automatically make you a disadvantaged student. The privilege I have coming from a supportive middle-class family puts me at such a great advantage regardless of where I attended school. Though I do not feel I appropriate working-class culture or have ever pretended to come from a rough area, I think it's all too easy for state school students (especially advantaged ones) to fall into the victim mindset - pinning any academic struggles on their state school education. Thank you for opening my eyes on what it really means to be a disadvantaged student and why this distinction is so importan!!

I so get the private school student incidents. I just started at a sixth form which is connected to a grammar school and alot of students went private school or come from wealthy backgrounds. I was quite shocked at some things I've heard them say about people of my background but that was only 1 or 2 people

Totally agree with point 6: "stop using state school to mean disadvantage". I attended a state school from year 7-13 and although it was underfunded and quite literally falling down, the teaching was decent and the school had higher than average GCSE grades. I don't believe I was ever disadvantaged from attending that school. Also, I qualify for some "disadvantaged student" programs simply because I was a first generation university student -- the one I have in mind was an Oxford summer research program. I really don't see how my parents not having been to university would make it more difficult for me to go to university than any other student from my school, simply based on that one thing. Your parents won't be able to help you with your work (unless they did a similar subject I guess) and it doesn't make admission or being there any easier. Plus I've already graduated and this program wants students and/or graduates, making this "disadvantage" already more redundant. Really sorry if I've missed something out here and if I look really ignorant. I do think I'm very well off/privileged. I just think it's unfair that sometimes I fall into a disadvantaged category, not for myself, but for other people who genuinely need the support.

Worth every second!

I come from a working class background and I went to a special measures high school, I am hoping to attend the university of bath or Bristol. I am extremely happy I found this video, thank you!

I'm sorry to hear your family don't support you. But I think that only goes to emphasise your strength, you were able to achieve so much even when the entire world was telling you "no". It's your tenacity that makes you such an inspiration to me. I'm applying to Cambridge this year, so this video in particular was so helpful and needed. Thank you for being so honest and always looking out for all of us working class students from disadvantaged backgrounds, it really means so much to see someone like you achieving so much. I've been following your journey for like the past two years and it's crazy how far you've come. You deserve to be so so proud of your achievements and honestly I'm so proud too. It's disheartening to think about how we have to work harder to get the same things as privileged people, but it means that our achievements feel so much more real because we really had to fight for it. But yeah you really inspire me, thank you for this video!

This was needed!

I’ve been wanting to go to either Cambridge or Oxford after I finish my diploma, I’ve been looking through RU-vid for people who’ve experience these uni.... and you’ve made it very telling interesting and informative in this video. Thank you so much..... but I’m still going to Oxford 😏

"From the North" 😂😂😂 Thanks for the shout out. ♡ I just visited Oxford today/yesterday. Realised on the train back, I didn't hear a single Northern voice whilst I was there. Do you know of any Northerners there?

Assalamu Alaikum, thanks for this brother.