Other | Toby Lam’s Blog

On other things I find interesting

Tenth Term at Oxford
A collection of music videos that I like

There’s just something about these music videos that hits different.
A Summer in Hong Kong
Third Year at Oxford
From Immigrant to Inventor - Mihajlo Pupin

An autobiography about a physicist who emigrated from a small Serbian village to the US. Having won a Pulitzer Prize in 1924, its relevance still shines a century later. It’s comically hair-raising how some aspects of academia haven’t changed at all.
A Brighter Summer Day
Third Easter in Oxford
Perfect Days
Eighth Term at Oxford
Third Christmas in Oxford
The Creative Act - Rick Rubin

An exceptionally inspiring book by Rick Rubin. Here are some quotes I’ve found particularly inspiring.
Running a mathematics society in secondary school
Having been in charge of a mathematics society at secondary school, here are some of my thoughts on the role of a mathematics society.
Seventh Term at Oxford
Second Summer in Oxford
Networking to network - Phil Agre

Recently came across an article by Phil Agre on the significance, process and morality of networking in an academic setting. I’ve found it to be substantial, convincing and helpful. Here’s some quotes I found particularly inspiring.
Second Year at Oxford
Second Easter in Oxford
I Want to be a Mathematician - Paul Halmos

A book written by Paul Halmos, I’ve very much enjoyed it and have found the following quotes particularly inspiring.
Opportunities learning maths beyond the syllabus in HK

Hong Kong is filled with institutions that one can utilize to advance your learning in mathematics. I’m going to share a list of opportunities pursuing mathematics that I’m aware of.
Fifth Term at Oxford
The Art of Doing Science and Engineering - Richard Hamming

A book written by Richard W. Hamming, it has slowly became one of my favourite books of all time. I would mention a few snippets I’ve found particularly inspiring.
On Stun-locks
Very often, I get stunned by something unexpected and feeling unable to do anything about it. The solution is often a healthier mindset.
Second Christmas in Oxford
DIY Pin Board of Tools and More

Recently I’ve been trying to make my room feel like home without resorting to consumerism and with function in mind. Here are some results.
Technical aspects of tobylam.xyz
Below is a document of the technologies this website uses. It's mostly for myself but also for anyone curious on making their own websites.
Fourth Term at Oxford
Tackling Oxford Mathematics Interviews (Undergraduate)

Oxford Mathematics Interviews may feel daunting. Beyond the basic format of the interviews, here are some of my advice on tackling them.
First Summer in Oxford
Making a mathematics personal statement personal
The personal statement needs to be more personal than the facts that you know. How can one make facts "personal"?
Audience and Tone of tobylam.xyz

Having maintained this website for over 2 years, I’d like to mention some of my thoughts on tobylam.xyz and where I would like to take it in the future.
Inspirations for tobylam.xyz

It has been two years since my first post and I’d like to share some of my thoughts on what made this blog a reality, and my thoughts on the direction of this blog. After all, the inspirations for this website heavily affect the direction I would like to take it.
First Year at Oxford
Second Term at Oxford
First Term at Oxford
Tackling the Oxford MAT
Some advice for the Oxford Maths Admissions Test
Choosing a college at Oxford (Undergraduate)

While the official advice is mostly solid, it shies away from discussing the more serious disparities between colleges.
Applying to Oxford Mathematics (Undergraduate)
Why start a website?
There are a few reasons why I am starting this website/blog.

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