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Settling in at uni

Tue 9 October 2018 - 09:24

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Just 3 weeks ago, I was sitting on my living room floor surrounded by bags and boxes that were to be loaded into the car the next morning to start my 200 mile journey to Wales. I never thought that I would be in the position I was, with AAA in my pocket and a place at Cardiff University. As we crossed the bridge, inevitably, it began to rain. I was too busy battling the rain while carrying all my belongings up the stairs to really take in my new campus.

How I’m keeping on top of my teacher training workload

Wed 3 October 2018 - 16:37

By UCAS Teacher Training in Teacher Training

My journey applying for teacher training was a long and bumpy one. I had constant doubts in my confidence and the feeling that it was never the right time.  I have two young children and the prospect of balancing my priorities at home and my personal life, alongside the consuming desire to teach, filled me with both fear and excitement.

How to do well in your A Levels

Wed 3 October 2018 - 16:34

By UCAS in UCAS advice

We’ve all been there; in our heads we know we are capable of great results yet, on paper (and in some of our teacher’s heads) this doesn’t seem possible. I ended my first year of A Levels getting C’s and D’s in my exams. I started 2018 (the year of my exams) with an E and D in my English essays. I. was. Freaking. Out: I wanted to go to Durham and so I needed A* A A! I had to plead with my history teacher to predict me an A.

Things to look forward to when starting university…

Mon 1 October 2018 - 16:04

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Starting something new can be daunting, especially when it involves meeting new people and coming out of your comfort zone. Starting university is a nerve racking experience for even the best of people but it is also a new and exciting journey which opens many doors for your future.   We all come to university to study a degree in something we believe we will enjoy. But it isn’t just the prospects of starting a degree in something you are passionate about which gets you fired up.

It's time to move to university

Mon 1 October 2018 - 15:59

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Moving to university is perhaps one of the scariest journeys any 18-19-year-old will take during their lifetime. Thrust suddenly from the comfort and security that is home, your suddenly put into the oddest of scenarios where your living with perfect strangers in an equally foreign city. Every one of your brain cells is screaming to go home, to go back to what you know, and as soon as your family and friends shut that door and make their way home without you, it all becomes suddenly real. Suddenly you’re the adult now.

Starting uni

Fri 28 September 2018 - 15:27

By UCAS in UCAS advice

When starting new blogs, I realised long ago that I’m not really keen on the awkward ‘hi, I’m…’, a stereotypical introduction of oneself to a virtual audience of prospective or current university students. However, in my very first blog post for UCAS, introductions – at least on this occasion – are somewhat inevitable! My basic details are thus: I’m Chloe (yes, yet here is another one!), 19 and am just about to head off to university, which will be happening this month.

Why Live at Home for Uni?

Fri 28 September 2018 - 15:22

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Up until Results Day, I planned to move out for uni. I bought bedding and cutlery, I worked out how I’d manage financially, I pictured myself crying in my room on move in day... then I threw all my plans out the window and decided to live at home. Most people say this isn’t the ‘true uni experience’ (I didn’t realise everyone was meant to have the same experience!) but it’s the right decision for me for several reasons: It Saves Money! With tuition fees at £9,250 a year, us students are looking for any way to save money. For me, living at home is the perfect way.

15 October deadline: applying on time

Sat 22 September 2018 - 15:12

By UCAS in UCAS advice

To begin with, let’s just clarify exactly what this deadline is for. The 15 October deadline is only for applications to most medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science courses, as well as all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Meeting the deadline means that your application will receive equal consideration from your chosen universities and colleges. You can still apply after the deadline, but your application won't be guaranteed to get equal consideration. So what counts as meeting the deadline?

Have you checked...?

Sun 2 September 2018 - 12:24

By UCAS in UCAS advice

So you’ve worked away at your UCAS application for weeks, adding fact after fact about yourself. You’ve trawled through GCSE certificates and alike to find the precise details needed for each section, not to mention the hours you’ve spent writing and re-writing your personal statement, only to scrap it all and start again from scratch with a completely different approach. At last you feel ready to hit send, but don't be too hasty in completing this final step. It’s really important that you check and double check your application, to make sure it’s all tip-top and typo-free.

Refugee Support Network

Wed 22 August 2018 - 09:03

By UCAS in UCAS advice

For me, education is freedom. It opens doors and clears your way. It’s like walking from darkness into light. When you are educated you get knowledge, wisdom, understanding and a future.” Aarash (whose name we’ve changed to protect his identity) has just come to the end of his first year at university.

Making the most of Freshers Week

Mon 20 August 2018 - 13:22

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Most universities put on a ton of events during freshers’ week before teaching officially starts, with loads of nights out, nights in, societies, and sports events to get involved with. It’s a really exciting time and a great way to meet new people, but with so much to see and do it can also be a bit overwhelming. So, I thought I’d share my top six tips to make the most of freshers’ week. 1. Take time for yourself With everything being new (new people, new room, new freedom etc.) freshers’ week can sometimes get a bit overwhelming.

What to pack, and settling in

Mon 20 August 2018 - 13:18

By UCAS in UCAS advice

The main thing to look out for is checking what is provided in your accommodation, as you don’t want to duplicate items! Also, trying to find Facebook groups and chats for your halls can be a great way of finding out who your flatmates will be in advance. Settling in The start of university can be a daunting prospect, as you will be living with people you have never met before! Fortunately, everyone is in the same situation, so most people will be trying their hardest to make new friends, which makes it a really friendly and fun atmosphere from day one.

Getting the most out of freshers’ week

Mon 20 August 2018 - 13:17

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Here are some tips I found really useful in getting the most out of freshers’ week/fortnight. • Bring a door stop This makes you instantly more approachable in your halls of accommodation or private house, and I found people were far more likely to just walk in and say hi after I left my door open. • Try everything The more you put into freshers and university, the more you get out of it! Signing up to a large variety of clubs and societies is a great way to try new things and meet people you may otherwise not have come into contact with.

Student finance + saving tips

Sun 19 August 2018 - 18:09

By Charlotte in First year

One of the things I have always found most stressful throughout my life is the idea of student finance. Mainly because I am terrible at keeping up to date on what is going in and out of my bank account, so getting into the habit of this has been really important in order to make sure things are paid on time and everything is in order. Once you do get into the habit of organising things and keeping track of where you are at with everything, it gets much easier to deal with your income, what you can spend and when, without needing to worry too much.

How to survive your first week at art college

Fri 17 August 2018 - 11:46

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Before we know it, the summer will draw to a close, and we’ll be getting ready to welcome a new wave of creative talent to the college. Plymouth College of Art’s Students Union President, Rowena Murphy shares her five top tips for tackling freshers’ week and beyond, helping to ensure you start your university career as you mean to go on... 1. First stop – find your local inexpensive food shop! It’s very likely you’ll have an Aldi or Lidl close to you. If not, then consider ones that offer point card systems, such as Tesco or Sainsbury. Moving into shared accommodation?

Accommodation tips from the Plymouth College of Art

Fri 17 August 2018 - 11:45

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Choosing where to live while studying is a big decision, but it’s the weeks before you make the move that all those worries start to build up, and it can begin to feel a little overwhelming.  So, we asked the team from Plymouth College of Art’s accommodation provider Clever Student Lets for their top ten tips on moving in... 1. Make the room feel like your home – you’ll be surprised how amazing buying a new set of bedding feels! 2. Get to know each other – nights in or out are a great way to build those bonds with your housemates. 3.

Top tips for new students

Fri 17 August 2018 - 11:44

By UCAS in UCAS advice

We asked current students, graduates, lecturers, and key guest lecturers at Plymouth College of Art for the advice they would give to a creative starting their studies at art college this year.  From sticking to your passions and staying creative, to finding your niche – we’ve got tips for new students across all disciplines... ‘Never be afraid to fail, learn from every experience.’ — Ben Wright, BA (Hons) Illustration lecturer ‘Buy a watch!

Managing your money tips from Plymouth College of Art

Fri 17 August 2018 - 11:42

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Finance issues when you are studying often cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Plymouth College of Art’s Student Support team have put together a few top tips for managing your cash at uni. 1. Get an NUS card. Money off groceries (Co-op), and discounts for travel to interviews (National Express, Megabus, or railcards*) all add up. With money off entertainment (Thorpe Park anyone?) and eating out (Pizza Hut!), saving between 10 – 50% will always be welcome when there’s too much month for your money! 2. Keep your documents safe.

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