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Latest from the blogs

Thinking Ahead to the Summer!

Wed 17 April 2019 - 14:14

By Chloe Brewster in First year

It might seem somewhat early to cast our minds ahead and think about the (hopefully!) glorious summer which awaits us, especially when assignments are due and upcoming exams occupy our thoughts. Last Easter was a blur of exam revision, countless essay plans and Lindt chocolate (Easter would not be the same without a Lindt bunny!) for me as I prepared for my then-upcoming A-level exams, which began even earlier than for most students because I had to sit my French oral exam at the end of April.

Although the pressure of being a university student is remarkably less than being a prospective student reaching the end of Year 13, coping with the last few weeks and months of the academic year at university is still stressful. OK, I might be slightly procrastinating by writing this post instead of writing another essay, but there is nothing wrong with stepping away from your books and revision notes to dive into a more pleasant subject – your plans for the summer...

‘I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it’

Wed 17 April 2019 - 10:04

By Framestore in UCAS advice

Apprenticeships offer the chance to earn while you learn, and get a qualification at the same time. You’ll also gain valuable work experience at some of the biggest companies!
 
Want to learn more? Check out the story of an apprentice at Framestore, an organisation who create scenes for some of Hollywood’s biggest pictures, such as Captain Marvel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Avengers: Infinity War, and the upcoming sequel, Avengers: Endgame.
 

‘When I was 11, I went and saw ‘The Avengers’ for the first time in the cinema with my brother. I was inspired so much by how things were created behind the scenes. From then I knew I always wanted to get into film, but more specifically visual effects.

‘Not being very academic and coming out of school with only two GCSEs (luckily, they were my English and maths), I stayed on at sixth form, unsure with what I could take...

Dropping out of university

Fri 12 April 2019 - 11:10

By Jasmine Bahra in UCAS advice

So, as you can see from the title, I dropped out of university.

The one thing I found hardest about it was telling people that I was leaving. In fact, I still haven’t told all my friends that I’ve left, and this is 4 months afterwards. But why not?

The thing is, I think many people view dropping out of university as such a negative thing, like ‘Wow! You’ve left, how awful’, when actually for me it was one of the best decisions, I think I’ve ever made.

One friend who I bumped into recently and didn’t know I had left said to me ‘I’m proud of you for leaving’ and this really resonated with me. It is human nature to not want to admit to being wrong or making a mistake, but the weird thing is that we all do. Yes, some may be bigger mistakes like picking the wrong course but it’s still fixable. My friend was pointing out that it takes guts to admit you’ve made a wrong choice and correct yourself.

Personally, the main reason I left was that I didn’t like my...

Thinking about apprenticeships?

Sun 7 April 2019 - 17:01

By Lucy Ackland in UCAS advice

Apprenticeships offer the chance to earn while you learn and get a qualification at the same time. You’ll also gain valuable work experience, which can help when you come to apply for jobs in the future.
 
So what does it mean to be an apprentice? Get the inside view from Lucy Ackland from Renishaw, as she shares her journey from GCSEs to award winning engineer.
 
Lucy Ackland from Renishaw
“When I was 13 I decided I wanted to be an engineer because I enjoyed maths and science, and I liked building and fixing things. I was determined to get good GCSE grades and my school had already pinned their hopes on me continuing on to 6th...

Different path, same destination

Wed 3 April 2019 - 15:45

By UCAS in UCAS advice

It’s an exciting time as you consider your future, but don’t forget to consider all your options. Higher and degree apprenticeships are a different pathway to following the traditional route of going to university as a full-time student. They offer all the benefits of higher education, as well as the competitive advantage of gaining valuable work experience while completing your degree. You will not only be learning, but earning a salary, from day one. Your tuition fees are paid for by your employer and the government, so you will not be expected to pay any tuition fees or apply for a student loan.
 
Universities work in partnership with employers to develop and deliver these apprenticeships, which combine university study and on-the-job training...

Get to know universities as an international applicant

Wed 27 March 2019 - 12:09

By Coral Kim in Applicant

You’ve decided to apply for a university in the UK. You’ve figured out (hopefully) the UCAS application system, you’ve chosen a course, and you’ve stumbled upon the various university rankings. But now you need to pick a university, where you’re probably going to spend three (or more) years of your life. How? How can you tell which one suits you best? Which one has the student life that fits you?

'Come to our open day.'

Sadly, that’s not an option. As much as you want to visit, you simply cannot afford (either in terms of time or money, or both) to do so. It’s a situation most international students face — I did, too. Then how on earth did I choose five universities, out of the countless options that the UK offers, without even being able to visit them?

1. Vlogs or blogs

Many universities have students that are active as either vloggers or bloggers — all five of my choices did! Lots of them...

Getting the most out of Reading Week

Tue 26 March 2019 - 09:16

By Chloe Brewster in First year

As you may already know, university is significantly different to sixth form or college, which also applies to term dates. Although the academic year is somewhat shorter – often beginning in late September/early October and ending in May/June – universities do not have a half-term holiday, an aspect of sixth form that I really missed when I first began my studies last year.

However, some universities, including my own, have ‘reading weeks’ which, in other words, are like a half-term break. Usually situated in the middle of a semester, reading weeks serve the purpose of enabling students to get a head start for the work and reading in the remaining weeks until the longer holidays (and exam period!) begin.

Given that the workload at university can feel so daunting at times, a reading week is often strongly appreciated because it allows you to breathe for a little while without worrying about time constraints as you might experience during the semester. I...

Earn while you learn with a degree apprenticeship

Mon 18 March 2019 - 09:29

By Renishaw in UCAS advice

You no longer have to choose between a degree or an apprenticeship. A growing number of companies are offering degree-level apprenticeships, so you can study for a degree debt-free, while gaining hands-on commercial experience.

So, what does it take to be a degree apprentice? Craig Wakefield from Renishaw shares his experience of being a software engineering apprentice.

Craig Wakefield from Renishaw

“I studied computing, performing arts and geography at A Level, but my focus was on computing. I applied to universities via UCAS and was offered a place at both Bournemouth and...

Mature Student or just barking mad?

Tue 5 March 2019 - 16:37

By Leanne Plaine in Mature students

Hey everyone! I’m Leanne, a mature student studying adult nursing. I am married, work part time, and have two sons one of which is on the Autistic Spectrum.

Now I know what you’re thinking, ‘wow she’s got a lot on her plate’ and yep, I sure do. I mean this all seemed a good idea at the time! 

I’ve wanted to be a nurse for a very long time but, you know, life got in the way, so here I am. Trying. Stressing. Not sleeping. But it’s all going to be worth it right? I mean if others can do this so can I.

Being a student, a mum, a wife, a housekeeper, and everything in between sure does keep me busy, I barely have time to have depression anymore so that’s a bonus!

College life is great though, I’ve met some of the most amazing people ever, we’re all like a bundle of issues together! I love my tribe, but come September I will move on to actual University and I can’t say I’m not bricking it!

On the flip side I am very excited...

Dealing with Stress - How to stay motivated?

Mon 4 March 2019 - 09:20

By Sophie Gibbons in First year

The end of another chapter is gradually coming to an end where everyone will soon be sitting exams, completing a final major project with the aim of leaving College or Sixth Form with grades that can get you into the university or apprenticeship of your choice!

So now it’s coming up to this time it’s important to remind yourself daily of what your main goal is, because otherwise I usually find myself getting distracted and demotivated which isn’t good especially with this being such an important time. Setting yourself goals and reminding yourself of these goals will push you to strive harder, revise longer and maybe make you read over that essay just one more time before the hand in day!

Setting yourself goals is also a great reminder that all this handful of emotions you are feeling now; stress, anxious, worried- will all be worth it in the end, for example when you finally find out you’ve achieved your AAB and get into Southampton University. You can look back and...

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