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The first lockdown, which probably seems like a lifetime ago, was a time filled with adjustments and frustrations concerning a new routine we would have to follow for the foreseeable future. When that lockdown finally ended, I remember the relief I felt knowing that life would soon return to normality. Now lockdown 2.0 has arrived, I can imagine the feeling of dread is felt by more people than just myself.

Try not to think of lockdown as a time where the world stops spinning, rather focus on the fact that now you most likely have time to focus on the things you never had time to before.

Here are some tips which I found useful…

1) TO DO LISTS

This has got to be my favourite thing to help keep motivated that I recommend to a lot of my friends at university. Whether these are daily, weekly or a to do list aimed at a looming upcoming deadline you know you have, this will help you keep up to date with what you have to do rather than...

Ticking the care experience box: what happens next?

Some students are uncertain about ticking the care experience box because they don’t really know what happens to that information once they submit their UCAS application. In this case study from Kingston University, Beth Taswell, Access and Support Advisor, explains how they use this information to connect prospective students to the support and information they may need to help them make a successful transition to higher education – and right through to graduation.

'For many applicants with experience of local authority care, going to university can be a fresh start. They may be moving to a new area as well as a new learning environment where nobody knows them or anything about their past. On the UCAS application form there is an opportunity for applicants to disclose that they have spent time in local authority care, but many choose not to because of the uncertainty of what is done with...

Dear my younger self, 

Where do I start…I can tell you that it won’t always be easy, but I can promise you every opportunity, every friendship, every heartbreak, every decision will be worth it. 

Going into foster care will probably be one of the hardest, turbulent time in your life but once you get past the first few months and your life settles down – it will get easier. Your friends will stay the same and they will be there to guide you through the journey that feels like it’s going nowhere. I can promise you that your friends will become your biggest support network along with your foster carers who are amazing. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and talk about your experiences as much as it might be...