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Latest from the blogs

My Honest Thoughts on Studying English!

Wed 13 February 2019 - 09:26

By Chloe Brewster in First year

As the demand for STEM subjects seemingly increases in our society, often students who are interested in pursuing a more artistic (and certainly less scientific!) route may feel neglected in terms of discovering what ‘arts’ degrees are like. One of these degrees is English Literature, which I am currently studying as a single-honours degree, although I will change to a joint-honours course with French (another ‘arts’ subject) from September. And what better way is there to discover what studying English is like than by hearing the thoughts of a current English student?

Be prepared for a lot of reading

Yes, it goes without saying that every degree requires a significant amount of reading – especially independent research which extends beyond what is covered in lectures and seminars – but English is definitely one of the most reading-heavy (if such a term exists!) subjects that you can study at university!

Of course, reading books is less of a chore...

My Academic Plans for 2019!

Mon 11 February 2019 - 09:25

By Chloe Brewster in First year

As we ease into the first few weeks of 2019, we are typically bombarded with questions regarding what our new year’s resolutions are. From adopting a healthier diet (unfortunately, dark chocolate will never count as one of our 5 a day!) to picking up a new hobby, there is an expectation to find a resolution and appear to stick with it for a while. Instead of reiterating what you have probably heard before (and can no longer tolerate the ‘new year, new you!’ messages), I want to steer the focus of this post towards what I aspire to do and hopefully achieve in my academic life following the Christmas break.

In fact, one of my ‘resolutions’ is quite a life-changing one regarding my studies because I have already had to sort it out prior to finishing the first semester at my current university but, as time has gone on, I have become more convinced that I am making the right decision for myself. And, if 2019 should symbolise anything, it is that personal happiness is...

Why you should consider a two-year degree

Wed 30 January 2019 - 11:21

By Samantha Carmichael in First year

Since the House of Commons’ ruling on accelerated degrees, it is becoming likely that all universities could soon offer two-year degrees.

Yes – a fully accredited degree in just two years.

Where I study, at the University of Buckingham, they have been offering this alternative for over 40 years. Since the Commons’ announcement, people have been giving two-year degrees a bad rap, with one educationalist calling them ‘gimmicky’. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As a student who’s halfway through a two-year degree, I thought I had to shed some light on the concept of accelerated degrees, because there are many misconceptions out there.

Now these are the top five phrases...

Three Tips For Your First Open Day

Mon 14 January 2019 - 09:41

By Rebecca Thompson in Applicant

When you get to the age where you can’t hide away from the fact that your future is on its way and you need to start choosing universities, you start looking into courses that interest you, and start visiting the universities for open days. Going to uni open days are quite important because if you are making the commitment to go to university, you surely want to know where you may spend the next few years. I went to my first open day a little bit ago, and these are the things I wish I’d have known before going.

1) Be prepared

Make sure you know you can go, can get there, and what you want to see when you are there. This means, make sure you book going on the day (you can find the instructions on how to do this if you need to on the university's website). Make sure you can travel there, so transport or maybe you can go with your parents who can drive you! Lastly, have a look at what times the talks you want to see are and maybe make a...

Revision tips for the New Year

Mon 7 January 2019 - 09:51

By Tabitha Hempshall in Applicant

School loves to taint the Christmas holidays with the looming deadline of January mocks, so here are my top tips (that I actually use myself) for the coming weeks to help you revise no matter what the topic!

Tip #1: Textbook Checklist

This may sound incredibly obvious but one of the best ways to stay on top of revision when there are so many different topics to revise for each subject (especially at A-Level) is to make a checklist. I make a simple grid with each chapter and section from the textbook down the left hand side and 3 or 4 columns to the right of it. 

Simply print it off (or keep it digital if you wish) and fill in the date when you are going to revise each topic up until the test date. This creates a revision plan and ensures you cover each aspect of the subject. When you have revised simply highlight. If you plan in advance, you can even go over your weaker areas several times.

...

The 15 January deadline is nearly here. Are you ready for it?

Wed 2 January 2019 - 09:19

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Your application needs to be with us by 18:00 (UK time) on 15 January to guarantee it’ll get equal consideration by the unis or colleges you’re applying to. If you apply after this deadline, the unis you’re applying to don’t have to consider your application.

If you’re a relaxed sort of person who likes to leave things to the last minute, you’re putting your application in danger. Here are the top reasons why leaving it to the last minute is really not a clever idea:

Stress – if you finish your application now, you don’t have to worry about it over the Christmas holidays, and so can relax and have fun without the nagging guilt of an unfinished application.
 
...

Got an unconditional offer?

Mon 24 December 2018 - 09:36

By UCAS in UCAS advice

If you’ve got an unconditional offer, it means the uni or college thinks you will succeed on their course. It also means that if you select them as your firm choice, you will definitely be accepted.

But it’s important to remember accepting any offer is a big decision – and it should be where you want to go! If it’s unconditional, or a conditional offer that changes to unconditional, if you firmly accept it, just make sure you think things through.

1. Qualifications matter

An unconditional offer may be reassuring and take a bit of the pressure off, but your school or college qualifications are still important. You might be on your way to getting a degree, but finishing your studies, doing the work, and taking your exams are all really important to prepare you for uni or college – you’re going to have to work when you get there too, and you’ll be straight into assignments, coursework, and for many courses,...

Applying to uni as a parent

Tue 18 December 2018 - 11:33

By Gemma King in Parents

Their are so many emotions when considering and applying to University for everyone, not just parents. Parents have a couple of extra thoughts… Will I have enough time to spend with my children? Where will they go when I’m in lectures? Will we cope financially? I have thought these things over and over in my head since I hit that apply button back in October. 
 

I have two children, and have been putting off applying for University for the last two years since completing my access course back in 2016. However as a single Mum and back with my parents, I have had to recalculate my finances, ensure all possible loans and grants are applied for and calculated so I know my budgets! Not to mention having to ensure my youngest is in nursery and my eldest has someone to drop off and pick up as the uni is around 40 minutes away from our new home. 

Thankfully my university has a nursery near campus (Top Tip: Ensure your Child's name is down on...

End of First Semester: Advice to Myself!

Thu 6 December 2018 - 12:30

By Chloe Brewster in First year

Let’s face it, we generally feel somewhat transformed by the time that we reach a particular moment in a new milestone, although it is not until you actually sit down and start to think about it (for me, on a rainy Wednesday evening with little company other than a yet-to-be-eaten bar of Reese’s peanut butter cups!) that you realise how far you have come. Yes, there have been – and certainly will continue to be – some stressful times (let’s not think about those upcoming deadlines for essays!), but you feel stronger for having survived the worst of it. In fact, no student...

UCAS Application status: Sent!

Mon 3 December 2018 - 12:25

By Sophie Gibbons in Applicant

Hello, my name is Sophie Gibbons, and I am currently attending college where I study a Level 3 UAL in Media Studies and Production as well as the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification.

I have now officially sent off my application to five different Universities where I will potentially be attending one of these five choices in 2019, and I am absolutely blown away by how nerve racking it was! I am surprised with how much of an affect this has had over me as I am usually quite a laid-back person, but no... clearly am not – I proved myself wrong, I am in fact the opposite.

So, I was sitting at my desk in college today and the realisation hit me... I need to send of my application! Even though I have an extended deadline compared to everyone else applying to university in my college, as me being the unique and impatient person I am, I decided to apply as an individual because the college didn't get me their buzzword quick enough.

The result of this now is me...

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