So, I started University when I was 18 and was loving it until I unfortunately met the wrath of chronic tonsillitis and left. Gutted.
I was enjoying the course, the friends I’d already met there, the University but now I look back at my time there, I wasn’t ready to leave home then.
Fast forward to May 2018 and I am now tonsil free and have an unconditional offer to go to University of Reading to study Primary Education with English! I truly think having two years out has given me the confidence to go back and tackle University (in a place further away than before!), some good ole life experience and some money to help me struggle through the poverty of...
Completing teacher training is the first step. Will you be ready for what comes next? Here are my top five tips for surviving your NQT year:
1.Behaviour
I believe behaviour is the foundation of education. Without it, nothing else matters, i.e. resources, subject knowledge etc. Most of the advice you will be hearing includes phrases like, “Be firm but fair”, and, “Don’t smile until after Christmas”. Whilst I don’t agree with the latter, being consistent in your approach at this time of year will pay dividends. I was very firm and strict (not unreasonably) within the...
Summer. We associate it with good weather, barbeques and beach holidays, but for those of you wanting to apply for university next academic year, summer will soon be synonymous with open days.
When I was starting to think about applying to universities, open days were invaluable. Being able to get a sense of where you may be living and studying is really important, as you can therefore know if you would enjoy being in that place.
A really great benefit of open days is the talks, for both your subject and social life at...
Once the university offers start to pour in, thoughts inevitably turn to September and where you will live when you start your course. If you choose to study miles away from home, you can choose from halls of residence or a shared house or flat. However, if you are going to study close to home you could also choose to be a live at home student. According to statistics collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, living at home whilst studying at university is an increasingly popular option.
There is a clear financial advantage and you will be able to maintain regular face-to-face contact with your family. You will get more peace to work than in a shared house and your parents are on hand to keep an eye on your physical and mental health. Nevertheless, is this really a good idea for you and is it a good idea for your parents?
A survey published this weekend suggests that a quarter of students don’t attend open days before applying to university. We found this quite surprising, as open days are so helpful when it comes to painting a picture of university life and choosing courses. Yet our own research also suggests that a similar percentage of students still choose not to make these important visits before applying.
I think it’s essential to visit a university or college before committing to at least three years of study. It’s another way of making sure your choice is right for you. Open days are an important part of researching courses and can make all the difference when it...
As a 37 year old, father to two precious girls, with a seemingly successful 20 year career in financial services behind me, my desire to go to university has surprised many. However, as is true in life, there is more to a person’s story than can be assumed from merely looking at them or applying presumptions about their stage in life... to understand my dream to go to university now, you need to understand what’s led me to this point.
As an 18 year old, fresh from scraping through my A-levels, I had the opportunity to go to university. At that point, however, I was trying to...
“I was very restless, but finally I found my way” - Emma Bonino
Way back in 2010 I was entering my first year of GCSE's. I was 14, I considered myself pretty clever and, most importantly, I had a plan. 8 years later I've thrown that plan out of the window and I'm starting again.
I was dead-set on going to an Oxbridge university. Then I changed my mind, then I decided not to go to university at all, until I did go. Then left. Then vowed never to go back. Yet...
Hi, welcome to what I believe will be my final EPQ advice blog. Sorry this has come later than expected, but, after taking you through researching your topic (read about it here), here are the dos and don’ts of writing your academic EPQ essay (or any academic essay for that matter:
DO make an essay plan – my essay plan was honestly my saviour throughout the writing process. It kept me sane. Without a plan, it’s easy to get lost in all the words and points and research, leaving you with a final product which is illogical and difficult to follow. Even having some basic ideas like different sections to your essay can keep you on track.
When the buzz of Fresher’s Week dies down and Fresher’s Flu kicks in homesickness tends to launch a sneak attack. It’s something that happens to many students, not just first years, and it’s something than can be managed without ruining your Uni experience.
Try following these simple steps!
Keep in contact with family
It’s very easy to let your contact with family and friends from back home slide when you’re at Uni but with social media it’s incredibly easy now to stay in contact! Make sure to have a catch-up with your family and friends as often as you can, even if it’s just once a week. Send them a quick text or have a mammoth...
Why study an apprenticeship? The biggest draw for many is the fact you earn while you learn, but you also experience what full-time employment is like and receive a qualification at the same time!
But don't just take our word for it. Alex and Conor, who are both apprentices at Airbus Group, share their experiences first hand with us.
What are your daily activities?
Alex: My current placement within the business is in A350 Lineside Quality. My daily activities in this department include carrying out technical investigations in order to discover the root cause of a certain issue or non-...