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Latest from the blogs

Preparing for interviews at a University

Thu 22 November 2018 - 16:35

By Tabitha Hempshall in Applicant

The prospect of going to interview is nerve-wracking. For many it involves singing your own praises, answering unknown questions on the spot and having your personal statement pulled apart, all of which push people out of their comfort zone. Here is a list of a few key ideas, which I have found helpful in preparing for interview and that have made me feel more confident!

- Research questions based on topic

Just Google “interview questions for [insert course]” and you will find questions that cover key topic areas. I found the best way to use these...

Preparing for uni life

Tue 20 November 2018 - 16:38

By Tobi Ogunjemilua in First year

My name is Favour (Tobi) Ogunjemilua, and I’m studying business management with a placement year, at the University of Surrey. 

Número uno! When it comes to clothes, you don’t need to pack everything in your closet. Bring only what you know you’re going to wear. There’s no point trying to fill your suitcase with clothes because you want them to last you the whole year. Bring what you normally wear on a day-to-day basis. If you want to buy new clothes, do so, because it’s better than taking clothes you haven’t...

Settling in during freshers' week

Fri 16 November 2018 - 16:14

By James McDowell in First year

For many young people, including myself, freshers’ week can be a daunting and nerve-wracking thing to think about. There are many worries that freshers may have about uni life – this is very normal, and includes fears around how they are going to cope with new surroundings, the workload, and the financial responsibility they will now have to face. This blog will shows new freshers that there is nothing to worry about, with a few tips along the way.

One of the main fears new students have is their first few weeks at university. This is to be expected – some students will be walking into classrooms with people they have never met before, which can cause some anxiety. My university had a great induction programme which helped me settle in and get to know others. This also helped me develop confidence that I was good enough to be on the course – one of my personal fears, as I thought I was not smart enough to be at university. However, this fear was quickly eliminated during my...

Meeting people at uni

Fri 16 November 2018 - 14:48

By Abi Ford in First year

My advice? Make the first move! 

OK, that sounds a little forward, but at least do it for new friendships.

This is my second time at uni, and it’s the one thing I’ve done differently. You don’t have to be super confident (I’m certainly not) – you just need to say ‘hello’ and ask a question, any question! (OK, not any question – normal social boundaries still apply!)

Honestly though, maybe it’s because I’m a ‘mature student’ (if anyone’s mature at 25?), but this time around, I’ve found my voice.

I was so nervous before starting, my head was a never-ending, anxious monologue. ‘What if I’m the oldest on my course? What if nobody speaks to me? What if nobody has similar interests to me?’ What if I stopped...

How to prepare for your conservatoire audition

Wed 14 November 2018 - 12:43

By UCAS in Applicant

If you’re applying to a conservatoire, you’ll need to attend an audition before they can make a decision – our guide to making the most of your audition will help you get to grips with how to prepare.

To give you a better idea of what could be in store for you at an audition, Nicola Peacock from the Royal College of Music shares her top tips.

Auditions are a busy time for conservatoire staff, but also exciting, as we get to meet the talented new students who will be joining us next year. We are very aware that auditioning at a conservatoire can seem a daunting prospect, but we really want applicants to have a positive experience and a lot of effort goes into ensuring we look after you on the day.

...

1st Year Studies - Starting (and Changing!) Universities

Tue 13 November 2018 - 09:00

By Chloe Brewster in First year

Almost two months since my university journey commenced, it is fair to say that I, like other uni students, have gained a multitude of experiences which, as I write this on a Saturday night with my mind somewhat foggy after finishing a strenuous shift at work, is quite overwhelming to think about. In fact, most first-year students would tell you that the first couple weeks of university are madly busy, often to the extent that it is easy to forget the ‘little’ moments which, if you were not facing so many tasks at one given time, you would definitely remember!
 

However, I’m enjoying the fast-paced nature of university life – although this opinion will probably change when deadlines for essays loom even closer! – because, as each...

Feeling lonely at university is more common than you think

Wed 7 November 2018 - 16:17

By Save The Student in Support

The truth about loneliness at university

The fact is that more and more of us feel lonely. There are lots of theories about why, but the big ones include spending more time online, and divisive events like Brexit and #metoo.

As a student, you’re not immune to these – plus, you’ve got moving away from home, making new friends, and being skint to cope with. As a mature or overseas student, or if you feel out of step with your peers, you may feel particularly isolated. Any of these can take a toll on your mental health at university.

How to tell if you’re lonely

‘Lonely’ isn’t the same as ‘alone’. You can have lots of friends and still feel lonely, but you can also be quite content spending time on your own. Here are some suggestions to help you think about how you...

Applied for teacher training programmes? You may be able to use Apply 2...

Fri 2 November 2018 - 12:28

By UCAS in Teacher Training

Not holding any offers? Use Apply 2

So, what is Apply 2? Well, it’s an opportunity for you to add a new training programme if you’ve been unsuccessful or declined your original choices. You don’t need to pay another application fee, request new references, or change your personal statement (although you can create a separate version to send straight to the training provider).

Here’s how it works in five simple steps

  1. Choose a training programme that still has vacancies.
  2. Contact the training provider to make sure they’re still recruiting.
  3. Add the programme to your existing application in Track.
  4. Wait to be invited to an interview – here are some...

Using Apply 2? Five things to consider before you add a new teacher training programme

Fri 19 October 2018 - 11:35

By UCAS in Teacher Training

In Apply 2, you can continue to add new choices, one at a time. You can even choose a programme you applied for unsuccessfully in Apply 1 – if you think that’s the right way to go. Or, you could try exploring an alternative route, training programme, or provider to increase your chances of starting your training in September. Last year, people who were more flexible about their choice of route or training programme were more likely to secure a place.

  1. Don’t rush into adding the first training programme that looks appealing – research what it offers and whether it meets your expectations.
  2. If you have a change of heart once you’ve added a new choice in Track, you can still apply elsewhere (but this will cancel your original choice).
  3. As soon as you change your Apply 2 choice, the 40-day reply period will start again, so make sure it’s something you want to wait for.
  4. It’s worth speaking to the training provider first to find out when they’re...

Settling in at uni

Tue 9 October 2018 - 09:24

By Aoife O'Sullivan in First year

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. I was so excited to decorate my room and make it my home for the next 9 months, so I brought photo frames of my family and friends with me to put around the room. Doing something small like this meant that I could still see familiar, friendly smiles even when I was hundreds of miles away in a new city...

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