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How to Choose an EPQ Topic and Title (EPQ Advice #2)

Tue 14 January 2025 - 14:54

By Romana in Applicant

Hello and welcome to my second EPQ advice blog! If you want to know what an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is and why you might consider doing one, please read my last blog here.  In this installment I’m giving you the three main things you might want to consider to help you decide a topic and title for your project.

Before we start, I ought to tell you about my own project (which is now near completion). Drum roll please...my EPQ is on The Hunger Games!!! If you’re anything like the people I know, you might be surprised, and fair enough – it’s not really a conventional topic choice. My title concerns the originality of the first novel in the trilogy, so in the most basic terms: is Suzanne Collins a copycat? Don’t get me wrong, I love the books (and the films too), but my title was the best option when I asked myself the following things:

What do I want to get...

Things to do while you wait for your University Decisions

Thu 11 July 2024 - 10:58

By Emily in Applicant

So you’ve sent off your university application, what now? Here’s four things that will help the long wait before uni seem a little a more bearable.

Visit Your University Options

Visiting your uni options may sounds stupid but it’s so so helpful, after all if you accept you’ll want to know where you’re going to be living and studying for the next few years of your life. Visiting your choice will help you get a better understanding of where things are on campus and other things like where the best places are for you to live. If you’re not able to visit all of your university options try to visit your first and second choices.

Sort Out Your Finance and Accommodation

It’s never too early to begin thinking about your finance and especially your student accommodation. So many other people will be applying for both of these things so it’s best to get in early and get started, avoiding the last...

Five Tips on Choosing Your Firm Choice

Wed 3 July 2024 - 11:43

By Rebecca in UCAS advice

You’ve received your offers and the deadline is fast approaching to decide which is your firm choice and your insurance, aka one of the biggest decisions in your life so far! Fear not! I’ve put together 5 easy steps you can take to help you decide which choices to make!

Research: 
This is the most obvious thing to do when applying for University and you’ve probably already done a load of research before applying but it’s a good idea to re-visit your offers and have a look again at their course structure, modules and the general university. You could try making a pros and cons list to help you out!

Seek Advice from Others:
Once you’ve got all the information you can from a Uni website share that information with family, friends, peers and teachers for different viewpoints and opinions. It might also help to talk with someone already in the field you are applying to as they will have valuable experience.

Attend Open...

What is an EPQ and Why Should I do one? (EPQ Advice #1)

Tue 14 January 2025 - 14:52

By Romana in Applicant

I’m coming to the end of my EPQ project this month, so I thought I’d offer some advice to those of you considering doing an EPQ as I know it’s a pretty big commitment to make. Hopefully this will be the first of a few blogs I’ll be writing about my experience so keep an eye out if you want to know more details!

I wrote an essay for my ‘final product’ so that’s what I’ll be focusing on in these blogs – sorry but unfortunately I don’t know much about the ‘artefact’ option so I can’t offer much on that!

An EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is, to put it simply, a BIG independent project for which you’ll earn a qualification. It involves (in my case) writing an essay of about 5000 words, a pretty long piece of paperwork about your research and how you approached your project, and a final presentation where you’ll talk through this essay and paperwork. Alternatively you can make an ‘artefact’ - this can be a piece of artwork, or something else you’ve physically made –...

Three ways to engage students from day one – Jon Tait

Wed 17 July 2024 - 13:05

By Jon Tait in Teacher Training

100 Ideas for Secondary Teachers: Engaging Learners

There was a time when as a new teacher entering the profession, the first and most important piece of advice you heard from an experienced colleague was… don’t smile until Christmas! This was meant to make you a tough nut to crack in the classroom, and show your students that you were not to be messed with. However, times have changed and more teachers now live by the rule that you need to build strong and positive relationships with students if you want to get the best out of them. Ruling by fear will only get you so far, and will never get students to run through brick walls for you and give you their very best.

From compliance to engagement…

When I speak to teachers in my own school and others that I support in, or in my professional networks, I often ask them if they’ve got compliance or...

Things to do while you wait for uni decisions

Thu 25 July 2024 - 10:20

By Mariam in Applicant

Applying for university can be one of, if not, the most stressful thing you may have experienced up until that point in your education life. After submitting your UCAS application, the waiting game is very anxious, but you’re not alone. There’s thousands of other students around the country all experiencing the same feelings and anxieties. After applying, there’s not much you can do besides wait for a response. There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself and also take your mind off the process. Here’s a list of things I would advise based on my own experiences:

1) Research the universities you applied to:
Majority of the research for your universities should have taken place before applying to your chosen universities. However, it is important to still visit the campus/city in which the university is, to be able to decide which universities you’d like to select as your firm and insurance. There’s probably not going to be...

How to deal with depression at uni

Thu 11 July 2024 - 12:52

By UCAS in First year

Uni is an exciting time, but it also brings lots of new challenges and pressures alongside it. From exams and coursework deadlines to finances and relationships, there is a huge amount to try and balance. Trying to get that balance can inevitably have an impact on your mental health.

Unfortunately, the number of suicides amongst students has risen dramatically over the past few years. However, if you need support, or if someone around you is struggling, there are support systems and help available. You can find more advice on mental health and wellbeing here, and below are just a few different things which you can try to improve your overall mental health.
 
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
CBT involves meeting with a therapist to help you manage your condition, by changing...

Three reasons you should attend a UCAS exhibition

Thu 25 July 2024 - 10:07

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Struggling to pick a uni to apply to? Not sure which course is right for you? Weighing up your career options? Book yourself on to a UCAS exhibition to find out the answer to these questions and more!

1. So why should you go?

They’re an opportunity for you to meet lots of different unis in one place – and a chance to get some face time with those in the know! You’ll get to meet admissions staff, course leaders, current students, and job recruiters.

2. Ask questions! 

Always try and have some questions lined up. After all, this is your opportunity to find out more information about the uni and course! Here are five questions to get you started:

1. What grades or UCAS points do I need?
2....

Some Extra advice...

Tue 4 March 2025 - 11:04

By UCAS in UCAS advice

If you’ve used all five choices and been unsuccessful with all of them, or you’ve had a change of heart about the unis you’ve applied to, you don’t need to wait for Clearing. You can apply though UCAS Extra!

But what is UCAS Extra? This blog post will answer all your questions about what it is, who it’s for and whether it’s the right choice for you!

What is Extra?
Extra begins in late February and is an opportunity for you to apply for another course if you’ve used all five choices and don’t hold any offers. You can add one choice at a time. If you’re unsuccessful, or you decline an offer you receive, then you can add another choice, until early July. Check here for this year's exact dates.

Is Extra for me?
Extra is available to anyone who has used all five...

My top five teacher training tips – Frankie Barrington

Tue 22 October 2019 - 15:40

By Frankie Barrington in Teacher Training

 

As an NQT, my first full year of teaching seems to have flown by. It's been a busy year, and I still find myself thinking “Wow, I'm actually a teacher now!” I trained through a School Direct route which put me right in the centre of school life from day one. I had training in Reception, Year 3 and Year 6, and I am now the very proud teacher of a Year 2 class. In light of my training period coming to a close, here are some tips that I have put together to inspire anyone who is about to take the leap into the best profession in the whole world.

1. Be prepared
In the world of teaching, organisation is key. I would recommend buying a USB with a large memory, and also splashing out on a portable hard drive. This allows you to back up everything. I keep every lesson that I ever teach, labelled so that I can find it easily if I ever need it again. Also, get a good, sturdy diary and use this to help you balance your...

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