Seeing the unseen: how families and key influencers shape student journeys
Summary
Students applying through UCAS are preparing for one of the biggest transitions in their lives — leaving school, stepping into university and, for many international applicants, leaving home entirely. Recent research on student journeys shows that this process is strongly shaped by “significant others”: parents, siblings, peers and teachers whose expectations and emotions influence how students understand the UCAS process, respond to deadlines and make choices.
This session brings those findings into practical advising contexts. Using clear examples from current student evidence, we will show how support networks affect confidence, decision-making and readiness for university, often in ways advisers do not see directly but feel indirectly through uncertainty, hesitation or last-minute stress.
We'll help you recognise these relational dynamics and translate insights into practical strategies to support your students with confidence every step of the way.
