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Tip Top Tips Whilst Living Away from Home

Thu 20 June 2024 - 12:18

By Sophia in First year

It is so so important to look after yourself, both mentally and physically whilst you’re living away from home. It may be your first time fleeing the nest or actually, you’re a fully-fledged independent being – either way, we can often slip into bad habits even in the best of times.
 
1. Sleep well! Sleep is probably the most crucial thing you need in life and especially whilst you’re studying. If you don’t get enough sleep it can impact your concentration, mood and health. If you’re anything like me and Sleeping Beauty, try opting for a quieter flat - you wouldn’t want to be in a flat full of raucous students stumbling in at 5am and knocking over lots of pots and pans whilst trying to cook something remotely edible after a night out. 
 
2. Eat well - and I don’t mean lots. Eat your greens kids - they’re full of vitamins and nutrients your body needs in order to function. And no, I’m...

Top tips for staying motivated

Tue 18 June 2024 - 10:03

By Enia in First year

With A-level and university exams drawing ever closer, it can be difficult to stay motivated, especially when the sun is shining, but you feel you need to be revising. So here are some of my top tips for staying motivated during this exam season:
 
1)      Remember why you are doing this.
 
When you’re revising it can feel like all you are doing is revising. However, there has to have been a reason why you wanted to do well in the first place: perhaps it’s meeting the offer for your first choice uni; maybe it’s that you would like to secure a particular placement or job following your degree. Whatever the reason is, make sure to fix that in your mind whenever you’re revising, as both a motivation and a goal for you to aim for. I put a photo of my first choice uni on my wall, as a constant reminder that, if I did the revision, I could be able to go there, and a similar constant visual reminder of your goals can be really...

Taking a Gap Year (or two!)

Thu 11 July 2024 - 12:31

By Sophia in Applicant

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 student life. 
 
I’m not saying everybody should take gap years, but it is a good option if you’re unsure what you want...

Surviving your NQT year - Harry Silo

Tue 18 June 2024 - 11:46

By UCAS in Teacher Training

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 first two terms and it was noted that I issued the most reward and consequence ‘points’ in the school. The amount I issue is now at 10% of what it was and I’m happy to report that my lessons are generally calm and pleasant. Be firm, remain objective and give plenty of praise for those mini ‘win’ situations.

2. ‘Get them in, get them started’
Stand at the...

Is being a live at home student the right choice for your family?

Tue 6 November 2018 - 15:46

By After the Playground in First year

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?
 
The disadvantages of being a...

Why I'm (Finally) Going To Uni

Tue 18 June 2024 - 11:44

By Lauren in First year


“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 here I am, 6 months away from starting my 1st year at Cardiff met. So...what happened?
 
Eight years ago, when my head of year announced a meeting for all students wishing to go on to Oxbridge universities, I jumped at the opportunity. I went to all the preliminary meetings, I signed up for the extra-curricular learning and I worked as...

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing an Academic Essay (EPQ Advice #4)

Tue 14 January 2025 - 14:55

By Romana in Applicant

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.
 
DON’T forget to reference – any ideas which come from your research (whether this is a direct quote or just a concept) needs to be accurately referenced. Crediting the...

Why study an apprenticeship?

Fri 12 April 2019 - 10:52

By UCAS in UCAS advice

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-...

Starting University as an LGBTQ+ Student

Wed 3 July 2024 - 10:58

By Jack in First year

When starting university, you may be a little apprehensive as to whether or not you will make friends and fit in. It can be daunting leaving your comfort zone and starting somewhere new, regardless of who you are as a person. It can sometimes be difficult for LGBTQ+ students when starting somewhere new, as you have to go through the whole process of telling people who you are.

Thankfully, times are changing. It has become less of a taboo to be gay, and rightfully so people don’t treat you differently because of who you like. Yet starting somewhere new always brings in self doubt: what if I’m not accepted?

When I went through secondary school, I was bullied for being gay. Whilst that has changed as I’ve got older and people have become more mature, when I first started at university I felt as though I needed to withdraw and keep that side of myself secret. It sounds ridiculous, I know, and I had to keep telling myself that as an adult now, there was no need to do that...

Thinking about an apprenticeship?

Wed 3 July 2024 - 11:24

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Work while you study – an apprenticeship is a way to gain the skills, knowledge and experience you need to get into many careers. They combine work, training, and study, letting you 'earn while you learn'.

If you’re considering an apprenticeship, here are five things you should know:

1. Apprentices get paid
Apprentices are employed members of staff, and are paid a salary, a pension, and are entitled to other company benefits, just like everyone else.

2. You can get a full degree 
All apprenticeships are fully certified by a university – this means you’ll receive a full degree at the end of your apprenticeship, and, in most cases, attend a graduation ceremony, much like a full-time university student.

3. You have to work and study – it can be tough
Unlike a full-time undergraduate university student, you’ll be in full-time employment, meaning you’ll be expected to work a full-time...

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