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Letter to my younger self

Mon 26 October 2020 - 10:20

By Gareth Rafferty in Support

Hi 2017 Gareth, it’s Gareth from 2020 here.

The next few years are going to test you. You’re going to have up’s and downs, highs and lows, and an all round rollercoaster of a time.

But I’m not here for that.

I’m here to give you some advice on the next few years to help you, or me, to be more effective at handling what’s to come.

Let’s break it down into 6 points:

  • Life seems like a box, a perfect square. Remember you may not be a square.
    • You may be a circle, or a triangle, or some other shape. It’s important over the next few years that you focus on who you are. Not, who people want you to be, or who everyone else is, but just who you actually are and what...

Students with care experience: Three reasons to tick the box

Thu 17 November 2022 - 09:03

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Applying to university is a huge step for anyone but if you have been in care, you may have additional questions about applying or studying. Nicola Turner, Senior Fair Access Adviser at UCAS explains how – and why – you can tell universities about your care background.

When it comes to completing your UCAS application, you will notice a question asking if you have been in care. If you have seen this question and don’t understand why we ask for this information, or feel worried about sharing it, you’re not alone.

Some students ask if this will affect the way their application is assessed, and others tell us they don’t want anyone to know about their past because they want a fresh start. These are completely understandable concerns, and I hope that the following information will reassure you that ticking the box is a positive move.

Reason 1: Your chosen universities and colleges use this information to connect you to the support you are...

15 October deadline: applying on time

Mon 22 July 2024 - 11:07

By UCAS in UCAS advice

To begin with, let’s just clarify exactly what this deadline is for. The 15 October deadline is only for applications to most medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science courses, as well as all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Meeting the deadline means that your application will receive equal consideration from your chosen universities and colleges. You can still apply after the deadline, if the course has places available, but your application won't be guaranteed to get equal consideration.

So what counts as meeting the deadline? Well it’s pretty straightforward – we must receive your completed application before 18:00 (UK time) on 15 October. That means you must have completed every section, and paid for and sent your application by this time. If you’re applying through your school or college, they must have sent it to us before this time too.

Don't wait until the...

Sharing your needs on a UCAS application

Mon 28 September 2020 - 15:01

By Diversity and Ability in UCAS advice

When you’re filling out any kind of application form, whether it be for a new workplace or your university choices, you may be faced with the challenge of deciding if you should share whether you have any support needs. We understand that it can feel daunting to share this information, but when it comes to your UCAS application we want you to know that disclosure can be the start of your journey to getting some really amazing support throughout your studies.

What’s more, this information will only ever be used to help you access the best support, and it will never affect your chances of getting a place at your chosen universities. This is important because we know that you may have faced barriers to education in the past, and giving you the opportunity to share your support needs is intended to lift these barriers rather than create more of them.

Once you’ve made the first step of disclosure on your application you will be on the path to receiving Disabled Students...

Should I mention my care experience in my personal statement?

Fri 6 January 2023 - 11:28

By UCAS in UCAS advice

In this guest blog, Sam Turner from Become (with help from current and former care-experienced students) talks through the considerations for care leavers writing their personal statements. Become is the national charity for children in care and young care leavers and run the Propel website for care-experienced learners interested in higher education.

Personal statements are exactly what they say on the tin – personal! The decision to mention your experiences in care is ultimately yours, and it’s all about what feels comfortable and what’s most important for you as an individual. Here’s some advice to help you with the decision.

First of all, don’t worry!

We speak with lots of care-experienced applicants each year who are worried about feeling judged or stigmatised, especially if they’ve had negative experiences revealing their care identities before. It’s...

How to deal with homesickness

Thu 3 September 2020 - 10:10

By UCAS in International students

Feeling homesick whilst attending university in the UK is an entirely normal feeling. You are probably moving out of your family home for the first time, living with new people and often living in a country you’ve never visited before. For some, homesickness is just missing your home and family in the first week, but for others it can affect their mental health.

Luckily, for many these feelings will pass and you will soon be too busy with new friends and classes to feel homesick, but here are some tips on how to deal with homesickness.

Find a restaurant that serves food from your country
It may take you some time to adjust to new foods and eating habits and everyone, no matter where they come from , misses their mother’s cooking. Fortunately, the UK is a multicultural country and you should have no trouble finding a restaurant that serves all your favourite dishes. If not, cook something you miss from home and share it with your new friends....

Five tips on breaking the ice with new housemates

Thu 3 September 2020 - 09:59

By UCAS in International students

If you have chosen to share a flat or house with new people when you start university, or are moving into student accommodation and are feeling a bit anxious about getting to know new people here are some tips to help you get started.

Introduce yourself 
When you move in make sure you introduce yourself. If you are moving into student dorms, then leave your room door ajar. This will signal your moving in and people can pop their head in and say hello! Equally you will see people and can make the first move by introducing yourself.

Remember everyone is nervous and some people are shy so be brave and make the first move!

Make a cup of tea
We have a saying in the UK that a cup of tea makes everything better, so offer to make everyone a nice “cuppa” with a side serving of biscuits and you’ll be well on your way to making new friends. This is a gentle way of sparking a conversation because you can ask how people...

Six things you should do during fresher’s week

Thu 3 September 2020 - 09:54

By UCAS in International students

Freshers Week is the ultimate introduction to student life in the UK. The first week is a great way to meet new people, trying new things and sign up for activities. 
 
Here are six things you should do during fresher’s week:
 
1. Attend the freshers fair
If you only go to one event during fresher’s weeks, it should be the freshers fair. This fair will have representatives from student societies, local businesses that offer jobs, companies that offer products, and services that you might be interested in as well as local voluntary groups that you can join. 
 
Have a look around and collect information on things that will be useful and of interest to you. It can be overwhelming, with lots of people asking you to sign up with them and lots of information thrown at you. Take the leaflets to read when you get home, they will all contain social...

10 things you need to know about apprenticeships

Tue 9 July 2024 - 09:19

By UCAS in UCAS advice

1. An apprenticeship is a real job with training. 

As an apprentice, you are expected to work hard, and are given real responsibilities, a contract of employment, holiday, and sick pay – exactly the same as any other member of staff! You will also gain a qualification, and valuable skills and experience. 

2. You will work towards a qualification. 

You will be supported by a training provider (a university or college), that will help you achieve your qualification and make sure you complete your apprenticeship. 

3. An apprenticeship usually takes between one and four years to complete.

It depends on the level of apprenticeship/qualification you are taking, and what you have achieved so far. 

4. Apprenticeships have changed. 

They’re alternatives to traditional, full-time university or college courses, and there is a wide range of Modern Apprenticeships...

Four reasons why you should do a placement year

Thu 25 July 2024 - 09:31

By UCAS in UCAS advice

A placement year may be an essential part of your degree or optional. Current placement student, Emily Fox from De Montfort University, recently completed her year in industry and details four reasons why you should consider one too.

Placement years usually occur between your second and final year of study at university and at many institutions, count towards your overall degree. Often, they can help you to explore potential career paths and provide you with valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. 

1. Enhance your career prospects 

Placements are useful to help you develop professionally. Not only do they strengthen your CV, they help you stand out from the crowd when applying for competitive graduate jobs. With a year’s worth of experience, employers will see that you are proactive and passionate about your...

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