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,...
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...
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.
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...
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....
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:
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...
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.What modules...
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...
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...