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The importance of completing your own personal statement

Wed 17 July 2024 - 13:11

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Writing your personal statement is one of the most important things you’ll do when applying to university – it should be personal, engaging, and most importantly, written by you.
 
It’s extremely important to write your personal statement yourself. This might sound obvious, but you shouldn’t rely on websites or other people to write one for you.
 
Remember, your personal statement is all about you, so you should use it to showcase your personality, experience, achievements, and future ambitions. Universities want to get to know you, and why you’d be an asset to the course – they don’t want to read something that’s written by someone else.
 
While it’s good to get inspiration from previous personal statements, make sure you don’t...

Ten places to get personal statement pointers

Wed 17 July 2024 - 15:41

By UCAS in UCAS advice

If a bit of personal statement inspiration is what you need, then look no further – here are the ten best places to pick up more than a pointer or two!
  1. The UCAS website
    Start your planning here. There are tips on how to get started and what to include. It also covers the technical aspects you need to bear in mind, such as the character count.
  2. Personal statement timeline
    Check out our personal statement timeline. It’s packed with advice on how to spread out the planning and writing stages so you’re not cramming at the last minute.
  3. Our blog
    A few years ago we asked uni admissions tutors to tell us what they’re looking for in the personal statement and the advice they shared has been so well received that it’s still our most popular...

Myths about organ donation

Tue 18 June 2024 - 10:25

By NHSBT in Support

Choosing to donate your organs is a generous and worthwhile decision that can save lives.
 

Thousands of people in the UK are waiting for an organ transplant, with their lives on hold while they wait for a phone call to say that a match has been found. Sadly, someone dies every day in need of a transplant due to a shortage of organ donors. 

Don't be swayed by misinformation. We've answered some of the common myths about organ donation below. 

Will doctors try their best to save my life if I'm registered as an organ donor?

Healthcare professionals have a duty of care to save your life first.

If, despite their best efforts, they are unable to save you, organ and tissue donation will be considered as end of life care discussions start with your family, friends, and next of kin. Only when end of life care planning is started is the NHS Organ Donor Register accessed by healthcare professionals and the...

Qualifications that may enhance your career

Tue 27 August 2019 - 12:02

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

With the ever-changing world of work, it is more important than ever for you to have more than one qualification in any given subject. There are increasing numbers of people with an undergraduate degree, and many of them are looking to boost their CV to show that they have more to offer. 
 
Which extra qualifications you do will probably be dependent on the job that you are doing – or the job you want to be doing. For example, accountants or medical professionals will have specific skills which they can enhance with other qualifications.
 
However, there are also courses that can be done to enhance anyone’s CV – to make you more attractive as a potential employee.
 
1. NEBOSH qualification
Health and safety in the workplace is very important, and the more people who have studied – even to a basic level – the better. 
 ...

Four careers that you can make a difference in

Mon 19 August 2019 - 11:30

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

When thinking about a career, some people just want to be able to earn as much money as possible. However, most of us would rather do something that we love, and hope to be able to earn enough for the life that we want to live.

For some people, it is also important to be doing a job in which they feel that they are making a difference. There is more to life than just earning money, and making a difference to someone else’s life is equally, if not more satisfying than a big paycheque at the end of each month.

That doesn’t mean to say, however, that you can’t earn a living and make a career out of making a difference. Below are just some of the careers that make a positive difference to the world and people’s lives.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is something of a buzzword at the moment, and for good reason. As the world hurtles towards an environmental crisis, sourcing good and usable energy is becoming increasingly important....

How to go from Graduate to Entrepreneur

Wed 21 August 2019 - 08:47

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

It takes a special kind of person to be an entrepreneur:  they’re typically creative, with a different way of thinking or seeing the world, a passion for what they do, and maybe even a serial risk-taker.

In today’s world, where over 1.7 million people are graduating from university each year, competition is rife for graduate jobs. But it has also never been easier to hone your entrepreneurial skills and set up on your own.

Entrepreneurship

It is generally accepted that entrepreneurship is a trait that people have. It is difficult to learn how to be an entrepreneur. It tends to be something that you are born with, or develop over time. Most people who are entrepreneurs have a drive to succeed, and a need to break out of traditional employment.

However, setting up your own...

Finding the right course for you in Clearing

Thu 4 July 2024 - 11:15

By UCAS in UCAS advice

When it comes to contacting universities and colleges about courses in Clearing, it’s important to act quickly but that doesn't mean making a hasty decision. While you need to be proactive you also need to be sure that the course you accept is right for you. We asked admissions staff from universities and colleges to share their advice on researching courses effectively in Clearing – read on to find out what they told us...
 

Stewart Harper – Head of Student Admissions, Leeds Metropolitan University
  

For those that are due to receive A level, BTEC or other exam results this summer, deciding what to do next may be an ever-present thought. The most important thing is not to...

Six habits that encourage good mental health at uni

Mon 18 January 2021 - 08:12

By Student Minds in Support

1. Exercise
30 minutes of daily exercise is recommended. As exercising releases endorphins, it’s great for your mood and your overall wellbeing, plus it's a welcome break from sitting in lectures and seminars.

2. Drink water
Water is essential for good mental health. It can be easy to forget to drink water when you’re wrapped up in essay stress, but regularly drinking glasses of water improves concentration and decreases your stress levels by thoroughly hydrating you. Each time you sit down at your desk, make sure you have a glass of water to hand.

3. Sufficient sleep
Late night library sessions and TV series binging take their toll. When you’re overly tired, your concentration levels crash. It is important to regulate your sleep pattern – try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night, and to sleep and wake at the same time each day.

4. Break down your work
Do you have a difficult essay to write, a...

How to decorate your room on a student budget

Tue 18 June 2024 - 10:06

By UCAS in First year

Summer is well and truly upon us. For some of you, the preparation for moving into your new house for second or third year might be underway. For others, you might be looking at your bedrooms at home, wondering what’s going to make the cut and come with you to your halls of residence in September.

Either way, both privately rented accommodation and university halls are not exactly stylish. Yes, this can mean when you open your bedroom door, you will find a dull, empty room. It also means you have a blank canvas to make your own (well, you know, within the guidelines of the contract).

You might think decorating a bedroom on a student budget is impossible, but it’s not. Here are some tips, advice, and suggestions to help you make the most of your new space while saving as much money as possible.

1. Fairy lights
Fairy lights are your go-to. They’re homely, cosy, and great for evenings when you want to snuggle up and watch a movie. They’re also cheap...

Get your free MenACWY vaccine

Wed 14 August 2019 - 13:33

By NHS in Support

Meningitis is a life-threatening disease that can affect anyone, but young people and students are at particularly high risk. A free MenACWY vaccine is available to first year students up to the age of 25 through their GP. This vaccine and knowing the symptoms of meningitis is the best protection against this devastating disease, which can resemble the flu or a hangover and so is often ignored until it’s too late.

The symptoms can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet. Other symptoms include drowsiness, pale, blotchy skin, dislike of bright lights and a rash that doesn’t fade under pressure.

Students in shared accommodation and those travelling and at festivals are particularly vulnerable, and so Meningitis Now is calling on all eligible young people to get vaccinated before heading off to uni or as early as...

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