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Settling in during freshers' week

Thu 20 June 2024 - 12:07

By James McDowell in First year

For many young people, including myself, freshers’ week can be a daunting and nerve-wracking thing to think about. There are many worries that freshers may have about uni life – this is very normal, and includes fears around how they are going to cope with new surroundings, the workload, and the financial responsibility they will now have to face. This blog will shows new freshers that there is nothing to worry about, with a few tips along the way.

One of the main fears new students have is their first few weeks at university. This is to be expected – some students will be walking into classrooms with people they have never met before, which can cause some anxiety. My university had a great induction programme which helped me settle in and get to know others. This also helped me develop confidence that I was good enough to be on the course – one of my personal fears, as I thought I was not smart enough to be at university. However, this fear was quickly eliminated during my...

How to prepare for your conservatoire audition

Mon 22 July 2024 - 13:12

By UCAS in Applicant

If you’re applying to a conservatoire, you’ll need to attend an audition before they can make a decision – our guide to making the most of your audition will help you get to grips with how to prepare.

To give you a better idea of what could be in store for you at an audition, Nicola Peacock from the Royal College of Music shares her top tips.

Auditions are a busy time for conservatoire staff, but also exciting, as we get to meet the talented new students who will be joining us next year. We are very aware that auditioning at a conservatoire can seem a daunting prospect, but we really want applicants to have a positive experience and a lot of effort goes into ensuring we look after you on the day.


How to prepare
Each conservatoire will have information on its website about what you need to prepare and any particular requirements, so check these carefully when you know your audition date. If...

1st Year Studies - Starting (and Changing!) Universities

Thu 4 July 2024 - 11:05

By Chloe Brewster in First year

Almost two months since my university journey commenced, it is fair to say that I, like other uni students, have gained a multitude of experiences which, as I write this on a Saturday night with my mind somewhat foggy after finishing a strenuous shift at work, is quite overwhelming to think about. In fact, most first-year students would tell you that the first couple weeks of university are madly busy, often to the extent that it is easy to forget the ‘little’ moments which, if you were not facing so many tasks at one given time, you would definitely remember!
 

However, I’m enjoying the fast-paced nature of university life – although this opinion will probably change when deadlines for essays loom even closer! – because, as each week passes, I’m growing more settled in my transformation into a student in higher education, a status which I’m extremely grateful to declare as mine.
 

Yet, as the title of this post...

Feeling lonely at university is more common than you think

Thu 19 December 2019 - 10:13

By Save The Student in Support

The truth about loneliness at university

The fact is that more and more of us feel lonely. There are lots of theories about why, but the big ones include spending more time online, and divisive events like Brexit and #metoo.

As a student, you’re not immune to these – plus, you’ve got moving away from home, making new friends, and being skint to cope with. As a mature or overseas student, or if you feel out of step with your peers, you may feel particularly isolated. Any of these can take a toll on your mental health at university.

How to tell if you’re lonely

‘Lonely’ isn’t the same as ‘alone’. You can have lots of friends and still feel lonely, but you can also be quite content spending time on your own. Here are some suggestions to help you think about how you...

Settling in at uni

Mon 23 August 2021 - 15:40

By Aoife O'Sullivan in First year

The start of my uni journey - a 200 mile drive to Wales
Just 3 weeks ago, I was sitting on my living room floor surrounded by bags and boxes that were to be loaded into the car the next morning to start my 200 mile journey to Wales. I never thought that I would be in the position I was, with AAA in my pocket and a place at Cardiff University.

As we crossed the bridge, inevitably, it began to rain. I was too busy battling the rain while carrying all my belongings up the stairs to really take in my new campus. I was so excited to decorate my room and make it my home for the next 9 months, so I brought photo frames of my family and friends with me to put around the room. Doing something small like this meant that I could still see familiar, friendly smiles even when I was hundreds of miles away in a new city I had never been to before. When my Dad had left me standing in the doorway of my new home, a huge wave of emotion came over me and it finally hit me...

How to do well in your A Levels

Wed 17 July 2024 - 12:10

By Zoe Haylock in First year

We’ve all been there; in our heads we know we are capable of great results yet, on paper (and in some of our teacher’s heads) this doesn’t seem possible. I ended my first year of A Levels getting C’s and D’s in my exams. I started 2018 (the year of my exams) with an E and D in my English essays. I. was. Freaking. Out: I wanted to go to Durham and so I needed A* A A! I had to plead with my history teacher to predict me an A. She told me I should probably apply to universities asking or C’s and D’s instead.

Yet, I ended up getting four A*’s and an A* in my EPQ in my exams.

Although I know this partly came about because I a) went to a good college and b) had time to study and c) had no big commitments like being a carer, it also occurred due to one thing all students can do: work hard. I know not all students want those grades- which is fine- but, if you are like me, and want to make the most out of every situation and prove naysayers wrong, then...

Things to look forward to when starting university…

Wed 26 June 2024 - 11:19

By Sarah Telford in First year


Starting something new can be daunting, especially when it involves meeting new people and coming out of your comfort zone. Starting university is a nerve racking experience for even the best of people but it is also a new and exciting journey which opens many doors for your future.
 

We all come to university to study a degree in something we believe we will enjoy. But it isn’t just the prospects of starting a degree in something you are passionate about which gets you fired up. If you’re like me you have probably started looking into what you’re entitled to, what you can get up to and all the excitement which involves starting your degree. Here listed below are a few ideas and some of the reasons I am excited to start my degree.
 

- Moving into your new home

Being able to have your own space, being near your friends and having the city right on the door step is a great reason to be excited.
 

- Book...

Why Live at Home for Uni?

Tue 18 June 2024 - 10:09

By Amiée Cartwright in First year

Up until Results Day, I planned to move out for uni. I bought bedding and cutlery, I worked out how I’d manage financially, I pictured myself crying in my room on move in day... then I threw all my plans out the window and decided to live at home. Most people say this isn’t the ‘true uni experience’ (I didn’t realise everyone was meant to have the same experience!) but it’s the right decision for me for several reasons:
  1. It Saves Money!
    With tuition fees at £9,250 a year, us students are looking for any way to save money. For me, living at home is the perfect way. Yes, travel can be expensive (I swear bus prices go up every week!) but it doesn’t compare to spending more than a few grand a year on what’s rumoured to be paper-thin walls!
  2. Peer Pressure- What’s That?
    I’m not a big drinker, so when I used to picture Fresher’s week, it’d involve me repeatedly declining to go on nights out in favour of a cinema night or a pub quiz....

Applying for the 15 October deadline? Make sure you avoid these last minute dramas

Fri 18 September 2020 - 15:03

By UCAS in UCAS advice

There’s not long until the application deadline for dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses, as well as all courses at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. If you’re planning on applying to any of these then you must submit your application by 18:00 (UK time) on 15 October to guarantee being considered by the university or colleges.

To make sure you don’t miss it, we have five top tips on getting your application complete before the deadline.

1) Know your login details for Apply

A simple one to begin with, to complete your application you must be able to log in. If you’ve forgotten your login details, recover them online.

2) Give yourself plenty of time to write your personal statement

Your...

Have you checked...?

Mon 22 July 2024 - 11:17

By UCAS in UCAS advice

So you’ve worked away at your UCAS application for weeks, adding fact after fact about yourself. You’ve trawled through GCSE certificates and alike to find the precise details needed for each section, not to mention the hours you’ve spent writing and re-writing your personal statement, only to scrap it all and start again from scratch with a completely different approach.

At last you feel ready to hit send, but don't be too hasty in completing this final step. It’s really important that you check and double check your application, to make sure it’s all tip-top and typo-free. Here’s our checklist of what to look out for:
 
Have you definitely completed everything? Lots of people think they’re done and dusted with their application, and then they find they can’t click ‘pay/send’. This is usually because one or more of the...

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