Not everyone goes to University, despite a lot of people and societal pressure around to go to University. There are different options to take depending on what you want to do in the future and what your current plans are. Not every option is for everyone and each different option has its advantages and disadvantages. I, myself, want to go to University, but I know a bit about each option out there from college and research. If you aren't going to University, I hope this post can help you choose or open your eyes to the options out there. I have linked a website below that shows a range of different options spoken about in this blog post.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are like full-time work, but you can come out with a qualification. There is a range of different ones in various different sectors and thanks to a government scheme and tax, large organisations have to release an apprenticeship scheme, a lot more apprenticeship opportunities are out there. There are different levels of apprenticeships; intermediate (GCSE), advanced (A-level), higher (foundation degree) and degree (bachelors and masters). You can take an apprenticeship before University and come out with a degree in your chosen vocation. Most apprenticeships offer pay and holiday pay that is usually above the minimum wage chosen by the government or the organisation. For more information, I have linked the government's website- https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Gap Years
Gap years can be taken before beginning any of these options or taken at any stage of your life. You can use this time how you like. Some of my friends are taking a gap year to 'get their lives together', but you can also take gap years to work and gain money for university, travel or volunteering- the options you can choose to spend this time are endless. There are many benefits to taking a gap year, such as increasing your confidence, gaining work experience or improving your language skills. Gap years are good if you need some time to yourself, away from the 'real world'. For any extra information, I have linked to Prospectus website- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/gap-year
Full-time work/employment
After college, you may be fortunate enough to go into full-time work in a sector you're interested in. Full-time work will lead to straight into the world of employment and, in the right organisation, can allow you to make your way up the 'employment ladder' and gain yourself some useful time to improve your work skills. The different options depending on what your skills are and what you job want to do. Here are some useful websites I have found- https://www.studentjob.co.uk/
Starting a business
If you know exactly what you want to be and what to do, starting a business can be the option for you. Starting your own business can allow you to have control over your hours and pay, and allows you to work on your own skills as an employer. You can pass on what you love to others and allow you to keep yourself on the inside of what you love. There are many challenges behind it, but it can be extremely rewarding if it goes your way. Here is a website giving you tips on starting a business- https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business
Traineeships
These are designed to help people who want an apprenticeship, but who don't have the necessary skills to do so. Traineeships are education and training programmes that give people the work experience they need to get an apprenticeship. They are designed for 16-24-year-olds, to give them work preparation, maths, English and workplace skills. Traineeships can also help people who want a job, but don't have the skills to get into the job they need or want, lasting from six weeks to six months. They have benefits, such as work preparation training and an improved C.V. It wouldn't be usefu to do a traineeship if you already have the skill for an apprenticeship or job. Here are a few websites to help if you're looking at traineeships- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/traineeships-programme and https://www.ucas.com/further-education/apprenticeships-and-traineeships/traineeships
If you aren't going to university or aren't sure, I hope this post has helped you decide or allowed you to see that there are more options than University. A lot of this information is researched as I haven't chosen one of the options above myself. Here is a link to a website that has all the above options (other than starting your business) and any opportunities from companies- https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Monday, September 3, 2018
Personal statement help!
As someone who will be applying for University very soon, the nightmare of personal statements is coming along quickly. The ideal personal statement seems impossible to me, but if you don't try you've already messed up. In light of this, I've been doing a lot of research into the 'perfect' personal statement on Youtube (because where else is best to get your personal statement help?). Whilst I haven't drafted the first attempt at my personal statement yet, I have discovered some tips that are currently helping me and I hope will help you too! I will also link the videos where I got these tips from at the end.
1. Be passionate about your course.
Something that has come up a lot is being passionate about your course and have specific reasons as to why you want to study that course. One question that came up in a video is "What do I like to revise?", which, to me, seems quite helpful. What you like to revise most, is surely the subject you most enjoy (and in some cases what you struggle on). Showing you're interested in a course will also help; what have you done that applies to your course?
2. Make everything relevant
Is the work experience you're mentioning important to your course? How do the extra-curricular activities I take part in link to my course? Ensuring that everything you say is relevant to your course ensures that you make use of every character of your 4000-word limit. If you're going to apply to one of the top universities e.g. Oxbridge, they like Academia. However, other Universities may want to know more personal information, what would make you a good University student? The work-experience and extra-curricular activities can also be useful to show what skills you have and can bring to your university. Show the skills that will lead you to be a good academic, a good university student. For example, My Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition shows teamwork and communication.
3. Your personal statement should be like a story
It should have a beginning, middle and end. For your introduction, what sparked your attraction to the subject you want to study? Do you have any knowledge of the subject you want to study at University e.g, have you done further reading? How will this course help you achieve your goals, whether that be a job or future study?
For you middle, mention any skills that would help you in your university course and would be relevant? Can you give examples of how you gained/developed these skills? Are you willing to learn? And how can you show this in your personal statement?
For your ending, finish with a summary of what you have said in your personal statement. This can also include what you want to do in the future and how this course will help you in the future too. From reading examples of personal statements, it should flow from one paragraph to another and you shouldn't lie about what you have done. In addition to this, Universities have a plagiarism system, so if you copy off someone else's work, they will most likely know and you may risk not getting a place. Something I have also learned from my research is that if you're doing a joint degree, e.g. I want to do Sociology and Psychology, you should talk about why you want to do both sides of the course and don't mention a specific university as your personal statement goes to all five of your University choices.
4. Drafting is important
Draft your personal statements as many times as you need and keep getting feedback. The more feedback you receive, the better your personal statement can become. Putting time and effort into your personal statement can really help in the future. If you rush it, it will show when the admissions office read your personal statement.
I hope this helps you as it is currently helping you. As I haven't written my personal statement yet, I will make a follow-up post afterwards about what I have learned from it and any additional information that will help people in the future. If you're currently writing your personal statement, I wish you luck <3
All the information above is what I have learned from the videos linked below and help from my college.
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcLwTjsDGwU&t=971s -Video offering tips on how to write a personal statement if you want to go to a top U.K. University.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pod4IBAck5E - Short video outlining the important parts of your personal statement.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWxFVtSUAsQ&t=209s -Professors at Birmingham University saying what they want to see in personal statements for different subjects.
4. https://www1.essex.ac.uk/outreach/documents/personal-statement-writing-guide.pdf -This is the booklet that my college gave me to help.
1. Be passionate about your course.
Something that has come up a lot is being passionate about your course and have specific reasons as to why you want to study that course. One question that came up in a video is "What do I like to revise?", which, to me, seems quite helpful. What you like to revise most, is surely the subject you most enjoy (and in some cases what you struggle on). Showing you're interested in a course will also help; what have you done that applies to your course?
2. Make everything relevant
Is the work experience you're mentioning important to your course? How do the extra-curricular activities I take part in link to my course? Ensuring that everything you say is relevant to your course ensures that you make use of every character of your 4000-word limit. If you're going to apply to one of the top universities e.g. Oxbridge, they like Academia. However, other Universities may want to know more personal information, what would make you a good University student? The work-experience and extra-curricular activities can also be useful to show what skills you have and can bring to your university. Show the skills that will lead you to be a good academic, a good university student. For example, My Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition shows teamwork and communication.
3. Your personal statement should be like a story
It should have a beginning, middle and end. For your introduction, what sparked your attraction to the subject you want to study? Do you have any knowledge of the subject you want to study at University e.g, have you done further reading? How will this course help you achieve your goals, whether that be a job or future study?
For you middle, mention any skills that would help you in your university course and would be relevant? Can you give examples of how you gained/developed these skills? Are you willing to learn? And how can you show this in your personal statement?
For your ending, finish with a summary of what you have said in your personal statement. This can also include what you want to do in the future and how this course will help you in the future too. From reading examples of personal statements, it should flow from one paragraph to another and you shouldn't lie about what you have done. In addition to this, Universities have a plagiarism system, so if you copy off someone else's work, they will most likely know and you may risk not getting a place. Something I have also learned from my research is that if you're doing a joint degree, e.g. I want to do Sociology and Psychology, you should talk about why you want to do both sides of the course and don't mention a specific university as your personal statement goes to all five of your University choices.
4. Drafting is important
Draft your personal statements as many times as you need and keep getting feedback. The more feedback you receive, the better your personal statement can become. Putting time and effort into your personal statement can really help in the future. If you rush it, it will show when the admissions office read your personal statement.
I hope this helps you as it is currently helping you. As I haven't written my personal statement yet, I will make a follow-up post afterwards about what I have learned from it and any additional information that will help people in the future. If you're currently writing your personal statement, I wish you luck <3
All the information above is what I have learned from the videos linked below and help from my college.
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcLwTjsDGwU&t=971s -Video offering tips on how to write a personal statement if you want to go to a top U.K. University.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pod4IBAck5E - Short video outlining the important parts of your personal statement.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWxFVtSUAsQ&t=209s -Professors at Birmingham University saying what they want to see in personal statements for different subjects.
4. https://www1.essex.ac.uk/outreach/documents/personal-statement-writing-guide.pdf -This is the booklet that my college gave me to help.
Friday, August 31, 2018
What I learnt from Year 12!
Year 12 is a scary and unknown time; you've just passed your GCSE's and suddenly you're shoved into the whirlwind that is A-levels. For me, Year 12 was a confusing and dramatic time in the beginning before slowly working itself out in the end.
At the start of Year 12, I had gotten into one of the best sixth forms in my area, which had some of the best A-level results. I went there for two days, before leaving to look at my current college. It was crowded, unfriendly and there was too much pressure for me too early. The current college I'm at is drab, boring and is full of people I have grown to dislike, but I have also found a supportive friendship group and a way of working that suited me best. Whilst if I had stayed at my original college, I wouldn't have been happy, but also wouldn't have the stresses of poor teaching I have now. As the year went on, A-levels became 'easier' in terms of the jump between A-levels and GCSE's closing.
In light of my first year at college, I have learned many things and the select few I have chosen to talk about I hope will help you in your first year of college too.
1. Go where you know you will work best.
At my current college, the grades you get and the experience out of college are down to you. I find the teaching isn't the best, but I do the work myself and the teachers aren't on your back about revision and extra work. For me, this works best. I can motivate myself and I know this will help me in the future with the university when the work is down to you. However, this might not work for everyone. If you work best with reminders and constant help from teachers then go somewhere where the teaching support is the best you can find. If you prefer to work independently, go somewhere that promotes independent studying and learning.
2. Consistent revision is better than revising only during exam times
One of the biggest things I have learnt is constant revision is better than only revising during exam times. If there are no exams, spend a few hours a day going through notes or flashcards on a topic you did that day or topics you find hard or complicated. This way when it comes to exams and you have to ramp up the amount of revision you're doing, you should find it easier to learn or go over things as you have been constantly going over them and there hasn't been a large gap between that class or week you learned something and the exams. This constant revision doesn't have to be much! For me, it's retyping up my notes from that day's classes and making flashcards on them or going through some old flashcards. As quoted from Tesco's, "every little helps!"
3. Get your homework done as soon as you get it!
Whilst this seems a very obvious thing to know, it's something I massively failed to do in my first year of college. I wasn't only not doing the work, but I would chuck any sheets I was given away and would do essays the night before they were due. As awful as this seems, I was prioritising revision more than anything else. However, looking back I should have done the homework I was given as it would have helped massively with understanding specific topics, especially in Psychology. From this, I now know that keep organised on homework with a planner is essential! Keeping on top of all my homework would have helped massively, even if I did it on the bus (I have a 2-hour bus journey home every night!).
4. Look out for every opportunity!
Going and doing loads of different things at my college has really helped me boost my confidence this year and has taught me a range of different things! The two main opportunities I took this year was my Gold Duke of Edinburgh and going to Poland to see the concentration camps. My DofE has taught me all about teamwork and has boosted my confidence by pushing me to go and do some volunteering and has even helped improve the *look* of my C.V. The Poland trip was both fun and disturbing. I was having fun with my friends when we had free time in the city, but the concentration camps were scary and horrifyingly chilly to walk around. Both of these things were an amazing opportunity and I would have regretted it massively if it didn't take them. Every opportunity is worth it, you never know what it can help you in or what it can teach you!
College is supposed to be fun and daunting. The task of next years exams stresses me out to a point I don't even think it's worth continuing, but in the end, all your hard work and effort will pay off. You won't be left behind if you have worked hard and know your stuff. Have fun at college, work hard and it will pay off.
In the words of my GCSE R.E teacher: "you get the grades you deserve".
At the start of Year 12, I had gotten into one of the best sixth forms in my area, which had some of the best A-level results. I went there for two days, before leaving to look at my current college. It was crowded, unfriendly and there was too much pressure for me too early. The current college I'm at is drab, boring and is full of people I have grown to dislike, but I have also found a supportive friendship group and a way of working that suited me best. Whilst if I had stayed at my original college, I wouldn't have been happy, but also wouldn't have the stresses of poor teaching I have now. As the year went on, A-levels became 'easier' in terms of the jump between A-levels and GCSE's closing.
In light of my first year at college, I have learned many things and the select few I have chosen to talk about I hope will help you in your first year of college too.
1. Go where you know you will work best.
At my current college, the grades you get and the experience out of college are down to you. I find the teaching isn't the best, but I do the work myself and the teachers aren't on your back about revision and extra work. For me, this works best. I can motivate myself and I know this will help me in the future with the university when the work is down to you. However, this might not work for everyone. If you work best with reminders and constant help from teachers then go somewhere where the teaching support is the best you can find. If you prefer to work independently, go somewhere that promotes independent studying and learning.
2. Consistent revision is better than revising only during exam times
One of the biggest things I have learnt is constant revision is better than only revising during exam times. If there are no exams, spend a few hours a day going through notes or flashcards on a topic you did that day or topics you find hard or complicated. This way when it comes to exams and you have to ramp up the amount of revision you're doing, you should find it easier to learn or go over things as you have been constantly going over them and there hasn't been a large gap between that class or week you learned something and the exams. This constant revision doesn't have to be much! For me, it's retyping up my notes from that day's classes and making flashcards on them or going through some old flashcards. As quoted from Tesco's, "every little helps!"
3. Get your homework done as soon as you get it!
Whilst this seems a very obvious thing to know, it's something I massively failed to do in my first year of college. I wasn't only not doing the work, but I would chuck any sheets I was given away and would do essays the night before they were due. As awful as this seems, I was prioritising revision more than anything else. However, looking back I should have done the homework I was given as it would have helped massively with understanding specific topics, especially in Psychology. From this, I now know that keep organised on homework with a planner is essential! Keeping on top of all my homework would have helped massively, even if I did it on the bus (I have a 2-hour bus journey home every night!).
4. Look out for every opportunity!
Going and doing loads of different things at my college has really helped me boost my confidence this year and has taught me a range of different things! The two main opportunities I took this year was my Gold Duke of Edinburgh and going to Poland to see the concentration camps. My DofE has taught me all about teamwork and has boosted my confidence by pushing me to go and do some volunteering and has even helped improve the *look* of my C.V. The Poland trip was both fun and disturbing. I was having fun with my friends when we had free time in the city, but the concentration camps were scary and horrifyingly chilly to walk around. Both of these things were an amazing opportunity and I would have regretted it massively if it didn't take them. Every opportunity is worth it, you never know what it can help you in or what it can teach you!
College is supposed to be fun and daunting. The task of next years exams stresses me out to a point I don't even think it's worth continuing, but in the end, all your hard work and effort will pay off. You won't be left behind if you have worked hard and know your stuff. Have fun at college, work hard and it will pay off.
In the words of my GCSE R.E teacher: "you get the grades you deserve".
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