Six things I’d do if I were choosing a university course right now
OK, so I applied to universities in the 80s.
No league tables, no social media, and in fact no internet at all. Just a very large book in the school careers library with some serious lists in it. And a handful of prospectuses - though even those weren’t quite like the glossy brochures of recent years.
I basically chose on the basis of hearsay, reputation, and following in the footsteps of my siblings.
No disrespect to my siblings, but it was a pretty terrible way to choose a university.
Knowing what I now know, after a 30 year career spent in university marketing and admissions, it’s no surprise that if I had another chance, I’d do things a bit differently.
I’d start with the subject
As with most people, getting the right subject, taught in the right way, would be top of my agenda. I’ve never been a fan of academic study for its own sake, so while I recognise the benefit of understanding leading theories, I’d also want to know that I could apply that theory in real-world scenarios.
If I had my time again I’d probably want to study something to do with media. I’d look for a course that included a thorough grounding in communication theory, rhetoric, persuasion etc.; the sort of stuff I could apply whether writing speeches, making podcasts or shooting videos.
I’d also want to gain a good understanding of the media industry, the roles within it, and the skills required to progress my career.
But most of all I’d want to be able to write and create, doing enough practical work to demonstrate the skills I’d need in my first job. This could be done as part of course projects, but also as part of real world cases, through placements or internships.
I’d take every chance to try it out first
I know that study won’t always be fun and exciting, but neither do I want to be bored out of my skull with every lecture and course text. At a minimum the teaching needs to be interesting and challenging!
So as I explore my options I’d be heading to taster days, trying out on-line taster lectures and courses (like Springpod) and I’d be getting some of the core textbooks out of the library for a quick read.
I’d also be getting on to chat tools like Unibuddy and forums like The Student Room to see how actual students’ experiences match up to the promise of the prospectus.
I’d check out different types of location
I knew, even at 17, that I was a city boy. I only looked at big-city universities and excluded campus universities altogether. Now, having worked for more than five years at both Loughborough and Stirling, I’m sure I’d have settled in just fine as a student at either; doubtless I’d have found my crowd!
So perhaps this time around I’d at least go and visit one or two different types of university to see which gave me the feeling that I’d be happy and settled there.
I expect I was right though, and a university based in a large city is where I’d want to be!
I’d check out the extra-curricular activities available too
Knowing what I know now, I’d be looking closely at all the things students can do outside the classroom. Why? Because if I only focus on what is offered within my course, I know that I can never really stand out to employers.
And so I’d be looking at what else I can get involved in to give me experience and help me stand out. Things like student radio, the student newspaper, entrepreneurship opportunities, student representation, volunteering etc.
I’d want to know, what is available that is both interesting to me and relevant to the type of career I’m interested in pursuing?
I’d be super-thorough on my finances
Assuming I’m going to university straight after school, the first thing I’d do would be to have a really open and honest conversation with my parents about what financial support they could give me, and what their earnings are so I can check what loan or grant I’d be getting.
Then I’d be looking closely at the cost of living in the cities that I was considering, so I could work out the shortfall.
Assuming there is a shortfall, I’d then be looking at how to fill the gap with work. Can I get a job at university without detracting too much from my studies? Or can I work enough over summer to make what I need.
I’d make sure I had a rock solid fall-back within my choices
In some ways I was lucky. I studied in Scotland and already had five good Highers which were likely to secure me a place at a Scottish university.
But… I was a bit of an idiot. I wrote a terrible Personal Statement, and only applied to highly competitive universities.
By the time I got my offers from English universities it was already too late for me to work hard enough to meet their conditions. My offer for Edinburgh came through right at the last minute, almost certainly because their decision was marginal.
I’ll never know how close I came to not getting that offer, and finding myself only holding rejections and offers with unattainable conditions, but I certainly wouldn’t leave myself in that situation again.
I’d make sure I had a fall-back!
