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A growth mindset, Uniscoops, and the benefits of looking for doubt.
This week we learn all about what it means to have a growth mindset, and how it really is critical as you learn and develop.
We hear about Uniscoops, a rather wonderful initiative from a couple of Oxford students.
And we hear some pretty challenging advice from Mark Manson, author of “The Subtle Art of not giving a F*ck”.
Studying smarter not harder, knowing your fee status, and why it’s not always best to be the smartest person in the room.
This week, we look at three techniques that can help you study smarter, but not harder, for your mock exams.
We look at a super useful website for those unsure of their tuition fee status.
And we find out why it is not normally a good idea to be the smartest person in the room.
Applicant visit days, understanding that universities are only human, and learning from the mistakes of others.
This week we look at UCAS Applicant Visit Days; how they differ from Open Days, and how to make the very best of your visit.
We also have a look at what to do if there seems to be an error in your admissions offer.
And we find out that sometimes making our own mistakes isn’t the only way to learn.
Hard data on why go to university, your most hidden superpower, and the paradox of resilience.
This week we look at hard data and official statistics behind the idea that university will get you a good job.
We discover a new, hidden superpower to help you get better grades: sleep.
And we hear about the paradox of resilience.
Going to university to get a good job, applying twice to the same university, and keeping away from 'small' people.
This week we ask whether going to university will get you a good job. And if that’s not guaranteed, what exactly will university give you?
We look at whether you are really more likely to get a place by applying twice to your favourite university.
And we look at the importance of surrounding yourself with the right kind of people.
Falling in love... with learning, making informed choices, and what the top achievers have in common.
This week we take a dive into why you are planning to go to university. What are the good reasons, the bad reasons, and what might just be the best reason of all!
We also check out a fantastic resource from The Russell Group.
And we learn about what all the top achievers have in common.
Personal Statement feedback, university offers, and some extraordinary inspiration.
This week we look at how to get the best possible feedback on your UCAS Personal Statement.
We look at how universities might make very different admissions offers from those stated on their website.
And we get some inspiration from the incredible Malala Yousafzai.
How to avoid becoming a drop out statistic, UCAS application basics, and why it's OK to be uncomfortable.
This week we look at the increasing problem of students not completing their degrees, and how you can avoid becoming one of them, with some self-care awareness, some financial planning, and some basic good decision-making.
We also look at some important UCAS application basics, and hear about the importance of being uncomfortable.
We need to talk about The Russell Group, Zero Gravity, and the simple truth about high performance.
This week we need to have a word about The Russell Group. It may be every Head Teacher’s dream to have as many of their students as possible go to Russell Group universities, but is there any substance behind it?
We also have a quick look at Zero Gravity, a start-up powering students from ordinary backgrounds into top universities.
And we finish with a universally positive thought from Jake Humphrey, TV presenter and all round top bloke.
How to prepare for university interviews, applying early, and one special ability that education gives you.
This week we take a full, in-depth look at university interviews. Quite simply, the more you know, the better prepared you can be!
We look at why it’s almost always a good idea to apply early.
And we hear about a special ability you can get from education.
The future of jobs and skills, your UCAS nomination, and the importance of learning how to learn.
This week our main article steps away directly from the university application process. For better or for worse, most people view university as a route to a better job. And jobs need skills. So what could be more important than understanding exactly what skills employers are looking for so you can make sure you develop them at university?
We then look at a small hack in the UCAS application form that might just help if things go wrong.
And finally a simple quote about what it really means to be educated.
Preparing a portfolio for Art and Design. Deadlines (and whether you need to meet them). And a classic thought from Mark Twain
This week we have a look at preparing a portfolio for Art and Design - and all those other related creative courses. We check the UCAS deadlines, and discuss whether you need to meet them. And we finish with a classic thought from Mark Twain.
Just who are Admissions tutors anyway? Leaving some UCAS choices til later. And what you learn from falling over.
This week we take a closer look at how universities make admissions decisions, and find out “Just who are Admissions tutors anyway?”.
We discuss whether there are any benefits from leaving some UCAS choices blank until later in the year. And we find out exactly what you learn from falling over.
How ambitious to be with your UCAS choices, Data Protection and your UCAS reference, and smart advice on getting what you want from life.
This week, we ask the question: How ambitious should you be with your UCAS choices? How do you turn all of that research you’ve done into a sensible list of five courses for your UCAS form?
We look at how Data Protection affects your right to see your UCAS reference. And we hear some smart advice from a successful entrepreneur on getting what you want from life.
Things to see, do and ask on an Open Day, the simple importance of checking your email, and careers advice from Barrack Obama.
If you are off to an open day this month, then this week’s lead article is for you. I use my 20 years of experience organising open days to help you see beyond the obvious, to make sure you see, do and ask all about the really important stuff!
We also discover a simple truth about universities and email, and we hear from one of the finest politicians ever to walk the planet.
10 things I learnt at Cambridge's Open Day, choosing a student recruitment agent, knowing your predicted grades, and the essentials of doing great work.
Once again, this week we lead with two very different articles.
Firstly, following my visit to the University of Oxford earlier in the summer, a friend suggested we meet up at the University of Cambridge Open Day. This week I give you the run down on my top 10 learnings from that Open Day.
Secondly, we have part 3 of our “Help me, it’s all getting a bit complicated…” trilogy. This time we look at what to look out for if you choose to apply through a student recruitment agent.
In addition, we look at the importance of knowing your predicted grades, and we learn the essentials of doing great work!
10 things I learnt at an Oxford Open Day, choosing an Independent Education Counsellor, the UCAS Tariff, and the importance of making mistakes... quickly.
This week we have a bit of a bonus, with two very different lead articles.
Firstly, I give you the run down on my top 10 learnings from attending a University of Oxford Open Day earlier in the summer.
Secondly, we have part 2 of our “Help me, it’s all getting a bit complicated…” trilogy. This time we look at how to choose an Independent Education Counsellor to help you with your university applications.
In addition, we find out a little bit about the UCAS tariff, and we learn the importance of making mistakes… quickly!
How to work best with your university counsellor, UCAS places still available, and a true superpower.
This week we look at how to get the very best from working with your school or college’s university counsellor. We also look at the number of courses still available in UCAS Clearing and how to access them. Finally, we discover a true superpower!
Changing your course through Clearing, not being defined by your grades, and what stops us learning
This week we look at how to change your course through Clearing, for any of the likely 20,000 of you who are currently having a change of heart about what, or where, to study. We also learn that grades are not everything. Not by a long shot. We also find out what one of the main barriers to learning is. And it’s not what you might expect.
Finding the ideal career, declaring special needs, and how to spend one hour a day.
This week we hear from Warren Buffett, who has a piece of advice that sounds like it would be impossible to follow. Except it isn’t, and I’m living proof. We learn what to do if you are applying to university and have special needs. And we hear about the difference that just one hour a day can make.