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Ideas, insight and inspiration. Direct to your inbox on Tuesdays.
Previous newsletters
Applying for accommodation, Geoff Norcott, the confusion of foundation courses, and the definition of happiness.
This week we have a look at all the different options for accommodation as you head off to university, including guarantees and application deadlines.
We try to break down some of the complications and misunderstandings around foundation courses.
And we hear a very wise man’s definition of happiness.
Budgeting at university, last minute problems, and three types of decision.
After last week’s introduction to fees, loans and grants, this week we look at how to budget and how to manage your money while at university.
We consider one very good reason why you should never, ever leave applications of any type to the last minute.
And we learn about hats, haircuts and tattoos, and what they can teach you about decision making.
Student finance basics, UCAS Discovery, and humankind's greatest achievement.
This week we make an abrupt 180 degree turn, from last week’s ancient Roman philosophy, to one of the most critical and practical challenges for all students: understanding student finance.
We find out about UCAS Discovery Exhibitions, which start this week.
And we learn why education should not be seen merely as a hoop for you to jump through.
Resilience and stoicism, taking an EPQ, and developing a passion for learning.
This week we follow up last month's article about career happiness, with a look at two more critical aspects of happiness: resilience and stoicism.
We also look at the impact of taking an EPQ on admissions.
And we hear about what happens if you develop a passion for learning.
Crazy competitive courses, UCAS Extra, and thinking like a Roman Emperor.
This week we look at why some universities are so ridiculously hard to get into. Spoiler; it’s not about how hard the course is.
We remind ourselves that UCAS Extra opens very soon!
And we are introduced to some stoic thinking by a Roman Emperor.
UCAS Extra and Clearing, Student Finance, and the truth about prestige.
This week we take a look at UCAS Extra and Clearing, both of which could be really important options for you if things don’t go quite as you expect.
We also take a first look at university funding for UK students.
And we hear about prestige and how it can warp your beliefs.
Your final UCAS choices, preparing for university, and making life-size decisions.
This week we look at how to make your final UCAS decisions, narrowing your choices from five, to two universities.
We look at two excellent resources to help you prepare for your big move to university.
And we look at a simple model for making life-size decisions: just be happy, smart and useful!
Career happiness, bad treatment by universities, and a little gem from Hugh Laurie.
This week we look at parental pressure and what this has to do with your career happiness.
We also look at what to do if a university treats you badly during the admissions process.
And we hear a gem of an idea from actor Hugh Lawrie.
University branding, the real UCAS deadline, and what education is actually for.
This week we look at something a bit off-beat: university branding.
Now I’m very aware that in 25 years of working in universities I’ve never had a single student show the remotest interest in university branding.
But that’s what makes this newsletter a bit different, right? Because if you want to find a university that matches your values, and fits your personality, there is 100% something to learn from the way universities brand themselves.
We also learn a super-important fact about the UCAS deadline.
And we hear an interesting philosophical take on what education is really for.
Are university rankings helpful? And two ideas to help you spend 80,000 hours on the right thing.
This week we look closely at university rankings and league tables. What are they? What do people in the sector think about them? And are they of any help to you?
We also look at an amazing website that can help you work out how to make a real difference in your career.
And the penny drops on an unbelievably simple, but massively important idea about choosing a career and a course.
Are you a driver, or a passenger? Pressure selling. And a thought from Banksy.
This week we have a look at who is actually driving your university choices, and ask four questions which will help keep you honest.
We have a look at why ‘pressure selling’ by universities is not OK.
And we hear from Banksy on taking initiative.
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.