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10 Tips For Starting University

Updated: Apr 28, 2023

Being halfway through my second year of University, I had been thinking about my time here so far in Nottingham, and it sparked the idea to post some tips and hints for people thinking of starting University over the next years, or people who will be starting in the next academic year. I actually made a video back in 2017 with some University Tips, so I’ll link that video below, as well as listing 10 other things I would recommend you doing before starting to settle into your student accomodation!


My University Tips from 2017!!



(1)- CURRICULUM VITAE & PERSONAL STATEMENT

When you do leave school and want to progress your education life further, you will need to make sure that you at least have a draft of a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a personal statement; which is just a little paragraph to sell yourself to not only the Universities you are applying for, but for jobs, future employers etc. One extra thing that I would add with this, is that if you have references, just put ‘References available on request’ otherwise the University/employers might not actually read the ones you have noted…


(2) TALK ABOUT YOURSELF

Universities, Colleges and places of work are looking for unique individuals or people that actually have a passion for the subject they are applying for. If someone was to say something like; ‘Tell me more about youself’ or ‘How would your friends describe you?’, it would be a little challenging to answer at first, but remember, there can be NO wrong answer because you’re talking about yourself. Keep it short and remember they don’t want to hear your life story, so sell yourself quickly. Another thing to note here, if you do have any weaknesses, explain what you are trying to do/going to do in order to tackle it.


(3) SCHOOL LIFE/EXPERIENCE

Other questions that might be asked include anything relating to your school life or education whilst at school. These could include;


-What your school is like generally? (Education?, Facilities?, Teachers?, Subject options?, Lunch menu?)

-What you picked for GCSE’s and A Levels (and why?)

-What did you enjoy the most/least about your school experience?


Just make sure you don’t say too many negative things about your school life, but maybe include how it may have changed you as a person, and/or why the certain subjects you chose for GCSE’s and A Levels could be beneficial for starting a University degree in whichever subject you want to continue studying at a higher level. Maybe think about how your A Levels work well together, and which areas of work overlap…


(4) RESEARCH THE UNIVERSITY & THE COURSE

Most of the time, people will base a University choice on the location; for example, I come from North London, England, and I felt like I wanted to move somewhere up north and experience a different way of life. London is a great city and there are so many great things to do, but it is somewhere I have been my whole life, and starting University I wanted to be somewhere far enough away from family and friends so that I could have an extended social life, but also close enough to home so that I could visit or people could visit me.

Other factors that you need to consider when picking a University or a specific degree are the following;


-Firstly, why do you want to go to University?- (Social Life, Get away from home, Further education, Night life, Make new friends etc)

-Why do you want to study this particular degree?

-Why this University? (think about Accomodation, Travel options to University, Distance from home, Good/Bad reputation of the University but also the area etc)

-Why should the University offer you a place?

-What do you already know/want to know more about this course?

-What attracts you to study this course? (Specific modules?, Practical/Theoretical side of work? etc)


The one main piece of advice to finding the ‘Perfect University & Course’ for you, is if you attend an open day on campus. I went to several open days at different Universities including East Anglia, Southampton Solent, Winchester and Oxford Brookes, but thought Nottingham Trent had the best mix of factors for me. The accomodation was well priced and I literally only needed to walk 10 seconds to get to my lectures, the lecturers/staff were very helpful and I could easily approach them if I had any worries, and the general vibe of Nottingham was great both in the daytime and at night.


(5) SUBJECT QUESTIONS

When applying for a particular course, the University might ask you some questions about why you picked the topic and see your understanding of it. They obviously don’t expect you to be an expert but they obviously only want to take on students who have a REAL passion and understanding of the topic.

You have some previous knowledge about the topic, so that’s more than helpful to bring up into conversation. For example, if you decide to study Media like myself, you could bring up any media related projects you have done in the past (like a blog, a YouTube channel, music videos, collaborations with company, Photography skills etc) so they know you have a creative background and can find out more information about what YOU do.


(6) COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTIONS

The best way in order to approach these sorts of questions, is to simply ask yourself what skills would be needed for this specific degree…(Time management? Creativity? Teamwork? Communication? etc); and then think about when you had put any (or all) or those key skills to use.

The question may be phrased something along the lines of this:


‘Give an example of a time when you showed leadership skills’

‘Give an example of a time when you showed a positive attitude and were motivated’

‘Give an example of a time when you held a position of authority/responsibility’


(7) TAKING A GAP YEAR

And no…a ‘GAP YEAR’ isn’t a ‘Greek and Proud year’ or a ‘Gay and Proud year’; as much as I would like it to be, but if you aren’t applying for University as soon as you have finished college or A Levels, the University may just ask some simple questions as to why that was your choice.

These could include questions like:


‘Why are you planning on taking a gap year?/Why did you take a gap year?’

‘What are you planning on doing during your gap year? (Working? Travelling? etc)


Basically, this isn’t the time when you should brag about going somewhere to get wasted, or just sit at home all day every day and be lazy for the year; but point out why a gap year would be beneficial for you and how it could have already developed you as a person, but also for life. This could include improving your social skills, helping you to gain more confidence, network and meet new people, experiencing in the work place, a year to develop yourself whilst overcoming difficult situations etc…


(8) ASPIRATIONS AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

Schools and Universities want to take on as many students as they can, but they are obviously thinking ahead into the future and how each individual student can be successful in their own rights. A good tip here, is to start thinking about what industry you want to go when you’ve finished University, or the sort of job role you would like an opportunity to flourish in once you have finished your education. You may be studying something like Maths at University, but want to go into a scientific job, or you could be studying Fashion, and want to be an accountant?


But at the end of the day, you don’t need to pin point a specific job or industry; you just want to start thinking about ideas so that over the few years you are at University, you know which sort of path you want to go down…


(9) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The best way to prepare for interviews or conversations in the ‘real world’ are to practice beforehand. You could ask one of your school teachers to host a mock interview with you, so that if you are faced with any questions you’re unsure of how to answer, you have had that practice beforehand which could be beneficial for you. You could also ask friends, family, colleagues…or find other students who are currently at University studying the course you are interested in and see if they can give you any advice. There’s plenty of student support sites including ‘The Student Room’.


(10) JUST BE THE REAL YOU!

My final tip is simple. Be yourself. There’s no point trying to be someone else, or fake your personality; because the University will be able to notice that straightaway as they have hundreds and thousands of students coming to their University every year, and they can always spot those people who are being a little bit ‘not themselves’. But also, it’s not the way to make friends or connections with those in the industry…Some people say ‘you have to fake it to make it’  but University should be one of the only exceptions because it’s real life and can possibly determine whether you have a successful or unsuccessful future. I would just say, be yourself, have fun, have a laugh, and at the end of the day if you don’t decide to go to University, there are plenty of other paths for you to choose;


-Work Placement/Experience

-Apprenticeships and Traineeships

-School Leaver programmes

-Start applying for jobs


…and there’s a whole list of potential opportunities on the UCAS website, so I’ll leave a link to the page for anyone debating whether to go to University or not. Honestly, I was sceptical to begin with but I have LOVED my first year (and second year so far). Yes, it’s difficult and there’s a massive jump from Secondary school to University, but it’s all worth it in the end.

Here’s the link to the UCAS website if you’re unsure whether to go to University, or want to look at other options:


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