[Bells]

I’m doing this at the moment, writing my Personal Statement etc. It’s doing my head in! I was thinking of taking a gap year next year and then re-applying with the grades I ACTUALLY get, as that’s far more reliable than predicted grades IMO. Unless I do rubbish and need to take a gap year anyway to sort re-takes out.

Right now things are pretty relaxed but I can’t see it getting any calmer soon. The universities I apply to this year depends on what I’m predicted, but I’m trying to apply to universities that will at least consider General Studies – that way I’ve got a bit of a back-up.

[Polka.dot]

good luck . i 'm on a gap year right now so am applying again.. deferred entry.

[Retroman]

Im doing the same, for the second time since last year...
As I got accepted but turned it down due to specific reasons, mainly the accomodation.

Im just trying to establish whether it's possible to apply purely from home? without the aid of college. As when I applied through college, there was a specific password needed and the college posted £15 to UCAS for us then suddenly we were able to apply, and im not sure how that was enabled.

My advice would be to apply for courses that you're capable of applying for with your predicted grades and just make sure you do well and complete all work to the best of your ability...which would practically ensure you get the required grades/marks.

If for some reason you didn't do enough to get on any of the courses you wanted, you could either assume 1. A gap year would come in handy to get things back on track, perhaps gain a little money and properly prepare yourself for uni etc. 2. If you genuinely tried your hardest and failed, perhaps uni will prove even more difficult and there wouldn't be much point in going.

I hate that to sound insulting btw, im much more leaning towards the idea that you'll put in maximum effort and pass. But just, if by some random occurance you didn't manage it, well...that wouldn't look good for a future at university.

[Bells]

I think you could apply from home. Because I'm sure many people do, e.g. those who are home-schooled. Alternatively, there may be an institution from which those who wish to apply can do so through there. I would suggest ringing UCAS, but then they are known not to be the most reliable ever.

And I agree about what you say. It's not really insulting, seeing as it's the truth! I'll just have to see what happens, and not let things slip this year even though I'm not 100% sure if I'll be going to university in 2008.

Good luck with your applications, by the way. Where are you applying and for what course etc.?

[Retroman]

Two places im definitely applying for are Brighton Universitry and Northbrook college in Worthing, which does university courses and is literally on my street. Which would be appropriate for saving money on accomodation/moving out etc.

I'll try to find 2-3 other universities within the next few days and hopefully add them to the list.

As for the actual course...
Im thinking of doing Multimedia and Graphics Design joint honours.

If not that, then perhaps a full on Graphics/Multimedia course, or Multimedia and Social/general studies at the same time.

How about yourself? course wise, and if you could apply anywhere/had the required grades where would you go?

[Bells]

That sounds good. Your course sounds really interesting.

I was thinking of doing French, then English Literature and do a conversion course later before further studying or whatever. Then I thought Business/Economics. And I've got a course that interests me which is Law & Economics combined. Alternatively, Law & French. But I'm not sure seeing as the grade requirements are pretty high for most of them.

And I've looked at numerous universities so am finding it hard to choose based on my predicted grades (which don't seem to be fixed at the moment). I've looked at Cardiff, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Leicester. All pretty good but they want AAB/ABB generally, so the standards are quite high. What also upsets me, is that our careers adviser is really mean and keeps making me feel worse about my choices etc.

[Retroman]

Besides English Literature it sounds as though you're planning on doing practically everything im no good at lol...
Which I can only assume means they're pretty difficult, hence the high grade requirements.

Im not too sure what to say on the careers adviser situation, as im sure many would tell you to listen to them and take their advice. You can do anything you want to do, especially if you think it'll benefit you for what you want to do in the future...I suppose it's all about assessing whether or not the work load will be too much.

Then again, if you get on the course in the first place, they wouldn't accept you if they didn't think you were capable? so you should be free to pick out anything you want without being told otherwise.

The only time id suggest against it, is if you wanted to become a P.E teacher so you decided to study Art and mathematics lol, or something similar. As long as you're interested in the subjects though, you have every right to study subjects you're interested in whether they relate to your future job or not im thinking.

So what do you want to do with yourself after university?

[Bells]

Yeah, I'm just going to look around a bit more and make more choices, seeing as I've got time. I think I'll do that.
Thanks for the encouraging words! To be honest, it's just the way she is - she makes you feel quite inferior pretty easily. But right now is about making your own decisions I think, with a bit of guidance perhaps.

And as for after university, I'm not completely sure. I don't think I'm going to uni solely for the 'uni life', because I do actually want to get a lot out of it. But as for a career, I don't really know. When you're young, it's difficult to make such big decisions, I think. So I'm just going to try and get the degree and see where it takes me.

I always thought I'd be the sort of person to have my entire life mapped out for ages, but it hasn't worked out like that. I'm genuinely just going with the flow. You seem to have a clear idea though.

[Sunny_01]

The problem with "getting a degree" that you are not sure about using in the future is you could find yourself studying for several years only to find your degree is of no use to you and you end up on a low income even after all the hard work you have done.

Look at the possible career options available to you if you decide to go ahead with any of the courses you are interested in, you might find that helps you with the decision making process. Look at the Universities in the NE, Northumbria, Teeside, Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle, they all have excellent courses that fit in with your course choices.

If you are not keen on your careers bod then pop along to your local connexions service for a little independent advice and guidance, it's free and confidential and hopefully they will not look down on you.

[Bells]

Thanks for the advice Sunny. I definitely don't want my years to go to waste.
And, incidentally, I have arranged to meet up with people who can help more outside of college - so we'll see how that goes. Hopefully it should help.

[Sunny_01]

Glad to hear it helped a little and that you are getting some external help, your careers adviser sounds a right bag!!!

Good luck