Advice

From packing essential kitchenware and figuring out where to buy your bedding to signing up for every fresher’s week event, the preparation and excitement for studying abroad can often become overwhelming.

By now, many of you are likely in multiple group chats to get to know your fellow students and purchasing early bird discounts on your tickets to fresher’s week events. But before you fill your schedule to the brim, here’s a checklist of crucial tasks in the recommended order of importance to tackle first to ensure a stress-free arrival to the UK. 

Congratulations! You have secured a place at university – a huge achievement and the start of a new and exciting chapter in your life. 

As you prepare to start this new journey, it is normal to feel a mix of anticipation and excitement. To ensure you hit the ground running and make the most of your university experience, here is a simple guide with practical advice on how to prepare for university life.  

What are the steps to successfully apply to university? The following stages are likely familiar to you:

Students will have to weigh up many factors when researching university options. For those who are willing to take a leap into new areas, here are some destinations that offer English-speaking bachelor programmes beyond the top three international student destinations of the US, UK and Canada. 

As a school counsellor, I often encounter students and parents, grappling with the prospect of a gap year: “I don’t know what to do, I didn’t get into any of the universities I wanted to go to.” 

With dejected faces, misty eyes and slumped shoulders, they struggle to come to terms with their situation. This guide aims to help students navigate their gap year with purpose and enthusiasm, enabling them to view it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity rather than a wasted year.

A-level results day is a crucial moment for students. If you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for, it doesn’t necessarily mean an immediate change of plans is required. It’s essential to take a step back and consider what your results mean for you. 

Are you aiming for a specific career that requires certain qualifications or are you looking forward to campus life and the opportunity to live away from home and explore a new city? Having these conversations beforehand can help you make informed decisions if things don’t go as planned.