Friday 23 August 2013

Results and Looking Forward

Hello!

Sorry its taken me over a week to update this since A Level results came out, which was a week ago! It doesn't seem two days since I was up most of Wednesday night, refreshing Track to see if I'd got into my firm University...

and I did!

I somehow managed to meet my predicted grades of AAB when I was on BBB after January's results. I resat a few modules and turned out with the grades I needed and I'm ecstatic! I don't think it will sink in fully until I get there either; but its a great feeling to know my hard work finally paid off!

Thank you for everyone for reading this, I hope it gave you an insight on the goings on of applying to University through UCAS, choosing courses and a University. I hope it was of some help to you all out there!

Good luck to all those starting University next month or who have just collected their AS results and are starting their applications!

Thank you again,

Clara x




Tuesday 11 June 2013

The End is Here!

Hello,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while but I've been revising and sitting exams. I had 3 A2's in June and had my last this morning - thank heavens! My exams went okay-ish... I can never judge how well they go so it will be a long wait until August. Here's hoping I get the grades for my firm or insurance!

As for the wait until August, I hoped I wold get a job, but after 20 plus applications and nothing back, I'm guessing that won't happen! What times we live in...

Anyways, I hope exams went well for everyone and there were no surprises on the papers. Good luck to anyone who is still sitting them; I know they drag on until the end of June.

Thank you for reading,

Clara x

P.S. As for an update on my application, I have sorted out Student Finance as well as my accommodation for both choices! Bring on September!

Thursday 28 March 2013

REVISION

Hi guys!

I'm almost done with my first week of the Easter holidays and my revision is underway. It doesn't seem like 2 minutes since I was revising for January modules but these are the last A Level exams!

I have 5 this May/June - 

 - 1 Economics resit and 1 A2 Economics exam
 - 1 History resit and 1 A2 exam and 
 - 1 English Lit exam.

Unfortunately, study leave is not until the end of May and by then I will have already done my resit exams. So I've been sorting out all of my notes for my resits and making new ones for my new exams. I just want to fast-forward to July when they're all over...

Exam timetables never really work for me - I always make one but never fully follow it through. I usually sit down in a morning, do an hour, have a 10 minute break or so (I'm currently on one now!) and then get back to it. Rewards are a good way to stay motivated - an hour of this topic and then I play on Hay Day or Temple Run. Its impossible to sit for hours and stay concentrated... I know some say they wake up at 6am and work solidly until 6pm; this just doesn't work for me. Take breaks and don't burn out! 

Starting revision is always the hardest part and I have to force myself to sit down and start - I think its the thought of it that's so hard! First, I take the syllabus from the exam board (which can be found on their websites) and go through that, making notes on each topic. Then condensing it to revision cards and posters for my walls.

I use revision cards for definitions, diagrams and quotes and also post-it notes which go all round my room and bathroom so I can read it when getting ready in the morning. 

I try to do all past papers, questions and essays that I can find - again, all found online. Although if you are on a more recent A Level course, this may be hard to find. And I try to time myself doing a past paper too.

Good luck to everyone doing exams this summer! And especially to us Year 13's who are doing our last A Level exams!

Clara x

P.S. Update on UCAS - I've already said I've firmed and insured, now its the task of Student Finance and accommodation to sort out! They're on my to-do list for today :)

Friday 15 March 2013

Decisions = Made!

Hello again!

I haven't posted since January results came out - was that only a week ago? Wow! And a few things have changed in the past week:

1. I went on my final Applicant Day on Wednesday and I loved it! The department was great, the University seems lovely and I really like the accommodation too. We had a general academic talk and a folder which contained personalised information about the course, such as the modules on offer study abroad information. Next was refreshments and an opportunity to talk to current students and lecturers - the students all seemed to really enjoy the course, which was positive. (Although, everything should be taken with a pinch of salt, as the students are probably paid for it!) Next was a tour of the Student's Union and library and then a tour of the accommodation. Everything was very impressive and so...

2. I replied to my offers on UCAS Track. You can reply to your offers anytime up until the 8th May, I believe, but I made my mind up and wanted to reply now. So I have declined 3 offers, insured 1 and firmed the last. Very exciting!! The insurance choice was one with lower entry requirements than my firm, but I really wouldn't mind either! This also means I can start applying for University accommodation and has given me extra motivation for this year. Fingers crossed I get the grades!

3. I started Student Finance. This is the body all applicants have to go through to receive the loans for Tuition and Maintenance and the Maintenance grants too. Loans are to be paid back when you start earning, grants are not.TSR break down S.F. really well, I shall link it here. The closing date to apply for 2013/2014 entry is 31st May and I've read that its best to get it sorted sooner, rather than later - or else you may not have anything to live on come the start of term! I still haven't finished it, as you need to put in your parent's combined household income and answer a lot of questions, but I hope I get it done soon.

That's it for now! I'm on the home straight with Easter holidays starting next week on 22nd March and then I leave school for study leave on 24th May. Still can't believe I'm so close to finishing! Work is still piling up - next week is my final deadlines for both English and History coursework so I'm focusing on that for now... and then revision will start all over again!

Thank you for reading,

Clara x

Thursday 7 March 2013

January Results!

Hi guys,

So today was module results from January exams and I have been so worried about them! I couldn't sleep last night and I was up really early this morning so I was in school early to collect them.

I knew that I hadn't done brilliantly as none of my exams went that great and my results were so-so... I'm still on track to get the grades I need for my first choice University, which is the main thing! I've been calculating what UMS I need to get the grades I need in August, so it should all work out. Hopefully... 

If you got results today, I hope you got what you deserve! Remember that its just a module, and you can resit in June, so don't worry if you haven't done as well as you'd hope. Also, if you are in AS year, they are a big jump from GCSE so don't be disappointed and use this as a wake-up call for June! If you are in A2 like me... you can be disappointed with me ;)

Make sure you look at the UMS and not the grade, as that's what is added together to make your final grade. UMS grade boundaries can be found online on exam board websites, although your teachers will have this information too. 

I hope today went well for you all! Not much has been happening with me... mainly coursework and homework and starting the last unit of A Levels! I have my last applicant day next week and then I will make my choices on UCAS Track :)

Thank you for reading,

Clara xx

Saturday 9 February 2013

Update and all about Applicant Days

Hello again!

Its a while since I last updated as I've been busy in school completing both English and History coursework as well as getting in the swing of homework after January modules. Early next month (I believe its the 8th March) results are out and I'm so nervous and worried... Most of my exams didn't go too well and the ones that went better weren't exactly perfect. I need to keep my grades up to get into the two Universities that I've narrowed down to be my top choices. A Levels are so hard!

I've also been on two Applicant Days, one on 30th January and one today, 9th February. Applicant Days are basically days organised for applicants that already have offers for that course. It included various talks about the course such as the modules on offer, how students are tested and how many will be in lectures. There was also an opportunity to look at accommodation and to take a tour of the campus and the city. Today, students went off for an informal Q and A with a lecturer from the department and current students which was useful to ask anything that wasn't covered in the talks as well as getting a student's prospective. Although anything said should be taken with a pinch of salt - the picture painted at every Uni seems to be perfect!

Its a really good idea to go and see the University for yourself - just like on Open Days. However, be warned that any talks you will have on an Open Day will be more than likely repeated on the Applicant Day - not great if they weren't that inspiring/informative the first time! (Universities - take note! Please get a lecturer who knows something about the course and not someone who simply reads off a PowerPoint!)

I have two more Applicant Days to go, one in two weeks and one on 13th March which I'm very excited for! I decided against going to the one which gave me a higher offer than I'm predicted... just because I doubt I'm going to get it and I don't want to firm it and miss out in August.

I hope your applications are all going well and I hope offers are coming in too! Good luck :) Also, if you're on half term like I am - make sure you take the time to relax! We all need and deserve a week off after January!


Clara x

Monday 28 January 2013

JANUARY MODULES ARE OVER!

Hello!

Wow, it feels so good to write the above title!

I haven't updated in a while because of exams but today was my 6th and final one! I can't believe they're over - they felt never ending. Well done everyone for getting through them, I know they totally ruin your Christmas having them! Good luck to everyone who sat them and I hope you get the results you deserve in March.

Nothing much has happened with my UCAS application - still sitting on my offers. I have 5 Applicant Days coming up with my first on Wednesday and I'm excited to see the Universities again! It'll be good to seriously check out the facilities and the accommodation, which will influence my decision on my firm and insurance choice. I still don't know which my favourite is and I hope these days will help me decide! It’s nice to look at them with the idea of actually attending one next September (if all goes to plan)... although it’s quite daunting too!

I don't know what to expect on an Applicant Day but I may do a post on it after Wednesday.

I hope everyone got their application in on time and I hope offers are coming thick and fast for everyone!

Thank you for reading,

Clara



P.S. I don't plug this often, but if you like my blog I'd appreciate if you voted for me for 'Blogger of the Month' here. Thank you again!