University News Last updated 28 January 2021
Thousands of prospective students are being advised not to panic in a special new guide created by university experts to support young people applying for university in uncertain times.
Birmingham City University staff have published a new guide of top tips for students applying to universities across the country who may be experiencing stress or anxiety finalising their applications in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The guide has been published on the eve of the UCAS application deadline, with thousands of prospective students across the country preparing to submit their applications.
It includes tips on where to seek advice, how to select the right university and course, and dealing with the challenges of applying for university during lockdown.
The University has previously commissioned research, which revealed that students and their parents ranked preparing for university among the most stressful life events they had experienced.
A 2019 survey taken by 1,000 university students and 500 parents highlighted the stress and mental health strains experienced by those taking exams and preparing to gain access to university.
And the coronavirus pandemic, lockdown and moves to online education have all created additional uncertainty among those preparing to enter higher education.
Tips included in the guide are:
- Don’t Panic: Take your time. While the application deadline is looming don’t panic and rush your decision. There are other options available if the deadline is missed whether that’s a late application, using UCAS Extra, going through Clearing or delaying your study, other options are there, and should provide some reassurance.
- Don’t Sweat the Tech: With bandwidth stretched as many work and study from home, technical glitches can be part of everyday life. Patience can be key but take your time and save your progress as you go. If something goes wrong it’s much better to pick up where you left off than start again.
- Focus, Focus, Focus: Really think about what is right for you. Which course, which style of study, which city and which career, are all very important decisions. Make sure you know what you want out of university study and the university experience and make sure your application ticks all of these boxes.
- Research: Take the time to look at different universities, different courses and different cities. These will not only shape your study but your life experience so research is all-important. If you’ve focussed your thoughts and know what you want out of university already then this research will make your decision easier.
- It’s Good to Talk: If you are feeling anxious about the situation, speak to someone. Whether that’s a friend, family member, teacher or university admissions staff, talking through your situation or confusion can help provide the clarity to make things easier.
Shona McQuillan, Pre-Entry Enquiries Manager at Birmingham City University, said: “The research we previously carried out showed just how stressful the process of beginning university can be for both parents and students, but these feelings will have only be heightened this year.
“We hope that students find it useful and really heed that message of ‘don’t panic’ and take the time to choose the right university and course for them and not be deterred from their goals if unexpected circumstances arise."