Does the idea of helping your youngster with their university options feel a bit much? Here, Emily Pavey gives a few pointers
Let’s be honest, my only qualification for giving my two penneth is that I’m mum to two boys – one has just graduated and the other is post-sixth form but yet to set off on his university journey (yes, gap years are still a thing). I’m definitely no expert but I remember just how bewildering it was when my older son was at the beginning of the UCAS process. So much has changed since the days of toddling off to the careers centre and leafing through a well-thumbed prospectus or five! In reality, I left most of the research up to them, but there were times when a bit of insight was needed.
With the prospect of student debt and an unpredictable career landscape it’s a big decision whether to head off to university, and by no means the only option, but if your youngster is heading down this path – or getting a UCAS application in to keep the door open – these are a few things to help get things started…
Obviously their A levels, interests, strengths and grade predictions, alongside any career plans (yikes, I’m still working on my own at 53) will all play a part in what they consider.
At this point, a few questions that might help give them some direction are:
- Are they after a campus university experience or would they prefer town/city life?
- Are they looking to incorporate a work placement or year studying abroad?
- What type of accommodation do they need and what is the budget? There’s much to consider here… There are university run and privately run halls and the way accommodation is allocated varies wildly. If you can bear the leg-work it is worth looking into.
- Do they mind how far from home they’ll be? What will the travel costs be? What about the local cost of living and part-time job opportunities?
- What societies, sports clubs and facilities are they hoping for?
When your youngster identifies a university that appeals to them, do encourage a good scour of all the courses on offer. They might just discover something they’ve previously not considered.
Also have a good look at course structures.
A top tip from my youngest: use the UCAS website to research historical grade entry data and the percentage of students who gained offers for specific courses.
If time and budget allow, then open days can be a great way to get a feel for a place (and a day or two away!). But if you’re feeling guilty for not heading off far and wide, for whatever reason, remember many students end up in clearing and enrol somewhere they’ve previously not considered and… have a fantastic time. Also there’s a vast amount of info. online and plenty of online tours. There are also student reviews on YouTube aplenty.
Keep in mind this will not be about replicating your own younger days. (Full disclosure, my first son did end up at ‘my’ university but very much for his own reasons, studying a totally different subject – and thankfully he didn’t repeat my experience!)
Best of luck with it all to you and yours. Be prepared for ups and downs and much in between. Never a dull moment, thank goodness!
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