Identifying your strengths

This powerpoint presentation,  Identifying your strengths, by Claire Burgess from SOAR Develpment, aims to help attendees move past any negative prior experiences in their studies and look positively towards the future. We explore: how to identify and focus on your strengths; how to set effective and meaningful goals and how to move towards positive self-belief.

 

Developing confidence

This powerpoint presentation, Developing confidence, by Claire Burgess from SOAR Develpment, aims to help you develop confidence and address a sense of a ‘fear of failure’ that many people have. We identify: strategies to develop confidence in different situations; how to motivate yourself when you are lacking confidence and explore both how to develop a growth mindset and tackle a ‘fear of failure’.

Managing anxiety and change

This powerpoint presentation, Managing anxiety and change by Claire Burgess from SOAR Develpment, aims to help you alleviate any feelings of anxiety when facing unknown situations. We explore: how we all react to change and strategies to manage change effectively; how to develop resilience and manage stress; tips for developing a positive mindset and optimism to face unknown situations effectively.

 

 

Feeling accepted

This powerpoint presentation, Feeling accepted by Claire Burgess from SOAR Develpment, focuses on strategies for feeling accepted and to build relationships with others from different backgrounds and age groups. We explore what we mean by ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and how to tackle it, how others learn differently and embracing differences in ourselves and others, and strategies to build rapport and communicate effectively with others. 

 

Time to succeed: managing your workload and learning to enjoy what you do.

This powerpoint presentation, Time to succeed, by the Centre for Academic Development at Oxford Brookes, explores organisational and time management skills for educational success. It is not obvious how to be a student and the first few months of student life are usually about discovering new people, new ideas, and, crucially, new ways of working. We look at ways to get organised and ensure that you are making the best possible use of the time you have available to be a student. Crucial questions include: how do I know when I have read something? How do I make the best use of time in lessons, (or lectures and seminars)? How can I ensure that I make time not only to meet deadlines but enjoy what I am doing? We also explore how organisational tools and self-reflection can ensure you make the grade on time!

All of this is also captured in this short, 10 minute, video

 

Higher education: can I afford it?

This recording, ‘Higher education: can I afford it?’ provides advice from the Student Loans Company about common concerns regarding the cost of progressing to higher education study, having multiple financial responsibilities and being unsure whether you can make part or full-time study work financially.  The recording covers the student finance that is available including additional support for different needs and where to find more information.

Alternate pathways

This powerpoint presentation, Alternate pathways, delivered by Study Higher, Higher Education Liaison Officer, Jo Duckett, provides some information about Access to HE course, foundation degrees, Higher National Certificates/ Diplomas (HNC/D), professional courses and Higher/Degree Apprenticeships.

 

 

 

Applying to higher education

On the UCAS mature students page you will find everything you need to know about applying for an undergraduate course, and the support available to you if you’re planning to study after your 21st birthday.

Below is a range of UCAS resources that might be useful to look at:

• Mature Undergraduate students
• Tips and advice
• Students with parenting responsibilities 
• Students with caring responsibilities
• Distance learning and part time study
• Don’t have old exam certificates 
• How to add an Access to HE qualification

 

Personal statements

The National Careers Service (NCS) offer guidance about writing a personal statement and getting started. They provide free impartial careers information, advice and guidance to people in England, helping you to make decisions on learning, training and work at all stages in your career.

You can also download an information leaflet below.