Sheffield Steels my Vote

Hiya!

Wednesday 11th February marked the day of my second visit to Sheffield University (and the one year anniversary of me and my friend seeing Taylor Swift's Red Tour..but I guess that's besides the point).

My Dad's first impression of the Uni was "Oh my god, why is there a dual carriageway going through it", and to be fair, he had a point. At first sight Sheffield may not be the most picturesque uni -especially when compared to Lincoln- but it compensates in so many ways. After he had come to terms with the fact that the road was fairly large and consequently difficult to ignore (it takes time) we went on an accommodation tour. The student villages, Endcliffe and Ranmoor, are a 15 minute bus journey away- or 25 minute walk. My favourite thing about them is the homely atmosphere, which I'm sure will be comforting to many when battling the "I miss my boyfriend " blues. Aw.

Endcliffe Halls



ISN'T IT CUTE

We then went on a campus tour, run by a very fidgety man. He was so fidgety that I can't actually remember anything that he said...but basically the buildings were all really interesting, I especially liked this one below...the architecture was pretty snazzy.

Lunch in the Students Union cafe (CoffeeRevolution) was amazing...I'd go to Sheffield purely for a chicken tikka sandwich everyday. The lights in the cafe provided me with a good excuse to snap an arty photo too...

Since all I've talked about so far is food and nice buildings....in the afternoon we had some Journalism workshops with the course leaders. We got to see the Journalism building with the famous TV sofa and green screen, which was exciting! I also saw a girl who I remembered from my Lincoln interview...very comforting to see a familiar face.

As we have done after every open day, on the way home Dad and I talked about the Uni we had been to. We both agreed that overall, it's the best. The course is incredible, the Uni is part of the Russell Group, the accommodation is gorgeous, it's a vibrant city with loads of opportunities....and I'll only be 40 minutes away from my friend, who'll be in Leeds. So hopefully, that's me sorted for now...Sheffield's got to be a winner, right?

p.s... I hope all your uni-related things are coming together now! If you still can't decide though, definitely give an applicant day a try- they're really useful in helping you come to a decision (as demonstrated by moi). 
And Year 12's...get booking some open days, the earlier the better!

p.p.s, if the title didn't make sense, Sheffield is world-famous for the production of steel...geddit?

Anna x

Decisions, Deadlines and Destinations

Hiya!

First of all, Merry (late) Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hope you've all had a fab break and are ready to get back to Uni decisions and A-Level fun. I turned 18 on January 1st, so now I'm feeling very adult-like and mature (kind of) as this is the age I'll be when I go to Uni. Unfortunately I don't have much to report on the University front..except that it's kind of hitting home that THIS is the year that it's all going to happen...flying the nest and all that malarkey. Is it just me who is absolutely excitedly terrified?

OH, I did get an unconditional offer from Lincoln during the hols. That was pretty cool. Basically if I put Lincoln as my first choice I can go regardless of what grades I get...so very tempting, those pesky admissions people. 

Also, the UCAS deadline is approaching as fast as a...train, so get on with it and apply or you're going to get left behind in No Man's Land (aka clearing). 10 days, tick tock...But in all seriousness, I've been talking to some people who just can't decide whether to apply or not and I'd say definitely go for it, even if it's just as a back up to an apprenticeship, work etc. What have you got to lose?

In other news, for Christmas (among other normal teenager-like presents) I got a kettle, an ice-cream shaped kitchen timer and some scales. Although having made my New Year's resolution for the past few years "I will learn to cook", I am conscious that these items will be hidden away in my "rubbish draw" for the next 9 months. Sorry Mum.

PS, I was so pleased to receive a cute little note from UCAS recently saying that I had won the first "Blogger of the Month" competition..thank you!

Anna x

Trinity, Tips and (bad) Timing

Leeds. My last interview of 2014!

At Leeds Trinity they combine interview days with open days. But as I had already seen the uni, I just went to the interview, which started half way through the day. Bad idea. You know in films, when the "social reject" character walks in to the school cafeteria and has to sit awkwardly by themselves? Yep, that was me.

To make matters worse everybody there was with a parent, so not only was I resembling a lost (and late) puppy with no friends, but also one with no family. Nice one. After the awkwardness was over -I breathed- and then found a girl who was also on her own, so we stuck together. First we did a writing test -which was based on the same news story as the one I had at Lincoln; oh yessss. Then we had a "group interview". About eight of us sat in a newsroom on swivel chairs (oh, the temptation to spin around in circles), and talked about current stories in the news. It was really relaxed and so interesting; more of a discussion than an interview (just like Lincoln..so take note, there seems to be a common theme here!).

As the interviewer mentioned that she used to work at Sheffield Uni in the Journalism department, I took my chance and asked her why I should choose Leeds over Sheffield since she'd worked at both. Although it did sound like I was interviewing her, it was definitely worth it as she explained that Sheffield was a very academic course in comparison. I then asked about Lincoln, to which she replied "Ooh, I don't actually know anything about their course..so that should probably tell you something..".

Cue my mental breakdown because decisions and opinions and more decisions. 

BUT, overall, I've learnt that in terms of interviews;
-Try not to get too nervous- after all, they do want you to go to their uni!
-Talk about experience as much as possible; you live and breathe work experience. You're basically never at school because you are just SO passionate about this course. Maybe not that extreme, but you get the picture. 
-Ask them questions, and use their knowledge to help you come to a decision.
-Finally; try to enjoy it! (Bet you didn't see that one coming eh...I am the cliche queen.)

Anna x

Lincoln, Lights and (contemplating) Life

Hi!

I am writing this with a looming thought in the back of my mind which is "history essay". But blogging seems FAR more appealing, so here I am. Ta Daaaa.

I survived my Lincoln interview! *round of applause* 
Despite getting a tad lost upon arrival and having a mini heart attack when I thought I was in the wrong place (I wasn't), it was all fine and dandy. First I had an "interviewing skills" workshop, in which we asked the person we were sat next to a few questions, and addressed them as "my new friend". Aah. 

-Side note- The man who lead the workshop was so fascinating, one of those people who has endless interesting stories to tell. His "unusual fact" was that he is an avid collector of Soviet watches. DOES IT GET COOLER THAN THAT? I felt very boring.

We then went on to a radio workshop, where we worked together to create a news bulletin, which was super fun and I got to interview one of the course leaders. I felt all important holding a microphone a little bit too close to his face. Oops.

Lastly we had a general knowledge test. As soon as I heard the words "general knowledge", I knew that I was doomed for failure. Call me a pessimist, but as I predicted I failed miserably with a feeble 4/10. *Bring out the violins*. 
What was especially embarrassing (mainly for the football lovers in my family) was that I had NO IDEA who the England football manager is. Soz Roy. 

We finished on an interview (which I realised I had to ACE given my (lack of) general knowledge. No pressure) It went really well, the interviewer was lovely and he suggested lots of ideas for the Sixth Form Magazine, which was great. He also said "You can look back at this magazine when you're the editor of Vogue and say "This is where it all started"; cue me dying inside. 

Overall it was a wonderful day and definitely not worth all the stressing. Walking out of the Media building and hearing people chattering, feeling the wintry breeze and seeing the bustly restaurants and lights of the city really made me think "I can totally see myself here."
-Having said that I'm a total sucker for pretty lights so maybe it didn't tell me much. Who knows.

Anna x

Pressure, Places and "WHAT A PALAVA"

Hiya!

Hope everybody's UCAS applications are going well, power through guys! When I say that the pressure is relieved when you've sent it off I mean it..

A few weeks ago I got an offer from the Uni Of Sheffield (yay!), providing I get ABB in my A-Levels. I was on my own at the time so after shouting "WHAAAAT" multiple times at the computer I rang my Mum, who was in the middle of a meeting at WeightWatchers..you can imagine the looks she got when she responded with lots of jumping, shouting and singing (maybe).

I've also had interview requests from Lincoln, Gloucestershire (remind me never to try spelling that word without auto correct) and Leeds Trinity. It's exciting but also scary because the word interview makes me think "PRESSURE", "QUESTIONING" and "INTIMIDATION". I don't like those things. 

On the plus side, it is comforting to know that even if all of my interviews go disastrously wrong, I've got Sheffield (which is my possible favourite anyway) to fall back on. I'm slightly (majorly) torn at the moment between Sheffield and Lincoln, they're both amazing in different ways...plus everyone who knows me will say that I am the worst decision maker EVER. (They wouldn't be lying.)

Hoping that my Lincoln interview will help me come to a decision..but then I'm naturally going to favour the place I've seen more...WHAT A PALAVA.

Anyway, if you're in the same boat as me then I welcome you with open arms (we can row away to a land of no decisions and stress if you'd like)..and if you're still applying to uni, remember to keep breathing and keep...the faith, like that Bon Jovi song.

Anna x