Personal Statements: How To Guide

You might think getting started on your personal statement now is being a little premature. Is it though?

I remember writing my personal statement in the summer of 2011 so that when I started back to sixth form in September, I was more or less ready to send it off once I had my references from my teachers!

I remember sitting in my school library trying to actually start my personal statement, which I think is definitely the hardest part, much like any other task; starting is the hardest part.

I have a couple of tips on actually starting your personal statement:

• Jot down in bullet point or spider diagram form why you want to study the course you are applying for.
• Make another chart and write down why you think you're the best applicant and why they should accept you.
• Make another chart and write down some intelligent words to impress them (this will make you stand out from the rest, but make sure you know how and when to use these words!)
• Speak from the heart, if you are really passionate about the course you're applying for, make them understand your story and why you want it so badly (but don't go on and on repeating the same thing; be concise).
• Make a plan: Write down a brief summary of what you want to say in each paragraph, how it will flow etc., as this will only help you when you start writing it properly.

Like I said before, make sure you explain why you want it so badly, why they should pick you out of all the other applicants.

Another tip I have for you may sound strange but if you're struggling to start it or struggling to write it, try attempting it late at night before you go to bed. I don't know why, but I always seem to write a lot late at night! Don't forget to go over it the day after in case your tired eyes led to you making some grammatical errors!

Personal statements are overlooked sometimes and all of your focus is on your grades. Whilst getting the required grades is important, your personal statement could just about swing it for you. I know that in my case, I missed one of the required grades just by one grade, but I was still accepted and I think the reason for that was because of my personal statement.

I hope this post helps you and good luck with the whole UCAS application process! Keep onto your teachers in regards to your references! I hope you get your first choice!

If you have any questions, please ask away! My links are below:

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Thanks for reading!

Chloe x

Getting Into University.

So you've just left sixth form/college and you're awaiting your A Level results which will determine what uni you get into! I've done a bit of research (as the dates change each year) and this year, as you'll likely know, the results day for the UK is the 14th August and the 5th of August if you live in Scotland.

It's a scary time, I was in your position this time 2 years ago and it only feels like yesterday! I stayed on an extra year in sixth form because I kept changing my mind on the course I wanted to do, even though I knew it was going to be media related! At the time, I wasn't happy that I was staying on an extra year when some of my friends were off to uni but I was so glad I did because I had time to thoroughly think about what I wanted to do rather than what I thought I should do!

After the long process of writing your personal statement, (which I'll be writing a post about in the next few days for those who are about to apply for next year!) getting your references and finally applying for the courses of your choice, you've got the long, terrifying wait which you're convinced your future depends on... I thought that too.

I worked so, so hard my final year of sixth form, resitting exams I had already done okay on just to get better marks to improve my chances, putting in what felt like millions of hours on coursework and assignments and taking an extra course to bump my qualifications up! I literally felt like whatever happened, I did my best and I could do no more... but that doesn't stop you from worrying.

Throughout school, I never got the best grades even though I worked super hard for everything...the results just never came. They were okay, just not what I wanted for working so hard!

Believe me, if you're bordering on getting the grade you need, don't worry. Universities take into consideration how stressful exams and coursework can be and how much stress each person is under. I was so worried that I wouldn't get the grades I needed but thankfully I did, all bar one grade which I missed by a fraction, but they make allowances. I can't stress this enough: if your personal statements and references are good enough and you miss the required grade by a bit, there's a really high chance you'll still get in! Take my word for it. I remember people used to tell me this when I was waiting to find out and I kept saying "but they said I NEED to get these grades or else I won't be accepted!"

Try not to panic as much as you are... I know it's easy for me to say, but I was in your position this time two years ago and I can even remember how I felt and what was going through my mind when I was finding out my results...

Try to enjoy your last bit of freedom because as soon as your off to uni, the hard work begins but if you've chosen a course you genuinely think you'll love like I do, I'm sure you'll actually enjoy doing the work for it! I know it sounds crazy to actually enjoy doing essays and assignments but trust me!

I hope this relaxes your mind a little bit! Good luck for your results and I'd love to know how you get on!

Remember, the most important thing is your health and strength and anything after that is a bonus :) 

Thanks for reading everyone! 

Chloe x