2018 UCAS DEADLINE: TODAY

Not to scare you or anything, but today, January 15th, is a pretty darn important deadline. That's right, it's D-Day.

And the cut off is at 6pm.

​If you've already got your UCAS application in, congrats, you're on the ball and we applaud your organisational skills. You may burn this message after reading, unless you'd like to keep the info safe in the off-chance you don't get the acceptance offers we know you deserve this time around.

If you're hoping to start university in 2018, and haven't yet submitted your UCAS application, now is the time to act – and panic slightly, but only if that's going to motivate you. No headless chickens here, please.

​And if you really are panicking, now's the point where we tell you not to give yourself an aneurysm. Yeah, it's a pretty big deal, but it's not the end of the world. Miss the deadline? Life's not over, you have lots of options.

You're sure uni's for you, but (for whatever reason) didn't quite get your application in on time this go around?  You can…

• Sit on your application, do something great with a gap year, get your A-Level results in, get a jaw-dropping personal statement full of examples of openmindedness and personal growth from your year of elephant conservation work in Thailand, and rake in those unconditional offers for 2019
• Apply late, although this will most likely put you at a disadvantage to other applicants. You won't be rejected outright, but unis technically don't even have to look at your application once it's been sent in late, and if they do, they probably won't be too thrilled. If you go for this option, make sure you have a pretty monumental explanation for it in your (otherwise pristine and fabulously engaging) personal statement
• Look into other schemes and programmes for higher education, including college courses and foundation years. You won't be worried about losing your A-game by taking a year off of education, and you won't feel like you're sitting around twiddling your thumbs if you prefer the structure that a course will give you. Plus, the qualification you earn could put you in an advantageous position when applying to unis next year.

If you've already decided uni's not for you, then you've probably not even made it this far. If you have, we're impressed. Have a look on our website for info on apprenticeship schemes, degree apprenticeships, gap years and international study, and the wonderful world of work for some starting points.

We've even kindly supplied you with a no idea section in case you, well, have no idea.

Whatever you're planning to do, don't let yourself fall into the trap of just doing nothing. Get those last minute applications in, get yourself in gear by writing up a gap year plan, have a look into alternatives to the traditional uni route. But do it quick.

Good luck!