A little bit of an unhinged title, right? This blog won’t be about learning study methods, or how to manage your time, but rather learning about (insert whimsical sparkly sounds) humanity. So, during my February reading week, I had the most incredible opportunity to raise money for three incredible charities (Families for Fife, Bloody Good Period and Doctors Without Borders) through getting to Prague, in the Czech Republic by spending as little money as possible. In four days. ​

Later this week, I’ll be taking my SATs and I don’t mean the kind we take in year 6 here in the UK; what I’m actually referring to is the 2 hour paper (which is now digitalised for international students) that aids your application to universities in America. I’m well aware that I’m not the only one interested in studying abroad and so this blog should provide an overview into the application process, which could help you to decide if studying outside of the UK is for you.  ​

​What are the UCU strikes, and why are some classes cancelled? Although a week's worth of lectures vanishing from thin air may quite possibly be the worst thing a student could possibly experience, I’ll briefly cover why the disruption is so important for UCU’s aims.

​Are you just months away from graduating and haven’t yet secured a graduate job? You aren’t alone. In fact, around 40% of students don’t even have a set career plan when they graduate.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably between 16 and 18 – still in school and are looking for ways to make a little bit of extra money on the side. Well, I was once in your shoes and it took me FOREVER to find a Saturday job (which I ultimately quit) and I’m going to tell you all about how I got it, what you need to prepare for and also why I left. So, buckle up and hang on tight!

Are you looking to travel the world, meet new people, and gain some valuable work experience? Look no further than the world of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).

The pressure to form a new year's resolution is upon us again. Maybe at this point, it’s just becoming a bit ridiculous. What, with 25% of people quitting during the first week of setting them up, it’s likely any motive of self improvement crumbles into unenthusiastic dread for the year ahead. I’m going to talk through some ways in which we can shift our attitudes to resolutions and personal improvement. ​

​The end of the year is quickly approaching - and this offers up a lot of time for reflection. It gives us the chance to think about everything we’ve learned over the past months, but it also provides an opportunity for us to reward ourselves for all the incredible things we’ve accomplished. 

Ah, the snow and the lights and the carols. The chill and frost, it’s all turning into the Christmas we know and love. But aside from the empty boxes of presents piling up by the town centre’s six foot pine tree, can Christmas fulfil a deeper meaning? ​

​While your time at university can often be filled with social events and extracurricular activities, it’s important to remember why you’re really there — to get the best education possible. Sometimes, the distractions of everyday life at school can make it difficult to study effectively. 

Not to sound like the Buddha’s replica, but focusing on goals is at the stem of everything. Whether it’s academically driven or something entirely different, planting the seed of what you mean to do in the future helps ground actions more clearly. In this blog, I’ll be highlighting why intention is so important, and how to cultivate the mindset that creates it. ​

Life can be unpredictable and hard to navigate, it can also be incredibly exciting and fun. Regardless, having someone to help you along the way is incredibly beneficial and could completely change your outlook on life and how you approach it.  ​

​Moving into new student accommodation is an exciting time, but it also comes with a crash course in financial management. Although not as exciting as sourcing a new duvet cover or breakfast bowl set, dealing with bills is an unavoidable part of day-to-day life. But while it may feel a little overwhelming to get your head around them, providing you keep on top of payments and stay communicative with your suppliers, it’s normally straightforward.

Getting things WrOnG: ​

If someone were to ask me “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since starting sixth form” it would have to be that failure is a part of life. A BIG part of life.  

​Last week, I – and probably you since you’re reading this – stepped foot into a new arena. Whether you’ve decided to take up further study, start an apprenticeship or even begin working – we're all starting a new chapter as we edge ever closer to adulthood.
 
I’m just beginning my A-levels and have also started a new sixth form. For context, I’d been at my previous school since Year 7 (That’s about 5 years!) and thought it was time for a change. It’s been an *interesting* experience – there's something about being the new kid on the block that you really can’t shake off. 

If you’re a university student, you’re probably stressed about the rising cost of living. Even before the pandemic, 84% of students reported that they were worried about finances and that these worries had a detrimental effect on their mental health.
 
Inflation continues to rise, but resources to support student mental health haven’t yet caught up. Only 23% of students are happy with the mental health support services their university offers, and one in five students is diagnosed with some form of anxiety mid-way through their course.
 
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by financial factors out of your control. However, gaining financial literacy and exploring all the options available to you can lighten the burden and help you manage financial stress during your student years. 

Whether you’re starting your journey moving into halls or doing it all again this year, loneliness creeps up on us all. I'm going into second year and although I'm certainly not in the same position as last year (familiarity with faces, places, friends and spaces) it can sometimes feel like a full circle. 

You may have heard the quote ‘shoot for the moon, and if you miss, at least you’ve got the stars.’ In fact, you might have even pinned up the Pinterest version in your room. Despite its popularity and cringe level, there’s still lots to unpack in this well-known saying - about potential, ambition and failure. In this blog, I’ll be talking through the art of setting goals as we face the month of new academic beginnings. But don’t worry, we’ve still got time before September starts, and this can apply to your personal or more educational goals. 

Building a steadfast credit history throughout your student years can lead to greater financial freedom in the years to come. A longer credit history positively impacts your credit score. So let's dive right into it: What is credit score and why is it important?

Lately we hear the word "self-care" a lot. A look at Google Trends reveals that the term spiked during the pandemic and since then continues to be a hot topic in academic research, news media, and pop culture. 
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So what exactly is self-care, and why does it matter?