The Better Uni Choices Podcast

<p>There are so many things that literally everyone should know before they apply to university. How to think about career options; how to make great course choices; how to make a great application. </p> <p>But many students just don't have access to the advice and support they need, and this holds them back from making great decisions about their university choices.</p> <p>And so, I’m using my twenty years experience of university admissions to chat through everything from writing your UCAS Personal Statement, to the future of jobs. </p> <p>All so that you can make better choices about your future.</p> <p>Most episodes will be between 5 and 15 minutes long; so easy to listen to on a short journey.</p> <p>Whatever your background, I promise you that every single episode will tell you something you didn’t know, or will at least challenge the way you think about universities, choices or applications.</p> <p>Once you’ve listened to ten or more episodes, you’ll be better informed, hopefully a little wiser, and certainly better prepared to make the right choices for your future. </p> <p>And if you are a parent or adviser, you’ll be better placed to help those in your care make better decisions.</p> <p>Note that you don’t need to listen to the podcast in order; just scroll down, find a topic that grabs you and start there.</p>

So… what is this podcast all about?

In this short introduction I’m going to tell who I am, what betterunichoices is all about, and why you should listen.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
03:41

Personal Statement Top Tips, subject spotlights and some inspiration from a former politician.

In this, the very first podcast from betterunichoices, we cover the first ten of our Top 20 Personal Statement tips, signpost a fantastic resource for finding out about what it’s like to study different subjects at university, and provide a little bit of inspiration from Wendy Alexander, former Scottish Labour Leader.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
07:38

Virtual vs. Physical open days, unitasterdays.com and a wonderful thought from a Russian Philosopher.

In this week’s podcast we look at Virtual Open Days and compare them to in-person events. I’ll give a little nod to my friends at unitasterdays.com for their excellent site. And we’ll finish with a wonderful thought from 19th Century Russian Philosopher and Writer Friedrich Nietzsche.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
08:32

Personal Statement Top Tips Part 2, chatting on Unibuddy, and the reality of career paths.

In this episode we complete the Top 20 Personal Statement top tips countdown, we discover a super-easy way to get all of your questions answered by real, live, current students, and we finish with some sage advice from a man who made chocolate.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
09:39

Careers advice from Dave Grohl, five choices, and falling in love with life.

In this podcast we take careers advice from Dave Grohl, discuss your five UCAS choices, and hear some wisdom about how to love life.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
06:06

Super-curriculars, UCAS Clearing, and the sweet spot of confidence.

This week we have a look at super-curricular activities; what they are, and why they are so helpful and important. We also learn about Clearing, and how to find the confidence sweet spot.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
09:12

Using ChatGPT for your Personal Statement, The University Guys, and what communication is all about.

In this episode we look at how you can make best use of ChatGPT if you are using it to help with your UCAS Personal Statement. We hear about about The University Guys, who can help you discover everything you need to know about study overseas. And we learn the single most important lesson in communication from Simon Sinek, all round marketing guru.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
17:17

A one-word change, gap years, and the power of reading.

This week we discover a simple, but brilliant idea from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, which might just help you get started on your UCAS Personal Statement. We learn when to apply for a deferred entry if we are thinking about taking a gap year. And we find out how to rise above the ordinary.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
06:14

'Top universities', Sport at university, and some simple advice from a young entrepreneur.

This week we ask question whether league tables and student reviews can really tell you what is the best university for you. We discover an amazing resource for those of you who are into sport. And we hear some very simple inspiration from a young entrepreneur who just interviewed the Prime Minister.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
05:47

Japanese philosophy, a super-simple careers quiz, and what's more important than formal learning.

In this episode we explore a little bit of Japanese philosophy together with a brilliant way of working out if your planned career could give you the sense of purpose you are looking for. For those of you who haven’t found that perfect career yet, we find out about a super-simple (and uncannily accurate) careers quiz. And we learn what’s more important than university.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
10:49

Embracing the chaos, the importance of a fall-back option, and the two types of people.

This week we attempt to embrace the chaos of trying to make your choice of university. We examine why having a fall-back option is crucial. And we learn about the two types of people in the world.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-20
08:00

Finding the ideal career, declaring special needs, and how to spend one hour a day.

This week we hear from Warren Buffett, who has a piece of advice that sounds like it would be impossible to follow. Except it isn’t, and I’m living proof. We learn what to do if you are applying to university and have special needs. And we hear about the difference that just one hour a day can make.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-30
05:24

The Oxford University Open Day, not being defined by your grades, and what stops us learning.

This week I give you the run down on my top 10 learnings from attending a University of Oxford Open Day earlier in the summer. We learn that grades are not everything. Not by a long shot.We also find out what one of the main barriers to learning is.And it’s not what you might expect.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-30
10:05

The Cambridge University Open Day, knowing your predicted grades, and the essentials of doing great work.

This week I give you the run down on my top 10 learnings from attending a University of Cambridge Open Day earlier in the summer.In addition, we look at the importance of knowing your predicted grades, and we learn the essentials of doing great work!You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

11-30
09:56

How to work best with your university counsellor, the UCAS tariff, and a true superpower.

This week we look at how to get the very best from working with your school or college’s university counsellor.We have a quick look at the UCAS tariff.And finally, we discover a true superpower!

11-30
08:33

Choosing an Independent Education Counsellor, Applying through an Agent, and the importance of making mistakes... quickly.

This week we look at two different options for those of you who don’t have access to expert advice and support in your school: we look at choosing an Independent Education Counsellor and we look at applying through a student recruitment agent.And we learn the importance of making mistakes… quickly!You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

12-07
16:20

Things to see, do and ask on an Open Day, the importance of checking your email, and career advice from Barrack Obama.

This week, we talk university Open Days.I use my 20 years of experience organising open days to help you see beyond the obvious, to make sure you see, do and ask all about the really important stuff!We also discover a simple truth about universities and email, and we hear from one of the finest politicians ever to walk the planet.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

12-07
14:19

How ambitious to be with your UCAS choices, Data Protection and your UCAS reference, and smart advice on getting what you want from life.

This week, we ask the question: How ambitious should you be with your UCAS choices? How do you turn all of that research you’ve done into a sensible list of five courses for your UCAS form?We look at how Data Protection affects your right to see your UCAS reference.And we hear some smart advice from a successful entrepreneur on getting what you want from life.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

12-07
11:35

Just who are Admissions tutors anyway? Leaving some UCAS choices til later. And what you learn from falling over.

This week we take a closer look at how universities make admissions decisions, and find out “Just who are Admissions tutors anyway?”.We discuss whether there are any benefits from leaving some UCAS choices blank until later in the year.And we find out exactly what you learn from falling over.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

12-07
13:55

Preparing a portfolio for Art and Design. Deadlines (and whether you need to meet them). And a classic thought from Mark Twain.

This week we have a look at preparing a portfolio for Art and Design - and all those other related creative courses.We check the UCAS deadlines, and discuss whether you need to meet them.And we finish with a thought from Mark Twain all about reading.You can also read loads of my articles, download free materials, and sign up to my weekly newsletter at:www.betterunichoices.com

12-14
15:14

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