It is just as important for you to like the place you are studying as it is for you to like the course you are doing, so make sure you spend some time thinking about what type of place you would like to study. Here are some things to think about…
Do you want to stay near where you are now or move away?
Do you enjoy big city life or laid back country living?
Do you have a particular hobby or play a sport that you just cannot live without?
Do you want to live on or off campus?
Order prospectuses and contact universities and colleges
Once you have narrowed down your list of universities and colleges, take the opportunity to visit them on an open day.
It is important to also have a look at the town or city where you will be spending the next few years to get a feel for it and make sure you like it.
Go to www.opendays.com, it is a great site that lists details of all higher education open days throughout the UK.
Taster Days
Taster Days allow you to visit a university or college campus for the day and are usually arranged through your school.
You get involved in activities that give you a taste of a specific subject area.
Current students and staff lead the activities and are there to answer all your questions.
Summer Schools
Summer Schools offer a taste of university life by giving you the opportunity to spend up to a week living on a university campus during the summer.
You will meet current students and staff, join in academic and social sessions and learn about the realities of going to university.
Summer Schools are designed to help you decide whether or not university is for you by giving you first hand experience of what it is like to be a student.
Aimhigher Summer Schools are available to students in year 11 and take place across the South West.
Meals are provided and you will live in the students’ halls of residence for the duration of your stay.
Current students will be with you throughout the week to provide guidance and support and to answer your questions about what university is really like.
You don’t have to pay to attend.
To check out the Aimhigher Summer Schools available in the South West visit www.swsummerschools.ac.uk
