Going to university is a huge leap; it may well be the first time you’ve lived away from home, and you’ll be learning to manage not just your studies but your accommodation, finances and food. Spending some time preparing for all aspects of university life before you start will ease the transition greatly, so that you can fully enjoy the excitements of your first term. So, whether you’re waiting for university offers, preparing to meet the conditions of your offer, or already have a secured place, make sure to follow the following suggestions.

T.S. Eliot once said that ‘this is one moment,/ But know that another/ Shall pierce you with a sudden painful joy’. Stress and worry are feelings which are commonly experienced by us all, now more than ever. But it is important to remember stress is just one out of many feelings which we experience in our daily lives and if we recognise it, acknowledge it and harness it for good, it can help keep our thoughts in perspective and not let us become overwhelmed. Don’t feel like everything has to be perfect all the time; it’s a bumpy road, whether in our academic work or our personal lives, so we have to learn to acknowledge our feelings and recognise what they are for. Find out some of the ways Sarah suggests managing stress, from connecting with other people and being active, to planning your day and taking up new hobbies.

Galleries in the UK are finally re-opening their doors. Find out why you should make a beeline for your nearest museum with art historian, Issy. Issy leads you through three key examples of masterpieces, which show how art can illuminate everything from Shakespeare, to ancient Greek rituals, to Newton’s colour theory!

Sales of The Plague, a French novel written in 1947 by Albert Camus, rocketed up by 1000% in the UK during the first few weeks of lockdown. Set in Oran, a city on the coast of Algeria, in the 1940s, it tells of a fictional plague that sweeps through the population at astonishing speed. ‘What does it mean, the plague? It’s life, that’s all.” Discover how Camus questions the meaning of existence, giving voice to the new strain of existential philosophy which reached its peak popularity in the decades after the Second World War in a review of the uncannily similar French tale.

Learning German is hard. Reading books in German is even harder. But reading literature in the original language is not only wonderful for learning grammar, vocabulary and increasing your fluency, but it will also expand your literary horizons, especially in preparation for university applications. German literature, just like English literature, is a vast and multi-faceted corpus and it can be hard to know where to start. So if you want to branch out from re-watching ‘Goodbye, Lenin!’ for the fiftieth time and make sure you stand out as a German linguist and literature student, here are some books to start with and ideas for your personal statement and interview preparation if applying for German at university/ Oxbridge.

The pandemic has led many of us to cancel our holidays. For younger children, this can be especially disappointing, as it takes away their opportunity to see new places, learn about other cultures and experience the thrill of travel. So here is a compilation of five books or series by female writers, which will help younger readers go on adventures and journeys from their own room.

Having strong writing skills becomes more and more crucial as you approach the age of eighteen, since you’ll be preparing a personal statement and honing your essay writing skills in your A-Level courses. For this reason, no matter what you’re planning on studying at university, make sure to make reading a part of your routine. Reading, especially more challenging texts, will allow your written expression to develop in exciting ways. Fluency in constructing your own arguments stems from reading others’ work. Look no further for some examples of exemplary written expression.

Time and again studies have shown that children who read more perform better in examinations in all subjects: reading improves your comprehension and analytical skills, your vocabulary, your written expression and your ability to connect ideas.  These skills are invaluable across the board. With this in mind, have a look at this list of books to read before you turn sixteen; they are challenging, so don’t rush. However, enjoy them! Fiction promises to transport you to another time and place. It can provide solace, intrigue and wonder.

What better way to spend a quiet day than curled up with a book? The following novels promise to whisk you away to another place, world or time. There’s something for everyone, from historical novels to detective stories and fantasy. The best way to get into reading is to discover what really excites you and to indulge that interest, so I’ve given suggestions for follow-up books to read if you enjoy these initial suggestions. Happy reading!

An interview is a high-pressure environment – but it can also be a rewarding one. Oxbridge interviews, though notoriously challenging, are designed to mimic the kind of tutorials which you will be taking should you be successful in your application. Tutors aren’t trying to trip you up or confuse you. Find out some strategies to stay calm and confident come interview day with successful Oxford English applicant, Sarah.

In this guide we offer some guidance on how to do well in secondary, covering key skills like resilience and curiosity as well as more concrete tips and guidance to allow you to excel in your GCSEs and A Levels and become a life-long learner.

This blog offers a number of suggestions of extracurricular activities and hobbies for students to inadvertently enhance their on-curriculum performance. Extracurriculars provide a great opportunity to hone skills and develop new ones which will enrich your learning in a broad way. Some universities, such as US universities and Ivy League Schools, also rate extra-curricular engagement extremely highly!

This guide provides top recommendations for educational podcasts to help students deepen their subject knowledge, enhance critical thinking, and stand out in personal statements. Discover the best podcasts for law and engineering students, whether you're beginning the application process or currently studying at university.

Are you dreaming of pursuing English at Oxford, Cambridge or a top Russell Group University? This comprehensive guide equips you with top tips for crafting an English personal statement that truly stands out. Learn how to showcase your diverse literary interests, structure your personal statement or tailor your statement for Oxbridge.

A Biological Natural Sciences Cambridge graduate leads you through the intricacies of the course, his application experience, and top tips for personal statement, admissions test and interview preparation. From ideas for reading new scientific articles and staying updated on novel challenges in the science world, to tips on approaching specific interview question formats, learn how to approach preparation for the multidisciplinary degree.

Oxford Classics graduate, Jessica, busts the myth of the classical “dead” languages, leading you through her inspiration for applying to Oxbridge Classics. A must-read for anyone thinking of Classics or embarking on personal statement writing, find out exactly how you can express your motivation to study the subject at university level.

Looking to apply to Oxford or Cambridge for law? Cambridge law graduate and U2 law tutor, Ben, details his experience of an Oxbridge Law interview, to demystify the process and lead you through his top tips for preparation. Learn about the different formats of Oxbridge law interview questions and how to approach them.

13 plus interviews can be tough and the questions you are asked may initially appear difficult to answer simply. The key to succeeding in a 13 plus interview is unpacking the question and addressing it properly each time. If you want to improve your ability to decode a question and structure an answer quickly and effectively in your head, this is the perfect preparation resource for you.

This 11 plus crib sheet leads students through tips for preparing for interview, offering guidance on how to approach the questions and interview itself. Find out how to build confidence and the ability to talk well in answer to a range of interview questions, including questions about the school, your ambitions and achievements, and extracurricular interests.

Over the duration of your A Level courses, you’ll have the opportunity to study fewer subjects in greater depth than before. This is a chance to broaden the scope of your learning beyond what’s covered in lessons: when studying English and foreign languages, the set texts you’ll cover can be extended far beyond the syllabus to enrich your understanding and enjoyment of them. Find out how to broaden your learning with the specific goal of improving the quality of your essays and other written work in Latin, Greek, English and Languages.