Helping your child secure a place at university

University is a big part of a child’s life, with the journey starting from when they are very little. Not only does the academic choices your child makes them they’re younger make a big difference to which university they may attend when they are older, but the lifestyle changes can also play just as big of a part in this game. Going to university is often exciting but it’s also a scary thing to think about. Your child will most likely be leaving home and setting off on a journey of independence and hard work. For many careers such as medicine and becoming a lawyer, university is mandatory for these students. There are many things that need to be completed before attending universities such as applications and narrowing down the right course to study. If you are in need of some guidance on how to support your child in this time, you have come to the right place. Here is some advice from a private college in North London on helping your child secure a place at university. 

Start by supporting your child with their studies. Children can start learning from as early as the age of 3, which means that anything that they develop or work on will help them throughout their academic journey. The one thing that will help your child secure a place at a good university is good grades. Not only will this ensure that they can progress onto each stage such as GCSEs to A levels to university, but it also means that the choice of institutions widens for your child when it comes to making a decision on where to attend. Their studies are most likely the most important part when it comes to the application. Ensure to check in with your child’s teacher to make sure that they are doing well in their lessons. If you find your child is falling behind in certain subjects, consider getting a private tutor in, especially if it as the stage of A levels. An additional set of study resources may be what your child needs to help boost them in their academics.

Encourage them to take up different hobbies. This may seem like something miniscule and unnecessary when time could be used for studying, but it is actually a well-known fact that universities favour upon students that have taken time out of their academic space to complete a hobby or activity of interest. To the university board, this shows that the candidate can demonstrate commitment out of obligatory academics. With this in mind, it is a good idea to encourage your child to take up a hobby or two whilst alongside of their studies. This could be painting, football, chess, music or even travelling. Volunteering is also something that looks fantastic to universities on an application and will help your child stand out from the crowd. Whatever extracurricular your child chooses to pick up, will help them later on. 

Help them work on their personal statement. A personal statement is one of the most important parts of a university application as it gives candidates the chance to really sell themselves to their chosen university. It usually consists of why the individual would like to enrol onto a particular course and how they think it will benefit them in the future. The skills and experience your child already has should be clearly noted. They need to be sure your child is fit to study a course at their university. 

Don’t forget to boost their confidence! Your child needs to believe in themselves as that is what will help them achieve their goals.