Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
writing their future
With a whole word of possibilities open to students, deciding what to study at university and where to go can feel overwhelming. Gail Mitchell discusses how her daughter, Bethan, made the choice.Â
"Bethan has always wanted to study English Literature, so we knew right away that was the course for her, but as it’s a degree that so many universities offer, it was a challenge to narrow down where to study.
"She took a gap year before going to uni, so we already had her grades and she knew she wanted to go to uni in a vibrant city.
"We spent time chatting about which cities she liked the idea of and how far away from home she wanted to go.
"The academic experience is obviously such an important part, but I was also keen to make sure she got the chance to explore the world and live somewhere that she would enjoy.
“We travelled all over, attending open days and exploring cities. Having the opportunity to look around universities and speak to other students and academic staff brings the whole experience to life and gave us plenty to think about.
"I spent hours online on The Student Room getting a feel for the different undergraduate experiences and read everything the universities sent through."
"We spoke to friends and family about their experiences, but ultimately, it was Bethan’s decision to make.
"She decided to go further from home than we’d first thought which, as a single parent, I was a bit unsure about at first, as we’ve always been so close.
"It’s hard not to steer them towards what you’d like them to do, but you have to keep reminding yourself that you’re only there to guide them and at the end of the day, it’s their experience.
"When it came to actually applying and writing her personal statement, we were really lucky because Bethan’s school were very supportive.
"Trust their instincts and go with what feels right for them”
"We sat down together and listed out what she wanted to say in her statement, but my main role was just to encourage her and remind her how brilliant she is.
"There are also so many great resources available online to help students and parents with applying to university. My main advice as a parent to help with applying, would be to immerse yourself in the process and trust the guidance of the professionals because they really know what they’re doing.
"I’m so pleased Bethan listened to her instincts and made the right decision for her, because she is having the best time at university.
"As a parent letting your child go away is a big deal, but it’s such a joy to watch them thrive."
