University Applications Advice

Hello everyone.

This blog post is going to focus on University applications and the processes you have to go through when applying for a course for further education. It will give some background information on how my process was and will give you the chance to ask me about any queries regarding this process.


The application process can seem a daunting task for students to undertake, but really, it isn't as bad as it seems! 
The majority of students apply for a course through the UCAS website. I believe the UCAS website application is the best route to go for when applying for a course in which you want to succeed. It provides helpful tools, such as the course finder, to really make sure the course you are choosing is right for you. It also gives you the opportunity to start your application and then save it and log back in anytime you want to complete it - giving you the chance to make your application strong and healthy. 

Firstly, you will create a UCAS account membership, which will enable you to use the functions of the UCAS website to maximum. Then, you will supply a variety of personal information such as your birth date, residential status and email address, which will be the main source of communication between UCAS and you. 
After this, you will link your Student Finance information with UCAS if you have begun to complete the Student Finance application. This page will show based on your answers given in the personal information section of the application.
Now, the best bit, looking for your courses. Be sure you know what you want to do and what you would like to achieve. You have the option to choose up to five courses. For me, this part was easy as Bolton is one of the few University's in the UK that offers a course specialised in my subject area, plus provides a strong community of helpful staff and faculties. This feature of the application allows you to search for your subject area, which then shows you what Universities and Higher Education Institutions offer that course. 
The next few sections deal with inputting some information on your past education, including you grades and any currently studying, as well as your past employment history. 
Probably the part of the UCAS application most students find daunting is next - the Personal Statement. Don't be put off by your personal statement, it's not as bad as it sounds! This part is all about you; why do you want to study the course you have chosen? Why would you be a good student? Why should you be chosen? These are just a sample of the few questions that should be answered during your personal statement. Some students can write their personal statement in one, others like to do it over time. I wrote my personal statement over a few days as I wanted it to be as interesting and strong as possible. I suggest using a notes page/bullet points with short statements for you to use as a structuring guide.
Finally, you just have to get a reference, preferably from the course you have most recently studied, pay the application fee (do not be put off by - definitely worth it!) and send off your application!

After sending off your application, it turns into a bit of a waiting game. This was the part of applying to University that was most anxious, yet exciting! Tracking allows you to see the progress of your application once it has been sent. There are three parts to this section of the application, receiving your offers, replying to your offers and accepting your place! Offers allows you to see whether your chosen Universities have offered you an interview or place on their course. Don't worry if you don't hear anything for a while - think about all the people applying at the same time as you!
After receiving your offers, you can reply to them, and pick your first choices of University. When you get the results for your course you were most recently studying you get to decide which offers to reply to. 

If you don't receive any offers from your choices of Universities and courses, you will go through the clearing process. Clearing allows you to see what courses still have places and what could be suitable for you. In this case, you will directly contact the Universities to see if they will offer you a place on their course. This link provides further information on the clearing process: http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/results/if-you-have-no-offers

Here are some links to provide you with more information on the University application process - 
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-application
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-application/your-personal-statement
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/tracking-your-application


I hope this blog post has lifted your fears of your University application process and has provided you with a variety of information to help you with this process. If you have any queries or questions, please, don't hesitate to comment on this post.

Thanks, Tom.

Finished model before post production!

Hey guys :)

This is my final finished model for my Introduction to model making module. This module was based on the game Borderlands 2 - and we had to go through the processes of research, planning and development to reach our final product with post production (added effects using software such as Photoshop).
Overall, I am happy with my final model of the poisonous plant from the Borderlands game and the module has given me the components to plan my work efficiently and achieve an effective piece of work.

Any futher questions on this module, please comment on this post.

Thanks, Tom :)

Deadline week!

Hey guys, everybody okay?

Can't believe I only have a few days left and my first year at uni is over! It has gone so quick but I have loved every minute of it.

All my submissions need to be handed in by the end of the week, so currently I'm just cracking on with finishing everything off.

I have rendered my video for my compositing module today - it has been stressful, but well worth it! I have to finish off animating my ''Mexicactus'' for my CGI module and then photograph my sculpture for the physical module and then I'm all done!

On the other hand, I worked at the university's open day on Saturday which seemed a success. It was weird to think exactly a year ago I was doing the same thing; nervous to venture new experiences. 

I was glad to see many prospective students coming to have a look at what the University has to offer and to gain further knowledge of what university is like. 

Will hope to post soon, towards the end of the week, and hopefully I wont be as stressed as I am now! 

Take care, Tom. 

First day back :)

Hey guys...

First day back to uni today...already going well!

Hope everyone had a great Easter break and back working hard for these final few weeks!

Tom.

Reached 1000!

Thank you so much everyone! I have reached 1000 views on this blog....it is much appreciated and I will continue to provide new and interesting posts in the future!

Thanks once again!

Tom :)

Help Tom win a day out with Stooshe!

Help Tom win a day out with Stooshe! Click this link! please x

Easter Break!

Hey guys!

It's Spring Break 2013! Haha...

We have just finished for our three weeks Easter break which gives us a chance to chill out and spend time with our families......as well as cracking (no pun intended!) on with the rest of our assignments for the final weeks we have when we get back!

I still have to carve into my sculpt for my 3D Model Making module, animate my Cactus for my 3D CGI for Film and TV as well as finish off my Video Compositing!

Hope you have an egg-cellent time and don't eat too much chocolate - see you all back in 3 weeks!

Tom :)

3D Model Making continued...

Hello guys - this post is an update to the one I posted a couple of weeks ago. It is my 3D Model Making module and I just wanted to post a few images of my progress so far.

The first image shows my armature for my model - I have used galvanised steel wire. This armature is designed so that our model can have stability.

This next image shows my armature covered in tin foil. This is done to bed out the actual shape of the model itself.

Then finally, I have covered my tin foiled armature with Chavant clay to begin to build my model. The first layer of clay that you add to your armature is only a rough covering and for my next stages I will be beginning to shape my model further and then to go on and start adding detail to  the model's components e.g. the leaves, the stem and the plant heads themselves. 

If you have any questions about the processes shown in this post or this module, please please don't hesitate to ask!

Thanks

Tom.

Question time!

Hello guys...

I want to take this post as a chance for you to ask any questions you like about University life and the University of Bolton.

Just comment on this post and I will be answering...


...get asking!

Thanks

Tom.

My ever so exciting Wednesday!

Hello guys...just a quick post about my day on Wednesday.

Firstly, I was up to start uni for 9 and my first lesson was Video compositing where we looked at  the process of ''keying'' out a green screen from a piece of video using a program called NukeX - complicated stuff: it's used in quite a few high budget films!

After this, I was in my CGI for Film and TV lesson, where I was learning about designing a Photoshop background using layers and colour correction tools. We then had to create our 2D Photoshop image into a 3D image in a program called Maya - more complicated stuff!

I also came across this penguin during this session, as you do.

After University, I went home and chilled out, before I had to start getting ready for Geek and Jocks night at J2! 

I've got a very simple equation for you all here, just to let you know what Wednesdays are like :P

Wednesday night = Student night = J2 Wristbands = Cheap Night!

As it was Geek and Jocks night, I wore some dark grey trousers with a white polo shirt, black tie, geek chic glasses and of course, drawn on freckles! 

This photo shows me, my partner and Steph just before heading out! Ohh I've added a couple of funny ones for comical value too!

Will post again soon!

Tom :)