Will I still have time to volunteer?
After finishing year 12, I realised whilst trying to plan for my personal statement that I didn't have much experience in customer interaction. I'm going to be on holiday for 4 weeks in about 2 weeks time (which is basically my whole summer gone) and I feel that when I come back from my holiday and I start y13, I won't have time to gain that experience. I feel anxious that the time I have left in y13 won't be long enough to prove I am capable for the course I want to do (pharmacy), in interviews or even my personal statement. Any advice?
Reply 1
20
Get a job in a charity shop or similar as soon as you get back from holiday.
The deadline for MPharm applications is not until next January. and there is no advantage with an earlier application - so you have time to do some volunteering etc and still apply.
The deadline for MPharm applications is not until next January. and there is no advantage with an earlier application - so you have time to do some volunteering etc and still apply.
Reply 2
5
Original post by McGinger
Get a job in a charity shop or similar as soon as you get back from holiday.
The deadline for MPharm applications is not until next January. and there is no advantage with an earlier application - so you have time to do some volunteering etc and still apply.
The deadline for MPharm applications is not until next January. and there is no advantage with an earlier application - so you have time to do some volunteering etc and still apply.
Thanks!
Original post by t0ky0trash
After finishing year 12, I realised whilst trying to plan for my personal statement that I didn't have much experience in customer interaction. I'm going to be on holiday for 4 weeks in about 2 weeks time (which is basically my whole summer gone) and I feel that when I come back from my holiday and I start y13, I won't have time to gain that experience. I feel anxious that the time I have left in y13 won't be long enough to prove I am capable for the course I want to do (pharmacy), in interviews or even my personal statement. Any advice?
Hi @t0ky0trash
First of all, congratulations on finishing year 12 and being so organised with your university application. It is great you are thinking ahead, it sounds like you have already researched your chosen course – Pharmacy.
Do you mind me asking if you are doing A-levels at the moment?
I think it’ll be down to your personal choice of whether you can fit in a couple of hours a week, for example volunteering at your local hospital or even a paid job in a pharmacy or related sector. I know when I was in year 13 and my exams were approaching, I decided to scale back the paid work I did but managed to still fit in a couple of hours volunteering at my local hospital every fortnight, but I paused this during the exam period.
The more experience you have the better, but if you need to focus on your studies then there’s nothing to stop you from organising a work experience placement for during your holidays or next summer and mentioning this in your personal statement.
You might already have looked at this page on UCAS, but I thought this could be helpful, if you scroll down towards the end there is a section called “Application Advice” that is worth a read:
https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/pharmacy-pharmacology-and-toxicology#getting-in-entry-requirements
If you have already decided where you would like to apply it is worth checking the university’s specific course entry requirements, and even getting in touch with them, whether that is chatting online, attending an open day, or giving them a call. Universities are usually very happy to help!
Last but not least, if you haven’t already it would be worth speaking to your teachers and careers adviser if you have one at your college about how to go about getting work experience and when.
I hope some of this was helpful, feel free to get in touch with any further questions.
Take Care
Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)
Do you mind me asking if you are doing A-levels at the moment?
I think it’ll be down to your personal choice of whether you can fit in a couple of hours a week, for example volunteering at your local hospital or even a paid job in a pharmacy or related sector. I know when I was in year 13 and my exams were approaching, I decided to scale back the paid work I did but managed to still fit in a couple of hours volunteering at my local hospital every fortnight, but I paused this during the exam period.
The more experience you have the better, but if you need to focus on your studies then there’s nothing to stop you from organising a work experience placement for during your holidays or next summer and mentioning this in your personal statement.
You might already have looked at this page on UCAS, but I thought this could be helpful, if you scroll down towards the end there is a section called “Application Advice” that is worth a read:
https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/pharmacy-pharmacology-and-toxicology#getting-in-entry-requirements
If you have already decided where you would like to apply it is worth checking the university’s specific course entry requirements, and even getting in touch with them, whether that is chatting online, attending an open day, or giving them a call. Universities are usually very happy to help!
Last but not least, if you haven’t already it would be worth speaking to your teachers and careers adviser if you have one at your college about how to go about getting work experience and when.
I hope some of this was helpful, feel free to get in touch with any further questions.
Take Care
Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)
Reply 4
5
Original post by University of Salford Student Rep
Hi @t0ky0trash
First of all, congratulations on finishing year 12 and being so organised with your university application. It is great you are thinking ahead, it sounds like you have already researched your chosen course – Pharmacy.
Do you mind me asking if you are doing A-levels at the moment?
I think it’ll be down to your personal choice of whether you can fit in a couple of hours a week, for example volunteering at your local hospital or even a paid job in a pharmacy or related sector. I know when I was in year 13 and my exams were approaching, I decided to scale back the paid work I did but managed to still fit in a couple of hours volunteering at my local hospital every fortnight, but I paused this during the exam period.
The more experience you have the better, but if you need to focus on your studies then there’s nothing to stop you from organising a work experience placement for during your holidays or next summer and mentioning this in your personal statement.
You might already have looked at this page on UCAS, but I thought this could be helpful, if you scroll down towards the end there is a section called “Application Advice” that is worth a read:
https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/pharmacy-pharmacology-and-toxicology#getting-in-entry-requirements
If you have already decided where you would like to apply it is worth checking the university’s specific course entry requirements, and even getting in touch with them, whether that is chatting online, attending an open day, or giving them a call. Universities are usually very happy to help!
Last but not least, if you haven’t already it would be worth speaking to your teachers and careers adviser if you have one at your college about how to go about getting work experience and when.
I hope some of this was helpful, feel free to get in touch with any further questions.
Take Care
Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)
Do you mind me asking if you are doing A-levels at the moment?
I think it’ll be down to your personal choice of whether you can fit in a couple of hours a week, for example volunteering at your local hospital or even a paid job in a pharmacy or related sector. I know when I was in year 13 and my exams were approaching, I decided to scale back the paid work I did but managed to still fit in a couple of hours volunteering at my local hospital every fortnight, but I paused this during the exam period.
The more experience you have the better, but if you need to focus on your studies then there’s nothing to stop you from organising a work experience placement for during your holidays or next summer and mentioning this in your personal statement.
You might already have looked at this page on UCAS, but I thought this could be helpful, if you scroll down towards the end there is a section called “Application Advice” that is worth a read:
https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/pharmacy-pharmacology-and-toxicology#getting-in-entry-requirements
If you have already decided where you would like to apply it is worth checking the university’s specific course entry requirements, and even getting in touch with them, whether that is chatting online, attending an open day, or giving them a call. Universities are usually very happy to help!
Last but not least, if you haven’t already it would be worth speaking to your teachers and careers adviser if you have one at your college about how to go about getting work experience and when.
I hope some of this was helpful, feel free to get in touch with any further questions.
Take Care
Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)
Thanks so much and yes I am doing my A levels. I will be considering the last statement when I go back to school.
Reply 5
Original post by t0ky0trash
After finishing year 12, I realised whilst trying to plan for my personal statement that I didn't have much experience in customer interaction. I'm going to be on holiday for 4 weeks in about 2 weeks time (which is basically my whole summer gone) and I feel that when I come back from my holiday and I start y13, I won't have time to gain that experience. I feel anxious that the time I have left in y13 won't be long enough to prove I am capable for the course I want to do (pharmacy), in interviews or even my personal statement. Any advice?
Hi there 👋,
I hope you are okay?
Personally, as I am studying a Health Science course (Mental Health Nursing) I knew in sixth form I needed hours of work experience to stand out in the crowd. I utilised my time in the holidays by working a summer job that was revelvant to my degree choice, but I also spoke to my Career's Advisor and Head of Year at my college to utilise my free periods of time in the school day to go out and practice my skills in a work environment. I did this twice a week for 2 hours at a time, the hours soon added up.
I would advise creating a timetable where you can see when you have more free time, and work around these. However, consider that you also need free time to yourself, to not only revise for your exams but also as a break away from your academic studies, it is important you take a breather away from studies and do activities that you enjoy such as hobbies, socialising or time watching your favourite movie/series!
Hope this helps, good luck on your studies!
Hannah- MH Nursing Student
WrexhamUniReps
Reply 6
Original post by t0ky0trash
After finishing year 12, I realised whilst trying to plan for my personal statement that I didn't have much experience in customer interaction. I'm going to be on holiday for 4 weeks in about 2 weeks time (which is basically my whole summer gone) and I feel that when I come back from my holiday and I start y13, I won't have time to gain that experience. I feel anxious that the time I have left in y13 won't be long enough to prove I am capable for the course I want to do (pharmacy), in interviews or even my personal statement. Any advice?
Hi @t0ky0trash
Having experience with customers/ in a pharmacy is helpful while doing the course , but is absolutely not essential when it comes to applying to do pharmacy. At the university of Nottingham, having done any work experience is not a necessity and not having any does not place your application lower than those who have done work experience. However a Saturday job at a charity shop or something similar is definitely a good idea for your personal statement and gives you something to talk about at interviews.
Hopes this helps
Dom
Reply 7
5
Original post by WrexhamUniReps
Hi there 👋,
I hope you are okay?
Personally, as I am studying a Health Science course (Mental Health Nursing) I knew in sixth form I needed hours of work experience to stand out in the crowd. I utilised my time in the holidays by working a summer job that was revelvant to my degree choice, but I also spoke to my Career's Advisor and Head of Year at my college to utilise my free periods of time in the school day to go out and practice my skills in a work environment. I did this twice a week for 2 hours at a time, the hours soon added up.
I would advise creating a timetable where you can see when you have more free time, and work around these. However, consider that you also need free time to yourself, to not only revise for your exams but also as a break away from your academic studies, it is important you take a breather away from studies and do activities that you enjoy such as hobbies, socialising or time watching your favourite movie/series!
Hope this helps, good luck on your studies!
Hannah- MH Nursing Student
WrexhamUniReps
I hope you are okay?
Personally, as I am studying a Health Science course (Mental Health Nursing) I knew in sixth form I needed hours of work experience to stand out in the crowd. I utilised my time in the holidays by working a summer job that was revelvant to my degree choice, but I also spoke to my Career's Advisor and Head of Year at my college to utilise my free periods of time in the school day to go out and practice my skills in a work environment. I did this twice a week for 2 hours at a time, the hours soon added up.
I would advise creating a timetable where you can see when you have more free time, and work around these. However, consider that you also need free time to yourself, to not only revise for your exams but also as a break away from your academic studies, it is important you take a breather away from studies and do activities that you enjoy such as hobbies, socialising or time watching your favourite movie/series!
Hope this helps, good luck on your studies!
Hannah- MH Nursing Student
WrexhamUniReps
thanks!
Reply 8
5
Original post by UoN Students
Hi @t0ky0trash
Having experience with customers/ in a pharmacy is helpful while doing the course , but is absolutely not essential when it comes to applying to do pharmacy. At the university of Nottingham, having done any work experience is not a necessity and not having any does not place your application lower than those who have done work experience. However a Saturday job at a charity shop or something similar is definitely a good idea for your personal statement and gives you something to talk about at interviews.
Hopes this helps
Dom
Having experience with customers/ in a pharmacy is helpful while doing the course , but is absolutely not essential when it comes to applying to do pharmacy. At the university of Nottingham, having done any work experience is not a necessity and not having any does not place your application lower than those who have done work experience. However a Saturday job at a charity shop or something similar is definitely a good idea for your personal statement and gives you something to talk about at interviews.
Hopes this helps
Dom
thanks for the reassurance!
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