What do you do to help manage UCAS stress? 😬

Hey everyone!! :bee:

I have been thinking about ways to help reduce and manage Ucas stress, as this can be SUPER overwhelming at times and a tricky thing to navigate alone.

A few top tips from me (which I wish I had at 18 😂) include:

•

Keeping track of your applications + your progress. You may want to create a Word doc/Excel spreadsheet or just write things down in a notebook mapping out everything! Having somewhere concrete & easily accessible to mark your progress is a really useful way to keep on top of things.

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Get a second opinion. Having someone (friends/family/a teacher) look over your application/your personal statement etc. and giving their feedback is super helpful. Taking on people’s feedback is likely to help improve the quality of your application.

It would be very cool to know if people have any advice and tips of their own to share – please drop your ideas in the comments below 👇 The more the merrier!

A few handy links about Ucas, making Uni choices + important dates:

•

Ucas deadlines and key application dates

•

Nine things to look for when comparing university courses

•

How to get the Ucas reference you want

Also, for anyone who is DEEP into the Ucas process at the mo or who has already finished, I’m wondering what is one piece of advice you would give your younger self if you could travel back in time to when you first started? 👀 👀 👀

:worm2:

Some extra threads you may want to join in/check out:

•

UCAS Applications + Uni Applicant Thread Directory for 2025 – Official Thread

•

Fastest and Slowest Offer Holders Thread for 2025 Entry

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 1

owlyfisher

i've already submitted ucas as an early applicant and to keep myself going i had as many "little treats" as possible. every time i did something like finish a ps draft, get a reference approved, etc i would do something fun like make one of my favourite meals or visit a zoo or something like that to keep myself motivated. im now on a nice relaxing holiday after submission and esat to keep my mind off it until interview/offers since there's not much more i can do!

Reply 2

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

Original post by Blinkr

Hey everyone!! :bee:

I have been thinking about ways to help reduce and manage Ucas stress, as this can be SUPER overwhelming at times and a tricky thing to navigate alone.
A few top tips from me (which I wish I had at 18 😂) include:

•

It would be very cool to know if people have any advice and tips of their own to share – please drop your ideas in the comments below 👇 The more the merrier!
A few handy links about Ucas, making Uni choices + important dates:

•

Ucas deadlines and key application dates

•

Nine things to look for when comparing university courses

•

How to get the Ucas reference you want

Some extra threads you may want to join in/check out:

•

UCAS Applications + Uni Applicant Thread Directory for 2025 – Official Thread

•

Fastest and Slowest Offer Holders Thread for 2025 Entry

Heya!

This is all really good advice! I also think from perhaps a less practical point of view, with the stress of getting the grades you want for UCAS and everything remember that you are more than your studies! If things don't go to plan, there will be other routes. I'm not saying you shouldn't absolutely try your best and be organised - that can really help reducing stress, but remember to have balance and still enjoy yourself as well. You'll be okay whatever happens!

Trudie :smile:

Reply 3

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hello there!

Lovely advice so far 🙂 Love the idea of making a spreadsheet to track the progress of your UCAS applications. I would add, which specifically helped me when revising for my A levels:

Remember the Law of Diminishing Returns.

Basically, one hour of good quality revision where you're engaged, switched on and understanding what you're going through, is worlds better than carrying on for another three hours where you're not so engaged, are tired or lost your roll after the first hour. Its quality not quantity when it comes to study sessions - take breaks, change your environment, reward yourself for achieving your goals and take care of yourselves mentally.

Best of luck everyone

Holly
University of Bath

(edited 7 months ago)