Counselling activity: University preparation week

At my school, I have implemented a “university preparation” week for my Year 12 students. This takes place in June or July, when they have completed their AS examinations and returned to school, but before they start A2 content.

There are several sessions that you could include, based on the resources available to you.

1. Mock interviews

I run a speed dating-style event, in which students are asked questions by at least five interviewers. Students spend three minutes responding to questions that range in content from “Who from history would you want to take on a hot-air balloon ride?” to “Describe a time when you have been a leader.”

Students receive feedback on their responses, in the form of a strength and a target, which they must write down before moving on to the next interviewer.

The interviewers are normally teachers from the school, but I have previously asked the admin team to assist. I also bring in the senior leadership team, including the principal and heads of school.

2. University meals

I work with our design and technology department to teach students a variety of simple and nutritious meals that they could create at university. For example, we cook a bolognese sauce, which they can eat with spaghetti or transform into lasagne. Alternatively, they could combine it with kidney beans to create chili con carne.

Students will also learn some basic knife skills and food hygiene, and consider how to make the most of their ingredients. Our focus is typically quite UK-based, as this is where about 60 per cent of our students go for university, but you could adapt this based on your top destinations.

3. Managing money

A guest speaker delivers a session on finance and how to manage your money at university. This was included based on feedback from my students, who felt that this was an area they should be better prepared for.

4. ‘Beyond the league tables’

In this session, I talk to students about why league tables and rankings can be important, but also why other factors must be considered when choosing a university – such as access to their favourite foods, ease of transport and cost.

I also list a variety of priorities on a whiteboard and ask students to rank what they consider to be the most important to them when making a decision about where to study.

5. University site visits

I use this week to take students to visit two local universities – one a campus-based university and the other a city-based institution. This replicates the style of campuses in the UK and gives students an idea of the pros and cons of each, and which they may prefer.

On our campus tours, I ask the universities to run three to four workshops, which students can pick from based on their interests.

6. How to write a personal statement

During this week, I will also bring in a guest speaker to run a session on writing an amazing personal statement and have students create a skeleton draft of this.

One way I like to start this is by sticking a blank white piece of paper on students’ backs and asking their peers to write positive attributes on it. This is a great starting point for writing positively about yourself, which some students struggle with.

7. Alumni panel

For the first time this year, I ran an alumni panel with students at varying stages of their degree courses or already in work. These alumni shared invaluable tips – including a lot of mental health suggestions for students to consider. They also covered some more challenging topics, such as how to deal with peer pressure in relation to drugs and alcohol. When I gathered feedback on the week, this was for many – myself included – a highlight.