"What activities would look good on a chemistry application?" I am often asked this question, or variations of it, mainly by parents who are keen to support their teenage child in the best way. It has become even more common since the format of the UCAS personal statement changed to three specific questions. The second and third of these questions directly ask the student about their activities and experiences.
The answer I usually give parents is ‘Try thinking about this in a different way.’ Yes, a sixth form student probably should be seeking out activities relevant to their chosen course, but there is a far more important reason to do this than for the UCAS statement.
Relevant experiences, sometimes called ‘supercurriculars’ are extremely important, but as a Year 12 or 13 student it makes much more sense to seek these out before making the final decision about what you wish to study, or indeed whether you want to apply to university at all. Rather than doing things in order to have something to write about, it might be more helpful to think about doing them in order to explore the reality of the subject, or the career, that you think you might be interested in.
I am often asked by students about what would count as a relevant activity. The answer is that it can be almost anything, and doesn’t need to be something expensive. It could include a conversation with a person who works in the career you wish to pursue, a relevant book, online lecture, blog or podcast, a visit to a museum, gallery or library, work experience, or a relevant course. Write in your statement about any experiences that showcase your interest in the subject or your motivation to develop
relevant skills.
When thinking about which of the above activities might be relevant to you, it might be worth reflecting on whether these activities feel like a chore, or more like an exciting opportunity. If it feels like hard work to read a whole book about the subject that you are applying to study, ask yourself whether you will enjoy spending three years reading many more books. If you realise that you have reached the final year of school and not yet felt motivated to read any books on your chosen subject, consider whether there is a subject or an activity that interests you more, and whether this might be an alternative career avenue worth exploring. Doing a university degree can be an amazing and rewarding experience, but only if it is where your interests genuinely lie!
For personalised advice that's specific to your chosen universities and courses, please feel free to contact me to arrange an online support session.
