Running...Out of Time

The other day I went to the cinema to watch In Time. One common goal that Will Salas, the protagonist of the film, and I grudgingly share is: Can I have more time? The clock of UCAS application keeps ticking and ticking but I have not submitted by UCAS application. University choices? Check. Personal Statement? Check. Required English Tests, at least for those of us who need them? Check. So what exactly am I waiting for?

If you still haven’t submitted your UCAS application like me, here’s one quick suggestion: it may be helpful to leave yourself with a cooling-off period so that you can reconsider and re-evaluate your decisions before the ultimate, finalized application. Let’s admit it: at times we are rather impulsive when making decisions. We come up with silly and reckless ideas that we might regret or reject with clearer thinking.

The cooling-off period is probably a good time to have deep(er) conversations and seek final advice, especially from parents and possibly from professionals. It could actually be surprisingly helpful. I’m lucky to have at school teachers who offer concrete and useful advice for my university choices and provide various solutions for any of my enquiries.

Thanks to the “mentor programme” of my school, I have been assigned a mentor who is a journalist, just as one day I hope to be. And of course, I’ve been constantly asking my parents and friends for their opinions. Googling the most updated information about universities helps a lot too. Most of my friends have been glued to their computers, going through every single article related to tertiary studies both locally and overseas.

But at the same time, I’ve got to keep in mind that other people’s advice is merely helping me with the finalization of my application. I’m trying to take the good and reasonable advice, but when it comes to my aspirations, I know I need to stand firm in what I’m passionate about doing and not be daunted by conflicting opinions. I’m going to stay true to myself and believe in myself. I hope you will too!

Notwithstanding it’s still two months from the official UCAS application deadline, I must bear in mind that there isn’t much time for lingering without making any actual progress. I hope to make up my final decisions and submit my UCAS application within one week or two. How about you?