Last December we were in celebratory mood in more ways than one as we hosted our 3rd annual Seren Conference at Cefn Lea Park in Newtown.

Welcoming 1,288 students from all over Wales, it was the biggest Seren Conference yet, with three days packed full of workshops, seminars, speakers, and practical sessions. Representatives from 34 leading universities across the UK, including Oxford and Cambridge, overseas universities, and teaching professionals from across Wales were showcasing the wealth of exciting undergraduate opportunities and academic pathways available to students after their A Levels.

The Seren Conference 2019 has been inspirational to the students that joined us. Heading home, they were buzzing about the possibilities ahead of them, what they can strive for, and what can be achieved as they get ready to embark on the next stage of their education journey.

Here’s just some of the feedback…

Millie Hore, Year 12, Ysgol Penglais School

I attended the Seren Conference to see what opportunities are available and to be inspired on what my next steps could be.

The day delivered a vibrant atmosphere through various seminars and workshops full of information. Beforehand we were able to select which sessions to attend, which was great as it meant the schedule was tailored to each students’ interests.

At the sessions, information was given on engaging with student life and applying for university, as well as academic content. A variety of representatives from Russell Group Universities and US Summer School programmes were free to speak to us and enthusiastically answered all of our questions – it was great!

A personal favourite of mine was speaking to the US Summer School alumni, who eagerly shared their experiences from the previous year and sparked an interest in me to apply for similar opportunities. Also, the academic seminar on ‘Natural Science’ left me intrigued with a desire to find out more about this field of research as a potential university degree.

Coming away from the conference, it was clear that to strive to be the best we must embrace all opportunities available to us, regardless of the challenges they may pose. The bus journey home was filled with an eager buzz as we all read the literature and university prospectuses obtained from the day.

Reflecting on the conference, I would definitely encourage all future Seren students to attend this conference to enhance their knowledge and understanding of future career pathways.

Ilona Hoffmann, Year 12, Ysgol Penglais School

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Seren Conference! A highlight for me was having the opportunity to talk to Russell Group Universities face to face and to find out more about what they offer and how I can get involved.

The first session I chose to attend on the day was ‘Applying for bursaries and scholarships’. I found this really helpful and I learnt a lot about what is available to students my age and in my situation. It was also great to see how easy it is to apply!

 I also went to the ‘Studying in the USA’ session which was one of my favourite sessions. I’m very interested in studying abroad and this session really opened my eyes to the education system in the USA. Being able to hear from previous students who had attended the summer schools was very helpful as it gave me first-hand experience of what studying abroad is like.

 Another session I attended was on the ‘Creative Industries’ and I found it highly insightful! I am very keen to pursue a career in the performing arts so going to this session helped answer all my questions. Lastly, I attended the Philosophy session which helped me understand the full breadth of the subject and also included a talk from an American lecturer who was even more fascinating.

 Overall, I found the day very, very useful and it gave me a lot to think about for the future. Being able to hear from past Seren students was reassuring as many of them were also indecisive on what to pursue in the future, which gave me hope in knowing there is time to consider my options and that the perfect degree is out there for me!

A new year brings the chance for new experiences, and that goes for the Seren Summer School programmes as well.

In 2020, four Seren students will have the chance to attend the University of Chicago Summer Session – a three-week programme which allows students to experience studying and living like a real Chicago student.

Four scholarships of $7,100 covering programme fees are available. These fees include tuition, accommodation, board, activities and health insurance. Students will be responsible for raising funds to cover the cost of flights, plus any additional spending money.*

The University of Chicago Summer Sessions is just one of the many Summer School experiences available to Seren students and it’s important that you choose to apply to the one which will benefit you the most.

Information on all Summer Schools can be found here and further information on the international opportunities is here, along with details of how to apply.

If you’ve always dreamed of going to the University of Chicago now is your chance to experience it!

The deadline for applying to the University of Chicago Summer Session is 22^nd January 2020. Good luck with your application and let us know if you have any questions.

To read our blog on our other Summer Schools click here: https://serennetwork.blog.gov.wales/2019/12/20/2020-summer-opportunities/

For more information, including deadlines and details of how to apply, click here: https://serennetwork.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/seren-international-2020-opportunities.pptx

*Additional funding is available for students most in need and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The festive holidays are a great time to unwind from a busy term. So, when you find out you have to revise for exams in the new year it can become a challenge trying to give yourself a well-earned rest and keep on top of your work at the same time.

We spoke to Katie Thorpe, a 21-year-old who is in her third year studying History at Exeter University. She shares her top tips on how to balance revision and fun over the holidays.

Be organised

My first piece of advice is to make sure you are organised. At first, the amount of work you have to do can be very overwhelming but getting up early and splitting your revision will help break it up. Make a realistic timetable to ensure you don’t need to cram any last-minute revision. If you start revision early, you will reduce stress and improve your chances for your exams.

Plan your revision around Christmas activities by being sensible and realistic about how many social activities you want to go to. During the festive holiday, plans can change so remember to be flexible with your revision but also be strict enough to make sure you finish everything that needs to be done.

Stay focused

Create a quiet study area as this means you’re less likely to be disturbed and you can avoid distractions. It’s a good idea to leave your phone somewhere outside of your study area as having time off your phone will help you be more productive in the long-term.

When planning your revision, make sure you have short revision sessions with regular breaks and are constantly eating and drinking water as this will help you concentrate. Implementing a reward session such as treating yourself to a biscuit or some chocolate at the end of each topic will keep you going.

Prioritise and spend longer on things you don’t understand. If you’re struggling with a topic, then vary your revision techniques – try mind-maps and using past paper questions.

Stay motivated

It’s important to maintain a good work-life balance but that will only happen if you are organised and have mapped out a schedule. Knowing that you are out with friends in the evening should be motivation to get what you need done during the day.

Busy people get a lot done so stay motivated and pace yourself for the long haul. Give yourself targets to help you avoid doing all-nighters. If you work hard, it will pay off.

Take care of yourself

Get out of the house and have some fresh air. Simple things like going for a walk can help release stress and give you a clear head. It’s important to remember to rest, don’t overdo the revision or you risk wearing yourself out. If you’re feeling stuck, have a change of scenery, for example revising in a coffee shop or a library, as this can help boost your motivation, productivity and wellbeing.

Remember to have fun

Finally, don’t feel guilty! If you have a positive attitude throughout the holidays, including while doing your revision, it will help to make it more enjoyable.

You can also make your revision more fun by involving your friends or family e.g. using flashcards. Everyone around you wants you to do the best you can do, so don’t feel guilty asking for help.

The exam season doesn’t last long, and when it is finished, normal life can quickly resume.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

The Christmas break is nearly upon us! But like busy elves, we’ve been busy preparing for 2020 and making sure there are plenty of incredible opportunities for our students. Some of the events we have taking place include:

• International opportunities with Yale and Harvard
• The return of the Seren-Jesus College Summer School at Oxford University
• LEDLET Summer Scheme in London/Cardiff
• Sutton Trust US Programme

Read on to find out what each entails.

International opportunities with Yale and Harvard

Over the past two years, 69 Seren pupils have received full scholarships to attend the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program at Yale University and the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program at Harvard University.

Building on this success, Seren is continuing its partnership with both institutions for the summer of 2020.

Up to 30 Year 12 Seren students will receive a full scholarship worth $6,300/student to attend the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program. In addition to this, up to 20 Year 12 Seren students will receive a full scholarship worth $4,850/student to attend the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program.

Full scholarships cover Yale Young Global Scholars and Harvard Summer School programme fees (including tuition, accommodation, board & health insurance), but do not cover flight costs. Additional sponsorship may be available to support those pupils most in need of further financial support.

To find out more about both opportunities and how to apply to each, please download the information pack linked to here: Seren International 2020 opportunities.  We recommend that you do so well in advance as the application process will take some time and require input from your school and parents/guardians.

In addition to this information pack, you are invited to join a live webinar for further advice and guidance on 20th or 23rd December. See the information pack for details of how to tune in.

You can also read several blogs about Seren students’ experiences at Yale and Harvard:

• We take a look back at the first two weeks of the Yale Young Global Scholars Program
• My experience at the Yale Young Global Scholars program (YYGS)
• Meet Joseph, whose love of engineering encouraged him to apply to the YYGS
• We hear from Cassie, Tom, Carys, Joe and Yousuf all about their first week at Yale
• Meet Yousuf, whose dream is to set up his own tech company in Silicon Valley. He was one of the first Seren students to attend YYGS
• Meet Carys: the Welsh athlete who was one of the first Seren students to attend YYGS
• Seren student Tyler Rawlings attended the Harvard Summer School last year, and you can read about his experience here

Seren – Jesus College Summer School, Oxford University

Jesus College, Oxford University, in collaboration with Seren, is proud to announce its fourth annual summer school.

Each year, Jesus College welcomes up to 75 students from across Wales to study and live like a real Oxford student. You’ll get to take part in lectures, seminars and the world-famous Oxford tutorial while sleeping and eating in the halls of the leading university.

This year, the theme is ‘Intelligence: Real and Artificial’ and will cover a range of subjects including:

• The promise and peril of artificial intelligence
• The neuroscience of intelligence
• A modern history of the secret intelligence services
• A history of genius in art and music
• Forms of intelligence in plants

Applications will open in May/June 2020; keep an eye on our channels for more information.

LEDLET Summer Scheme in London and Cardiff

Especially for students interested in studying law at university level, the LEDLET summer scheme showcases the different professions available to law students and gives them the opportunity to experience what it really is that lawyers do.

For the first time this year, the scheme will be coming to Cardiff as well as London.

Applications close on 14 February, and you can find more information here: https://www.ledlet.org.uk/summer-scheme-2017

The Sutton Trust US Programme

The Sutton Trust US Programme is designed to support students from state schools across the UK to explore US study and access leading universities. In the past eight years, they have helped more than 400 British students get places and funding at top US universities.

The programme includes two residentials in the UK before all students spend a week in the US staying on-campus at a leading US university and visiting a variety of other American universities. An optional second year of the programme gives students additional support to apply to US universities alongside their UCAS options.All costs are covered by the programme – including travel, food, accommodation, admissions test preparation and more.

To be eligible to apply, students must:

• Currently be in Year 12
• Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded school or college i.e. non-fee paying
• Not hold US citizenship
• Be from a low- or middle-income family (generally, this will mean a household earning £45,000 or less)
• Be interested in US culture and higher education

To apply, and for more information, visit https://us.suttontrust.com/

The application deadline is 19 January 2020. However, we strongly advise you get started earlier, as the application form requires some thinking.

You might have heard about Seren but with the initial excitement of the academic year starting to calm down, you might now find yourself wondering what it involves.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Seren, read on for some key information to get you up to speed.

In 2014 Paul Murphy, Lord Murphy of Torfaen, noticed a drop in Welsh students being accepted into Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge). He found Welsh students had a 19.5% chance of getting into Oxbridge in comparison to 25% from the rest of the UK.

As a result, Seren was established. Designed to increase the numbers of Welsh teenagers getting into Oxbridge, Seren supports Wales’ brightest and best state school students in realising their potential.

Seren is a national network of hubs across Wales which provides opportunities, support and guidance to encourage students to strive to be the best they can be and apply for universities that may have previously appeared unattainable.

At the beginning of each academic year Seren invites the next cohort of students from years 12 and 13 to join one of its hubs with the hope of inspiring them to achieve their full potential.

There are 13 regional hubs across Wales: Flintshire & Wrexham, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf & Merthyr Tydfil, Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire, Education Achievement Service Consortia, Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot, Conwy & Denbighshire, Anglesey & Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Vale of Glamorgan, Powys and Bridgend.

These hubs are led by a dedicated Seren coordinator who creates a calendar of activities, such as the annual Seren Conference, university residentials like Jesus College Summer School, workshops with leading university professors, subject specific events and advice and guidance workshops.

Seren has also formed partnerships with leading departments at the Welsh Universities, all making strides in their areas of academic specialism and supporting Seren students through workshops, masterclasses and events. These academic specialisms range from engineering at Swansea to international politics at Aberystwyth and dentistry at Cardiff University.

In June of this year statistics showed that the Seren programme is seeing great success, with more Welsh students being offered places at Oxford and Cambridge year on year.

Cambridge University made the highest number of offers this year to state-educated Welsh students, and applications from Welsh state-educated students to Oxford University have increased by 13% since 2016.

Take a look at what past and present Seren students had to say:

“I found out about the Jesus College Summer School at Oxford University on the Seren Facebook page and jumped at the chance to apply. I was amazed when I got offered a place and enjoyed every second of my week there. It gave me an insight into life at the university while also giving me a flavour of what the course would be like” – Darcy Holland studying History at Oxford University.

“Being part of Seren is an amazing experience – it provided me with opportunities I never would have dreamed of.” – Morgan Edwards studying A-Levels at Llantwit Major Secondary School.

“My hub coordinator provided me with a lot of guidance and support throughout the process of applying to uni – it made it so much easier!” – Charlotte Belton studying Maths at Durham University.

“Seren has helped me prepare for university through the tips and advice from various talks I have been to which were put on by Seren.” – Joe Lagorio Price studying Medicine at Cambridge University.

And make sure to follow our social channels to keep updated on all things Seren:

Facebook – facebook.com/serennetwork

Twitter – @RhwydwaithSeren / @Seren_Network

Instagram – @RhwydwaithSeren / @serennetwork

Blog – rhwydwaithseren.blog.llyw.cymru/ serennetwork.blog.gov.wales

Your first term at university can be nerve-wracking and with the excitement of fresher’s week over, the reality of studying at degree level can begin to set in.

We spoke to 20-year-old Maram Eghlileb, a second-year student studying Pharmacy (MPharm) at Cardiff University, who shared her experience of her first term at university with us.

Starting university can be a daunting thought for many people, including myself, but nonetheless so many people have experienced it and were able to ‘survive’ their first term!

Although I’m from Cardiff, just like many people that have moved here for university, I had to familiarise myself with the buildings and the city campus. I think this is one of the first things you should do when starting university as this helped ease the stress of getting lost or being late to my lectures, seminars or placements.

The thought of meeting new people and making friends can be intimidating, however, remembering that everyone is in the same boat and is feeling the exact same makes the process slightly easier. Simply smiling and saying hello can start a great conversation and possibly result in long-term friendships.

One of the greatest aspects of going to university is the fact that you will meet people from varying backgrounds, personalities and nationalities; which you will learn so much from. I can assure you that you will find a group of friends that will be your perfect match.

In addition to making friends in my year group, I found it really beneficial to socialise with people from outside my course. By joining societies and becoming an academic rep I met 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th year students that were incredibly welcoming and reassuring and offered great advice.

Before starting university, people will most likely advise you to throw yourself at as many things as possible, which I agree with to an extent. It’s great to sign up to societies that interest you and get involved in the university community but be reasonable with the number of societies you join. You don’t want to be feeling even more overwhelmed.

Keeping up with the workload is essential. As tempting as it may be to leave academic study until ‘later’, you risk putting yourself in a difficult situation. Keep up with your notes and write them up while you still remember the lectures rather than leaving them towards the end of the term. The first term will be a great time to figure out what style of revision at university best suits you.

With all this in mind, it’s important to enjoy yourself and to make the most of the opportunities university brings!