This is a great listen for students going to University and for the parents, educators/counsellors/mentors who are supporting them in this transition.

In this podcast, Toby had just started University with all the newness of the first term behind him.

There are 5 important takeaways from Toby. Listen and find out what Toby has to say about the following:

• It will likely be a journey of ups and downs. How does Toby suggest you cope?
• You have to grow up to become an adult very quickly, why does Toby say this?.
• Make the most of the first weeks, why was this important for Toby?
• What does Toby say about finding the optimal balance of student life?
• What does Toby suggest you do to balance the 'overload' that can be a common feeling at the beginning?

In this episode the focus is on “the stayers”. At times of change, there will be some people leaving to go to a new place - a school, university or a new country. Time and effort is rightly focused on creating a good goodbye for the leavers.

And there will be people staying put who will be experiencing change as people around them leave.

They also have to learn to adjust to this change, something not of their making.

We likely have all have felt what it is like to be a leaver and a stayer at some point. As a stayer, were the changes and your responses ever acknowledged? It can be hard to be a stayer.

In relation to the university transition, students on a gap year and parents are examples of stayers.

Listen as Louise and Elizabeth discuss:

• Who are the stayers and why it’s important to bring focus to this group
• The challenges of being a stayer
• Using the RAFT framework to support stayers

And if you are just starting university or responsible for young adults who are, take a look at our new course: Thrive in Your First Weeks at University: A framework for adjusting and settling well. HERE

In this episode Elizabeth speaks to Christian about decision making and then applying to university as a mature student.

This is an important viewpoint as about a third of undergraduates in the UK are mature students.

Christian shares his story of facing a fork in the road about his future - looking for another job or making the move towards university. There were many of things to consider especially as he knew the world of work but didn't know any mature students. He now does!

Listen as Elizabeth and Christian discuss:

• What steps helped Christian move towards being a university student.
• The positives and challenges of being a mature student
• The importance of seeing the bigger picture and understanding your WHY of higher education and beyond
• Support that universities can offer for this particular group of students
• Using your strengths and skills from your work experience to university life
• The advice that Christian offers to make this a successful transition