Quite often the interview you have for a University is the first proper interview you’ll have in your lifetime so it can be extremely nerve-wracking and scary! Fear not, most people are in the same position as you and it as equally terrified! Trust me when I say that the interviews are not something to be panicked over, if anything they are good practice for future job and intern applications! Here are a few snippets of advice that may help calm your nerves…

• Research what you like about the university AND the course. It sounds silly but one of the main goals of university interviews is to find students that are suitable and going to make the most out of the course! Showing your interviewer that you have a specific passion for certain areas of the course and a desire to go to that University in general will, as a whole, show you off in a good light that you will be a good student. They will most likely base questions off your UCAS application and personal statement so make sure you remember what you’ve written!
• Dress smartly and smile. Although when you are nervous it can be hard to force your lips into a grin, even fake smiling can help you feel more relaxed and at ease. Dressing smartly will show that you are making an effort and also that you take yourself seriously in your future goals.
• Arrive early. Arriving early will give you plenty of time to get used to your surrounds, (hopefully not get lost!), calm your nerves and gives you valuable time to go over some of the research that you have done surrounding the course you’re applying for and the university.
• Ask questions. Nothing say an enthusiastic student like questions about the course and what it is like to be a student there. Maybe see if you can talk to a current student and find out a bit more about life as a student so you can be fully confident that that university and course is where you want to go!

There are a few quick tips, the main take-away from this for me is to relax and be yourself. The interviewers are not trying to catch you out – they want enthusiastic and engaged students on their course! Confidence that it is what you want to do is one of the key factors that will leave a lasting impression. Any more tips? Let me know in the comments below…