RESULTS ARE IN- WHAT'S NEXT?

Results day can often be an experience of either joy, confusion or sadness depending on how it goes for you.
College/Sixth form results day are often considered to be the most scary as to some degree they finalise your destination for the next 3+ years by determining which university you will be going to and whether or not your grades have confirmed your place on your selected course.

Here are some helpful tips for results day:

tute.com

1. Make sure you know in advance where you will be collecting your results from
2. If collecting them from your College/Sixth Form make sure you know what time it opens and closes on that day
3. Ensure that you know in advance who would be best to speak to if you have any issues or concerns
4. If you cannot collect your results in person, make sure you know what your alternative options are and make the necessary arrangements e.g. have them sent home
5. Once you have collected your results make sure you know what your next steps are e.g. confirm enrolment and accomodation at your chosen university
6. If you are concerned that you may have to go through Clearing, it’s a good idea to pick up a copy of the Telegraph newspaper, as this is the only paper that publishes the full list of Clearing places available


The most important things to take with you are:
- notepad
- mobile phone
- calculator (to add up module marks)
- UCAS Letter containing your UCAS number and conditional grades
- Contact details for your firm and insurance Choice

Now as I'm sure you know results day can end differently for everyone. Here are some of the classic scenarios you can be faced with and how to deal with them:

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Yayy! Congratulations on getting into your first choice university! Phone your friends and daily and tell them the great news! Celebrations are most definitely in order! But first, make have you have confirmed your place (and your accommodation if you will be living away from home). Your university will usually email/post you a set of instructions informing you how to go about this! Once that's complete and you've settled from all the excitement its time to start preparing! This means starting to buy the necessary books and other essentials you may need (blog post on this coming soon) and planning how/when you will be moving in to your new home!

Before giving up all hope check your status on UCAS Track It is still possible that your firm choice university may have accepted you with slightly lower grades than your conditional offer! If it hasn't updated you can call up the university to find out if you have been accepted. If so, congrats!

However if this isn't the case but you have been given a place at your insurance university sit tight until they send you the necessary information on how to confirm your place and anything else you may need to do. You will also need to complete a change of circumstances (CO1) form for your Student Loan so they are aware of which institution you will now be attending. In this circumstance though you may or may not be thrilled, it is still awesome that you are going to university! It will still be a life changing and wonderful experience filled with new adventures so confirm that place and get preparing!

That's awesome! You should be thrilled!  and I'm sure your friends and family are super proud! You now have two options:
1. If you're happy with your firm choice and definitely wish to go there confirm your place and continue celebrating as you prepare for the new and exciting chapter ahead!
2. If you now wish to apply somewhere else or want to study a different course you can do so through a process called Adjustment. Full info on adjustment is available here. Even if you try adjustment but don't find anything, that's ok! you can still keep the course you gained on results day! But keep those  newly acquired grades on your CV so you show future employers your hard work! 




Do not panic! All hope is not lost! 
The first thing to do is to check your status on UCAS Track- you may find your insurance place may have accepted you even with lower grades!
If not, you will need to enter the Clearing process which means it may still be possible for you to go to university. Full info on this can be found here. If this doesn't work out for you may want to consider retaking some of your A Levels (or equivalent) to get into your preferred uni or look into the alternative options to attending university. However, if you think your grades are inaccurate you can opt for getting your exams remarked. Though this isn't a free service you will be reimbursed if your grades improve but bare in mind they could potentially go down too. 

Awesome! In some cases you will offered a full or partial scholarship or bursary depending on your chosen course and location of study and your household income. Make sure you check out the terms and conditions of your offer so you're fully aware of what you're being offered and what you need to do. 







If you did not apply for a deferred position make sure you contact the university to let them know you have decided to defer your offer.
In the meantime start planning and making arrangements for what you plan to do in your gap year- 
work experience? volunteer? travel? internship? The possibilities are endless!

Once we get over the excitement this is how a lot of us feel. And its completely normal! Living away from home as a university student is a big step and literally throws you into a whole new world of independence and opportunity as well meeting loads of new people of all ages from all walks of life! Though that may be a daunting thought, trust that you will eventually  settle in and will surprise yourself and how you handle your new found independence. If it helps, asks people who have recently completed their first year or graduated for any tips or advice they have to offer to help you feel much more prepared! But rest assured it will soon become your home away from home and you will love it!


I hope this helped you all with handling the whirlwind of results day and no matter what person you feel you identify with the most, remember God has got you and everything happens for a reason. Your grades do not determine your life's fate, God does so just trust in Him, be obedient and work hard and you will be fine! And feel free to contact me should you need any advice or if you have any questions!

Iz x


stay tuned for my next post : Preparing for Uni-Let's Get Packing !

APPLYING FOR UNIVERSITY

1. If I said applying for university was easy I would be lying. The truth is, it is one of the most important decisions we make in our lives as it is the last stepping stone we take before entering into the real world of work, launching our careers and transforming our childhood dreams into our reality.

   
   

   For me it was a decision that really took some thought and I'm sure it will be that way for most of you

   
   

   The best advice I can give anyone applying to university is:

   1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE RIGHT COURSE

   University is a lot more independent than many of us anticipate meaning it is up to you alone to make sure you attend all your lectures and seminars and keep on top of your deadlines. If you do not actually enjoy your course or rushed into choosing something for the sake of it but didn't actually want to study it then staying on top of everything can be very difficult and overwhelming. So choosing something that will lead toward your desired career and something you enjoy will make the experience worth it and will motivate you to put the work in!

   2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE RESOURCES AROUND YOU

   Do thorough research of your course and universities by visiting UCAS Conventions and Open Days and speak to as many people as possible who have either been to university, understand the application process or have studied the exact course you have chosen and make sure any questions or queries you may have get answered. 

   3. MAKE UCAS YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND

   When applying to uni you're going to hear the word UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) a gazillion times so the sooner you get acquainted with their website the better as thats what you will be using to apply! https://www.ucas.com

   4. PRAY!

   The benefit of being a Christian is that scary decisions like these are made much easier! Knowing that God has already orchestrated your lifes plan should make you feel at peace. So with each new decision, university visit or moment of anxiety, consistently keep sharing your thoughts and concerns with Him and be lead so that you know every step you take is 100% the right one! And if you're not sure what you want to study yet or if you should even go to uni at all that's ok! God knows so the more time you spend with Him the faster you'll get your answers!

   
   

   
   

   So how exactly do you apply? Explaining it all would take me an incredibly long time however I made a little table showcasing the 5 main steps of applying to university for my brother that I think would help you guys too! It also includes some tips and tricks to help you along the way! Hope this makes the process a little easier! 

   and remember Gods got you! x

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF ALL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED AND MORE VISIT: 

   
   

   https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/ucas-parent-guide-2016-entry_0.pdf

INTRODUCING: LIFE OF A UNI STUDENT

As I'm about to enter my final year of university, I have been reflecting on my journey so far and all the tips, advice and information I wish I had  been aware of prior to starting each new year, that could have made my experience not only easier but all the more enjoyable.

With a lot of my younger cousins, my sibling and family friends about to embark on the same adventure I figured this would be a great way to share some advice and encouragement for young people who are about to enter this new chapter in their lives. I'm considering making this a completely separate blog so let me know what you guys think? 

So far I can honestly say that going to university has been the best experience of my life! Not only have I enjoyed the studying aspect even with its challenges, but I also met life long friends including my best friend, gained new career experiences and opportunities and seen myself really grow more than any other time in my life into the woman I believed God has destined me to become.

But as we all know going to uni isn't just about the academic side of things (though that should be the most important part) as there are so many other things to consider such as:

1. What uni should I go to? How do I even decide?
2. Should I live in halls or stay at home? What about living with friends?
3. Assignments: Keeping to deadlines and what happens if I miss one?
4. To rave or not to rave?
4. What clubs and societies should I join?
6. Should I do a placement year?
7. Does being a Christian limit the 'fun' of my university experience?
8. How and when do I start planning for my 'life after university?'
9. Is good Time management possible? 
10.Exams: Revision techniques 
11. How do I budget whilst I'm in uni? Will I need to get a job?
12. Is it ok to be in a relationship whilst I am in uni or will it jeopardise my success?   
13. How do I maintain my relationship with God whilst in uni?
14. Dealing with stress and identity crisis 
15. Identifying and avoiding temptations

These are just a few of the issues i'll be tackling in this new segment and no stone will go unturned so feel free to send me any questions, thoughts or ideas you would like me to share and I hope this will help make your experience as smooth and stress free as possible and remember- you CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Phil 4:13)

I look forward to hearing all your queries and stay tuned for the next segment! 

TESTIMONY TUESDAY!

Hey guys,

Hope you've all been well! With exam season over its back to blogging for me and I figured I would start with a catch up of the last few weeks and what a month it has been! Here are just two of the many testimonies that God has blessed me with this month!...

So in April this year I passed my driving test which I was pretty ecstatic about, particularly because being someone who lives in what can be best described as 'Narnia', (C.S. Lewis readers will understand lol) as this would mean safer and faster journeys home and just easier commuting all round.

Naturally, the next step after passing my test would be buying a car right?
However, I had seen lots of my friends rush into this end up with a problematic vehicle. Hence, with no desire to follow suit, whilst looking for my own car I began praying:

©pixshark

'Lord I thank you for bringing me this far and helping me pass my driving test. I know buying a car is a big and risky decision and so I pray that you will sabotage any car that may come my way that is not in your will for my life. I ask that you keep me covered and protected. Give me what you know is safe and best for me. 

Amen.'

Lo and Behold, the whole month potential buys came to me left right and centre and I was pleasantly surprised. In the midst of my excitement I had forgotten the part where I'd asked God to sabotage any opportunity that was not meant to be. As a result any time I was close to purchasing a car something would go wrong or I would receive some sort of sign that I shouldn't take it, and to be honest, after a while I became very frustrated and disheartened and began to give up. Though I had prayed this prayer, the itch to get behind my own wheels was preying on me and the thought of all the benefits it would bring. So in the midst of my frustration I decided to pray again and ask God to help me to have more faith.

However, I didn't get the answer to my prayers that I'd expected. Instead of feeling that warm sense of comfort or a restoration of faith I just kept hearing 'Instead of moping around and wasting time pondering over the what ifs, you should be praising me in advance because you've already got your car'. To keep it all the way real that didn't really make sense to me. I'm a very logical thinker so I like to plan and have purpose for my actions. Therefore being told to praise in advance for a car I'd never seen whilst constantly hitting dead ends with all the ones I was finding was proving to be very challenging.

On Friday 22nd May I shared the message God had given me with my housemate Louise  (who also happens to be a blogger) and asked her to pray with me. From that day onwards it seemed like God was giving her a word for me everyday to cancel out any form of doubt I may still have had. One thing she said that stuck out to me was
'The instruction from God is to praise Him for your car as if its already here. Remember Izzy, God loves a faithful and obedient Servant. When God tells you to do something the time is never later or in your own time. THE TIME IS NOW!'

She also reminded me that instead of giving up, dwelling on what I don't have and basking in disappointment, I should remember that all it takes is faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) for our God with limitless strength (Psalm 147:5) to fulfil our hearts desires, so we should never allow ourselves to drown in frustration or impatience. My mother (who never gives up on anything!) also reiterated the same thing, stressing that if God has declared it, then it is already done!

       © Bistrips

So by Sunday 24th May I was back on my 'A Game' and was confident that my car was coming. But on Sunday night I received a phone call saying that all the potential offers had fallen through so I was back at square one. But by this point I refused to except defeat and held on to Gods promise and began to search look and call again at 1:30am Monday morning! (Yes I was eager lol) ... by 4pm the same day it was confirmed that I officially had my first car!

Though for some getting a car may not be a big deal, for me it was more than  just a car. It represented the journey God had brought me through; from doing my theory test, to providing me a job so I could work long hours to be able to pay for driving lessons and buy a car whilst still a student, from setting myself a target date to pass by and actually meeting it, and then finally waking up to see my car in my driveway. Everytime I see her (yes her lol) I'm reminded about the power of PRAISING IN ADVANCE and that we should:

'Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments,' -Deutronomy 7:9 (AMP)

Now I'm aware I've entitled this post Testimony Tuesday as I was supposed to publish it last night, but I kept feeling like I should wait because something else was coming..

In the midst of this car hunt I had also been waiting on a summer job I had applied for that was quite a competitive role, but would be a great opportunity for me. Though I felt like my initial interview had gone well, it was still a waiting game and I had been thinking about it a lot last night. Rather than asking for faith again I decided to just declare that the job was already mine and speak my letter of congratulations into existence and guess what the content of the first email I woke up to this morning was?! Not only did I get the job but I was given a higher position that I didn't even apply for!
It all suddenly became very clear why I kept feeling like I should delay my post because my testimony was being doubled!.

I am honestly so grateful, happy but most importantly thankful for everything God has brought my way in this last month and this only half of it!
I really hope my experiences will encourage you and stress the importance and benefits of PERSERVERANCE IN FAITH.

Having faith and steadfastly trusting in God (even when everything around me seemed to be working against his plan) has opened so many doors for me in this month and I promise it will do the same for you so 

GO GET YOUR BLESSING! =] 

                                              X

                                                           

GRACE PERSONIFIED

Hey Guys!

Happy Ressurection/Easter!
I know it may seem strange for me to say Ressurection as well as 'Easter' however when I typed 'easter' into google images I was bombarded with images of  easter eggs and easter rabbits and thats not the Easter I remember being taught about as a child. 

©christianitymatters.com

In my opinion, though many events in the history of the world have had a major impact on peoples lives, nothing has been greater or more powerful than the Resurrection of Jesus. Reflecting this morning on the significance of Good Friday I remembered all the Easter productions I used to participate in in church, and being taught about the significance of the crown of thorns and the pain and scrutiny Christ endured all for the sake of our sins. 
The two things that stuck out to me most in my meditation this morning were the power of sin but more importantly the superior power of Gods love and the blessings of the new life we have in Him. 

Romans 6:8-14

"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him...

 death no longer has mastery over him...he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, consider yourselves also dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master,because you are not under the law, but under grace."

1 Peter 3:4
"In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the Ressurection of Jesus Christ and into an inheritance than can never perish, spoil or fade"

©www.icfwageningen.org

Sin can be a truly powerful thing and in many circumstances all it takes is sinning once for it to develop into a habit which in turn can make us feel entrapped, so much so that by our own strength we can become slave to it as our defence simply isn't strong enough. A lot of the time sin can seem like the 'easier' option, or a way to fit in to the ways of the world but its all a facade of  temporary pleasures and the consequences be it in the long or short term are never worth it.

Ephesians 4:22-24

'we do not have the excuse of ignorance. You were taught, to let everything connected to your former way of life go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.'


I personally believe that life would be so much simpler if we didn't have to cover up lies, chose to channel our frustrations into positive and productive things and didn't have to have our conscience constantly hammering away at our hearts and leaving us carrying the weight of our guilt everywhere we go.
Sin is not an obligation- it is a choice.
If we can lighten the load of life in any way, why not do so? Choosing to flee from sin is one of the easiest ways to make life less complicated, especially because God has already given all the equipment and power to be able to do so. When overcoming any sin no matter how big or small, know that you can and will always be able to defeat it and you'll never have to start from scratch as whatever you'll need to do stems from what Christ has already done! Even if its something you may have backsliden into, don't waste time feeling sorry for yourself or feeling like God hates you because you werent able to keep your word. 
Jesus is grace personified.
The abuse of grace doesn't eliminate its existence. Christ died for every single one of our sins regardless of whether we deserved it or not and no man-made demonstration of love will ever come close to that.  I can promise you that once you let it in, the grace, mercy and love of Christ has the power to completely change your life for the better. The moment you Accept, Believe and Confess Christ as your Lord and Saviour, every sin and curse over you life is destroyed.So far as you repent with an honest and open heart and allow the Holy Spirit to order your steps moving forward, you can always make a positive change. 



2 Cornthians 5:17
Therefore if any person is in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!


I have come to understand that being made a new creation through Christ means we embody everything he endured and represents and this should truly reflect in how we live. The scriptures above really reminded me that sin has no hold over my life and Christ has already conquered sin. So living in, through and for him means that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit I will forever be a conquerer! 

©crosscards.com

This Easter I smile and celebrate  the fact that God loved me so much that he sacrificed his Son not just for the sins of my past but for sins I may commit in the future. And he didn't just do it for me but for all of us, even those who have turned away from Him or don't know Him yet.

As I sing in church this evening (http://www.worshiptabernacle.org.uk/#) I pray the words of each song will really minister to me as well as the congregation. I will be reminded of how awesome Gods grace and love are and pray that the life I lead will be my way of saying thank you to God for such an amazing and life changing sacrifice!  

Have an awesome day and remember Jesus is the reason for the season! 

Love 

Izzy x

BACK WITH A BANG!

Hi Guys!!!!!!!

(©Bitstrips)

I know its been an incredibly long time since I last posted but I am pleased to say IM BACK! and filled with new energy, new wisdom and new stories to share!
So, from now I will posting much more frequently so be on the look out!

In my absence some of you asked why I hadn't posted in a while and I've always been someone who likes to keep it real so all shall be explained...

 Lets back track a little.

In Mid October 2014 I had just begun my expedition to take my relationship with God to the next level. Around that time I was at a point where I felt like by 'the book' I was doing things right. Any of my friends can tell you that I genuinely love helping others and being a light, a sister and a friend to anyone around me. Hence, I was constantly trying my best to be a 'Good Samaritan' for everyone around me and was giving my offering, praying over my day everyday etc. But the more I started thinking about the 'bigger picture' of my life e.g. my purpose, my testimony, my message for the world, it really tugged at my heart that my walk with Christ though 'good', was just far too 'safe'. I had begun to question whether I was just a good person out of obligation to ensure I had secured my seat on 'Destination Heaven Airlines', or because I whole heartedly needed, loved and trusted God with my life and saw him as my 'Daddy'? Though the latter answer was the truth I didn't feel like my relationship with God was reflecting that anymore. I realised I had been acting like life was an exam and that God was my teacher grading me on my 'goodness'. I was just blagging my way through the exam putting my issues in a locked box, rather than revising and applying the wisdom I had already obtained. 

By October I decided to make a change. I was over just living the textbook Christian lifestyle and had spent so much energy trying to be a Good Samaritan for everyone around me, that the areas of my life that I actually needed to be praying for and seeking wisdom to improve, were dealt with by an overworked and overwhelmed Izzy rather than a woman who dealt with things as the Daughter of the Man I already knew held all the answers and tools I would ever need. 

So from October onwards I began to invest proper quality time in myself and kept it real with God about allll my issues as well as daily studying His word and thoroughly journaling everything I was learning each day to track my progress. For the first time in a while it felt so authentic and I had never felt a stronger Daddy-daughter connection. Even looking back at my notes now I can honestly say God wasn't just breaking me down to build me up into the woman he has called me to be, but he was also filling me with so much wisdom that by early December my faith had never felt so invincible! I was literally walking around feeling like I could conquer anything and everything...until disaster struck.

To be honest with you, the biggest reason for my hiatus can be explained with just one line from the hit Mary Mary song 'Shackles'-
"Everything that could go wrong, all went wrong at one time, So much pressure fell on me I thought I was gon' loose my mind!"

That pretty much sums up what I was dealing with at the end of last year.
Be it health issues, emotional battles, financial struggles (university students I know you guys can relate lol) or just feeling constantly overwhelmed,  believe me when I tell you that by the end of 2014 the trials and tribulations were truly coming at me left, right and centre!

                          ©Bitstrips 

By the last week of December I couldn't think of one good thing that was happening for me. I was either emotionally drained, forever down in the dumps, doubting myself, physically in and out of hospital appointments or trying to tackle my university assignments, amongst a whole bunch of other things. I literally refer to it now as my 'Job Season' (Read the book of Job or for a summary click here )
So you would think I would have given up right? It would have made complete sense to throw in the towel and think what's the point of me trying to grow into a better me and be the woman God wants me to be when the only thing I seemed to be reaping from what I was sowing was heartache, frustration and confusion? 

But for some reason that didn't happen.

Everything God had been implanting in me was preparing me for the turmoil that was about to come. Despite all the countless challenges and sorrows that seemed to be coming my way, I just wasn't breaking. So much so that even my closest friends who were aware of some of what I was dealing with were like 'Izzy I don't get it. Are you Hulk? Your strength is crazy?'. To keep it all the way real my strength even shocked me! But I loved it and continue to love it. 

Somehow even though I knew I should crumble and had every right to do so, I realised all the wisdom I had been accumulating had provided me with all the answers and the tools I needed to be able to handle it all. Don't get me wrong I still had days when I felt down and out but my perseverance in my relationship with my Father meant it never lasted long enough to do any permanent damage. I was able to be a light for so many people around me even though my world had fallen apart. I knew I wasn't all the way out of the stuggle yet and I didnt want to blog anything I didn't think would be authentic but I felt like something was coming and now here it is! In this season it actually felt awesome to be constantly reminded that- 




1. Gods love is not a memory. It does not expire. All other ground will fail you but Christ is the solid rock
 ''Gods love never fails'' - Psalm 136
 ''For in him we live, move and have our being.'' Acts 17:28. 
All I need to do is rest in Him and no matter what is thrown my way I will always be alright and experience the truest happiness I would ever find. 

2. It's not the load that breaks you down its the way you carry it- Lena Horne
Gods said it countless times:
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26
''I can do all things through him who strengthens me'' -Phillipians 4:13
''Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand'' -Isaiah 41:10

You have two choices: you can either choose to stay stuck and bask in your frustration, anger and sorrows over and over again or stay strong and refuse to let anything break you and press towards the joy, peace and wisdom that await you as your test becomes your testimony.

3. Let Go and Let God
Phillipians 4:6-7
''Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus''

And my all time favourite verse aka my 'Life Motto'
Proverbs:3:5-6
'' Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path" 

©ChampionChurch

I know sometimes it really does feel impossible to stay strong or a situation can cut you so deep or hit you out of nowhere and it seems too painful, too hard or even too scary to invision the light at the end of the tunnel. But I am living proof that dedicating the time you would use to stress or mope around to ask God for strength, meditating on his word and surrounding yourself with the right people really works! So much so that the acceleration of your progress will shock you! It is a one day at a time process and I'm still learning as I go but the happiness and growth i've seen in myself along the way continually motivates me to keep going!
The enemy works 24/7 so everyday you're off duty he can still be at work trying to shake up your life but if you remain walking in the image of Christ (Genesis 1:27) - who has already defeated the devil by the way- then I promise you when trials do come (and yes they will come) handling them will seem no way near as hard so NEVER GIVE UP!

Thats all for now guys but yes I'm back and with a full tank of new wisdom and stories I look forward to sharing with you all. So watch this space!

Love 

Izzy x