The summer of real choices is upon us, and it brings with it a season of decisions and possibilities.
By Zoe Xydia
For the last four years, I’ve been continuously asked, “What do you want to study?” or “Where are you thinking of going for university?” – whether it was at school, by family, or from friends. In my mind, this was always a distant goal, something I knew I would eventually have to face, but never at that moment. Somehow, time passed faster than I expected, and suddenly it was the summer before IB2. The entire notion of making real choices and decisions meant that not only did I have to start preparing my university application, but I also had to decide on the five universities I wanted to apply to.
The only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to study law in the UK. Even that realisation came after two years of contemplation, overthinking, and debate. I was constantly second-guessing myself – am I vocal enough?, isn’t law too demanding?, what if I’m not good enough? The pressure to make the “right” choice felt immense, especially during this summer of making real choices when these decisions really mattered. It wasn’t just about choosing a course; it was about defining the next stage of my life, and that thought was terrifying. But over time through participating in debates and discussions, I began to realise how much I enjoyed constructing arguments, questioning ideas, and thinking critically about global issues. The more I explored it, I realised that it was the right fit for me. Nevertheless, once the UCAS process began, the pressure intensified. Between writing my personal statement, preparing for the LNAT, researching universities, and preparing for predicted grades, it sometimes felt like I was juggling a thousand things at once.
Around September I finally chose my five universities, and despite their competitiveness, I felt like this challenge was part of the real summer choices I wanted to embrace. I became really motivated, but at some point, it started to seem like all I could think about was being accepted into these universities and achieving the perfect grades. Every conversation seemed to revolve around applications, offers, or deadlines. It became a period full of anxiety, but once I submitted my application I felt a sense of relief. Applying to universities is one of the most stressful experiences I’ve faced. It’s not only about being accepted but also about confronting this new chapter of my life that I’m entering. It’s not merely about receiving an offer; it’s about confronting the beginning of a new chapter. At times, the process can make you feel as though your worth and abilities are being judged entirely by the outcome. However, I’ve come to realise that acceptance also means understanding that some things are simply beyond your control. By now, I’ve heard back from some universities, and to be honest, each UCAS notification comes with a mix of anxiety and relief. It’s a strange feeling, the fear of uncertainty balanced by the comfort of finally knowing.
