Feel physically sick at uni interview prospect

kerrypn

Not exactly money saving but need some advice on how to get it together!

Im 28 and have managed to get myself an interview on wednesday for nursing at a top 20 uni in the field and I am BRICKING it!

I am so lucky to get the interview in the first place-its for sept 12 start-I already have my grades from 2002 which are slightly over the asking grades-I submitted my ucas on the monday and got the interview offer 2 days after but I am so worried I am going to screw it up and not get the place I desperately want!

To make matters worse it is a group interview :eek:
Any advice on how I can charm my way onto the course lol

celyn90

Remind yourself you are awesome

You are a "post-A" applicant - so the Uni know the grades you have already = less risk than someone who hasn't got theirs yet.

Your grades are higher than they ask for and already in hand

You are older, wiser and more experienced You have had time to consider that this is the path for you.

Trust me; they'll be falling over themselves to interview you; which is probably why the interview offer came back so fast after application. It wasn't luck that got you this far, it is because you are a strong candidate with a lot in your favour

Is there anyone that you can talk to about the format of the interview though if you are nervous, just so you know what to expect?

(also if it helps, I always used to take car sickness tablets before interviews/exams - just to get rid of the actual physically sick feeling as I get awful nausea when I'm stressed)

Best of luck cel x

kerrypn

Thanks Cel I have some Fenagyn actually so i will take some on wednesday morning and just hope I dont fall asleep

Thank you for the pep talk it just means so much and I feel like the rest of my life is riding on their decision-it really is now or never for me so I think thats why I am getting so worked up.

I havent really got anyone I can ask about the interview format, it does say you get interviewed by a lecturer, a nurse and a carer :eek: sooooo....no pressure then

I am just scared I wont be accepted

Molly41

They will be looking at your ability to interact with your peers so you need to be aware of your body language when other people are speaking. You will also need to have a list of issues that you can talk about. The thing with group interviews is that other interviewees also have a similar list and you might be last to talk. It is not acceptable to say that someone else had stolen your topic. Maybe 10 issues re nursing that are hot topics.

nimbo

I went for interviews last year for SW - and they were hard the one that went the best was the one that I was relaxed for...

Google the list of buzz words - and understand what they mean...

Don't talk over people but don't be afraid to voice your opinions either (respectfully)

don't be afraid to 'take charge' in any group tasks they may have but don't be afraid to take a back seat either...

Try to relax (I know easier said than done)

Be honest (they will probably ask why do you want to be a nurse - at least they did for SW, and you WILL need to say more than because I want to help people.... I did actually utter the words at my last interview, but I could explain my POV so it was OK, and the guy interviewing me was so laid back he may as well have been asleep!!!!!).

Leave early, if something can go wrong it will (1st interview I was dying of a really nasty cold, 2nd interview got on a train home that was going to Manchester - which is no where near where I live, and 3rd got on the wrong train ended up in Leeds, and had to double back only to find out if I had caught the right train I would have been delayed for 3 hrs as someone had stolen the signal cables!!!!)

that was probably a sign of how stressed i was though.

You WILL be awesome. The fact that it took 2 days for them to invite you to interview speaks volumes. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Person_one

Hi Kerry, did you get the PM I sent you after your previous thread?

kerrypn

Thanks Molly and Nimbo, I have drafted some questions I think they may ask and have read up on 5 topical areas of discussion, sat in my living room I feel prepared, the thought of being sat in a massive university doing it frightens the bjesus out of me :eek:

Hi person, no I havent but to be fair I think my account is playing up-I have been struggling to log in at times and then I get booted out altogether so I am not sure what is going on

Person_one

I'll try again, if you don't get anything, let me know on here.

I'm pretty sure I can help you out.

kerrypn

Thanks person

I will probably be OK once I am there but the run up to it is torture-I am wondering how long I will have to wait to get a decision either way, and if its a no will I get a chance via clearing, what if they dont like me, or because its so long since I studied its a no, not what they are looking for, too ambitious on ucas form because I want to be dual qualified in the future.....:eek:

This is how I know I care about something, normally I am as cool as a cucumber at interviews, unless I really REALLY want what's on offer

Person_one

You find out within a couple of days.

I'd keep quiet about wanting to be dual qualified (midwifery too?) as some tutors don't like the idea of spending 3 years and a lot of money training a nurse who isn't going to work as a nurse. At one interview I went to they said they immediately discounted anybody who said that was their goal.

Worry about that bit later!

925dancer

Just wanted to say good luck! I had my interview today for a very competitive course and I got offered the last place there and then.

It wasn't in the least bit scary and because I'm older (30) I think I had a better rapport with the course leader, we chatted away for ages.

It's always good to make a note of any questions you have as well, it shows you're prepared and also I genuinely had questions I wanted to ask and writing them down ensured I didn't forget.

Let us know how you get on.