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Ana Luiza ‹ EF Academy Blog

Applying to university is definitely one of the most challenging yet exciting events in the life of a high school student. This is because the process doesn’t simply consist of putting together a few documents that are going to take you to university, but rather of presenting yourself the best way you possibly can through these documents — also known as showing off to universities. Still, it can be quite exciting to plan what you’ll do, where you’ll be and imagine how your university days are going to be like.
Personally, I felt like applying to university was one of the first times I was actually in charge of my future, and making decisions that would have a direct impact on my career. And while having this freedom did feel good, it was undeniably stressful at times.
So to try to make things easier for you all, I am here to share everything I learned about UK applications these past few months – from a student perspective. Although these 9 steps will not necessarily take you to the university of your dreams (your academic performance is still the most important factor to get there) they will surely make your application considerably stronger!
<ol>
<li> Research, research and more research</li>
</ol>
I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure that you apply to courses and universities that you truly like. You should start doing research around one year before actually having to apply.
You can use the UCAS search tool to find universities that offer the course you wish to apply to and to read detailed descriptions about the programs — UCAS is the online application system which you must use to apply for UK universities, and you are allowed up to five choices. It is also important to visit the website of every university you are looking into and to read all the information there. University rankings such as the QS and the Times Higher Education rankings might help you evaluate the reputation of the course/university you are considering applying to, but keep in mind that these rankings are subjective and don’t tell you the full story when it comes to the quality of the programs.
Also, don’t forget to check whether you are entitled to pay home or international fees (UK/EU students, and students from some other countries in the EEA, are allowed to pay “home fees” which are generally half the price of the tuition international students have to pay).
<ol start="2">
<li> Ask yourself questions</li>
</ol>
This is somewhat linked to the previous step: after you have found some universities you could possibly apply to, make sure that they match your expectations and that they are realistic choices in relation to your academic performance.
Some questions you might want to ask yourself during this stage are:
<ul>
<li>How important do you consider the university’s reputation to be?</li>
<li>Do your grades match the requirements that your university/course choices ask for? You can find that out in the “entry requirements” section of the university’s website.</li>
<li>Do you like the modules/courses offered? You can find that out in the “course structure” section of the university’s website.</li>
<li>Would you prefer to attend a campus university (one in which all the buildings are in the same place) or a city university (one that has buildings spread across the city)?</li>
<li>Do you like the city/town where the university is located?</li>
<li>What are the costs of living in these cities/towns that you’re considering?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li> Be prepared!</li>
</ol>
This doesn’t apply to every course or university, but if you are applying for medicine, veterinary science, dentistry or to Oxford/Cambridge you should be prepared in case you get invited for an interview. From what I have heard from some friends who had to go through the interview process is that it is vital that you are able to answer the questions in details and show that you actually have a passion for the subject. In order for that to happen, start reading books and/or academic journals about the subject you want to study at university well in advance. It’s also a good idea to listen to podcasts, watch videos and interviews with experts on the area (like on YouTube) and read up on the current news/events in regards to that subject.
<ol start="4">
<li> Get experience in the field you want to study</li>
</ol>
It is highly recommended that you have some experience in the area you want to study, as this will give you more to talk about on your personal statement and show the admissions staff how enthusiastic about the course you are. Lab work and research papers do count for that, but aim for at least two weeks of practical experience, such as internships, summer courses or volunteering. Keep in mind that this must to be related to the course you want to study.
<ol start="5">
<li> Visit universities</li>
</ol>
Once you have a list of a few universities you would like to apply to, it is essential that you visit at least some of them so that you can make sure that you would like to study there (don’t forget that you’ll spend at least three years there). Ideally, you should attend an <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/choosing-university/making-most-open-days" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Day</a> before applying because this is the perfect opportunity to get to know the campus and to talk to students and members of the faculty. But you can also sign up for a campus tour, go for an independent visit or attend an applicant day once you receive an offer.
<ol start="6">
<li> Write an interesting personal statement</li>
</ol>
Universities receive thousands of applications each year, so it’s important to write an original personal statement in order to stand out. Avoid clichés such as “ever since I was a child” or “I have always loved.”
Another tip is to make sure that you don’t have any “empty sentences.” Rather than listing what you’ve done, go into details about a project, work experience or any other activity you have done, by stating what your responsibilities were and what you learned from them. Statements such as “I am an extremely hard-working person” don’t work very well either — give concrete evidence about your work ethnic and let that do the talking instead for your personality traits rather than complimenting yourself.
Some other more obvious tips are: be aware of your grammar, avoid lies and plagiarism at all costs, and only talk about things that are related to the course you want to study.
<ol start="7">
<li> Get some feedback</li>
</ol>
While you are in the process of writing your personal statement, make sure to ask your university guidance counselor and/or some of your teachers to read your personal statement so that they can give you suggestions and spot any mistakes you might have made.
It is important that you don’t wait until you have a completed draft to show it to someone, but rather get feedback at every stage of your draft so you know you’re on the right path. This will eliminate the possibility of having to re-write the entire personal statement after you completed it.
Also, make sure to show it to more than one person so that you can get different opinions and to make sure that there really is no mistake or typo left. But don’t get feedback from too many people, as this will end up making you feel very confused on how to improve your personal statement. Just get feedback from 2-4 people max.
<ol start="8">
<li> Get someone to write you a reference</li>
</ol>
Every applicant needs a reference letter, which is typically written by a tutor, guidance counselor, teacher or headmaster. Your referee has to be someone who knows you well. At <a href="https://www.ef.com/academy/campuses/oxford/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Academy Oxford</a>, every student is allocated a teacher or a university guidance counselor to be your referee and it is really important that you meet with them regularly and tell them about any interests or activities that you think could be included in your reference. They will also talk to your teachers and ask them about your academic strengths so that they can include that in their reference letter.
Although your referees will probably do their best to write an outstanding reference, don’t forget to ask to read it before it gets sent because they will probably have many references to write and can also make mistakes.
<ol start="9">
<li> SEND!!!</li>
</ol>
After you know the universities you want to apply to, you have your predicted grades, a good personal statement and a reference letter – you are ready to send your application!
Don’t forget to get your university guidance counselor to have a look at your UCAS form before you send it so that they can spot any mistakes you might have made without realizing. Bear in mind that the application deadline is the 15th of October for medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and Oxbridge applicants, and the 15th of January for everyone else.
Good luck, everyone!
 
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Our A-Level and IB students are accepted to top universities in the UK every year.

Applying to a university in the UK is no easy feat, but we have 9 steps to make a standout UK university application for you.

9 steps to make a successful application to UK universities - EF Academy Blog

9 steps to make a successful application to UK universities ‹ EF Academy Blog

9 steps to make a successful application to UK universities

9 steps make successful application uk universities

Most people are familiar with the concept of a boarding school but as a modern-day boarding school student, you quickly learn about some of the misconceptions people have about it. Therefore, I think the best way to explain what a boarding school is all about is not to try to define it, but to establish what it’s not — according to my personal experience, anyway.
<h3>Myth one: It’s an extremely strict, suffocating environment</h3>
This is one of the top questions people ask me when I tell them that I attend a boarding school, and the answer is no, boarding school is not necessarily a place where one of your steps will be closely watched and you will not be allowed to do anything fun.
In fact, at EF Academy, it is quite the opposite: although there are some rules we are given a considerably high degree of freedom and are allowed to go wherever we want as long as we are back by curfew (10 pm on weekdays, and 11 pm on weekends). Our school trusts us to be mature enough to make the right choices for ourselves, and so far I haven’t heard of any major problems.
<h3>Truth: You will live with your friends</h3>
One of my favorite things about boarding school is definitely the fact that I get to live with my friends, all in the same building. And I have had so much fun with my friends in residence these past two years (we’ve had so many girls nights). But apart from that, living with your friends is especially good in times of stress, such as exam periods, because there will always be people who are going through the same things as you to understand and support you.
<h3>Myth two: Only troubled kids go</h3>
I think this relates to the previous point, but when I told people back home that I was moving to the UK to attend a boarding school I heard the classic question, “What have you done to get sent there?”
Well, boarding schools are not necessarily a type of punishment for troubled kids. I know I haven’t done anything bad. The reason I came to a boarding school is that I wanted to receive a better education than I could have in my home country, and experience a <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/efacademyblog/supportive-learning-environment-look-like/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">supportive, international environment</a>.
<h3>Truth: You’ll become more independent and responsible</h3>
If you study at a boarding school your parents are obviously not there to tell you when/what to study, do your laundry, change your bedsheets, take care of your diet, control your spending, etc. These are only some things that you will have to learn to do by yourself, and you will be doing that a lot earlier than most people, which means that you will be much more independent, responsible and mature by the time you get to university. This will not only make it a lot easier for you to adapt to life at uni, but it will also place you ahead of many other students.
<h3>Myth three: Parents only send their unwanted children there</h3>
No, sending me to a boarding school was not a way my parents found of getting rid of their parental responsibilities. They did it because they wanted to make sure they were providing me with the best education possible. Also, the fact that I attend a boarding school does not mean that I am emotionally distant from my family, as we text or video call almost every day.
<h3>Truth: Parents want their children to have a bright future</h3>
The academic environment encourages you to study. Attending a boarding school is a very intense academic experience. Not only does the environment frequently remind you that you have to study, but also seeing everyone around you reading, writing essays or doing calculations encourages you to study too. So if you are really striving for good grades, a boarding school is definitely the place to be.
<h3>Myth four: It’s always a religious school</h3>
At least in Brazil where I’m from, there’s the stereotype that a boarding school is always religious. Most boarding schools there are Christian schools and they have a lot of strict rules. But that’s not always true, especially at a school as diverse as EF Academy.
<h3>Truth: You meet people from all backgrounds and learn from them</h3>
<a href="https://www.efacademy.com/">EF Academy is international</a>. There are a lot of people here from different backgrounds and religions and it’s one of the things that makes my experience here so rich and interesting. You’ll make lots of amazing friends at boarding school and even though it’s impossible for you to like absolutely everyone you’ll study/live with, you’ll be able to <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/efacademyblog/expand-childs-global-network/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">expand your horizons</a>.
In fact, any clashing personalities or differences will cause you to find a way to solve your problems in the most peaceful ways possible. Because you all live there, you’ll see everyone way more often than you would in a traditional school and it will help you be prepared for an international and diverse future around people from all backgrounds.
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Feeling inspired? Experience something new with EF Academy.
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Most people are familiar with the concept of a boarding school but as a modern-day boarding school student, you quickly learn about some of the misconceptions people have about it. Therefore, I think the best way to explain what a boarding school is all about is not to try to define it, but to establish what …

4 common misconceptions about boarding school - EF Academy Blog

4 common misconceptions about boarding school ‹ EF Academy Blog

4 common misconceptions about boarding school

4 common misconceptions boarding school

One of the most important decisions to make when coming to the United Kingdom is choosing which program you will study. Here, at EF Academy Oxford, you have two options: the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (commonly known as A-Level), or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (the IB). Both of these courses are what is popularly known as “high school” programs, which you take during your last two years, and can be taken by anyone who is above 16-years-old.
But, in terms of taking you to university, which one is best? Well, I would say that depends on what type of student you are and what goals you have. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Then, read on and I will explain to you which one of these courses is right for you.
How do A-Levels work?
A-Level is the official high school qualification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Students usually take three or four subjects at A-Level, but there is no limit to the number of subjects allowed.
The A-Level program is split into two “phases”: AS level, and A2 level. AS-Levels are taken during the first year of your studies and serve as a “base” for your last year, when you are expected to complete more advanced coursework. Students are allowed to drop some subjects after the first year, so that they have AS-Level qualifications for these areas, as long as they complete a minimum of three subjects at A2-Level. A2-Level subjects are what count towards your “final grade”, but AS-Levels can serve as an extra in your curriculum. Most A-Level subjects are composed of four modules each.
A-Level grades go from E to A* . AS levels grades are written as lower case letters (a-e).
How does the IB work?
This international program consists of six subjects. You must take one subject in each of the following fields: first language (one in which you are already academically competent), second language, Humanities, Sciences and Mathematics. The last subject can either be taken in the field of Arts, or be used to take one extra subject in one of the other areas. You also have to choose three of these subjects to be taken at Higher Level (ideally subjects that have to do with your personal interests and what you want to do with your future career) in order to allow some more in-depth knowledge.
The IB program also includes an academic core, which consists of a subject called Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay (EE) and CAS (which stands for Creativity, Action and Service, and stimulates students to take extracurriculars).
IB grades go from 1 to 7 in each subject. Together, the Extended Essay and TOK can award a student a maximum of 3 bonus points, so the highest total points that you can achieve is 45. The diploma is awarded to students with a minimum of 24 points, but some other passing conditions must also be met.
Which one should you choose?
If you don’t necessarily want to go to a university in the United Kingdom, the IB is probably a better choice. Because it is an international program, it is recognized in nearly 90 countries and also strongly encourages global outlook in study-cases, for example. But if you are sure you want to study in the UK it might be preferable to take A-Levels, as it is the country’s traditional high school qualification.
A-Levels would also be better if you want to apply to a university/course that requires an interview as part of the admissions process, such as medicine or the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as the questions you will be asked tend to be formulated with A-Levels in mind. This is also because A-Levels allow more in-depth knowledge in areas that have to do with what you want to do at university, because there are way less subjects and coursework, so students have more time for independent study (let’s be honest: although IB Higher Level subjects aim at in-depth knowledge, students still have to dedicate their time to their Standard Level subjects as well).
On the other hand, if you are unsure about what course you want to study at university, you should probably take the IB, as it is broader and will allow you to have contact with different areas of knowledge. Moreover, the IB also tends to prepare students for university-level work more effectively, as there are research-papers that count towards your final grade (the internal assessments and the extended essay) throughout the two years, and not only exams by the end.
Still, as an IB student, I can’t deny that it does get a bit overwhelming at times, so if you don’t consider yourself to be a super “academic” person and would rather have more free time, then the IB might not be the right program for you.
 
Written by Ana Luiza Loio, current IB student at EF Academy Oxford
 
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Whether it’s A-Level or IB, our teachers at EF Academy know just how to get the best out of every student.

But, in terms of taking you to university, which one is best? Well, I would say that depends on what type of student you are and what goals you have.

IB vs. A-Level: Which is right for you? - EF Academy Blog

IB vs. A-Level: Which is right for you? ‹ EF Academy Blog

IB vs. A-Level: Which is right for you?

Ib vs level right

School stress is kicking in. You haven’t had your food from your country for a while now, and you don’t even feel like going to have dinner in the city. You just stay in and watch your friends’ snaps or read your family’s group chat, wishing you were there too. Or that you could at least have a good night of sleep in your old bed.
Well, if you present some of these symptoms you are probably suffering from homesickness, an extremely well known feeling at EF Academy. Number one fact about it? Every international student goes through it at least once. If you haven’t yet, I bet you will at some point.
But fear not, fellow student. Speaking from experience, nothing is as bad as it may look like when you are feeling homesick. And to help you put yourself together in these times of despair, here are my top 8 ways to overcome homesickness:
Leave your room
If you spend too much time inside your dorm, you will easily get bored, start to make comparisons and feel like you would be having a better time if you were in your country. But, let’s face it: you’re not even trying to enjoy the experience. Go outside. See what is going on in campus. Meet new people. Go for a walk. There are endless possibilities. And please understand that studying is important, but having a social life is too. Find a balance.
Talk to someone about it
As I said before, pretty much everyone at else at school feels homesick too, so don’t be ashamed to go to people and take it off your chest. You might want to talk to a friend or, if it’s your first year, to an Ambassador — they have gone through it (and probably still do, at times) and will know how to support you. You may even end up exchanging some fun stories from home… It might also be worth talking to your House Parent. They have seen this happen more times than you can imagine and won’t judge you, they are just there to help you overcome any issues you might have.
Keep in touch with your friends/family back home (but not all the time)!
Skype and WhatsApp can definitely be allies against homesickness. I mean, if you miss someone, there’s nothing better than spending some time talking to them, right? But while it can make distance feel a lot shorter, texting or calling your family and friends from home all the time makes you miss them even more and prevents you from interacting with new friends. Again, it’s all about balance.
Bring a little bit of home with you
Have something that reminds you of home. It could be some photos you like, letters or gifts you have gotten, your country’s flag or even some typical snacks (these are popular around here, because people love to share them with their international friends). You can put them around your room to make it feel more like home or perhaps just looking at them when you are feeling homesick will make you feel better.
Spend some time with people from your country
I am most definitely not saying you should stay with people from your country all the time (there would be no point in studying abroad then). What I am saying is that when you feel homesick, it might help to speak in your own language. Also, there undeniably are some expressions and cultural aspects that only people from your country could understand.
Explore!
Something my friends and I really like to do is “get lost” in the city. Simply sightseeing, going to museums, walking streets you have never been to or trying new food. You might discover some interesting things about the place where you now live and this will show you the best side of studying abroad. By all means, it will keep you distracted from feeling homesick.
Get some rest
Stress commonly leads to homesickness. It might be that the deadlines are driving you crazy, it might be that your homework load is too much to handle, but whatever situation you are going through feels a lot worse under stress. And since stress can make you tired, it can be a good idea to get some sleep. You will probably feel a lot better once you wake up. You might also want to try having a hot shower, spending some time with your friends and, of course, the Netflix technique.
But remember… it’s okay to miss home!
OK, this is not exactly a way to overcome homesickness… but, come on, you will be giving yourself a hard time if you try to run away from it every time you miss home a little bit. It isn’t anything terrible to miss home anyway, all it means is that you have had some amazing memories with great people and places at home too! Not bad at all, right?
 
This blog post was written by Ana Luiza Loio,  current student at EF Academy Oxford.
 
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EF Academy international boarding schools provide the guidance and support that students need during their time abroad.

Well, if you present some of these symptoms you are probably suffering from homesickness, an extremely well known feeling at EF Academy.

8 ways to overcome homesickness - EF Academy Blog

8 ways to overcome homesickness ‹ EF Academy Blog

8 ways to overcome homesickness

8 ways overcome homesickness

No matter how good your English is, you can always improve it in some way. This is true even for native speakers, who make mistakes sometimes too. So don’t worry if you feel like you are struggling with some more complex grammar, pronunciation or even just vocabulary – it’s no biggie!
And this is why, even though I’m not an English expert either, I’m here to share with you guys my top eight secrets on how to improve your English — I believe they have helped me a lot throughout the years!
Get used to thinking in English
Now this is a really important tip because if you’re not able to think in English, it will be impossible for you to build sentence structures that don’t exist in your native language. You can get used to doing so by turning your phone and computer language to English and downloading the English version of the apps you use the most. You can also try to use an English-only dictionary instead of a bilingual one, since this will improve your abilities to think abstractly in English.
Google and YouTube are your best friends
This might be a good option if you are having a hard time with grammar as you can easily find online lessons on YouTube or some really good explanations when googling the topic. And the best thing about it is that these are generally free! Just don’t forget to make sure the websites/Youtube channels you are using are reliable and have accurate information.
Learn while having fun
Listening to music, reading books, and watching films and series in English is a really effective, stress-free way of studying. A good strategy is to look for the lyrics of songs you like and try to understand them. If there are any words you don’t know, look for the meaning on a dictionary (and this works for books too). When watching films or series make sure to set the subtitles to English — or not to use subtitles, if you can, so that your brain can be exposed to English as much as possible.
Surround yourself with English speakers
If you have the opportunity to talk to native English speakers, do not waste it! I know it’s just easier to stick to your comfort zone but, although this might sound cliché, surrounding yourself with English speakers is simply the best way of learning a language. It works like magic: it won’t feel like you are studying at all, and after some time, POOF!… You will notice your English has improved by a lot.
Ask for help
If you really want to improve your English, you will just have to set pride aside and admit that there will always someone who is be better at it than you. Whenever you have a doubt, don’t hesitate to ask! It might be your teacher, a friend who’s a native speaker or someone who you reckon to have better English than you, but just be open to corrections, as this is often the only way for you to realize you’re making a mistake.
Keep a vocabulary notebook
A vocabulary notebook might be really useful as it prevents you from forgetting any new words you might learn, especially because we tend to come across a lot of them at the same time in class. But try to use this method outside of class too and take notes on any new word or expression you hear. Writing things down is not only a good way of fixing your learning, but it also means you can go through all your vocabulary from time to time.
Stick notes to your wall
This is something I like to do with all my school subjects and I sense that it helps me a lot to remember whatever topic I’m struggling with. Just make some notes on grammar rules or vocabulary you want to remember, stick them to your wall and spend some time looking at it every day (lol) until you’ve learned it. It’s just a lot easier to remember something when it’s part of your own room.
Download language apps
And last but not least, my favorite tip is one that I use a lot myself: downloading dictionary, pronunciation and even verb apps! Whenever you are not sure about the meaning of a certain word, the correct verbal form to use in a determined situation or how to pronounce a word these apps might come in handy, especially considering nowadays we all have our phones with us 24/7. And let’s face it, many times Google Translator simply doesn’t do the job.
For iOs, I recommend the “Advanced English Dictionary and Thesaurus”, “Pronounce” and “English Verbs!!”
 
This blog post was written by current student at EF Academy Oxford,  Ana Luíza Loio.
 
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Did you know that EF Academy teach English language preparation courses? The main mission of the Prep Course at our boarding schools in New York and Torbay is to provide students with high quality English instruction as they engage in specific content from IGCSE, IB and A-Level programs. With this academic foundation, you will be able to truly maximize your potential in the rigorous courses taught at our international schools in the U.S. and UK.
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No matter how good your English is, you can always improve it in some way.

Eight secrets on how to improve your English - EF Academy Blog

Eight secrets on how to improve your English ‹ EF Academy Blog

Eight secrets on how to improve your English

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When studying a program as demanding as the IB, it can be extremely difficult to get all your school work done and still have time to have fun with your friends, relax in your room or even to get enough sleep… And I won’t lie, one of the most common things I hear people say at school is, “I don’t have time for that!”
Although it does require good time management skills to stay on top of everything you have to do for school while making the most of your time at EF Academy, the good news is that it’s not impossible. And, after reading the following tips, you will definitely become a time-management-pro:
<ol>
<li>Plan your studies</li>
</ol>
Make a schedule everyday before you start studying. For example, if you need to study math and history, you could allocate 1h30 to each subject rather than studying for as long as you can or until you are done. This will help you avoid procrastination since your time is limited and it will prevent you from having to study for a long, undetermined amount of time which could overwhelm you.
<ol start="2">
<li>Take notes during class or while studying</li>
</ol>
Notes are a student’s best friend. Take notes during class or while you are reading your textbook and you’ll see that it will be a lot quicker to revise afterwards and you will then have more free time.
<ol start="3">
<li>Do not leave everything until the last minute</li>
</ol>
This is probably the hardest tip on this list (I know how easy it is to procrastinate), but get your school work done ahead of the deadline because you never know when a teacher is going to give you a major project to do. And if that happens, you are going to end up accumulating a lot to do and won’t have any time for yourself.
<ol start="4">
<li>Write reminders </li>
</ol>
This links to the previous tip because I personally tend to forget about things that I have to do and this helps me avoid last minute work. The solution I found is writing tasks down on a small white board, that I have displayed in my room, as soon as I remember them. This helps me since I’m really bad at using a planner. This could also work with smartphone reminders or with this iOs app that I found called “myHomework.”
<ol start="5">
<li>Set a fixed sleeping time</li>
</ol>
I admit I have problems going to sleep early myself, but I have been trying really hard to go to bed at 11:30pm every day. I think we all know how important sleeping is for your health… But personally, I feel a lot better and much more productive the next day if I have had a good night of rest. This helps me avoid having to go through what I previously learned in class, keeps me on top of my school work and saves me a lot of time as well.
<ol start="6">
<li>Allocate some time for having fun!</li>
</ol>
Friday and Saturday nights are not made for studying! So unless you really have to study, this is when you should be relaxing in your room, reading a book, watching Netflix or going out with friends. If Friday and Saturday nights don’t work for you, at least set out one night during the week where you can do whatever you feel like doing (even if that’s nothing at all).
 
Written by Ana Luiza, current student at EF Academy Oxford.
 
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Ready for the challenge? If you think you’ve got what it takes to go far, we know we can support you in getting there.

The IB can be extremely difficult to get all your school work done and still have time to have fun with your friends or even to get enough sleep

6 ways to stay on top of your school work & social life - EF Academy Blog

6 ways to stay on top of your school work & social life ‹ EF Academy Blog

6 ways to stay on top of your school work & social life

Six ways stay top school work social life

Today’s post is all about mixed feelings. My two-year journey at EF Academy is over and I am finally back home with my family, friends, delicious food and amazing Brazilian weather. And though I am super relieved to be done with my IB exams, I am at the same time sad to leave my friends, teachers and everything that used to be part of my daily life in Oxford.
So in my final post for this blog, I will be sharing with the nine things I’ll miss the most about boarding school life, and I’m sure you guys will understand why I feel so nostalgic.
<h3>1. The city center</h3>
Every weekend for the past two years, the city centre was the place I would hang out with my friends. It’s become the place where I can find my favourite shops and restaurants in Oxford. The beautiful historic buildings and University of Oxford colleges will also be missed.
<h3>2. Tea cakes in the student lounge</h3>
Okay, so these were my absolute favourite. Every day at 9 pm there were snacks in the student lounge and there would always be some traditional British tea cakes made with marshmallow and chocolate. I didn’t have them every day (which was probably a good thing!) because I was usually busy studying, but now I kind of regret not bringing some home.
<h3>3. The teachers</h3>
I won’t name any, but I had some outstanding teachers at EF Academy. Some of them would plan their lessons super carefully. They’d make handouts to give us, search for readings, and create documents full of tables and mind-maps to help us.
It was very motivating to see that my teachers truly cared and wanted us to do well in our final exams. It inspired me to keep working hard so that one day I can do something that I am just as passionate about.
<h3>4. Extra revision lessons</h3>
This relates to my previous point – some of my teachers would stay after school (sometimes until very late) to give us extra help. Whether it was something we were struggling with or a revision before exams. While it wasn’t exactly the most fun part of my two years at EF Academy, it certainly helped me succeed. I will miss having this kind of support when I go to university.
<h3>5. Not having to wake up too early</h3>
A really big advantage of studying at a boarding school is the fact that you don’t have to wake up too early to go to class because you’re already in school. Even though most of our classes were in a building five minutes away from the dorms, waking up 30 minutes before lessons was usually enough time to be ready for class.
And since school only started at 9 am, I could sleep until 8:3o am — which is a very reasonable time to wake up, in my opinion.
<h3>6. The house parents</h3>
I also had amazing house parents who were quite literally my parents away from home. They were always available to help me with whatever I needed. I will miss having someone to take care of my doctor’s appointments, tell the neighbours to shut up when they’re being too loud, and to give me life advice when I go to university next September.
<h3>7. Long weekends</h3>
I really loved long weekends. Even though they were not long enough for me to go back home to visit my family as most people did (Brazil is a bit too far from the UK), I could travel somewhere in Europe with my friends or even go to their homes with them. This is something I will surely miss next year, but I am hoping my new friends at university will also be open to travelling sometimes.
<h3>8. Never feeling bored</h3>
I felt a lot of things at boarding school. Sometimes I felt quite stressed, but I rarely ever felt bored. Because we all lived in the same building, I could always go visit my friends to gossip, eat chocolate, or study together.
Living with my friends also meant that I always had someone to go with me whenever I wanted to go out. And it constantly reminded me that I should be studying instead of doing nothing, as there was always at least one person studying near me.
<h3>9. My friends</h3>
I feel extremely lucky to have met such an amazing group of people at EF Academy. They have become a family away from home to me, even though we are all so different and come from very different countries.
My friends were always there when I missed home, when I had mental breakdowns from school stress, or when I just wanted to order some pizza and do face masks.
<img alt="EF Academy Oxford" class="aligncenter wp-image-12798" height="440" sizes="(max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_2049-1-min-300x231.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_2049-1-min-300x231.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_2049-1-min.jpg 568w" width="572">
I’ll miss them the most of everything I’ll miss about boarding school life. But we have plans to visit each other soon.
 
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At EF Academy boarding schools, our students are given the opportunity to make life long friendships and to grow a network that spans the globe.

Today’s post is all about mixed feelings. My two-year journey at EF Academy is over and I am finally back home with my family, friends, delicious food and amazing Brazilian weather. And though I am super relieved to be done with my IB exams, I am at the same time sad to leave my friends, …

9 things I’ll miss about boarding school life - EF Academy Blog

9 things I’ll miss about boarding school life ‹ EF Academy Blog

9 things I’ll miss about boarding school life

Miss about boarding school

With its academic atmosphere, and its historical and cultural richness, Oxford is just awe-inspiring. I know you are probably thinking that my opinion is biased, but Oxford is clearly the best place to study. Don’t believe me? Read the ten points below and I’m pretty sure that by the end of this post, you’ll want to pack your things and move to Oxford straight away.
<ol>
<li>The “University of Oxford atmosphere”</li>
</ol>
When you live in Oxford, you are neighbors with one of the best universities in the world… This means you’ll see students walking around wearing gowns during exam weeks, be able to enter some of Oxford’s thirty-eight colleges for a tour, and even have access to some of the lectures and events held by the university. Especially if you are an academic person (but not necessarily), Oxford is definitely the place to be!
<ol start="2">
<li>Cute cafés and good restaurants</li>
</ol>
The Grand Cafe, G&D’s, Atomic Burger, Banana Tree, The Turf Tavern, Buongiorno e Buonasera… These are only some of my favorite places to eat in Oxford, but you won’t need to go far to find good food, just head over to Cowley Road or to the city center and I promise you – Oxford will please even the most exigent foodie.
<ol start="3">
<li>Study time</li>
</ol>
As EF Academy students, we have access to part of the Oxford Brookes campus, which is one of Oxford’s two universities (the other one is obviously the University of Oxford). The John Henry building is less than 10 minutes away from our school by foot, and we can use their library and study area where there is a café that serves drinks from Starbucks. Win!
<ol start="4">
<li>Location, location, location</li>
</ol>
OK, the EF Academy campus isn’t super close to the city center, but it isn’t too far either. I would say it’s a thirty minute walk from the High Street, but you can get there in 10 minutes by bus. Also, there is a bus stop near the school with buses to the city stopping every 5 minutes.
<ol start="5">
<li>The green spaces</li>
</ol>
There is nothing better than fresh air to relax and forget about all the school stress. Luckily, there are plenty of open spaces in Oxford where you can go and take in some vitamin D during the spring, summer and sometimes even autumn months. Some of my suggestions are South Park, the Christ Church Meadow, the University Parks and the Botanic Garden.
<ol start="6">
<li>Diversity</li>
</ol>
Walking around the city, you will hear different languages and accents. You will also be able to find food from all around the world: France, India, Thailand, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and many others. Even though I consider the atmosphere in Oxford to be quite British, this doesn’t mean you will feel like an outsider here at all.
<ol start="7">
<li>London as your neighbor</li>
</ol>
London isn’t all there is in the UK, but no one can deny it is a pretty cool city. There are several different things happening in London every weekend, from concerts to lectures, and if you ever want to do something different, the capital won’t ever disappoint you. Also, it is good to be near London’s airports — the main ones are Gatwick and Heathrow — which offer flights to almost every country.
<ol start="8">
<li>Shop til you drop</li>
</ol>
Although I wouldn’t call Oxford a shopping destination, the city has whatever you might need/want. There is a store in the Oxford Brookes campus near the school, and you can also get groceries, stationery and medicine in Headington shops, which is a 15 minute walk from campus. You can also find all of that in the city center, and if you want to shop for clothes, accessories or makeup you can do that at Westgate, a pretty cool shopping center that has been recently renovated.
<ol start="9">
<li>Culturally-minded</li>
</ol>
If you are a museum type of person you will love Oxford too. The most famous museum we have is the Ashmolean, where you will find art and archaeology exhibitions, but you might also want to explore the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the History of Science.
<ol start="10">
<li>The city is just beautiful!</li>
</ol>
The beautiful city of dreaming spires will make you feel like you are living inside a Harry Potter film. With a history that dates back to the Saxon period, you will be able to find several different types of architecture by just going for a walk in the city center: Medieval at the Oxford Castle, Gothic at Magdalen College, Neoclassical at Queen’s College, just to name a few…
Well, what can I say? Oxford is truly amazing!
 
Written by: Ana Luiza Loio, current student at EF Academy Oxford 
 
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Think you can picture yourself in Oxford? Great!

With its academic atmosphere, and its historical and cultural richness, Oxford is just awe-inspiring.

10 reasons why Oxford is the best place to study - EF Academy Blog

10 reasons why Oxford is the best place to study ‹ EF Academy Blog

10 reasons why Oxford is the best place to study

10 reasons oxford best place study

The beautiful ancient buildings, the historical richness and the academic atmosphere make Oxford an awe-inspiring little city. Known as the city of dreaming spires, Oxford is just one and a half hours away from London. Yet, I can assure you the city is different from anywhere else you might have been to. Personally, I’ve been living here for more than a year and I still catch myself fascinated contemplating the city sometimes. And, this is precisely what today’s post is about: I am going to teach you how to spend the most amazing 24 hours exploring Oxford’s charming little streets! YAY!
 9:00 a.m — Breakfast at the Grand Café
So, if you want to have the best 24 hours in Oxford, you will have to wake up relatively early because there is a lot to see in little time! The Grand Café is a good option to start the day as it isn’t only a cute little café in the High Street, but it also stands on the site of the oldest coffeehouse in England… and the food is really good! You can get an authentic full English breakfast here, but it’s also possible to have something like a granola yogurt or a toast if you, like me, prefer to have a light breakfast.
10:00 a.m – Ashmolean Museum
Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean is the world’s oldest public museum. This is an art and archaeology museum and they have pieces from all around the world. I personally like the Egyptian collection very much. And the best part? The entrance is free!
11:30 – Covered Market
Now this is a place I really like. The Covered Market is precisely what its name indicates it is; the permanent stalls sell literally every kind of product, from souvenirs to sandwiches, bags, and flowers. When in the market, please do yourself a favor and have a cookie at Ben’s Cookies. They have many different flavors, but ask for the ones that just came out of the oven for a warm, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
12:30 – Lunch
OK, I understand you will probably have had a lot to eat at the Grand Café so I’d advise you to grab a sandwich at the Covered Market and walk to the Christ Church Meadow, a beautiful picnic spot right in the city center (as the name suggests, it belongs to the Christ Church College of the University of Oxford). If the weather isn’t good enough for that, I would recommend picking one of the restaurants at George Street — all the places I have been to there were good but, if you like Indochinese cuisine, Banana Tree is my all time favorite!
14:00 – University Colleges
Well, it’s impossible to say you actually know Oxford if you have never visited the University of Oxford. The university is divided into thirty-eight colleges that are spread around Oxford. Not all of them are worth visiting, though. Since you will be in the city center I would recommend visiting one or two of the colleges nearby, such as St. John’s, Christ Church and Magdalen. If you’ve had lunch at the Christ Church Meadow, then you should obviously start with this one. Click<a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/visiting-oxford/visiting-the-colleges?wssl=1"> here</a> to check the entrance prices and the opening times for each one of the Oxford colleges.
16:30 – Walk around and explore!
So you could use this time to see some of Oxford’s most famous landmarks, such as the Oxford Castle, the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bridge of Sighs. This could also be your free time to just wander around the city center and do whatever you like.
18:00 – Dinner at one of the rooftop restaurants in the Westgate Centre
The Westgate is a massive (at least for Oxford’s standards) shopping center that has recently been renovated. But this is not only a good option for the shopaholics, but it’s also a nice place to get some good food. The rooftop has about five different restaurants to choose from and, depending on the season, you might even be able to enjoy your dinner while watching the sunset over the city of dreaming spires — sounds like a good way to finish your day in Oxford!
 
Written by Ana Luiza Loio, EF Academy Oxford IB Year 2 Student from Brazil.
 
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With its historic university and diverse student population, Oxford is known as the academic heart of England. At the EF Academy UK boarding school in Oxford, you will combine contemporary learning with Britain’s academic traditions for the ultimate pre-university experience that will position you for success in the globalized 21st century.

The beautiful ancient buildings, the historical richness and the academic atmosphere make Oxford an awe-inspiring little city.

24 hours in Oxford - EF Academy Blog

24 hours in Oxford ‹ EF Academy Blog

24 hours in Oxford

24 hours oxford

Ana Luiza, current student at EF Academy Oxford, sat down with one of our alumni, Daria Tkalina from Russia, to see what she’s been up to since graduating high school. Here’s her story:
Full name: Daria Tkalina
Age: 20 years old
Home country: Russia
Languages: Russian, Ukrainian, English, Spanish
EF Academy campus: Oxford
Program: IB
Grad year: 2016
Favorite club: Children in Need
Favorite subject: Theater and Physics
University: University of Amsterdam
Career: Currently holding an offer to work for Tesla
 
Why did you decide to attend EF Academy?
I had already attended an EF summer course which allowed me to visit many places in the UK. So when I finished school in Russia I decided that I wanted to go abroad, so I went to a seminar held by EF Academy in Moscow, which was about IB and A-Level.
I finally chose to do the IB because it was much broader than A-Level, and decided to go to Oxford because my family didn’t want me to live too far.
What is your favorite EF Academy memory?
I think it was when we had a Children in Need festival. I remember that when we came into the assembly room that morning all the teachers were dressed up as superheroes, which was hilarious. And it was also for a good cause, because it was an event to raise money for children in Africa and the teachers were dressed as superheroes to represent the “superpowers” we have to change these children’s situation.
What did you find exciting and challenging about the IB program? 
The most exciting thing about the IB was that it allowed me to take all the subjects I wanted to, and I could pick them myself, while at the school I studied previously in Russia I had to study twenty-five subjects that I didn’t get to choose. This meant that even if I was not very fond of Chemistry I still had to take it, even though I would much rather study Physics more intensively instead, which I could do with the IB. That definitely made school much more exciting.
The most challenging part was the distance between my family and I, as they need visas and couldn’t come visit very often. But in relation to my studies I was pretty much pleased with everything.
What advice do you have for current students? 
I would advise them to think carefully about what subjects to choose, because I met so many people who chose to study Economics, for instance, because it’s a field that influences our daily lives a lot. They thought that would be good for their future careers, but once they started the course they realized that actually they would rather be studying Theater, for example. So I think it’s very important to analyse all the options you have and choose subjects that have to do with your future career, and most importantly with what you like doing, not the subjects that will make you “sound smart.”
How did you choose your university and your program? 
I took advantage of the university trips we had at EF Academy and visited about ten universities in the UK before I chose the University of Amsterdam. I even had a list of five British universities which were all top-25 in the national university rankings because I was completely sure that I was going to stay in the UK. But then I went to Amsterdam on a holiday, and I absolutely fell in love with the city!
When I went back to Oxford, I asked Cy (University Guidance Counselor at EF Academy Oxford), and he told me that the University of Amsterdam had a Communication Science course which was ranked 1st in the world. After doing some research on their website, I learned everything about their application process, which was very different from the British process, as they value who you are as a person much more than your grades. For instance, you might have to take a math test or to go through a Skype interview before you get accepted. Personally, I got a place quite quickly: only one week after I submitted my application.
Studying Communication Science was also not my plan from the beginning, as I thought I would study Physics at university. But when I went to EF Academy, I started to study more creative subjects such as Theater, which I really enjoyed, and I realized that I wanted to do something like that. So I found the Communication Science faculty, which allows you to do many things at once, such as developing your creative skills, doing qualitative research, studying business. It’s a very flexible degree and I really like it.
Did you do any internships that have benefitted your studies or your career plan?
I did an internship at the World Market, which is an outdoor shopping mall and one of the biggest businesses in my city. I worked there the summer before I applied to university and that certainly helped make my application stronger. I mostly did creative work such as designing a new logo for the company, but it also helped me improve my communication and organizational skills. Currently, I am planning on doing an internship in Dubai, where I am hoping to work in a technological company, such as Google or Booking.
What is one thing you learned at EF Academy that prepared you for university? For your career? For your personal life? 
In relation to university, that was meeting deadlines. Because in the school where I studied in Russia, deadlines for essays were never reinforced, but at EF Academy, they were. Now, I even have a planner where I write everything that I have to do for my university courses.
For my career, I would say it was the interest in business, because that was not a subject that I had in Russia. I would say that having taken business for two years at EF Academy is something that will certainly be an advantage in the future, because I can apply what I learned to my career. Even if I end up working with IT, I will still understand the financial side of the business — for example, I will still be able to figure out what the break-even point of sales is so that I can see if my profit is going up or down.
I also grew up a lot while I was at EF Academy because you gain so much independence, and in the beginning you might think that means you can do whatever you want, but after some time, you understand that you are actually responsible for yourself. Now, I don’t have any problems living alone doing things by myself because I know how to manage it. If I hadn’t had this experience at EF Academy, I don’t know where in life I would be right now — we were taught so much about managing our time, choosing the right friends, and even had assemblies about romantic relationships.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? 
While I was at EF Academy, I was one of the organizers of a charity event for Children in Need, a campaign organized by the BBC, and we were able to raise £2,300 — all by ourselves — we thought about the events, the competitions, who was going to be in charge of what. It is definitely something that I am very proud of.
What is your dream for your future? 
My dream had always been to work abroad. It didn’t matter where, I just thought that staying in Russia would be a bit limiting. I have always wanted to “be more”: to travel more, to learn more… And EF Academy gave me that chance: for example, I met my fiancé there, he is Mexican and we have been together for four years now. I know we would never have met if I had stayed in Russia, and I would never have been so open to meeting people from different cultures as I am. So I would say my dreams are actually coming true right now.
Who are other successful alumni that you think should be featured on the blog?  
A friend I had, Maria Kusnechova, who was also Russian and we did Theater together. I don’t know exactly how her life is right now — she wanted to study Modern Art — but she was very successful in her studies and I would love to know how she is doing.

Daria Tkalina, from Russia, graduated from EF Academy Oxford in 2016 and is currently studying Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam.

Advice from alumni: Daria Tkalina - EF Academy Blog

Advice from alumni: Daria Tkalina ‹ EF Academy Blog

Advice from alumni: Daria Tkalina

Advice from alumni

Advice from alumni daria tkalina

Friday, 20th April 2018:
The sun was shining bright, and temperatures got to a maximum of 24ºC in (usually rainy) Oxford. Second-year IB and A-Level students put on their hats and gowns, family members came from all corners of the world, and everyone at EF Academy left school early and headed to the Oxford Town Hall, one of the city’s charming ancient building right in the city center. It was there that the Leavers’ and Prize-Giving Ceremony took place, and students, parents, teachers, house parents and members of the staff got together to celebrate all the hard work put on their studies by the Class of 2018 during the past two years — which will hopefully be reflected on their final exams, which have already started for IB, and will be starting soon for A-Levels.
“Receiving my diploma was my favorite part of the ceremony, because it felt like the culmination of these past two years” said Anna Platt, summarizing the general mood among the leavers. Other highlights of the ceremony were the nostalgic, yet humorous, speeches given by some of the graduating students and by the school’s headmaster, Dr Paul Ellis; the music beautifully played in the piano by two first-year students, Emma Jaffe and Selina Weng Hei Lam; and, of course, the long awaited throwing of the hats, a magical moment for everyone who was present.
“It was an honor for me to speak in front of everyone, I thought I would be nervous but my nerves went away quickly. I am so thankful that I decided to do it!” said Bror Nissen, one of the student speakers, when asked how he felt about speaking at the ceremony. Nadya Tan, another one of the leavers, complemented Bror’s thoughts by saying: “It felt amazing to see how my parents were proud of me, after all this is one of the reasons why I worked so hard during my time here.”
Champaign, some appetizers and a traditional British victoria sponge cake were served after the ceremony which added to the already fancy and festive atmosphere. For some more hours, family members were introduced to teachers and friends, interviews were given, and way too many pictures were taken, but one thing is for sure: second-years were the center of attention, and everyone in the Town Hall that day was proud and happy for them.
As one of the leaving students, I can say that there were smiles, hugs and tears of happiness, but as our guest speaker Dr. Christine Cote — who is an Academic Director of the London School of Economics’ (LSE) Master’s on International Management, and of the MBA Exchange at LSE — told us during her speech: the feeling of excitement of being (almost) done with the most rewarding, yet intense and demanding, experience of our lives is what will stay in our minds and hearts forever.
Thank you for everything you have taught me and all the incredible moments we have spent together, Class of 2018! It was a pleasure to get to meet and every single one of you.
 
Photo credit: Marie Rimmolsronnings @marie_rim

It was there that the Leavers’ and Prize-Giving Ceremony took place, and students, parents, and staff celebrated all the hard work put by the Class of 2018.

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