BY MEGHANN BIGG

THOUSANDS of students across the UK are now starting to seriously think about applying to university next year and their all-important UCAS application form, as the application window for the 2016 Cycle opens.

Although the main UCAS deadline is January 15, there is a significant amount of time to start researching to make sure you’re on the front foot and fully prepared for what will be a life changing experience.

There are many things that will be on the minds of people planning to apply.

First being - know your deadlines and look at the ‘UCAS dates for your diary’ on their website, as there are many different deadlines throughout the year. It is important that people know when their application needs to be submitted by.

Applying is potentially one of the biggest decisions to make, so students must choose something that they’re passionate about in a location where they would like to live.

Therefore doing research into your ideal subject, type of course and location is vital.

It is always a great idea to get a feel for a campus, a town or a city before you apply.

Therefore, attending an event or open day is a great idea, and seeing the area first-hand will immediately give students a genuine feel for a place.

A complex subject can be finance and support, so understanding what you’ll need to pay and what’s available to you is really important.

Fees, loans and budgeting are some aspects that students will need to consider with great detail.

Finally, writing your personal statement may be the most important thing to consider.

Students must think about how they can make themselves stand out from the crowd.

There are lots of tips on writing personal statements online and it’s often very helpful to get a parent or teacher to look over yours for feedback and guidance.

Good luck students with your 2016 applications.