Preparation is key
Firstly, preparation is your best friend. Find out where and when the interview will be and if you need to bring anything, such as ID or qualifications. Ensuring you’re on top of this practical information will immediately take some of the pressure off, so that you can focus on the content of the interview. Chat to your teachers, parents or friends about some of the interviews they’ve experienced. What were they asked? How did they feel? Or get in touch with our highly qualified, impartial Careers team – they can help you with a practice interview or some advice. You can start to prepare yourself for the process, and it will make you feel more relaxed when the day arrives.
Remember this is a mutual process
You’re checking to see if you like the college and the tutors just as much as they are checking if you are suitable for the course you’ve applied for. It’s important to bear in mind that any college wants you to do well in the interview and they are there to enable you to find the right subject and right level for you, to ensure you can get the most out of your college experience. So try not to feel intimidated – the team aren’t there to be judgmental, and they are just as keen to impress you as you are to impress them!
Use relaxation techniques
If physical anxiety symptoms such as shaking or nausea are an issue for you, try to identify some relaxation techniques to help you deal with them on the day. This might be breathing techniques, meditation or even going for a run to burn off your nervous energy before your interview! Learning these techniques will benefit you not only for your college interview but in the future when you have similar events going on. You can always speak to our Welfare team who can point you in the direction of helpful resources and tips.
Make plans for after the interview
Plan something positive for after the interview so that you have something to look forward to. Try not to put a time on it so that it doesn’t add to your stress in getting the interview done too quickly – a simple bag of popcorn and your favourite film waiting for you when you get home will do, or perhaps putting your feet up with a hot chocolate and a relaxing playlist. Even when the interview goes really well and you come out buzzing, it will still be great to have the chance to unwind from any tension you might have been feeling.
It’s important to bear in mind that any college wants you to do well in your interview and they are absolutely rooting for you to smash it. So view it as your opportunity to show off exactly who you are and what you can bring to the college community – we can’t wait to see you!
