Livestream highlights: A parent's perspective video transcript

Alice: Hi Jo! So, you’re not just a member of staff at Derby. You’re also mum to an 18-year-old son. What have you discovered about the process of applying to university?

Jo: I’ve actually found it really enjoyable. It’s been quite an emotional time, quite a mixture of emotions. But on the whole, it’s very exciting. I feel very proud and excited about what his future holds. I’m also a bit anxious and a bit apprehensive if I’m being honest, you know. It is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but it’s been very enjoyable.

Alice: So, as you said, it can be quite a daunting experience for both parents and children and obviously you work in university so you think you should know it all, but is there anything you’ve been surprised by? Any advice that you can give to other parents that people might not know about?

Jo: Yeah, it’s… it is worth taking the time to do plenty of research actually. Obviously, your son or your daughter will know what course they want to do. But there’s so much more to a choice of university than just that. So, it’s important to take some time to do some research. There’s loads of information online. The UCAS website’s really helpful and there’s lots of other websites like the Complete University Guide or WhatUni? And also there’s some Facebook groups, they’ve been really useful over the last few months with other parents talking about their experiences and maybe asking questions that I hadn’t thought of yet. So, that’s been a good source of information.

Alice: And of course, as we’re here today, Open Days are a brilliant way of finding out what university’s are like. How have you and your son approached this part of the process?

Jo: Erm, we narrowed down a number of universities that he was interested in. And then we had a look at when their Open Days were and see what fits in really with the rest of other things going on. Obviously there’s football matches and all sorts to fit around and then sort of decided whether we’re going to get the train. Decided whether we’re going to drive and looked at what else we could do in the city on those days. And yeah, again, it’s just been a really enjoyable experience. You know, some quality time together and having a good look round. Maybe, as a parent, you ask the questions you know your son or daughter wants to ask, but they’re too shy to do so or haven’t got round to it. So, yeah it’s been really interesting. It’s a good way to see different cities as well.

Alice: And, how involved do you think parents should be in the application process?

Jo: I think you have to find the right balance. It’s you know, quite easy to take over, and you know, you’ve really got to find that balance of letting them do the legwork but also being there as a support and as a guidance. And, but yeah it’s very much their decision at the end of the day and it’s you know, their choice and not yours. But I think as much support as you can give them to sort of gently nudge them along that journey is really important.

Alice: And is there anything that you feel students should be asking their parents for particular help with, or their advice on?

Jo: I think, you know, it’s just good to keep that conversation going, you know. Your parent may have been to university themselves; I went to university. So, you know, ask your parents about what it was that they were looking for, for a university. Ask them about the city, you know, have they ever been to that city before what’s it like. Ask them about their career experience as well, you know. How did you get to what you’re doing now. This kind of experience prompts those kind of conversations, which is really nice. So, pick our brains. You know, we were young once weren’t we? We have been on this journey ourselves or some of us have, so you know, use us as a source of information and resource.

Alice: That’s some really good advice there Jo, thank you very much and good luck to you and your son on the rest of the process.

Jo: Thank you!

Alice: Thanks.

Livestream highlights: A parent's perspective video

Back to Parents and guardians