With that in mind, this article will focus on the strategies and activities that will help you take advantage of your time, and make your university experience a blast!

Live away from home

If you chose a university that is far from home, you probably don’t have a choice; but if you plan to attend university closer to home, it’s still a good idea to live away from home, if you can.

There are so many benefits to moving out. All of a sudden, you’re in charge of your life, and if you haven’t fortified good, healthy habits, there could be a steep learning curve; but an important one nonetheless.

There are some essential things you should try to get right early on, this includes learning how to budget, do laundry, keep up with cleanliness, and cook (and eat healthy). It’s okay if there’s an adjustment period; but you should aim to figure these things out quickly to help you alleviate stress and give you more time to have fun.

Other things that could take a bit longer to adjust to are: managing loneliness, independence, and responsibility for yourself. These are a bit more abstract and could take years to figure out, so don’t worry, you’ll figure them out eventually.

Attend freshers week

The first choice you’re given once you get to university is whether to attend freshers week or not; but it should be a no-brainer. There will be all sorts of activities to make the week worth your time.

Freshers week is your initial opportunity to make friends, and after freshers week, most of your friends will likely be in the same programme as you; so it’s your first chance to meet people outside of your major.

A good tip is to go out of your way to approach at least a couple of random people during the week. You never know what you might have in common, or whether the interaction could blossom into a lifelong friendship. If it doesn’t, no harm, no foul.

Don’t worry if you can’t attend freshers week, there will be plenty of opportunities to make friends.

Go to lectures

Lectures might seem like a waste of time to some, and you might think that after you attend a few, you can make do with just the lecture slides. You might even think that you can skip lectures and still get good grades.

But going to university in a half-hearted capacity is a mistake. University might not be for everyone, but if you’re there, commit to it. If you don’t fully commit, you might never find your true passion.

Attending lectures is also just one step of the process. When you really focus and listen to your professors, you can perfect some other important life skills. One of them is finding effective ways to take notes and truly absorb information. Another one is quick, critical thinking; which you can practice when you attend lectures, listen, and ask questions.

Going to lectures also gives you a chance to meet people and get to know your professors.

Get to know the area

Once you have a handle on your lectures, it’s wise to get a good bearing of your surroundings. You might only be there for a few years, so find some unique places to hang out. Discover the best local shops, pubs, restaurants, and parks. Locate the hospital, train station, and other key surroundings.

Once you’ve found some cool spots, share them! Your friends will be thankful for your local knowledge and you’ll have fun going somewhere new.

Join clubs and teams

Extracurricular activities are a good step towards individual flourishment. Social life on campus can be almost as important as in-class experience, because in the working world, sometimes it’s about who you know rather than what you know. Also, extracurriculars look good on a CV.

Look around campus for clubs and groups that pique your interest. If you enjoy reading, find a book club. If you like arguing, join the model UN committee. If you’re into sports, try out for a team.

Joining a club or team will bring some fun to your spare time, give you a sense of belonging, and give you a reason to take a break from your studies.

Stay organised

Now that you’ve found your lecture halls, the best local restaurants, and joined a club, you’re going to have to manage your time effectively to accomplish everything.

Organisation is a key life skill. With so many things on the go, a calendar and a budget can go a long way to help you keep track of all the important and not-so-important things.

Organising your week or month ahead of time can help you get the most of it. It doesn’t have to be meticulously crafted, but get an idea of how much time you need to study, attend lectures, sleep, go to football practice, and of course, party. This will make it easier to plan things when you have blocks of free time. Maybe you won’t perfect it right away, but getting the right habits started will ensure that you don’t miss an important exam or meeting.

Take advantage of resources

There are so many resources at your disposal when you’re a student. Most campuses have a leisure centre, library, art studio, and many other facilities related to coursework. It’s in your best interest to use these while they’re free, because once you graduate, they won’t be.

One of the better perks at university is the widespread student discount, on and off campus. Many local shops will offer lunch deals, and some bigger companies like phone and internet providers could offer student discounts as well. Take advantage of these while you can.

Another benefit of campus life is the access to academic advisors and mentors. These are free services that can help you if you get stuck or if you need some advice. Everyone needs to ask questions sometimes, and talking to someone with your best interests in mind can help you make the most educated decision.

The last major advantage given to university students is the opportunity to get field-specific work experience – which is sometimes only available to current students. Working in your field before you graduate is a good way to get your foot in the door, and also obtain vital experience that might help you decide on your future.

Be patient

Perhaps the best advice to tie this all together is to remain patient.

Make mistakes, play, have fun, and explore your interests – and yourself. University is as much about personal growth as it is about graduating and getting your degree. As long as you grow a bit year-over-year, your time on campus will be worthwhile.

You might have trouble making friends or trusting new people at first. Do your best to stay positive and things should work out.

If you keep these tips in mind, you’re more likely to succeed than fail. Even if you do fail, dust yourself off, and try again. It’s all about the journey!

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In fact, Save The Student’s National Student Accommodation Survey for 2022 found that students are looking earlier and earlier at houses and flats for the next academic year. Up to 24% of the respondents said they began looking for places before and during November, with the number of people looking getting lower the closer it gets to spring/summer. This will be to save themselves the stress of looking during exam season and to make the transition between accommodations easier.

It doesn’t have to be an anxiety-inducing experience though. There are plenty of things you can do to make the move a relatively stress-free experience. This article will look at some of the best things you can do.

Before moving out

When leaving your current property, it’s important to make sure you’re doing all you can to get your deposit back. One of the best ways to make sure of this is by cleaning the property. It doesn’t have to be a fresh coat of paint – just leaving it tidy for the landlord and the next tenants can be enough.

This might feel daunting but splitting the responsibilities between you and your housemates means you can tackle sections of the property individually and clean with more efficiency. The places that tend to need the most TLC are the bathroom and kitchen as they’re the most communally used.

Your landlord is more likely to charge you for cleaning of these which would come straight out of your deposit. A quick sweep for litter around the outside of the property could also be the difference maker.

Once you’ve secured your new location, your utilities and delivery addresses will need to change as well. Depending on if your old or new place has bills included in the price of your rent, you’ll need to either schedule for your utilities to shift to the new address or cancel them. You don’t want to be moving into new digs without hot water or electricity. Or worse, no internet!

Moving day

It’s moving day. Your stuff is in boxes and bags of varying sizes, and it’s time to shift it all to the new place. There are plenty of ways to get there, and some of you may be lucky enough to own a car. If not, and you have a licence, hourly car rental is an option too. Plus, there are always buses, taxis, and whatever other public transport is available in your city.

Another great option is the classic ‘man with a van’. Across the UK there are tonnes of freelance men with vans that act as ad-hoc removal services. When you arrive, be extra careful when moving your things in. Leaving any bags or boxes
unattended could inspire opportunistic individuals in the area to take anything that isn’t glued down.

Once you’re settled in

After you’ve chosen your rooms and put everything where it needs to be, now is the time to give the
property a quick glance over. Making sure you have a checklist of everything in the property you
may not have spotted when you first looked around is important, as you don’t want the estate
agents or landlord to think you caused them.

If you move into a property and it’s unclean or there are a lot of damages that need repairs, take pictures on your phone to send to the landlord or your estate agents. Having the photographic proof that those issues were there on moving day they can get sorted as quickly as possible.

A lot of properties will also have an inventory of what comes with it. Once you’ve run through that list and made a note of anything you can’t find or isn’t there, you can inform the owner and they can replace it if needs be. In this time, making a note of the fire escapes would also be useful, and you could introduce yourself and your housemates to the neighbours if you aren’t too tired.

When it comes to moving to a new house or flat, preparation is the key to a less stressful process. Moving while at university gives you the opportunity to experience what it’s like and feel that independence for yourself. There’s plenty to do, but breaking it down into steps will help the process. Once you’ve got yourself settled, do a thorough check of the property and make a note of any damages or anything missing from the inventory. Letting the owner know as soon as possible can prevent any confusion and get a replacement to you quickly.

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1. Calm Kids

Parents who practice mindfulness themselves may already be familiar with the Calm app, but did you know there’s a section for kids?

You can engage in family exercises and bedtime stories to help reduce stress and keep kids calm, while also spending quality time together. Calm has a great reputation for helping overall wellbeing in adults and kids, and the family options are included in the Calm monthly subscription fee.

2. Chill Panda

This NHS-approved mental health app is a parenting secret weapon hiding behind an adorable name.

Chill Panda helps kids by suggesting activities to suit their state of mind, tailoring to their needs and helping them identify their emotions. This app should help your kids relax and feel less anxious about school and friends.

3. Headspace for Kids

Much like Calm, adult subscribers can take advantage of wellbeing activities for their children via the Headspace app. Breathing exercises will help your kids relax and become more aware of their feelings and surroundings.

You can also introduce them to meditation via Headspace, which will equip them with skills to access a ‘zen’ state when things get stressful outside of the home.

4. DreamyKid

DreamyKid appreciates that kids lead busy lives too! The app offers 10-minute meditations for your kids to listen to upon sleeping or waking, to get their brains ready for the day ahead of them. They want to centre your children and equip them with mental health tools to ‘survive’ everyday emotional situations, from childhood through to adulthood.

5. Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

“Sunny day, everything’s A-OK” sings the Sesame Street theme tune, but how do you prepare your kids for when things aren’t A-OK?

Two is not too young to learn how to regulate and identify emotions, and this is the starting age for Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame. Your kids help a Sesame Street monster achieve a sense of calm in this fun, family-focused app. The game helps train their brains to overcome challenges in their own lives.

6. Mind Moose

Your kids are helped to identify their own strengths and harness them to live a happy life with the interactive app, Mind Moose.

Kids can gain a better understanding of the way brains function and how they can make their own brains work more efficiently. They’ll be equipped with skills that set them up for navigating friendships and classroom situations that might cause stress or upset.

7. Positive Penguins

In this game, four penguin pals guide kids to identify their feelings and measure their positive and negative emotions in this fun app with adorable animations. Evi, Ollie, Happ and Buddy are all positive penguins with good messages to pass on to your little loved ones. Giving these cartoon friends emotions to explore will help your kids communicate the way they feel.

8. Smiling Mind

Aimed at age 7 and up, this app helps kids deal with their day-to-day worries and emotional management through mindfulness techniques. There’s a special pandemic-relevant feature called Thrive Inside which trains kids to stay calm when stuck inside the house.

9. Worrinots

The digital answer to worry dolls, Worrinots allows kids to record or write messages to four characters detailing their feelings. This should help alleviate the stresses or concerns the kids are dealing with, and the app helps kids identify and cope with their emotions.

10. Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Feelings

A great app to learn about feelings and how to identify them! In Daniel’s Trolley Game, children play more than a dozen mini-games about feelings featuring Daniel and friends. Daniel teaches kids to practice calming down through breathing exercises, and to count when they feel frustrated or angry.

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From gross science experiments to robot-building kits, your kids will be too busy having fun to realise they’re learning. You could be nurturing a future coder, scientist or mechanical engineer without even realising.

1.GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope

This beginners’ microscope will give your budding scientist an early understanding of what goes on inside a real-life laboratory.

This isn’t just a prop, the GeoSafari First Microscope is a working tool that’s easy to use for little inquisitive kids who want to examine things under the lens. Let them make their own discoveries and who knows where it might take them.

Find out more at educationalinsights.com

2. Archi-TECH Electronic Smart House

Are you parenting the next Gaudi? Do you dream of your kids becoming the brains behind the houses on Grand Designs?

The Archi-TECH Electronic Smart House helps aspiring architects to build their own home, complete with lights, sensors and motorised parts. This fun architecture project teaches your kids basic circuitry and allows them to light up the rooms they’ve just built.

Find out more at amazon.co.uk

3.KIDWILL STEM 14-in-1 Educational Solar Robot Kit

Not only are kids able to build their own robot with KIDWILL STEM 134-in-1, you’re also able to teach your kids about renewable energy.

This solar-powered robot can become a dog, a crab, a surfer and a zombie chaser, to name just some of his possible personalities. Its unique attachments also make it amphibious, allowing it to move around on land and on water.

A great project to work on with your kids that results in a fascinating, educational toy.

Find out more at amazon.co.uk

4. Totally Squishy from Head to Toe

If you want your kids to learn all about their anatomy, this is a fantastic starter toy. They get a peek inside the human skeleton with squishy organs, glow in the dark bones, and a giant skull to examine human brains.

There are surgical tools in the kit to allow them to remove different parts of the body and compare them to the accompanying activity book.

Parents can use this as a launch pad for talking about lots of different parts of the human body and how they function, and might even learn a thing or two themselves.

Find out more at amazon.co.uk

5. That’s Gross Science Lab

There comes a point in every kid’s development where they become fascinated with the grotesque. Bums, poo, farts, and snot all become favourite topics of conversation.

This fun science lab, rather than discourage such behaviour, harnesses toilet humour and makes it educational.

The kids will be so distracted by stink bubbles and potty putty they won’t realise they’re finding out about chemical reactions and gas expansion!

Find out more at amazon.co.uk

6. National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit

Eat your heart out, Indiana Jones! This archaeologist investigation kit will have your little ones dusting for treasure and finding out all about dinosaurs in the process.

They’ll learn all about the prehistoric era and all the stages of life before humans arrived.

Find out more at amazon.co.uk

7. Science of Cooking Bread and Butter

It’s time to teach kids that chemistry is everywhere, even in the kitchen.

This cooking set teaches kids to make cinnamon swirls and garlic butter among other delicious treats, while teaching them all about yeast and emulsion.

These little experiments will get their brains engaged in science and also result in yummy things for them to eat, providing rewards and a sense of achievement.

Find out more at kiwico.com

8.Dash Coding Robot

Teaching your kids to code will set them up for a technology-driven future, and being bilingual in English and code will be extremely beneficial in the job market. Start them off with this adorable yet educational robot, Dash.

He responds to your child’s voice but can also be used with several apps to maximise his functions, like singing and drawing. A fun intro to code and a new, interactive friend for the playroom.

Find out more at makewonder.com

9. Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit

There’s a reason Bill Nye’s teachings have lasted the test of time.

This friendly scientist has educated generations of children in STEM and his VR science kit is the latest development allowing your kids to appreciate his lessons further.

Beakers, brushes, instructional videos and a VR head set to open their eyes to whole new STEM worlds are all included in this fantastic kit.

Find out more at abacusbrands.com

10. Genius Kit for Ipad

Is your kid hogging your Ipad for games, but you’re not sure what the benefit is to their developing brains?

Make their screen time count with the Genius Kit, by adding letters, numbers, and shapes so that they can play along with tablet games.

Puzzles, problem solving and more creative art activities are all included, so they get an all-round experience and you know they’re not just idly frittering away their screen time.

Find out more at playosmo.com

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1. Learning Resources Puzzle Globe

Teach your kids about the world and all its wonderful countries with the brightly coloured puzzle globe. This rotating earth has raised outlines for each continent and kids have to work out how to place the puzzle pieces to make up the countries.

Find out more at learningresources.co.uk

2. Deluxe Busy Time Play Cube

Time for a sensory safari! This zoo-themed play table has so many different aspects, it will keep even the most easily distracted children engaged.

Beads to slide, blocks to drop through differently shaped holes, and bright, colourful zoo characters will all help your children develop spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, early reading, cause-and-effect learning and shape matching.

Find out more at fatbraintoys.com

3. Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog

He’s not got the catchiest name on the toy shelf, but Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog lives up to his title by helping your kids’ fine motor skills.

They’ll have a great time slotting the chunky pegs into Spike’s back to give him a full set of spines, and it’ll also help them with counting and learning colours.

Find out more at learningresources.co.uk

4. Symphony Croc Music Band Set

Your little musicians will have a blast banging on Symphony Croc and its accompanying drum, while also developing their motor skills.

It might not be apparent immediately, but they’ll also develop their sense of rhythm by listening to music and playing along. 

Find out more at habausa.com

5. Skoolzy Peg Board Set

More colourful pegs to get those motor skills honed! Kids can learn about counting, sorting, threading and identifying colours with this bright peg board from Skoolzy. This is a Montessori-inspired toy created to get your kids’ neurons firing and learning through play.

Find out more at toyscentral.uk

6. LeapFrog 100 Animals Book

What’s better than your kids learning lots of animal names and facts? Learning them in more than one language, of course! Leapfrog is an interactive toy that speaks to your child in English and Spanish, as well as playing animal songs and sounds.

Find out more at smythstoys.com

7. Manhattan Toy Deep Sea Adventure

Kids can do some underwater exploring with this exciting activity table. The Manhattan Toy Deep Sea Adventure will dazzle your little submariners for hours. It’s full of animal-themed gliders, bead runs and lots of exciting motor-skill enhancing features. Its wooden structure and muted tones also mean it’s less of an eyesore compared to some other toddler toys, so it’s a more pleasant addition to your living room.

Find out more at manhattantoy.com

8. Baby Einstein Curiosity Table Activity Station

If you’re raising little Einsteins or Marie Curies, the curiosity table activity station will help nurture their brains towards greatness. This art and science table has amazing gadgets for kids to explore, from gears to circuits and flashing lights. It has a magnetic art surface and a dry erase whiteboard and can play up to 65 melodies and sounds.

Find out more at elc.co.uk

9. Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Activity Centre

Your toddlers can slam-dunk their way to success with this fun, three-in-one activity centre. Teach your kids about basketball, bowling and football with this interactive toy, and watch them develop all-important coordination, confidence and motor skills. Bowling will also teach your kids cause and effect, as well as shapes and colours.

Find out more at littletikes.co.uk

10. Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money, and the smart stages piggy bank is a modern take on an old favourite. This little piggy is musical, with 40 songs to play, and helps kids with their motor skills by allowing them to slot colourful coins into its back.

Find out more at elc.co.uk

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If your kids have bags of energy and want to develop lifelong skills in their free time, sports camps are a great way to keep them busy over the school holidays while also boosting their self-confidence and introducing them to other children from different backgrounds.

We’ve picked a selection of the UK’s best sports camps and adventure holidays for kids to enjoy, while you can get some peace of mind.

1. PGL

An adventure holiday that’s just for kids may sound like a Peter Pan daydream, but PGL has been running these sorts of activity breaks since 1957 with over 8 million families.

If your children would love to try activities like climbing, white-water rafting, trapeze, and fencing, PGL offers all-inclusive residential holidays and a supportive environment for kids to flourish while learning skills and having fun.

There are options for multi-activity holidays and ‘action and adventure’ breaks, which involve adrenaline-rush activities like coasteering and rollercoasters. Your kids will have the time of their lives and have plenty of stories to tell back at school.

Find out more at pgl.co.uk

2. Clifton College

For more sport-specific camps, Bristol’s Clifton College offers Performance Sports Courses for your little up-and-coming athletes.

Have your kids’ skills honed in rugby, hockey, cricket, or netball from the best coaches Clifton has to offer.

Many of the coaches are former professional players themselves, so have plenty of expertise to pass to the kids they train. Their intensive courses are tailored towards ambitious kids of any gender at a variety of playing levels.

Beginners are welcome, right up to those who are on the cusp of qualifying to compete at regional level.

Find out more at ccsl-cliftoncollege.com

3. Fit for Sport

Fit For Sport offer multi-sport holidays in every school break, so that your kids can enjoy action and adventure year-round between terms.

They have themed holidays which encapsulate music, dance, arts and culture as well as sport, so your kids get a rich and fulfilling experience beyond the sporting activities.

Find out more at fitforsport.co.uk

4. Camp Beaumont

Camp Beaumont offers age-specific programmes for fun-loving kids looking for enriching life experiences.

Whether your kid is three or 16, there’s a programme at Camp Beaumont that will keep them entertained while also equipping them with valuable life skills.

Archery and ball sports feature alongside crafts and creative classes for an all-round camp experience that will give them plenty to write home about.

Find out more at campbeaumont.co.uk

5. King’s Camps

King’s Camps is a not-for-profit organisation which hosts exciting school holiday experiences for kids aged five to 17.

Highly enthusiastic and experienced coaches will pass on “The King’s Factor” to your children, creating fun, high-energy activities which will keep them engaged physically and mentally.

King’s Camps then use their expertise to help transform children’s lives around the world through sport.

Find out more at kingscamps.org

6. Barracudas Activity Camps

There are 43 Barracudas Multi-Activity Camps in the UK, offering a range of amazing holiday entertainment for kids.

From ‘dance fusion’ to motorsports, your children will have an active and engaging stay-away trip with like-minded kids from around the UK. They also host themed events and football-specific camps for budding Beckhams.

Find out more at barracudas.co.uk

7. Superweeks

More game-based than sports-based, Superweeks focuses on the importance of play during their holiday camps.

Your kids will experience the great outdoors, running around in nature and getting to know lots of different people from different backgrounds. There’s the opportunity to go swimming and on fun day trips, too.

Find out more at superweeks.co.uk

8. Rock UK

From bouldering to bushcraft, caving to climbing, Rock UK have action-packed activities for your energetic brood to enjoy.

Please note that Rock UK is a Christian organisation, so expect their instruction and teachings outside of the activities to centre around the faith.

Find out more at rockuk.org

9. Camp Cooper

For a truly American-style camp experience, send the kids to central Scotland!

With only 110 places, Camp Cooper creates a positive and inclusive environment where kids can thrive.

High ropes, games, sports competitions and campfire sing-a-longs are all on the schedule at Camp Cooper and kids get to opt in and out of the activities that suit them best.

Find out more at internationalsummercampuk.com

10. Activate Camps

Activate Camps offers sport-specific camps in a variety of disciplines, including netball, gymnastics, cricket, and lacrosse.

There are also multi-activity camps for kids who would rather have a taste of lots of different sports than hone in on just one.

Find out more at activatecamps.co.uk

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1. Reed

Jobs and recruitment company Reed have tens of thousands of courses available to help you improve your employment opportunities. There is a mixture of free courses; discount courses and university courses listed on the site. Subjects include food hygiene, child psychology, digital marketing and job interview masterclasses.

Find out more at reed.co.uk/courses

2. Degreed

Degreed is an online upskilling platform that consolidates all learning, formal and informal, into one place so you can track everything that you’ve learned.

It covers everything from coding and data science, to leadership and communicating with others. Because it can consolidate existing learning resources online, new courses and learning pathways can be set up quickly – for example, when the first lockdown happened, pathways on remote working and mental health were set up within days.

Find out more at degreed.com

3. Google Analytics Academy

A range of free online courses are run by the tech giant’s academy. Get to grips with the fundamentals with Google Analytics for Beginners, then move on to Advanced Google Analytics, which teaches learners to customise, segment and leverage data. This resource aims to equip learners to be ready for digital graduate jobs and also offers recognised qualifications.

Find out more at analytics.google.com

4. The Skills Network

The Skills Network is the UK’s largest online learning provider, having supported over 1.6 million individuals reach their training and development goals. With more than 100 online courses on offer – many of them fully funded – individuals can choose when and where to study, achieving new qualifications with the support of an assigned tutor and a learner support advisor. Subject areas include accounting and finance, children and education, retail and hospitality and health and fitness.

Find out more at theskillsnetwork.com

5. My Learning

The My Learning offering from Hays provides the latest insights into the skills in demand and career trends. 

From here, professionals have direct access to free courses that enable them to reskill and upskill – putting them on the path to secure new opportunities in a constantly evolving world of work.

Courses include change management, customer service, project management, coding and programming, and communications – all of which are highly sought after by employers.

Find out more at hays.co.uk/online-learning/skills-development

6. General Assembly

Workshops from locations all over the world teach users to upskill in a number of areas such as tech, data, design and business.

Using video tutorials and live-streamed lessons GA offers award-winning curriculums and expert instructors as well as a global, professional community of more than 40,000 full and part-time alumni.

Courses range from short-term to part-time or full-time.

Find out more at generalassemb.ly 

7. CoursesOnline

This course comparison website offers up-skilling opportunities to individuals and workforce teams who are looking to enhance their skills.

The courses cover everything from cyber security to floristry, with options for both newcomers and those who already have experience within the field. 

Each course comes with its own respective cost, which gives a user access to teaching from top educational institutions in the UK and the vast majority can be studied at the learner’s leisure from home.

Find out more at coursesonline.co.uk

8. CourseBuffet

Discover a catalogue for free online college courses from all the providers out there put in one place.

Listings include those from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) such as Coursera, Udacity, edX, etc, and providers such as the OpenCourseWare consortium, Saylor, and others.

Each course is classified by subject and level, with information on video, audio or textbook learning included.

Find out more at coursebuffet.com

9. Duolingo

Check out free, bite-sized language lessons, designed to be as much fun as playing a game on your phone or computer. The website and app currently offers more than 105 different courses in 40 languages.

Users develop vocabulary and grammar through practising reading, writing, listening and speaking through a mixture of implicit and explicit learning.

More than 300 million learners are said to be picking up new languages with the platform.

Find out more at duolingo.com

10. Futurelearn

See a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world.

Futurelearn believes learning should be an enjoyable, social experience and so offers the opportunity to discuss what you’re learning with others as you go. Users can unlock new opportunities with unlimited access to hundreds of online short courses through a subscription, though many courses are free to join.

Find out more at futurelearn.com

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Millfield

Somerset is the setting for Millfield, a co-educational secondary school with its own pre-prep and preparatory school in nearby Glastonbury. The campus spreads across 240 acres in and around the village of Street. Millfield has students from more than 65 nationalities enjoying the benefits of its expansive land. 

Fees: Start from £3,020 per term.

Find out more at millfield.com

ACS Cobham

ACS International School Cobham enjoys 128 acres of leafy green campus in Surrey. Learners are admitted from the age of two, with boarding available for those aged 12 upwards. With 1,300 students representing more than 70 different nationalities, the co-educational school prides itself on having an international ethos. The campus is complete with soccer and rugby fields, softball and baseball diamonds, an all-weather track, tennis courts, and a six-hole golf course. 

Fees: Start from £4,115 per semester.

Find out more at acs-schools.com

Kilgraston

An hour’s drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh, Kilgraston is set in the countryside of Perthshire. With 54 acres of parkland to roam across, the scenery and wildlife is very much part of the experience here. 50 different activities are supported at the school, including raising social awareness and considering the importance of ethical and fair trade practices.

Fees: Range from £4,080 to £11,845 per term.

Find out more at kilgraston.com

Windlesham

Windlesham House has 63 acres of Sussex Downs countryside for pupils to play and relax in. Popular activities include polo, tennis and golf, all on-site in Pulborough, West Sussex. It’s co-educational,  progressive and includes sports stars Thom Evans and Tom Williams, both England rugby players, Olympic Horse Eventer Tina Cook and swimmer Duncan Goodhew, in its list of former students.

Fees: Start from £3,185 per term.

Find out more at  windleshamhouse.com

Haberdashers

Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools is a small group of schools set in the Wye Valley of Wales. It includes pre-prep and nursery and separate boys and girls’ prep and boarding schools. Ultra-modern, purpose-built facilities – including a fully equipped recording studio – sit alongside restored listed buildings on campus.

Fees: Start from £1,580 for nursery, to £11,389 per term.

Find out more at habsmonmouth.org

Giggleswick

Set across 215 acres of stunning Yorkshire countryside, Giggleswick School also boasts 500 years of heritage. It’s one of the leading independent co-educational boarding and day schools in the north of England. Pupils are taken from two-years-old all the way to 18, though boarding is only available from Year 5. The school focuses particularly on performing arts but has excellent sports, technology and science facilities too.

Fees: Start from £2,950 to a maximum £11,900 for senior boarders.

Find out more at akapr.co.uk

Sandroyd

One for the pony-mad set, Sandroyd is set in 60 acres of outdoor space in Wiltshire, Salisbury. It caters for day and boarding pupils, boys and girls, aged two to 13 and riding is a big part of school life. The main building is 19th century Rushmore House, which sits in the Rushmore estate, now playing fields, woods and parkland, near Tollard Royal village and the county border with Dorset.

Fees: Start from £3,190 per term.

Find out more at sandroyd.org

Repton

Once the school of BFG creator Roald Dahl, Repton School and Repton Prep are found in a south Derbyshire village of the same name, surrounded by rolling hills and greenery across 50 acres. The co-educational, independent day and boarding schools are Christian, and take pupils aged three to 18.

Fees: Start from £3,172 (prep) and £9,096 per term.

Find out more at repton.org.uk

Stonyhurst

Another one for the North, Stonyhurst is a Catholic co-ed school with a whopping 1,000 acres of Lancashire rural estate. It’s the oldest continuously active Jesuit school in the world. The day school takes children from three-years-old, with boarding available from ages seven to 18. Along with its many sporting facilities, the school, situated near Clitheroe, has its own working observatory.

Fees: Range from £7,250 to £12,200 for full UK boarding per term. 

Find out more at stonyhurst.ac.uk

Christ College

Situated in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, Christ College makes the most of its surroundings to extend classrooms beyond the walls of the school. The school’s adventure programme is offered to pupils from Year 4. It comprises a series of progressive and challenging outdoor activities to build on pupils’ physical, spiritual, social and moral development.

Fees: Range from £3,194 to £6,528 per term.

Find out more at christcollegebrecon.com

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Magnetic Phonics

This fun kit will get younger children interested in letters, words and reading, ready for their phonics lessons.

The chunky magnetic pieces are ideal for little fingers to grab and move around, while the board and dry-wipe pen allows kids to compose new words with the phonic pieces and the fun pictures add visual interest.

Price £13.99, see fiestacrafts.co.uk.

Polarn O. Pyret Outerwear

Lightweight, flexible and extra durable, this all-weather clothing comes in a range of colours for that all important playground style.

The lining is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and can literally grow with your child.

A buttonhole elastic on the inside of the sleeves means they can be extended by 1.5 sizes, allowing parents to buy their child’s current size and adjust as they grow.

Fully waterproof, windproof, durable and breathable.

Price from £28, see polarnopyret.co.uk.

Bendies Reusable Silicone Straws

A true essential for school hall dining, Bendies are the award-winning reusable silicone straws.

The range comes in a choice of character pouches, each containing two straws.

Made from food grade silicone, they are odourless, completely tasteless and 100 per cent BPA free.

The brand donates a percentage of profits towards The Ocean Clean Up, the non-profit environmental organisation developing technology to extract plastic pollution before it reaches the ocean.

Price £4.99, see sweetdreamers.co.uk.

Skillmatics

Designed for ages three and upwards, Skillmatics is a brand which develops innovative products to build children’s core skills and reinforce key learning concepts – perfect for after-school learning or to get little ones geared up for school again.

Created by educational specialists, the range engages young learners in discovery and self-learning.

Based on the principle that children absorb concepts better through repetition, using their ‘Skilly Billy’ pen on the Skillmatics ‘Write and Wipe Activity Mats’ keeps learning fresh.

Price £9.99, see smarttoysandgames.co.uk/skillmatics.

Mini BuggyBoard Superhero

Ideal for little ones with younger siblings, families can enjoy the walk to school with ease.

Attaching to 99 per cent of pushchairs, prams and strollers, this handy invention gives little legs a rest and adds a touch of fun on the school run.

The new superhero design will inspire little ones to take on new adventures, just like their favourite characters.

Price £49.99, see cheekyrascals.co.uk.

Orboot Earth 

PlayShifu’s interactive AR Globe allows curious minds to explore the world from home.

With over 400 highlights and 1000 interesting facts across six categories – culture, cuisine, monuments, invention, animals and maps – young explorers will learn, ask questions and have fun.

Orboot Earth is a safe and interactive way to engage children in technology.

Simply download the app to your device, scan part of the globe and bon voyage! 

Price £44.99, see playshifu.com.

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe

You have just spent three gruelling weeks researching, writing and proofing an essay.

Then your laptop crashes.

Fortunately you picked up this bitesize two-in-one flash drive, which helps you store, access and move files between your iPhone, iPad Pro, Mac computer and other USB Type-C™ devices, including Android™ phones.

Available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.

Price from £49.99, see shop.westerndigital.com.

Frugi Crafty Pencil Case

Made from 100 per cent recycled polyester, this smart pencil case’s outer covering is created from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

This means less reusable plastic ending up in landfill, creating emissions that contribute to global warming.

This pencil design (Teal Indian Horse) is inspired by the legendary Indian Marwari horse, and has a sturdy zip fastening on top to keep stationary secure.

Price from £4.68, see tillyandjasper.co.uk.

Water bottle and snack holder

Whether working or playing it’s essential to have refreshments on hand at all times.

This BPA-free drinking bottle and snack container set makes a great addition to any school bag or lunchbox to ensure you stay hydrated.

The twist-lock container on the bottom of the bottle allows you to include a healthy snack for a great grab-and-go option.

Price £9, see aplaceforeverything.co.uk.

Zoo backpacks

Encourage the little ones to carry their own kit to school in a fun animal bag.

Skip Hop’s bestselling Zoo backpacks has just added Pug and Koala to its best-selling range.

Made from durable materials, the backpacks feature a main compartment; zip front pocket; insulated pouch; bottle side pocket and padded adjustable straps.

Other characters available include Flamingo, Narwhal, and Shark.

Price £20, from jojomamanbebe.co.uk.

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Agriculture Level 3

A mixture of practical and theoretical sessions, plus work experience, this qualification is not just for farmers but anyone wishing to take on a position of responsibility in the industry or progress to related courses at university. 

Students will focus on modern farming practices, livestock and arable operations. 

Subject areas may also include animal anatomy and physiology, crop production, principles of plant or soil science and business management.

Theatre Studies A-level

Love the stage but don’t fancy treading the boards yourself?

There are plenty of other routes to a life working in theatre.

A practical qualification in something like theatre studies can prepare you for jobs such as stage management, production, or scriptwriting.

Most courses will involve spending time at the theatre, watching a range of different styles offerings, giving students the opportunity to analyse and critique other people’s ideas.

Persian Edexcel Level 3

This qualification aims to enhance students’ linguistic skills and knowledge and understanding of the language, culture and society of Afghanistan and Iran.

Language skills and strategies will be developed and learners will engage critically with texts, films and other media in the original language.

Translating texts from Persian to English and English to Persian will be covered to help students develop as independent researchers.

Food Science and Nutrition Level 3

Useful knowledge for anyone wishing to pursue certain careers in hospitality, food industry production, catering, fitness, health and others.

When studied alongside other relevant qualifications at the same level, learners will be able to use this course to support entry to higher education in subjects such as human nutrition, food science and technology and public health nutrition.

Solving food production problems and meeting nutritional needs of specific groups are included in the syllabus.

Shipping and Maritime Operations (Engineering) Level 3

Students will develop knowledge and skills in basic vessel engineering systems; controlling vessel operations; vessel construction and stability and electrical principals for marine engineers.

Employment and health and safety practice are also covered on the course.

Those who are successful in their studies will be prepared for the next stage of the approved merchant navy officer training programme.

It is also relevant for other careers in the shipping industry.

Divinity A-level

Learners of divinity will consider pre-canonical prophets, pre-exilic prophets and study specific biblical passages.

The Four Gospels is also a focus, giving students the opportunity to gain a scholarly understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus, followed by an in-depth look at The Apostolic Age.

This will consider the development of the early Christian Church, as well as studying the Acts and Epistles in the syllabus.

Quantitative Methods AS-level

This practical qualification was developed for students wishing to gain maths skills for university and employment.

It was designed for learners who have achieved a grade 4 or better in GCSE Mathematics and wish to study subjects such as biology, business studies, chemistry or geography, which require an understanding and application of maths.

Topics covered include use of ICT, statistical problem-solving, graphs and risks.

Thinking skills AS and A-level

A range of transferable skills, including critical skills, reasoning and problem solving, are developed.

Students will develop their ability to analyse unfamiliar situations, come up with problem-solving strategies and evaluate different potential solutions.

These skills can be applied across a wide range of subjects and complex and real-world issues.

Biblical Hebrew A-level

This qualification covers the language and literature of the bible, as well as the times and context in which they were written.

Students are expected to develop an in-depth appreciation of Biblical Hebrew linguistic skills and the life and culture of the ancient world.

Life and Health Sciences

Developed with key industry partners for a growing sector that generates £800m turnover per year in Northern Ireland alone and is growing by 12 per cent annually.

Units include experimental techniques; brain science; genetics, stem cell research and cloning, and medicine, drugs and clinical trials.

Learners who gain this qualification will be equipped to go on to a wide range of STEM careers and higher education.

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