• Question: Where you nervous before your university interview? If so, what did you do to combat nerves?

    Asked by Leona Irwin to Chris, Emma, Jonathan, Katharine, Shehla, Simon on 13 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Emma Rowe

      Emma Rowe answered on 13 Jun 2017:

      Definitely! I think it’s normal to be nervous, it would be odd if you weren’t!
      When I’m nervous, I tend to ramble or gabble so no one can understand me. For me, I have to remember to speak slowly and clearly and breathe steadily. That naturally calms me down. I also find that a cup of tea helps me to calm down as it’s hot so I can’t rush it!

    • Photo: Jonathan Harte

      Jonathan Harte answered on 13 Jun 2017:

      I’m sure I was, its a while ago now.
      I now tell myself Nerves are good, they show you want this place/ job etc.
      Nerves sharpen the senses make you more alert more responsive, so you actually need to practice giving yourself time to answer, not rush into speaking.

      You can also go through scenarios before the interview – practice, practice. the better prepared you are the less nerves you generally get.

    • Photo: Katharine Bradbury

      Katharine Bradbury answered on 13 Jun 2017:

      Yes I was. I remember when I came for interview at Nottingham I was very anxious about catching the right bus from the station! I think the interviewers did a good job of putting me at ease and doing some practice questions before helped me.

    • Photo: Christopher Symonds

      Christopher Symonds answered on 14 Jun 2017:

      I never went to University as I am not a clinician but my advice to anyone that is nervous at interviews is to remember the people interviewing you are only people like yourself and in the main want you to be successful. Try and be yourself at all times and only tell the truth as if you are caught out lying it will never be good for you. Prepare well and show a real interest in the organisation you are trying to enter and always remember that they expect you to be nervous as it shows that you really want it.

    • Photo: Simon Browes

      Simon Browes answered on 14 Jun 2017:

      I expect that I was… it was nearly twenty years ago! I had four interviews and I think Nottingham was definitely the nicest experience (I won’t tell you where I had a really horrible time). In the end I did get offers from all four universities and it must have been my good experience that led me to choose Nottingham!

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