 |
Still got choices to make!
Your main concern at the moment is probably your exams
or finishing your course, but just when you thought you’d finished making
decisions about your future, some bright spark mentions words like ‘UCAS’,
‘Degrees’ and ‘Higher Education’. Indeed, another set of opportunities
are flying in your direction.
|
Higher Education (HE) has traditionally been offered by universities, colleges
and colleges of art and agriculture and lead to qualifications such as Degrees
or Higher National Diplomas (HND).
See the 'Qualified
in Qualifications’ article for further information.
You know the score
Like with nearly all the articles on this site, I cannot tell you how important
it is to speak to your tutors, parents and Careers / Connexions Advisers.
You need to research your options fully and before you ‘set sail’ to University
or College you need to consider many important points such as :-
-
What type of qualification / course you want to study
-
Where it will lead to (career)
- What type of institution you want to attend (big city or smaller town)
- Your expected grades
- The financial costs such as fees etc.
There is lots of information available at school, college or
your local careers centre where you can look into all these things and more!
Virtual Research
I’m sure you will have lots of questions about HE and many of
them can be discussed with your Careers / Connexions Advisers, tutor or parents.
However, you can also get lots of information at the click of a button.
This site has a HE
section with links to many University sites which provide prospectus details
and some even give ‘virtual tours’ of the campus. Another important site
is the UCAS site which
has excellent information on the UCAS procedure, frequently asked questions
and answers and course details.
Get with it! Student Life!
HE requires a lot of hard work and a lot of commitment is required
to successfully complete a 3-4 year course. However..........
The HE experience isn’t all about lectures and libraries! Most students feel
that the social experience relating to HE is just as important for their personal
development.
Fresher’s Week
When you start you HE course you will be a ‘fresher’. Enjoy
it! You will be invited to a whole series of introductions, parties, gigs
and discos all arranged to make you feel at home and help you meet people.
You will also be invited to the ‘fresher’s fair’ where you’ll
be introduced to lots of different societies and clubs. These range from
juggling and medieval re-enactment to real ale/cider and happy campers clubs.
Clubs will vary with each HE institution and its well worth your while checking
out your Student Union for activities available. Most Student Unions also
publish and ‘alternative prospectus’ which gives you a flavour of what it’s
like to be a student at that institution.
DON’T FORGET your Student Union Card which provides great discounts
to a variety of outlets.
HE Steps to Success!
| RESEARCH |
Check out websites, HE guides, talk to tutors, Careers / Connexions
Advisers and parents. |
| KEEP TRACK |
Make sure you are aware of the UCAS procedure and deadline for applications.
(See ‘Clearing’ article on this site)
|
| GO FOR IT! |
Work hard and play hard. HE can be a great experience if you get
the balance right. |
Further links you may find useful:
If you’ve done all your research you should find that your course and the
social scene will be an enjoyable and exciting time for you and could lead
to great opportunities for your future.
Jennie Glitherow
Lincolnshire Careers and Guidance Services Ltd.
At school or college? Look out for Jennie's future articles which we'll have
here for the first Monday of each month, and which we'll link to the best sites
we can find on the Web. Why not bookmark us now?
Careers Information
LMI, Whats it all about?
Options for Year 9
To get back to this page to use the links on it - enter http://www.careers-gateway.co.uk/mainpage.htm
and click on Magazine then Moving on up! - Higher Education.
