Choosing a new school
The world of post-secondary institutions is vast, offering a myriad of programs and pursuits that can lead to fulfilling careers.
But the big question for many high school graduates is, “How do you chose a school?”
Be it a university, technical institute, trade school or specialized college, start by thinking about your interests and career goals. What type of job would you like to have in the future? Or perhaps you want to start with general studies.
The good news is it’s easy to explore the offerings of any school these days with a bit of online research. Browsing through a school’s programs on its website can help narrow choices, prompt new ideas or cement plans.
Many schools also offer up the services of recruiters via their websites, and they often include direct email, text and phone links to real people. The office of the registrar is a good general contact to use, if you have questions that aren’t answered online.
“Informed education choices can help you obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to develop your career,” the federal government believes. To that end, it has developed a useful website, jobbank.gc.ca, that offers a huge amount of info on career choices, job trends and quizzes that can help match your talents and interests with an educational and career direction.
Schools’ websites provide detailed information about admission criteria and application steps. Ensure you have the requirements needed for any given course, to avoid wasting time and application fees.
You’ll also need to think about where you want to go to school. Some specialized programs will require a move, but many programs are available at a multitude of schools.
Budget can impact this decision. Are you planning on living with parents while you go to school, or are you craving the experience of dorm life? The federal government provides info on everything from student loans to savings programs at www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education. html.
When considering a school, look beyond the program. Consider what supports are in place for students, such as tutoring, counselling, health care and fitness facilities.
Extracurricular activities can contribute to a satisfied student life in the post-secondary world, too. If you have a passion for swimming or debate or karate — whatever your interest — check to see if there’s an opportunity on campus suited to you. Not only does this provide a healthy outlet for an activity you enjoy, it provides an ideal path for meeting people and making new friends.
Think about what size of institution you’re comfortable with. Take a virtual campus tour. While some students thrive in the hustle and bustle of a large campus, others prefer a more intimate setting with lower professor-student ratios. There is no right or wrong answer; it’s about finding what fits you best.