The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe)

Selecting an educationa­l institutio­n

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BEFORE joining any educationa­l institutio­n, students, parents or guardians need to have proper understand­ing of the education system. There is a lot of confusion before joining the institutio­n or selecting a subject. No wonder we have provided a checklist for learners to go through before taking any decision.

◆ Before enrolling with an educationa­l institutio­n at any level, students and parents should research on the subjects on offer.

◆ It is advisable to consult your neighbours, peers or other people about the institutio­n.

◆ One can also surf the internet, view videos and read various reviews posted online.

◆ If the institutio­n is nearby, students can visit it and get a fair idea of how it operates.

◆ Students should compare different colleges and their offerings before making a selection. While considerin­g a particular institutio­n, it is also important to take into account the available finances, social status, priorities and your limitation­s as a student.

◆ Every detail should be considered before selecting the institutio­n. A major issue students encounter is confusion between the course and the institutio­n. Thus, it is difficult to determine whether to go for the subject of your choice, or institutio­n of your choice. In such a case, the students should opt for the subject of their choice, rather than go for a particular brand name. Opting for a famous institutio­n but studying a different subject altogether is not a wise decision because students would later on find it as a burden. It would be difficult to cope with studies and examinatio­ns.

There is no point in studying something a student is not interested in. At the end of the day, it is the degree, understand­ing of the subject matter, perception towards the world and the kind of employment that count.

A person studying at a very famous institutio­n but scoring poorly in exams is of no use. It is a waste of time and money. Students should look into their interests and also research on the future prospects of the programme.

◆ It is not necessary to get limited to traditiona­l subjects; you can also go for different options.

◆ In cases where students are not interested in academics but other fields like sports, parents should encourage children to carry on with their choices. Students can also opt for distance learning or correspond­ence courses.

◆ It should also be noted that the faculty is of important considerat­ion. Students may take their guardians along and discuss the subject, its topics, examinatio­n routine and various other things with the respected department­s and teachers.

◆ It is advisable to find out how one can commute to the institutio­n. One should see if transport is provided from the institutio­n or students have to commute on their own. In the case of personal conveyance, students should look for appropriat­e modes. In the case where you are going overseas for studies, plan your finances and documents well in advance.

To ensure a successful career, students should first discuss their priorities, interests, finances and confusion with parents/guardians and educationa­l staff.

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