Highschool at all times goes by quicker than you assume it would. For me, I used to be part of the notorious Class of 2020, higher referred to as the “pandemic graduates”. As you’ll be able to guess, Grade 12 glided by even quicker for me. The pandemic positively altered a few of my selections, nonetheless, even when it had not occurred, I nonetheless really feel that I might have achieved a number of issues in another way when selecting my program if given one other probability.
I used to be extraordinarily burdened, undecided, and underneath lots of pointless stress. On reflection, this might have been prevented completely. As a scholar presently coming into my third 12 months on the College of Toronto, I’ve turn out to be the household “elder” with all of the information and knowledge of the best way to undergo the post-secondary course of. If I might return to Grade 11 and Grade 12, listed here are a number of the issues I might have achieved in another way:
1. Begin exploring post-secondary applications early
Being a particularly unsure particular person, I had far too many choices. There are THOUSANDS of applications to select from and it might probably get pretty overwhelming. There may be a lot to think about: curiosity, location, finances, competitiveness, grades, and so on. I made the error of exploring applications at first of Grade 12. Actually, I received so overwhelmed that I utilized to TEN PROGRAMS. TEN. DO NOT BE ME.
The stress of constructing grade cut-offs and assembly deadlines would have been lessened had I simply began earlier. Whilst a third-year scholar, I’m nonetheless discovering out about applications at my very own college that I want I had recognized about in highschool. Attempt making a listing of your pursuits and in search of applications that embody a number of of them (you may be shocked at what you discover).
If you’re particularly trying into faculties in Ontario, I extremely really helpful Ontario Universities Information. This web site was an absolute life-saver: it has program descriptions, important hyperlinks, true grade cut-offs, tuition prices, and much more info.
No matter the place you get your info from, top-of-the-line methods to essentially be taught if a program is best for you is to speak to present college students. Join with college students in applications you have an interest in as early as Grade 11, by way of Reddit and Fb teams, or by attending a College honest.
When going via your analysis, doc all the knowledge you acquire: it’s essential. I’m not going to lie, the method is sort of aggravating and you’ll are inclined to overlook particulars. Subsequently, having them written down someplace is a good concept. When you acquire all of your info, selecting the applications you need to apply to will turn out to be lots simpler.
2. Give your self sufficient time to do your purposes thoughtfully
In case you adopted my recommendation up to now and have your listing of applications, I recommend you begin making use of RIGHT AWAY—particularly for extra aggressive applications.
Now, for the purposes themselves, questions will range. That mentioned, they have a tendency to comply with a really comparable format. Questions can often be damaged up into three key classes: showcasing expertise (“Discuss a time you confirmed management”), curiosity in this system (“Why did you particularly select this program?”), or situational (“What would you do on this scenario?”).
PRO TIP: at all times be sure you are clear and concise. Don’t use overly fancy phrases to impress your college. Highly effective writing is clear, simple to know, and clearly communicated.
In case you can, begin brainstorming examples out of your life that you just may discuss in your solutions. After you have particular questions for any of your purposes, make a separate doc the place you’ll be able to write out your solutions, edit them, and even have others supply suggestions earlier than submitting them. Once I was making use of, my associates and I continually edited one another’s solutions and it saved my purposes so many instances. Dad and mom and academics are additionally nice individuals to go to for modifying assist!
NEVER RUSH YOUR APPLICATIONS. In case you begin early, it is possible for you to to take your time and polish your solutions to make them replicate greatest on you as a possible scholar.
3. Take a while for your self
By now, you’ll have realized that the post-secondary software season is STRESSFUL. Be sure you take a while for your self to calm down, unwind, and see your mates. Certainly one of my largest regrets is popping down hangouts with associates to work on purposes, particularly contemplating that the pandemic finally stored me from seeing a few of them for over two years.
Clearly, moving into post-secondary is necessary. However so is your ultimate 12 months in highschool. Don’t overlook to make these reminiscences and spend time with those you’re keen on as a result of in case you plan your time proper, you’ll be able to completely do each. As Ferris Bueller as soon as put it: “Life strikes fairly quick. In case you don’t cease and go searching now and again, you would miss it.”
READ MORE: 10 Issues I Want I Knew Earlier than My First Yr Of College
Rubaina Farin
Hello! I am Rubaina Farin (she/her) and I’m a third-year scholar in Life Sciences on the College of Toronto on the St. George campus! I am presently pursuing a double main in Basic Genetics & Its Functions and Cognitive Sciences – Computational Stream and a minor in Ladies and Gender Research. In my spare time, I really like images, enjoying my guitar or piano and watching motion pictures!