Category: Year 12

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Selecting Your University: A Guide to Open Days for Year 12 Students

University open days are great fun. They give you a window into what your life could be like when you leave school

Take your time. Spend 3-4 hours to get the feel of the campus.

Get a Feel of the University

University open days give you an opportunity to experience the campus and the university environment. You can get a sense of the university’s atmosphere, the types of students who attend, and what it might be like to study and live there.

Gather Information

Attending an open day offers an opportunity to ask questions to academic and support staff members, and also to current students. Students can ask about the courses they’re interested in, entry requirements, career prospects, financial support, and other relevant topics.

Building Confidence

 Attending open days can help you to build confidence in your decision-making process. By gathering information and asking questions, you can feel more confident in making informed decisions about your future.

Compare Universities 

 By attending multiple university open days, students can compare different universities and courses, and weigh up the pros and cons of each. This can help them make a more informed decision when it comes to applying for university.

Pick the Best Bits Before You Get There

  • As the day draws closer, each university will finalise its schedule of events, campus tour, displays and classes. 
  • Check the Open Day Program and plan your day.

On the Day

 Don’t rush. Plan to spend 3 – 4 hours at the Open Day.

  • Book a campus tour.
  • If there are overarching welcome events, make sure you go to those. 
  • Go to course information sessions.
  • Go to subject taster sessions

 Pick Me! Faculty Stands

Every faculty wants you to enrol in one of their courses.

Some questions you could ask:

University lecturers are the experts at the faculty stands who you need to approach with questions like:

  • Why do you love working in this field?
  • What are the career opportunities in this field?
  • What are the entry requirements and pathways available?
  • How long will it take to get the degree as a full time student?
  • What subjects can you choose from?
  • What support is available to students.
  • If you qualify within any support group ask about financial and other support that the university provides.

If you do not have course prerequisites or think you may not achieve the required ATAR, ask about alternative pathways.

Find Current Students at the Stands

There will be current students at most stands. Ask them what course they are doing and what they love and hate about it.

Optometry pathway for WA students - Optometry Australia
Curtin University Optometry Pathway

Ask a student ambassador if they are willing to have a coffee with you.

  • Ask why they are doing the course and if they are going to achieve the outcome they hoped for.
  • Find what extracurricular activities there are. Are there any clubs or teams that you can join now?
  • What can the union offer to students?
  • Find out what they have done about fees, financial support and scholarships.

Early Offers

You may be invited to enrol on the spot. Don’t do this.

Don’t make your career decision based on a brochure and 30-second discussion. If there is a crowd at the stand when you visit, ask for an appointment.

Don’t sign up at an Open Day. 

Accommodation

If you plan to stay in university accommodation:

  • Tour at least one of the accommodation colleges
  • Ask where you can find accommodation scholarships and financial support.
  • Watch In Focus Careers News for information about scholarships.

Book an appointment with a career counsellor

Even if you are one of the few who knows exactly what course you want to take, book a free appointment with a career counsellor at the university. They may know of:

  • different subjects that you might love
  • support services that you can tap into
  • sports and clubs you can join now
  • financial systems that are available. 

Subscribe to In Focus Careers News

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Do this to achieve ATAR success in December

Your big hairy audacious goal might be as vague as “To have an amazing life”.

No matter how big your dream goal, you will need a plan to succeed. If you are an ATAR student you will need a plan that leads to a great ATAR score.

SMART Goals

SMART goals are different to big hairy audacious goals. SMART goals are not about dreams, they are about nailing down your dreams into specific, measurable goals.

Create a SMART goal FOR EACH SUBJECT!

Example: I will improve my English result by 10% next term by asking my teacher, each week, for feedback and advice about what to work on next.

SWOT Analysis

Once you have your SMART goals, do a SWOT analysis. The SWOT will help you to understand your capacity to improve your ATAR score.

Brainstorm your ideas. Have a friend help or just do it alone.

  • Do STRENGTHS first.
    • Do WEAKNESSES second.
  • Then OPPORTUNITIES.
  • Do THREATS last.

Don’t think about your ideas. Just write them down as dot points.

Do a USED Analysis to get your action keys to success

You create a list of actions by doing a USED Analysis on the list of ideas from your SWOT.

Take 10 minutes to go through the ideas in your SWOT.

See how you can Use your strengths. Stop your weaknesses. Exploit your opportunities and Deny any threats.

At the end of your USED analysis, your ideas are a list of actions. These actions are your key to success. By undertaking these actions, you will achieve your goal.

Success Planning

Your USED analysis has given you a list of tasks that will lead you to your goal. Work with your list:

  1. Choose the task that you want to do first. (Break it down into smaller tasks if necessary.)
  2. Figure out WHEN you are going to do the first task.
  3. When will it be finished?
  4. How will you know you have done it successfully?
  5. Create your plan for four actions that you want to do first.

    Congratulations

    You are now well on the way to achieving your best possible ATAR score. You have your plan. You know what to do.

    Subscribe to In Focus Careers News to find opportunities that help you to find where you belong.

    Cover of July In Focus Careers Magazine
    Posted on by — Leave a comment

    Alternative Paths to uni in WA 2024

    All universities have developed lots of pathways to their door. The choices can be confusing.

    Alternative Pathways to Uni in WA 2024  collates information on all the different pathways and provides:

    • tables of courses offered by each university

    • links to more detailed information for each pathway.

    What’s good about alternative pathways?

    Alternative pathways are frequently free.

    As you do the course you find out about uni life and about a range of degrees that are available. You may find out about less expensive ways of doing your degree or about scholarships. 

    Courses like medicine, which have strict quotas, are not available through alternative pathways, but most courses will be open to you. 

    Although each course is different there are usually 4 subjects like….

    • Academic Writing

    • Research Skills and Information Literacy

    • Communication Skills

    • Essential Maths

    You will meet new people, talk about courses, costs and career options with them, explore the campus and libraries and get familiar with the uni IT systems. 

    How to choose a university

    Pick a university that you would like to belong to. 

     Is it close? Are your friends going there? Does it have a great course? Do you like its ranking by past students? 

    • Go to that university and meet with a career advisor. Tell them what you would like to study.

    • Ask them what is available to help you to meet entry requirements. They will point you to the best course for you, or design one that meets your needs. 

    Check out Which Uni is Best for You? for a quick overview of West Australian unis.

    Final Tips

    • Students can calculate their anticipated ATAR HERE

    • Students can check the Lowest Offered ATAR Rank in 2023 to see if they have a chance of getting in next year.

    • If something goes wrong in Year 12, you could apply for special consideration through the TISC Access Scheme

    Get your copy of Alternative Pathways to Uni in WA 2024

    Posted on by — Leave a comment

    Give yourself every chance to succeed – ATAR Revision Programs for Senior Students

     Most senior students undertake some form of extra revision during the holidays to give themselves every chance to succeed.

    ATAR is still important

    Final ATAR results are still important as:

    • final offers are made on actual rather than estimated ATAR results. 

    • courses with lots of applicants for limited places will offer those places to the students with the highest ATAR scores. 

    • academic scholarships are usually based on ATAR results. 

    Many schools offer revision programs

    • Your school newsletter will identify revision programs or additional support that your school will be offering. 

    • You can often find semi retired teachers, who have been expert advisors on exam content and style, who are available as tutors. Ask at your front office if they have a list of available tutors. 

    • Some of the best programs are offered by subject specialists who advise on the style and subjects of the exams. Ask your specialist ATAR teachers if there will be an ATAR Exam Information session on their subject.

    Private Providers

    Several organisations specialise in tutoring students in preparation for ATAR, OLNA or NAPLAN exams.

    ECU

    ECU has run ATAR revision programs in the past. You can find the 2023 program here. 

    Academic Task Force    Academic Group     Academic Associates

    Academic Task Force Holiday Revision Courses are designed specifically for students looking to revise ATAR course content and practice exam-style questions in preparation for exams.

    Students will increase their understanding, receive fresh insights and gain intensive revision of their subject during this short course. Each subject is taught by a  highly qualified and vaccinated ATAR teacher with a strong background in marking and writing exams to increase their performance.

    • Rossmoyne Senior High School 

    • Churchlands Senior High School 

    • Duncraig Senior High School 

    • Perth Modern School

    • Online 

    Enrol HERE.

    MasterMind

    Master Classes are one hour sessions conducted once a week in term time. Each week they reteach, revise and reinforce the topics and areas of study that the students are dealing with in their classes at school.

    Masterclasses offer students

    •  Ongoing academic support

    • More confidence at school

    • A better chance of success in assessments

    • Individualised help solving specific problems

    • Small group classes

    Find programs for students from Years 7 – 12  HERE.

    ReviseOnline

    ReviseOnline offers specifically designed multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions in a range of Year 11 and 12 courses which match the format of ATAR exams.

    Once you submit a completed test or exam you’re provided with ATAR-standard sample responses and can evaluate your answers against a fully-worked marking key. All our courses are up to date and WACE specific, so each question you complete is improving your exam skills and ultimately boosting your ATAR!

    Check out the courses HERE.

    The Exam Experts

    Nailing the ATAR and getting the results you are hoping for isn’t necessarily about being the smartest kid in the class. It’s about being well-prepared, knowing what to focus on and understanding what questions are most likely to come up in the exams and how to answer them.

    With the help of T.E.E. Consultants’ July holiday intensive exam revision program, Year 12 students can access ten hours of additional teaching per subject, to truly understand the course curriculum and perform better in exam conditions.

    Students are invited to enrol in up to five subjects in Week One of the July holiday period. Country students can access heavily discounted, full board accommodation packages which offer safe, secure, supervised accommodation on-site for regional students who enrol in at least three subjects.

    Courses are run at UWA and at Murdoch.

    Check their programs HERE.

    InTuition

    At inTuition, each student undertakes an assessment and programs are customised to meet their needs. Tutors are qualified teachers or experts in their fields.

    The office is based in Osborne Park

    You can find their programs HERE.

    To keep up to date with news for West Australian school students, subscribe to In Focus Careers Monthly News

    Email Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au for details.

    Save Time Get Better Results with Study Coach

    Evangelist for insanely great careers education in Western Australia

    Posted on by — 1 Comment

    These university accommodation scholarships could help you in 2024

    Staying in uni accommodation on campus is brilliant. You meet new people. There are mentors to tell you what to expect. There are tutors and counsellors and you don’t have to fight for parking on campus or catch a bus.

    It costs over $20,000 to stay in university accommodation. See sample fees and charges HERE.

    These scholarships will make uni accommodation more affordable.

    Regional Scholarships

    Regional Scholarships

    The cost of travel and living in the city stop students from the country going to university. This isn’t news. There is lots of financial support available to help overcome this problem. Check out the financial support listed here.

    Relocation Scholarships

    The Commonwealth government supports students who need to relocate to undertake further study. Find more information HERE

    Country Education Foundation

    You can find it’s Scholarship Guide HERE.

    Curtin Regional Accommodation Scholarships 

    The purpose of this scholarship is to support regional students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who are experiencing financial hardship and have contributed to their local community. 

    Check the Curtin Alumni Regional Scholarship HERE. Closing Date: 26 Nov 2021

    Curtin Harry Perkins Memorial Scholarship 

    For students who need to relocate from a regional or remote area to commence an undergraduate degree at Curtin University, who are from a low socioeconomic background and are experiencing financial hardship. Find more at  Harry Perkins Memorial Scholarship.

    UWA Regional Accommodation Scholarships

    The Convocation of UWA Graduates and The University of Western Australia (‘the University’) are providing a scholarship to assist an eligible regional or remote student with the cost of accommodation at University Hall or other college affiliated with the University.

    Find more at Convocation Accommodation Scholarship.

    UWA has a range of scholarships. Check them out HERE.

    UWA Harry Leaver Scholarship

    The UWA Harry Leaver Scholarship assists eligible regional or remote students, preferably from Moora or the Mid West region, with the cost of accommodation while they commence and pursue a Bachelor of Science at UWA.

    The UWA Harry Leaver Scholarship provides $15,000 per annum to support accommodation fees at University Hall, and is administered and awarded by the University of Western Australia.

    Check out these scholarships.

    ECU Regional Accommodation Scholarships

    ECU provide scholarships which have been established specifically to assist students who normally live in a rural, regional or remote area of Western Australia, or in some cases Australia wide, who are having to relocate in order to study at University.

    These include the following scholarships for undergraduate students:

    You can visit ECU Scholarships to find information on opening and closing dates, or to search for other available scholarships.

    Murdoch Regional Accommodation Scholarships

    High achieving regional students are encouraged to apply for a scholarship that will help them with their living costs when they move to the city to study at Murdoch University.

    The George Alexander Foundation (GAF) is offering six scholarships to the value of $24,000 which successful applicants can use towards the cost of their living and accommodation expenses while in Perth.

    Notre Dame University Accommodation Broome

    Notre Dame has limited accommodation support for any students wanting to study nursing in Broome.

    Find out more HERE.

    I will research all accommodation scholarships at West Australian universities and write them up in a separate post.

    Sign up to Infocus Careers News to keep up to date with West Australian career opportunities

    Evangelist for insanely great careers education in Western Australia

     

     

     

     

    Posted on by — Leave a comment

    Career Quizzes to help you to find where you belong

    Career Quizzes

    Career quizzes are a great ideas starter. 

    They do not tell you that you should take up tap dancing immediately but the ideas you get will lead you into conversations with your family and friends that could spark curiosity in some careers.

    These career quizzes are a sample of career quizzes that you can use as a starting point for your career conversations.

    Check some out HERE

    Subscribe to In Focus Careers News

    Keep up to date with emerging career opportunities in Western Australia.

    Subscribe to In Focus Careers News and share the information across your school community. 

    Posted on by — 1 Comment

    Planning a gap year? Don’t “waste” your time. Here are 3 gap year stories to inspire your thinking

    Once you step off the education treadmill, you will have time to look around and check out the world. 

    Here are 3 gap year stories to give you some ideas.

    Story 1: Equestrian Centre in the South of France

    Background

    Ariel finished school with an ATAR of 93. She didn’t know what she wanted to do although she generally liked sciences rather than arts.

    When she was in Year 10 Ariel went on a holiday to Spain and France with her mother. She loved travelling and discovering other countries.

    While she was at school Ariel made money by babysitting. She had done babysitting for a family of doctors since she was in Year 10. She used the money she made to support her equestrian hobby.

    The Plan

    Ariel decided that she would take a gap year. Work for 6 months to save money to travel to France where she would work as a nanny. 

    What Happened

    She signed on to a couple of French sites, like Seek, searching for jobs as a nanny. She got her babysitting employers to write her a reference. While she was searching she found an advertisement for a job working at an equestrian centre in the South of France.

    She applied for the job and got it.

    She travelled to France and worked for 6 months, earning very little, but learning French, working with horses and seeing lots of the country. 

    After 6 months she came back and is currently studying paramedicine.

    Story 2: Volunteering Abroad

    Background

    Chloe studied Certificate II in Hospitality while at school and worked part-time in cafes.

    She comes from a migrant background and is interested in other cultures and the struggles that people go through in other countries.

    The Plan

    Chloe wanted to volunteer abroad. She contacted a couple of the organisations that organise young volunteers abroad and found out what sort of experience she needed and what sort of work she could do. 

    Chloe worked several jobs in coffee shops and cafes in the months after she left school and attended meetings to find out more about volunteering requirements and opportunities. 

    What Happened

    Chloe applied for several opportunities in Africa and Cambodia. After a few months, she was offered a 6-month position working in an orphanage in Tanzania.  

    She paid for her own airfare but her accommodation and meals were paid for. 

    Meeting the orphans and working with them was fantastic. The workers at the orphanage were friendly and helpful.

    Chloe had a single room in a  share house with other volunteers. Her work was mainly caring for children aged 4 – 7 years and cleaning and cooking. She had to walk 3 kilometres to work and back each day and it was hot. The mosquitoes were plentiful. 

    During her 6 months, Chloe made friends with other volunteers from the USA. She learned how tough and corrupt life can be for some children. She also got to visit Serengeti National Park on the way home. 

    Chloe is now buying a share in a cafe that she is managing.

    Story 3: Fashion Design in New York

    Background

    Georgia finished school with an ATAR of 73. She is very stylish and spent much of her childhood living in a resort that her parents managed.

    Georgia has a keen interest in fashion and considered specialising in Fashion Design at Curtin University where some of her friends had enrolled in different courses. 

    The Plan

    Georgia saw a career advisor and then began working on a plan to work for a family friend in a resort for 6 months, before going to New York to do a 6-week fashion and design course.

    The cost of doing the course and of living in New York was prohibitive so Georgia got in touch with the College and they were able to arrange for her to share accommodation with some other students.

    What Happened

    Georgia got in touch with the students she was to share with and found out who they were and where they lived. She arranged to rent a room in their accommodation. 

    She borrowed money from her mother as a safety net, then flew to New York a week before the course started. 

    The course was fantastic. New York was fantastic.

    She met people she could never have met in Australia and learned about the New York fashion industry. She also learned practical design skills and about marketing in the fashion industry.

    She had a brilliant time. 

    Chloe returned to Australia and began working in a holiday resort again to pay back the money she borrowed from her mother.

    She has completed a Diploma in Hospitality and has credits to do a Hospitality Degree. 

     

    Teachers who want to help West Australian students to discover career opportunities need In Focus Careers News

    My quest is to democratize career opportunities in Western Australia by broadcasting opportunities and advice to all who will listen. You can tap into my work. 

    To subscribe email me: bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au 

    Bev Johnson Director, In Focus Careers

    Posted on by — 1 Comment

    ATAR revision programs help you to get to where you belong

    If you want to do well in your ATAR to get to where you belong, these ATAR revision programs will support you to achieve your goal.

    Check them out. Some run during the term, and others only run during holidays. 

    Revise Online 

    Revise Online

    ReviseOnline specialises in providing online education. ReviseOnline offers specifically designed multiple-choice, short answer and extended response questions in a range of Year 11 and 12 courses which match the format of ATAR exams. 

    This was one of the first to offer online revision programs.

    Find information HERE. 

    Mastermind

    ATAR Master Classes Revision Courses

    Master Mind Australia intensive revision of the syllabus and assessment preparation, including effectively modelling answers to ATAR-style exam questions.

    Master mind

    They run small-group tutorials for year 11 and 12 students throughout the term and holiday tutorials.

    Find details HERE.

    Academic Task Force /Academic Associates /Academic Group

    This group runs Holiday Revision Courses in April, July and October at:

    Find details HERE. 

    The Exam Experts

    Enrolments for the July Holiday Intensive Exam Revision Program are open. Classes run from July 4-8.

    Find details HERE.

    InTuition

    Intuition delivers small group classes in most WACE classes, exam preparation and study skills.

    INDIVIDUAL TUTORS

    Teachers

    Many semi-retired teachers continue to tutor in their specialized subjects.

    These teachers have a lifetime of knowledge of their subject, what examiners are looking for and tips for success.

    Some schools have started to run holiday ATAR revision programs that employ these experts. 

    Ask your school front office to see if they are running a program or know anyone you can contact.

    ECU ATAR Free Program

    ECU ATAR science-focused revision programs are run during the September holidays at the Joondalup and Bunbury campuses. 

    These are free services to Year 12 students. They are scheduled later in the year. 

    Subscribe by emailing:

    Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

     

    Testimonial

    I have found your material invaluable.  The information you have put together is thorough – a one-stop-shop in a sea of information that is out there.  I have utilised this information on a regular basis with others throughout the school.

    (South Metropolitan Government High School.)

    M: 0434 056 412

    Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

     

    Posted on by — 1 Comment

    Don’t get stuck at school if you hate it. There’s a better path for you.

    WRONG WAY: Just stop going to school.

    • People from the Department of Education will chase you up to find what’s going on.

    • You will cut ties with your friends and your support network of teachers, student services, VET coordinators, career advisors at school. 

    • You could end up alone and feeling lost. 

    BETTER WAY: Do this preparation.

    Leave School Early

     

    Step 1: Talk with family and friends

    Don’t shock your family and friends by just dropping out of school. They will get upset and add to your stress. 

    Talk with them, flag the idea of leaving school early. Ask what they think. Get their ideas and support. 

    Step 2: Get expert information

    Your Mum’s best friend or your maths teacher is not the expert that you need right now. There’s a lot to know about leaving school. Talk to an expert whose full time job it is to know about career pathways.  

    This mind map provides links to expert information about leaving school in WA.  Play with different links to see what’s available. Write down questions to ask your career advisor. 

    Meet with your school career advisor

    Take a list of questions. 

    • If you don’t know what you want to do, they will explore different opportunities with you. 
    • They can help you to get a job application ready. 
    • They can link you with an apprenticeship/traineeship company that employs lots of apprentices. 

    Jobs and Skills Centre free information and advice

    Jobs and Skills Centres are co-located at TAFE colleges. There are 17 across WA and they provide free information, advice and support. 

    Industry Training Hubs

    If you live in the Wanneroo or Armadale areas, engage with the Industry Training Hub. They are set up to help students to engage with people from different industries to find out what is involved. 

    Private Career Practitioners

    Look up “career practitioners” in your “suburb”. There will be career practitioners who can be employed to guide you through the process from school into a job or further study. 

    Step 3: How to leave school

    • Get your career advisor and family to help you to arrange a full-time job, enrol in a full-time course or a combination of both. 
    • Get your parents to fill out an Exemption from full time schooling and submit it to your school.

    It needs to go to the Minister for Education. They won’t come back with a flat “no” but you may be asked to add some more information to your application. 

    Once you have permission you can leave:

    • Get a copy of your latest report.
    • Get references from supportive teachers.
    • Check with the front office to see if you have forgotten anything. 

    Say goodbye to your life as a school student 

    MORE INFORMATION

    Common pathways from school

    1. Nursing

    2. Computing pathway

    There are so many computing jobs. Learn the hard, foundation, boring stuff. It will put you way ahead of others who focus on pretty, creative computing. 

    Subscribe to In Focus Careers News 

    In Focus Careers News is the ultimate solution for high school career news and advice. With 150 West Australian high schools already subscribing, our newsletter provides unbiased and up-to-date information on a wide range of career options.  Don’t miss out on this valuable resource – subscribe now and give your students the career guidance they need to succeed.

    Bev Johnson Director, In Focus Careers

    Posted on by — 2 Comments

    Is the uni bus right for you?

    Fullscreen capture 28082017 70902 PM.bmp

    Are your friends going to uni? Do you have FOMO? 

    Did the drivers of the uni bus visit you at school and sell you a ride?

    Are your parents frightened that if you don’t get off the bus you will get lost?

     

    Just because the university bus is ready to pick you up from school, doesn’t mean that you have to get on.

    Maybe you need to wait for the next bus. Maybe you want to get on the backpacker bus. Or the travel bus. Or the Harvest Trail bus. Or the job bus.

    If you are not sure what to do at uni, DON’T GET ON THE BUS.

     

    Defer University for a Year

    If you are not sure what course you want to do, you can still apply for a place at uni and, once you get offered a place, defer taking it up for a year.

    After working for a year you will have a clearer idea about which units to enrol in.

    Check out Year 12 What Next? Gap Year Ideas for 2022.

    The Uni Bus Fare is Expensive

    Buying a uni course is not like buying a car. You can’t sell your used course to the next buyer who comes along.

    If you get off the bus before you get to the destination YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY. 

    If you fail, you still have to pay.

    If you change courses, you still have to pay for the part you used of the one you left behind.

    TAFE

    There are hundreds of courses available through TAFE. If you are unsure what course you might like to do or how to enrol find a Jobs and Skills Centre near you for career guidance.

    Many TAFE courses are now on a free list. 

    You can do a trade course or a course that reflects 21st Century jobs in cyber security, dental technology, and agriculture.

    Lots of TAFE courses earn credits at uni. 

     

    Still not sure which ride is best for you?

    If you are tired of trying to decide what to do and feeling overwhelmed by your choices it may be time to think about hiring a Certified Career Advisor to guide you towards your ideal next chapter.

    Contact me for a confidential discussion at M:0434056412 or Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

    Infocus Careers is an independent organisation which is solely supported by insanely great subscribers who share information with me, support each other and help me to pay my bills.

    I can talk about careers under water so if you would like to chat about how I can help you to improve your career or the services you deliver, give me a ring on 0434056412 or email me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au