Saturday, November 27, 2010

Looking forward

'Life is one foot in front of the other'

We once had a prominent guest speaker over and with all the pre hype for his presence, we were just waiting for pearls of wisdom to be meted out and gloss our lives...but that was all we got.....life is one foot in front of the other. Huh?!

Then grapes turned into wine and as the saying aged, it made more sense to a point that it became profound. Yes you may say that we internally hyped it in the shadow of the speaker but try this for size...

When we finish SPM a smart ass college like ours will tell you that you have over 180 programmes over 9 countries at least to choose from. Not an easy choice, its not really a buffet when your life, career and happiness is at stake. How does one choose?

Well we have a formula that goes something like, 1.what you like doing 2.consider what you're good at    3.look at financial possibilities 4.consider the career [demand/prospects/revenue] 5.review the solution socially and psychologically - we usually assist you to get a path by then.

Still those doubts creep in don't they. What if?... And then we turn to every piece of information from sources good, bad and ugly which totally mess up our belief in the path. This happens when we try and digest too much. Take it one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. As long as you keep moving, don't stay still and be open to change evolution dictates that you should stand a better chance. Pick a programme that has the flexibility to give you choices and make those choices as you go along.

The notion that you sit still plan it all then move has never worked. Experience will tell, that you move in the general direction of your dreams with preparation and a plan of what you want but the exact decisions at made at the points it need be made. Have a pre set determined goal but never set the path to it or you will miss out on opportunities that present itself. Take like one foot in front of the other and evaluate each step along the way.

Every step presents a new evaluation of how things are. For example, advanced maths isn't as fun as the basics were, now biology seem appealing; well reassess with the formula above and move; change!. So don't prejudge life evaluate it one foot at a time.

At the point of foundation many successful students have changed universities or even career paths at this juncture by this reassessment.  They suddenly found that they could pursue medicine, that there were affordable paths, that they did finally like biology [the lecturers help ;)] and they would suit the lifestyle at a highly ranked competitive university, they were good enough, developing one foot at a time.

Give yourself the opportunity to find yourself during the pre u [foundation]. Don't decide without being informed, take it one foot at a time. You'll realize that with the right uni, degree and career you will soar.

So thats the pearl that we never got at the time. Judge life and make decisions one foot at a time. Prepare ahead the dreams you seek and research a path that gives you opportunity and flexibility. Then take it one foot at a time evaluate every step of the way, ask yourself am i happy in this path. Demand happiness and you'll get it.

Ask us. We have explored every crevice and path imaginable. Get all the information you need from us to make the best life decision in small steps.

So keep moving ahead, never stop and keep evaluating for happiness; one foot at a time.

It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives, it is one that is most adaptable to change - darwin


Things that seem hard are not always that hard. Put one foot in front of the other, and you’ll get to the end. - unknown


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Forecast results

Many see the forecast as a mere stepping stone to what the SPM might entail, but the humble forecast is capable of so much more. A forecast result allows students to attend the January intakes of colleges and universities instead of the march or post march intakes. To many thats a mere three months of well deserved R & R [rest and relaxation] time but it may mean that you lose out on the chance of graduating a year earlier. Yes 3 months may equal 1 year of losses.

This is because when you factor the exam dates for pre tertiary programmes and intakes for undergraduate University programmes, many a time students miss out on intake dates, scholarship applications [which open and close early] as well as registrations for the best classes and accommodation. Students in the January intake are able to get the best deals and often enter an intake earlier which translates to saving 1 year or more overall.

This entry comes with the help of the humble forecast. Students and parents though, sometimes worry, about problems in the real SPM results, due march, [eg shortage of credits] which may hamper progress in a January Intake. If you dont get enough entry qualifications, then time and money is wasted not to mention the emotional and psychological effects.

However many colleges like ours have bridging programmes in situations like these for students to top up their credits without leaving the course or wasting time by skipping intakes. For us, best of all, the bridging programmes are free. Think of it like extra tuition that you need not pay for.

Another fear is whether the programme chosen is the right one since a career is not for the next 4-5 years of studying but also includes the next 30-40 years of working. We recommend here to choose a pre tertiary programme that gives you the widest options for your degree and university so a change can be arranged where necessary. Many programmes limit your options to a very few degrees and universities and that may hamper your progress later on. Get the best that you can, for the money and qualifications that you have.

By doing this, you get to save time by studying and deciding what to do at the same time. Moreover your decision becomes an informed decision since within the duration of the programme [eg our foundation or a levels] you'll be exposed to many different subject matter, degree options and guest lecturers on careers. This allows you to really and truly know what your options entail before your decide what to do by the end of your programme. This experience is much better than lying on your couch with an Ipad imagining what your career will be like. Experience it first before deciding; to mitigate a risk of mistake.

We do all we can to ensure that you get to the right choice, one that will give you what you seek in life as well as being recognized and accredited.

So get that humble forecast out and make it work for you. As always if you need help call us.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

SPM Examinations

We want to wish all students the best and all our blessing in your SPM examinations.

Like our sms blast said 'you must dream, plan and believe!' At this point please remember that your success is a mind game and if you master that, the world will be at your feet. We'll make sure of that because we help put it there for so many students. Believe that in this month your efforts will reverberate for years to come, so give it your all, give it your best and let us help you do the rest.