I’m surprised at my ability to find amusement in lame things despite feeling stressed about everything (academically related.)
Aww you Blogsquaders make my day.
Good luck on those last days of midterms before the break =)
I posted a post a few weeks ago about applying to Go Global (exchange) where I was debating between Manchester University in England and Keio University in Tokyo. In the end, I actually applied to, in order of first choice to last, Hong Kong University, Keio University and a Shanghai Summer Program.
Let’s just say, at the time of that earlier post, I hadn’t done enough research as I should have yet and didn’t realize a few set backs and almost missed out on some amazing opportunities. So I have some tips:
Start your application early.
Early as in December, and if it is something that you really want do, at least have it in the back of your mind (which it probably will if you’re dying to go like me.) I had ideas in my head, I thought I would be able to fill out the forms in max two weeks and it’ll be a breeze. If you’re in commerce, it’s not as much of a breeze because you will have to make a rough plan of all the courses you will take until you graduate. I was actually kind of surprised other faculties don’t have to do this because it felt like like something they would have to consider too.
Despite the point above, It’s never too late.
I know some people who decided they were going the night before the deadline. At the info sessions there were 4th years who were going to go on their last semester which isn’t usually allowed. If you want it, go get it =)
Advisors aren’t scary.
I don’t know this for a fact because I am always too scared to talk to them, but I don’t know else is going to be able to help you more.
Don’t forget why you’re going.
Don’t lose that fire just because you stayed up crafting that beautiful “why you want to go” essay and didn’t get any sleep and forgot what you wrote it. For schools with limited spots or an excess of applications, there may be interviews. I went to one today and I walked out of that room feeling pretty bad. Nervous, as always, I couldn’t say the things I wanted to. When I started replaying the events, I realize I didn’t mention the fire, there were these special classes that I really wanted to take, the reason why I chose that school first with a solid “yes this is it.” And the feeling of having a fire and not letting it burn for others to see feels like you set yourself in ashy flames… let your fire shine! (man that’s lame sounding)
You will need two references that are teachers or TAs (at least one a teacher) but all you will need is their name.
Another reason to start earlier…
There are paper AND online components.
It’s not as hard as this post is making it sound.
It’s an easy process once you know what you want to do.
Hands down the most important class I took in high school that has helped me the most in succeeding in university…
English.
Ok, so it’s more like a subject than a class but you get what I mean. Seriously though, those reading and writing skills… boy do they mean a lot. There were times where I thought, “whatever man, I’m in business, reading and writing? Pfft! English is my first language, I did great in English 12, I’m fine with what I got.” Even though there isn’t a huge requirement for writing and comprehension skills in the business faculty, they have seriously been a huge asset.
1) Get through questions faster because I can read them faster.
2) Spend less time constructing sentences and more time constructing sentences for answers.
3) Study time is cut shorter because I can read the book with less re-reading.
And even with English as my first (and for the most part, only) language, being in university has made me realize how much I am still lacking in it. Looking back, I wish I had read more and conversed with people more. Well, life is a continuous learning circle.
I often think the point of elementary school was to do well in high school and the point of high school was to do well in university. So what’s the point of university? To do well at work? Is that what we are all aiming for? I know I am looking at it in a very black and white way, but it seems almost too… soulless. I could very well be wrong. What do you think?
What is the most-helpful-to-your-life-after-high-school high school class that you took?