Choosing the right course is a very weighty decision. You may have gotten into a terrific Melbourne university or a hotel school in Sydney but are now agonizing over which course to choose. Here’s a few helpful pointers:
Tip 1: choose something that you’re passionate about
Think about what excites you. What it is that you especially enjoy doing. You may be very skilled at biology but if you don’t especially like being near live animals then probably veterinary medicine isn’t for you. Remember that choosing a course is really choosing a career. It’s something you’ll be doing for the rest of your life. So now is the very best time to question your own motivations. Don’t pick a course that your parents want you to do or that you think will make you lots of money, base it on what you enjoy.
Tip 2: how will it help your career
Make sure that the course you’re interested in leads directly to the career you want. Check that all the components of the course are giving you the right skills for your industry. Is the course equipping with everything you’ll need to succeed in the real world? It’s definitely worth shopping around and seeing what other courses are offering. Finally, you should also check with employers working in the industry and see how well your course is regarded.
Tip 3: research thoroughly
Find out what the success rate of the course is. Most colleges or universities can give you the relevant information. A course with a very low pass rate may mean that the teachers aren’t that good. Also check how many graduates of the course get employment in their chosen field. If possible, you should try and interview alumni and ex graduates. Ask them how useful the course was and if they would recommend it to you. The better armed with information you are, the better you’ll be able to make a solid choice.
Tip 4: check that it suits you
Have a deep study of the course’s components. Look to see what the mix is and how that suits you. Is it a good blend of practical and theoretical? Does it take into account the latest findings and trends? You can check the textbooks for the course and the educational supplies. These will give you an idea of how modern and up to date the course is. Ultimately, the course has to suit you. If you’re still not entirely sure of your career options then perhaps a slightly broader course that covers a few areas may be the best one for you.
Tip 5: check the resources
A terrific course is one thing. The resources and support offered are also extremely important. This will vary according to the educational institution. But some questions to ask are: is there a good reference library? How cheap/expensive are the educational supplies? How much technology is available? For instance, are there school computers or digital media easily accessible? How available will the teachers be to you? It’s worth asking current students in the course whether the resources and support have met their expectations.
Tip 6: research the teachers
Courses are only ever as good as the people who teach them. So you should definitely investigate who all the course tutors/ lecturers are. Google their qualifications and background. If possible, contact current or former students and find out if their experiences of the teachers were favourable. If the teachers are free it may be a good idea to go and meet them and get a feel for what their teaching style is and if it will suit you.
