Careers Advisor, Mrs. Kristin Shaw is running several workshops this year to help students make good decisions as they prepare for university study.

These invaluable workshops provide information relevant to all 8 New Zealand universities. Students who attended yesterday's workshop ‘University 101’ learnt they can apply for up to 6 six courses at any number of NZ universities. They do not need to decide which course or university they will attend until January. Offers of places are provisional until NCEA results are confirmed in January. Students are advised to spend May and June researching, getting advice and planning before they start any application process. Attending university is expensive, so students mustn’t make decisions on their future solely based on information found on a website. They are strongly advised to attend open days, workshops and labs. Every university has a ‘Student Hub’ open 7 days a week, where you can have any of your questions answered.

 All students need to be working hard toward attaining UE. For this, they will need their Literacy and Numeracy credits, and NCEA Level 3, which importantly, must include 14 credits in each of 3 university-approved subjects.

For many university courses, there are minimum rank score requirements. Students need to know what these requirements are and work hard to ensure they meet them. They are advised to have ‘just in case’ options, so they have a backup plan should they fail to be accepted into their preferred choice.

As 75% of university students make changes to their courses, Mrs. Shaw wanted our students to know that they will have 2 weeks from the start of a programme when they can change their courses and have their course fees refunded. After two weeks there are no refunds!

Students considering going to university are well advised to attend the workshops offered by Mrs.Shaw.