Welcome to an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) year. So many choices! So many opportunities! SO MUCH ADVICE!!!
Whether you are completely sure of what you want to do or you are completely confused, these guidelines and websites will help take away some of the worry . It is important for you to be an advocate for yourself; to access the information and the help available to you during this important time.
KEY POINTS: SEPTEMBER
Check with your guidance counsellor to ensure that you have all requirements to graduate (remember that compulsory course you kept trying to get out of in grade 10-you have to have it!)
- check that you have completed your 40 hours of community service or that you have very solid plans in place for completion of these hours. The Ministry does not flex on these hours, no matter how charming you may be
- start visiting the guidance area to look at the new university and college view books that are coming in. The “view” book does exactly what it implies-it gives you a snapshot of the postsecondary institution and the programs that it offers
- watch for all the new information booklets and pamphlets about the trades in the guidance office. If you don’t see what you are looking for, ask me-I’m there to help you make informed choices.
- pay attention to what University, College, work and military presentations are being offered at St. Joe’s in the fall. These presentations are invaluable and the presenters can answer (or connect you to someone who can) all of your questions
- ask me for information on how to help you make the school to work transition
KEY POINTS: OCTOBER
Review what presentations are happening at the school
- begin work on the big scholarships, such as the TD Scholarship and the Millenium Scholarship. Once you have put the initial work into scholarship profiles, you can use most or part of your profile to apply for a number of scholarships as the year progresses
- sign up for the University and College fairs if interested
- ask for information on starting an apprenticeship. We will connect you with people in the board.
- If you are interested in applying for work, there are a number of resources that you can start researching in the guidance office
- all the new calendars should be catalogued in the Guidance office for your personal research purposes
- if you are going to borrow any of the resources, please check with me and sign out the catalogues that you need
- make an appointment if you want to discuss different program or “just anything” to do with your choices
- sign up for a “research appointment” with Ms. Whalen to explore your ideas and possible destinations
