Calgary Herald

Getting set for post-secondary

Experts offer tips to smooth the transition

A little preparatio­n now can help prospectiv­e post-secondary students steer clear of pitfalls that can unfold if they leave it until the last minute, say experts at Alberta education institutio­ns.

For starters, high school students with a conditiona­l acceptance for the fall semester should not be so sure of a post-secondary debut just yet, says Kaylene Mctavish, new student orientatio­n coordinato­r at Mount Royal University.

“They think, ‘Great, I’m in. Happy day.’ But you have to keep pushing academical­ly to get those grades you self-declared,” she says.

If a student is accepted by more than one institutio­n, Mctavish says it’s perfectly appropriat­e, when picking one for the short list, to consider which would best cater to their learning style rather than focusing on an institutio­n’s prestige or parents’ wishes.

And missing the deadline to apply for a program or not getting into a competitiv­e one, such as nursing, criminal justice or social work, doesn’t mean an academic year is a writeoff.

But it does mean looking for a Plan B.

“It is really important for students to have a backup plan,” Mctavish says.

Many institutio­ns offer summer courses or students can upgrade or take a general studies approach to knock off some required courses in the program they hope to eventually get into.

Mctavish says that allows students to ease into postsecond­ary life by not taking on full course loads but still learning the skills needed for university while upgrading.

Or perhaps post-secondary schooling isn’t on the agenda yet.

“Maybe it is time to take a year off. It doesn’t mean the end of anything. It’s just a different journey,” Mctavish adds.

Pretty much any campus, whether college or university, has support — from how to deal with anxiety associated with the next education chapter to intel on student housing or applying for student loans.

Tanya Spencer, lead of student counsellin­g at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, says finding out what resources are available should be part of the learning curve.

“And, for crying out loud, don’t be afraid to use them,” she says.

“The conscienti­ous will always find their way pretty much on their own or advocate for themselves,” the clinical psychologi­st adds. “It’s those who never learned that or don’t want to be a pest or lack self-confidence. Be brave. It’s normal to be apprehensi­ve. That shows you are invested in your education.”

Signing up for post-secondary education is a big deal. But it doesn’t need to be overwhelmi­ng. Taylor says students can avoid “freak-out mode” by examining their expectatio­ns (not those of their parents or friends) and focusing on the process rather than a diploma or degree years down the road.

“My suggestion would be to think about your values behind attending school. We talk about goals, and goals are great, but thinking about why we value education will get you through the tough times and apprehensi­on better,” she says. “Ask yourself — ‘Is this my ticket to a better life?’ ”