Study in the UK or USA: Information Session at Wilderness

Tuesday 23 May
1.05pm - 1.50pm
M7

Andrew Kozyra, experienced Australian Careers Advisor and an expert on overseas applications (US and UK), will be at Wilderness on Tuesday 23 May to present on international university pathways and summer school opportunities (in particular Oxford Royale, which he consults to).

Oxford Royale is the most experienced summer school in the UK. They are the only summer school at Oxbridge, staying in the same accommodation as full-time university students. Their campuses in the UK are Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial; campuses in the USA are Yale and UC Berkeley (scholarships available). There are over a dozen courses to choose from. Courses are catered for the 13 – 15-year-old and the 16 – 18-year-old categories, and include: Law and Politics, Medicine, Engineering and Technology and Mathematics.

Helpful Links:

• Oxford Royale Summer School video, which shows all locations and gives a great idea of the experience
• Oxford Experience video, including testimonials
• Great Debate video from 2016, which shows what this special event is about
• From this year, Oxford Royale will institute a special gala dinner midway through the session (therefore, this is not profiled on their website yet). The 13 – 15-year-olds will be in the Natural History Museum, the 16 – 18 year olds will be in The Ashmolean.

Upcoming Events at The University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

Wednesday 21 June: Energy, Mining and Resources Outreach Program – Year 11 and 12 Information Night

Wednesday 27 September: Year 9 and 10 Campus Experience Day

Raymond McMillan Civil Engineering Scholarship

The Raymond McMillan Civil Engineering Scholarship has been established to support undergraduate students undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) program, including associated double or combined degrees, at the University of Adelaide. Raymond McMillan received a scholarship to attend the University of Adelaide and graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1949. McMillan Constructions Pty Ltd, the company Raymond founded, would like to honour his memory, and provide a similar opportunity for South Australian students to attend university, supporting and retaining top talent in the state. Click here for more information.

University of New England (UNE) Early Entry

Year 12 students can apply for a guaranteed UNE early entry offer. Early entry relies on your daughter’s school’s assessment of her attributes and abilities; her ability to work and learn independently, and her overall potential for academic success. Based on the School’s recommendation, they may guarantee you an offer to start in 2024. The closing date is Friday 15 September 2023. You can search through UNE undergraduate courses here and your daughter can apply now.

University of Sydney Webinar Wednesdays

Find out more here.

RMIT Open Day 2023

Register here for the City and Brunswick Open Days on Sunday 13 August.

Gap Years

What is a gap year?
A gap year is a period of time that marks the transition from one major life stage to the next, such as the year after finishing school, but before knuckling down on the next commitment.

How long are they?
Just because they are called a ‘gap year’ doesn’t mean they have to last that long, or that they cannot last longer. Your daughter might want to work and save for six months before starting a course at mid-year intake, or she might find her fit in another country and decide to stay forever!

What are the benefits?
The most exciting thing about a gap year is that you don’t know all the wonderful surprises in store. That is not to say it is always going to be fun and easy—many experiences your daughter faces during her gap year will challenge her, but that’s half the reason for taking them. A change of scene, fun and friends are key benefits of taking a gap year, but most of all, they produce personal growth that cannot be matched any other way.

What happens after?
Some students worry that taking a gap year will put them behind their peers or stop them from going onto further study. However, recent Australian research found that is not true. The results showed that students who took a gap year were just as likely to complete their degree compared to students who went straight to university.

Back-up Plan
It is recommended that students still apply for University/TAFE and defer during their gap year. Deferring means the university will hold a place in the course for her until the following year. However, universities have different rules about which courses can and cannot be deferred, and for how long (usually 6, 12 or 24 months), so research the rules governing deferral.

4 Reasons to Take a Gap Year

1. Discover yourself: Gap years are a great time for your daughter to reconnect to who she is and what she wants in life. Through her experiences, she will develop confidence, perspective and open-mindedness. By stepping out of her comfort zone, she will gain a deeper understanding of herself and her values, discover new areas of interest and maybe even completely reinvent herself!
2. Avoid Burnout: After she has given it her all in Year 12, going straight into further study could lead to academic burnout. Taking a gap year can help your daughter maintain or rediscover her enjoyment of learning as it is a chance to do something different and reset, so that she returns to her studies refreshed and energised.
3. Appreciate Education: Life experiences gained during a gap year, such as travel and work, can lead you to a deeper appreciation for education, meaning your daughter can start the new academic year with a more mature and focused mindset. She could even spend her time delving deeper into her interests and hobbies to enrich her future academic pursuits.
4. Gain Clarity: During her gap year, she will gain clarity on her interests and goals. It is hard to know exactly what you want to do next when you have been at school all your life, so taking time to explore her options and gain real-world experiences can help your daughter make more informed choices about the direction she wants to take.

Gap Year Options
There are so many ways to spend a gap year! Popular options include travelling, volunteering, doing a short course or working, but most people combine these activities to create their own gap year adventure. The most important thing is to plan the time in advance so that your daughter does not accidentally waste three months just trying to get organised.

1. Volunteer: A volunteering gap year is a rewarding experience that fosters empathy and social responsibility. Not only will she be helping others by contributing to a worthwhile cause, she will also be helping herself to grow and learn. It is best to organise the experience through a reputable organisation to ensure the interests of the people she is helping and her own best interests are taken care of.
2. Travel: Travelling is an incredible way to learn about different cultures, and explore the world. She will step outside her comfort zone, challenge herself and make amazing memories. She could go backpacking, go on a working holiday or volunteer. She can organise any of these options herself or sign up for an organised gap year travel program. Either option requires careful research and planning for budget and safety.
3. Work: Working for a gap year will give her valuable experience, new skills and an opportunity to earn and save money. She will be able to fund her next move, become independent from her parents or just have a change of pace from studying. Working as a gap year can also give more insight into an industry or career she may like to pursue. She could do a traineeship and earn a qualification as well as a wage. If she wants to work overseas, she will need to organise a visa.
4. Study: Is she not ready to commit to a three-year uni course? Or, does she have a passion she would like to devote herself to? If so, a non-accredited short course or a 6-12 month TAFE course are excellent ways to learn during a gap year. She will be able to combine her course with part-time work and have new knowledge, skills and a clearer idea of what she wants to do next.

Planning A Gap Year
Planning a gap year well means she will make the most of resources and avoid wasting time and money, or missing opportunities.

1. Set Intentions: Check out the Year 13 Definitive Gap Year Guide for all the info she needs to start planning the gap year of a lifetime! She should have a clear idea of the purpose and goals for her gap year; reflect on, and note some answers to, these questions, then revisit them before booking or paying deposits in case her priorities have changed.
   • What do I want from my experience?
   • How do I want the year to pan out?
   • What will success look and feel like?
   • How much money will I need and how will I support myself?
   • Who has done something similar that I can learn from?
   • What will I do if it doesn't go to plan?
2. Research Programs: Gap year programs take a lot of the guesswork out of planning an experience. Make sure she chooses an accredited program that offers good support services and gives the chance to connect with others who have done the program before deciding. A great place to start is the School's careers website, or visit the Year 13 Gap Years and Travel page for listings by experiences or by providers.
3. Save and Budget: She should plan her finances carefully and consider all possible expenses such as vaccinations (if she is travelling), transport, accommodation, food, activities, insurance and an emergency fund. Create a realistic budget she can stick to so she avoids running out of money.
4. Prepare the Practicalities: If she is travelling overseas, there will be a lot of documentation to organise—a passport, visas, proof of vaccinations and an itinerary, just to start. She will also need to sort out a bank account, local currency and a sim card. These things take time, so start months in advance.
5. Reflect and Document: Decide how she will document the journey so she can remember and share her experiences.

A Gap Year in the ADF

The ADF Gap Year program gives you the chance to experience an exciting and rewarding 12-month role in the Navy, Army or Air Force. It is a unique opportunity to get a feel for a career in the ADF without committing for longer.

Benefits

• Pays a good salary plus generous superannuation
• Teaches practical and leadership skills
• Provides a healthy and varied lifestyle
• Offers opportunities to travel in Australia
• Encourages fitness and participation in sports
• Fosters teamwork and lifelong friendships.

Other financial benefits include free medical and dental care, subsidised food and accommodation and free access to sport and fitness facilities.

Roles
The jobs vary, but tend to be in:

• Combat roles
• Administration
• Airbase protection
• Logistics and transport
• General maritime duties.

Applications

• Your daughter must be an Australian citizen
• She can apply at 17, but must be 18 years old to begin
• She must have completed Year 12 (required passes vary by job).

Visit the ADF Gap Year website to view jobs, read FAQs and register her interest to spend an exciting 12 months in the Navy, Army or Air Force, where she will get paid for meaningful work while travelling Australia, gaining skills and making lifelong friends.