Advice for school leavers

Our Ozford College Year 12 students have worked hard this year and are now getting ready for their final year exams. 

Finishing Year 12 can be a scary prospect for many students when school is all they have known since they were young, but it’s such an important time to start thinking about and preparing your next steps for your future. 

Ask yourself: Where do I want to be in 5 years?

A lot of people might find it difficult to answer that one so specifically (and that’s completely normal), but most students will probably say, “I want to be happy and have a nice job.”

So, start thinking about what that job might be – and what steps you need to take to get there. 

Here are some things to think about and some advice for preparing yourself for that next stage in your life. 

What drives you?

Hopefully, between your assessments and studies this year, you’ve been thinking about your talents, interests, passions and strengths. Considering these points of interest will help guide you to making decisions on job options or further studies. 

What qualifications do you want to gain?

Most students will decide to continue studying after secondary school, as this is a great way not only to build your skills and get prepared for the world of work, but you also can meet great people and new friends. Research courses and universities that you would like to consider joining and make a list, ensuring that you read through the course guides and gain a feel of the university culture that best suits who you are as an individual.  

If you have studied the Victorian Certificate of (VCE) at an Australian school or institution, you must apply for undergraduate courses through the Victorians Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). You will need to set up a profile, and then you will be able to browse all the courses and colleges available. 

Have you considered studying any of our Bachelor Programs at Ozford Institute of Higher Education? As current Year 12 students, you will be given an automatic letter of offer to study any of our higher education diplomas or bachelor courses. If you are interested, contact admissions at enrolment@ozford.edu.au for more info!

Are you ready for work?

Perhaps you are uncertain about committing yourself to university or college right now, and you are interested in gaining some valuable work experience and saving some money up instead. You will need to make sure your CV/resume is up to date. A good resume or CV will set you up for success in interviews and getting offered the job you want. 

Here at Ozford, our Student Success Coach can help you with your university applications, such as setting up your VTAC account and providing some assistance in your search for further studies. Additionally, if you need advice on how to write an effective resume, you can attend some workshops which will get you job-ready. Contact succescoach@ozford.edu.au to schedule an appointment. 

Good luck Year 12!