The Delicate Balance of Studying, Applying, and Relaxing
How to make the most of your time off during the holiday season.
It's December, and you're likely about to reach the halfway point in your academic studies this year. Congratulations! It's the best time of year to catch up and have some fun with friends and family as you enjoy a well-deserved break. It's also the ideal time to look ahead, and consider your academic future.
If you're planning on applying to Brock, or any other university in Ontario, you'll need to ensure that your Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) account is up and running. You'll be ranking your choices here based on school and program preferences. If a program that you're interested in happens to have a co-op option and you meet the admission requirements, it's in your best interest to go for it. At Brock, you'll gain a minimum of 12 months of work experience, and you'll be paid a competitive wage for your work.
What if the program that you're interested in doesn't offer a co-op option? Fear not. Every program at Brock offers experiential learning opportunities. From field courses, to internships and practicums, you'll have the chance to take what you've learned in the classroom and apply it in a practical setting. This is a great way to network and build your resum?, and it can help set you apart from your peers once you complete your degree and are ready to enter the working world.
Once you successfully submit your application, you can focus on continuing to work hard to meet the overall average and course requirements of your desired program. Once universities receive your application, don't forget to check your email and pay close attention to instructions on how to activate your new student account, and be aware of any additional deadlines that you need to meet.
Another step you may want to take over the holidays is exploring the world of awards and bursaries. Some schools will require you to fill out individual forms for each scholarship you wish to apply to, but fortunately at Brock, you can fill out one simple application, known as the 'OneApp.' All you have to do is fill out a short profile about yourself, including any extra-curricular and volunteer experience you may have, and the OneApp will automatically apply you to all awards and bursaries relevant to your profile.
Last, but certainly not least, find the time to go and explore different campuses. You may have done research online or heard from friends and family about their experiences at different schools, but sometimes all it takes is a campus tour for you to know if the environment is a good fit for you.
Enjoy the time off that you have over the holidays, and make the most of it to prepare for the year ahead. Your hard work is bound to pay off very soon!
