School Year 12 & 1st year college students, interested in further learning

September - December

• If you need financial help, contact a student services advisor as soon as you enrol or before, if you are able to.
  
  
• If you need child care, discuss your options with college advisors or student services staff or Connexions Personal Advisors, as soon as you know you have a place at college.
  
  
• Review your choice of subjects, options, programme during the first term & don't worry if you feel you need to change your course or options, as the college will help you do this.
  
  
• Start to use learning resources centre (library) for careers research and consider a career planning action plan. (see below)*
  
  
• Work on developing your Progress File.
  
  
• Attend all career events organised in your college.
  
  
• Consider career paths that fit your best subjects & grades as well as your interests.
  
  
• Discuss possible work experience options with your tutors, which will help your career decisions as well as your course needs.
  
  
• If you are considering temporary work while at college, limit the hours you work so that they don't interfere with your college classes & homework (more than 12 hours a week is not recommended). A good reference is always useful if you can get one when you leave.

• Explore your opportunities in employment, Further Education or Higher Education through discussion & research*.
  
  
• Start planning for work experience or work shadowing, which will suit your interests and will help with career options, if you haven't already done this.
  
  
• Make sure your Progress File is kept up to date, including your work experience report & achievements & interests outside college.
  
  
• Attend any workshops, classes or activities on jobsearch skills.
  
  
• Attend any local or regional careers & skills events & fairs, (e.g. Skill City, Gt. Manchester for ideas and prepare for them before you go, with careers advisors or teachers if you can.

• Discuss your future plans or courses, get help with job applications, identify possible employers with guidance or careers advisors.
  
  
• Fill out application forms for next year's FE courses, if you have not already done so & you plan to continue at college.
  
  
• Apply for child care places for next year
  
  
• Check your financial options with student services advisors
  
  
• If you are looking for work, check for vacancies on college noticeboards, careers centres, local newspapers, JobcentrePlus, and on the Internet from April onwards.
  
  
• Complete your Progress File before the summer break
  
  
• Check your tax and insurance situation with your careers advisor, the Inland Revenue or contact your local Tax Office

• Interviews or Holidays!

• GCSE results: 26th August 2004
  CCEA results (Northern Ireland): 24th August
  GNVQ results: 11th March 2004, 26th August 2004
  AS, A2, AEA results: 11th March 2004, 19th August 2004
  AVCE results: 11th March 2004, 19th August 2004
  A-level results: 19th August 2004
  International Baccalaureate: January for November session, July for May session
• Review your options, discuss exam results with careers or guidance advisors