After ploughing through a tough matric year, you'll probably find that academically, the step up from high school to a tertiary institution is not that difficult. In this area, however, the biggest change and one that many students find quite a surprise, is the atmosphere in which learning and study takes place. Your days of being "spoon fed" are over. You'll have to start thinking and working independently and motivating yourself to keep up with your work schedule.
You might find the level of freedom you're afforded quite exciting, but with this freedom comes the need for self-discipline, good time management and a sense of responsibility. If you miss a class, it's up to you to catch up the work. If you don't hand in an assignment, or if your assignment is sub-standard or incomplete, your marks will reflect this. The same applies to studying for tests. It's up to you to read and understand the work, because assignments, coursework and varsity lectures move forward based on this assumption. In high school, your teachers monitored you and recognised if you were struggling. In a tertiary institution, your lecturers expect will expect you to approach them if you need help.
You'll quickly see that you're in a learning environment in which you have to take responsibility for understanding and applying what you've learned. When it came to tests at school it was frequently a case of regurgitating facts from your textbooks and notes, but now you'll need to demonstrate that you understand the subject by developing and communicating your own arguments and insights.
Your new freedom extends to your choice of how you socialise. Suddenly it's up to you how much time you spend on your studies and how many social activities you take part in. This can be a bit overwhelming, considering all the social events going on all the time. You'll build a whole new circle of friends and be exposed to different social opportunities. This means learning to say no to requests that aren't beneficial. If a night out on the town will leave you broke and behind on your coursework, pass on the offer.
Your tertiary study experience is something you'll remember your whole life. If you manage to complete this journey with the right balance, you'll enjoy every aspect to its fullest and emerge in the best possible position to start a successful career in your chosen field.
As a brand of the Independent Institute of Education (IIE), Vega School of Brand Leadership is committed to producing a new breed of innovators at its four campuses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria.
"We're fully geared up to help our new students cope with the demands of a tertiary institution," says Dr Carla Enslin, a founding member of the school and its National Head of Academics. "Staff at our dedicated student relations department are available to help and guide students find their feet. Their office provides a daily point of contact for Vega students, also attending to concerns, complaints and suggestions as well as dealing with exam preparation and mark requests.
"At Vega, we're committed to making students 'industry ready' by the time they graduate, fully able to slot seamlessly into their chosen profession, rather than having to make another major transition into 'the real world'.
The emphasis at Vega is on a fusion of the theoretical and practical that closely mirrors the reality of the chosen industry. Through an intensive combination of working on live briefs, receiving hands-on navigation from industry veterans, relentlessly honing your craft, undergoing industry internships and experiencing the legendary Vega Brand Challenge, by the time our students leave the Vega fold, they are as much seasoned professionals as newly-minted graduates," she concludes.
Registration is still open. For more information on Vega School of Brand Leadership, please visit www.vegaschool.com.
