Top 10 tips to choosing the right course for you
“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” W.B. Yeats
This guide is all about passion. Your passion for your course, and for your future career. Because the secret to happiness is being able to love whatever it is you do in life.
And what does this all have to do with choosing the right course for you? It all starts here. Find the right course, at the right university or college, and you will be inspired to succeed.
So how do you make the right choice? Check our Top 10 tips on choosing your course for the lowdown on getting where you want to be – faster.
Top tip #1: What are you really interested in?
This is not necessarily what are you good at, but what do you love doing? You might be great at maths, but you spend your weekends fixing up bits of old computers. So don’t study maths, focus on IT or computer engineering instead. Specialise in your passion, and learn more about it from the world’s best teachers.
Top tip #2: Why?
It’s really important to think about why you are interested in this subject. Is it because you can see your exciting, glittering career ahead? Or is it because it’s what your parents want? By questioning yourself now, you can work out the exact path you want your choice to take you on.
Top tip #3: Where would you like to study?
There are really two parts to this. Where is the best country to specialise in this subject area? Maybe it’s a country with plenty of internship and graduate work opportunities in that industry, or a city that has access to specific resources. If you’re interested in marine biology, why not head straight to the world’s largest coral reef in Australia and learn right at the source?
It’s also a good idea to ask yourself: where in the world would you love to live for a few years? This is an opportunity to learn a new language or adopt a new culture, make amazing friends, and experience a very different way of life. And if you’re happy in your life, you’ll be happy in your study.
Top tip #4: Take a reality check
Now that you have found your dream, let’s just stop a minute and make sure it’s realistic. Can you afford the flights, tuition and cost of living? Do you need to have certain qualifications first – English language proficiency, GMAT scores? Don’t get discouraged – a pathway program may be all you need to cross those hurdles. And if this really is your passion, then prove it in your scholarship application and you may get some financial help.
Top tip #5: Do your homework
You need to narrow down all your options to about five real, practical choices. That takes a lot of research. A StudyLink course search is a good place to start, then go online and ask questions in student discussion groups or register for online chats. Read student blogs to see what it’s really like. Glossy prospectuses don’t always tell you the full story, so talk to people you know who have studied in that country or city about what it’s really like.
Top tip #6: What’s important to you?
While you are researching, you’ll come up with all kinds of different criteria to judge a university or course by. So make a shortlist of the top three features you’re looking for. These could be school ranking or prestige, research facilities, practical experience and internships, cost of tuition, student support services, safety, social life, chance to travel… there are so many variables, and what’s right for you may be completely wrong for someone else.
Top tip #7: How do you like to study?
Hopefully you have some idea by now of how you prefer to study. And hopefully the answer is not ‘by sleeping’ or ‘by crossing my fingers as I walk into the exam hall.’ Some people prefer final exams, others like regular assignments to keep them busy throughout the year. Some like theory, others like practical hands-on application. Some like to work in groups, others like to work individually. Some like to present their assignment verbally, others prefer to create written reports. Choose a course that suits your study style, and you will be more confident in your success. Or, if you want to challenge yourself, choose a course that will take you out of your comfort zone!
Top tip #8: Look at your career prospects
Studying overseas can be expensive, so think of it as an investment in your future. And that means your career and your salary. Find out where other international students at that university have worked after graduation, and if there’s an active alumni network, or the opportunity to meet industry leaders during your course.
Top tip #9: Focus on the detail
Every subject has so many different options, so it’s good to know the most specific interest you have. Engineering students could study anything from bio-medical engineering to civil engineering. So if you’d rather build bridges than human body parts, understand that before you sign up.
Top tip #10: You can always change your mind
Yes, this is an important decision. But if you get there and you realise you’ve made a terrible mistake, it’s not too late. Talk to the student counsellor on campus, and see if there are better options for you there. Don’t spend the next five years of your life staring at textbooks you have no interest in whatsoever. Remember, it’s all about your passion – keep the excitement alive, and you will succeed!
Do you want some free course advice, customised for your abilities and interests? Just email [link to email] our
i have done my BPT, ther is good scope in india, bt i m not getting good salary , if some1 who is carrying their mobile shop , even if the mobile they r taking 100rs for that, i have studied 4 nd half year , those include all medical sub, than if are doing 1 hr physical work, then they r giving only 100 rs, for wholeday if am doing hard work, then also treat max 15 patient per day , so am not satisfied by that . i have time to do something to in my life , so i wanna study more which gives me satisfaction as well as good salary, pls suggest which course is suitable for me, am very confuse abt what to do.
Posted by: ANIL ACHARYA | March 18, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Salut,
Just to confirm, i would like to know the importance of an IT Engineer and a Gas Engineer in our present world?
Reply me via my mail address, s'ilvous plait
Merci beaucoup
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Posted by: Sarah | March 29, 2009 at 01:38 AM
Hii.
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Posted by: sheen | March 30, 2009 at 12:01 AM
hi i am shakil from india now doing MPhil chemistry wants further to pursue PhD chemistry in the gulf with scholarship / or part time job please give or send me the details about the universities and the total expenditure so that i can get the right direction in the right time
it is your most kindness
shakeel ahmad
country india
Posted by: shakeel ahmad | April 23, 2009 at 04:44 PM
I am a graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I am asking for an information and help from you and your company to please do finance my masteral degree and also,me may i have the honor to know if i have the prevelige to apply?
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Pls do email me at [email protected]
Posted by: maudi | April 23, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Hello,
My name is Lisa.
I'm a student in Bogor Institute of Agriculture, Indonesia, major Meteorology, semesters 8. I'm interest to study abroad, and can get scholarship to study.
I want to apply study (course) in UK or Ohio University USA.
How can i apply it??
Please give me more information about it.
Thank you..
Posted by: Lisa | April 24, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Hello
I am a graduate with the degree of master of Science in Geography(climatology). I am asking for an information and help from you and your company to please do scholarship or grant my Ph.D degree and also,me may i have the honor to know if i have the prevelige to apply?
(I have not any english language certificate ,and this is my problem ,is there any university that I can apply with condition ? )
i am really get hot to know for furhetr information pls let me know.
Pls do email me at [email protected]
Posted by: farshid | April 24, 2009 at 11:49 PM
hi...i just want to ask...if i want to further my professional study in accountancy such as ACCA or CIMA, which university is suitable for that course?
Posted by: imran | April 26, 2009 at 05:31 AM
Hi,
I'm Amjad Ali form Pakistan.
I'm studding in virtual University of Pakistan. My subject is Mass Communication, Final semesters. I'm interest to study at Australia,Canada and New zealand.
Is TOFFL or ILETS is necessary ?
Can you tel me were to apply?
Thank you..
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My name is Moenga Eric Abere.I'm a final year undergraduate student studying Bsc.Biotechnology in India.I would like to do my post graduate at Ohio university in USA.How can i get admission and scholarship.please help me.
Posted by: MOENGA ERIC ABERE | May 05, 2009 at 08:23 PM
I am a agraduate from Sichuan International Studies University in China.My major is English Translation and Interpretation. I was one of the best students in my department. However, after graduation, I found that no matter how outstanding I was in the university, it is also not enough for me to get a good job because of lacking working rxprience and the competitors who owns overseas study exprience. So I am wondering if I should learn the real native English in a English-speaking country. However, the biggest problem is that my family is not very rich to support me. If I can apply the scholership or not? waiting for your answer! Thank you!
Posted by: Rebecca | May 06, 2009 at 07:37 PM
I love to continue my studying in college.But i have a hard time in choosing a field that would suits me well w/out any regrets!i ENJOY SOCIALIZING POEPLE AND TRAVELLING MOST! WHAT COURSE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ME?
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