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Minds on

MINDS ON

How do you keep track of your due dates, obligations or your work schedule?  Do you use a calendar?  What kind of calendar do you prefer (phone, app, paper)?

This graphic shows a blank calendar on a desk with a clock, cellphone, laptop, day planner, file folder, cup of coffee and newspaper

Start building the habit of staying organized by putting into your calendar (or whatever you have available) the due date for your culminating task. If using a phone, you can use your calendar or reminder tool.

Action.

ACTION

Having the right tools and skill set can increase your confidence and chances of success and happiness in post-secondary institutions, training or work.

The transition out of high school is big but does not have to be a source of fear, tension and anxiety.  You will get through it and these four skills and strategies can help you start your new post-secondary pathway on the right note.

This is the Portfolio icon. My Post-Secondary Pathway

Go over the four skills/strategies outlined below.  For some, you will have a video to watch, for others, articles to read.  For each skill/strategy, make notes in this template of the following:

  1. Before reading content: 
    • Are you confident that you are using this skill successfully? 
    • Do you think you have the right strategies to apply this skill? 
    • Do you have a plan to implement the strategies?
  2. During reading content: 
    • Identify how this strategy can help you in your transition. 
    • Break down the steps. 
    • What do you need to implement the strategy or develop the skill successfully?
  3. After reading content: 
    • How can you implement the strategies or improve this skill (relate it specifically to you)? 
    • How can building this skill or applying the strategy help you transition to the next phase of your life?

Add your notes to your Journal.

 

Creating a Transition Plan

Whether you are off to work or school, having a plan will make the transition less stressful.  Read both articles.  You will also find a sample transition checklist.  Do you feel prepared to enter your next phase with all the relevant documents and/or material?

Test-Taking and Study Skills

The content you covered in high school may be different from the material you will cover in post-secondary institutions or the training you will receive at your new job.  Not only are you expected to cover most of the content independently, but the tests/exams are also weighed more and include more information.  How do you study?  When are you most productive?

  • This video goes beyond the basic tips you have already heard.
     
  • This article offers tips for studying and test taking. It even covers cramming (sometimes we are all in a situation where we need to get in a lot of information in a short amount of time).

Organization and Responsibility

You can be very knowledgeable about something, but that can only get you so far. To be successful at anything, you need to be responsible and organized. 

  • Do you think you are responsible? 
  • Would you consider yourself organized? 
  • Do others see you as a reliable and organized person? 

Using a calendar is a vital component of organization and responsibility; missed classes, assignments, or showing up late or not at all to work can lead to severe consequences and failures.  How regularly do you use your calendar or planner?

Concentration and Memory Strategies

Concentration is something that needs to be developed and for good reason.  Improving your concentration will increase your mental performance and productivity.  Also, in today’s world, we often overlook the importance of memory.  We rely so much on our devices because, if we can’t remember something, we can just look it up. 

  • How well are you able to concentrate? 
  • Do you find you are constantly distracted by your phone?  
  • Video games?  
  • Would you say your memory is in good working order?  
  • Are you able to remember relevant information after studying for a test?

Memory is considered a discipline of the mind; it needs training and sometimes, you just cannot depend on Google. 

This is the discussion icon. Transitions

Choose one of the four skills you examined and share your post-content answers with your classmates.  How can you implement the suggestions to improve this skill (relate it specifically to you)?  How can building this skill help you transition to the next phase of your life? 

Rethink how you approach learning, studying and new situations. 

  • How does it compare to the advice offered for each strategy? 
  • Do you need to rethink how you are currently handling your approach? 
  • What changes do you need to make to your study techniques to be more successful in various situations or settings?
Consolidation

CONSOLIDATION

You have probably heard this before, but it never hurts to have a plan.  It can help you on your way to success.  Being prepared and knowing what you will do in various situations will help ensure that you stay on track to achieving your goal.

This is the dropbox icon. Post-Secondary Transition Plan

Conduct the necessary research and create an action plan for your post-secondary destination (school, apprenticeship, work).  Make decisions to determine reasonable options for your action-plan (for example, if you do not have the required courses, do not put a university pathway as your next step.  Maybe it will be college or you will need to upgrade the missing required courses).  Use the transition plan from earlier on in this activity to guide you (or find one that you feel is more appropriate).  Your action plan also needs to include:

  • Short and long-term goals (learning and work).
  • Future career goals.
  • Any post-secondary options.  
  • Potential challenges of your transition plan and possible solutions (financial, distance, work/studying habits, etc.) .

This could be produced in any written or visual format of your choosing for example, a mind-map, vision board or written format. Save your work in your Journal.

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