Program Options – Choosing your program of study
The first task for preparing for college or university is deciding which school will best meet all of your educational and access needs, as well as your study and career goals. There will be different options to consider that can make the decision a bit overwhelming. To begin, you will need to take into consideration your passion, skills, and career goals and how your chosen school will meet those goals.
It can be an overwhelming task researching all the colleges and universities that you’re interested in, but we have some resources to help you get started. When you are ready to explore the different options, you will find lists of support services, campus accessibility options, contact lists and more for every publicly funded post-secondary institution in the Resources section for students on our website.
To begin your research process:
- Browse the school website – search specifically about programs offered, learning and working opportunities, campus life.(Tip: most schools have videos to showcase their programs, so make some popcorn, set-up the playlist and enjoy the trailers)
- Attend an info session at your preferred college or universities – this is where they explain admission deadlines, the application process, and financial aid.
You can use the checklist below and the checklist of Important Considerations to record your research of schools and help narrow down your options for this important decision.
Once you have worked through your decision-making process for choosing your school, it will be important to understand what you need for your success, and this depends on your ability to make informed decisions. It is important to know your rights and responsibilities and to have effective communication skills. You will review these Module 2: Rights and Responsibilities.
Refer back to the relevant modules for suggestions and tips to complete the various items. Here are five things to always keep in the back of your mind:
- Understand your rights and responsibilities!
- Ask questions and ask early!
- Stay organized, write it down!
- Be persistent!
- Educate those around you!