On Tuesday 3rd March our third year students are getting the opportunity to visit Trinity College Dublin for an information talk and campus tour, which will also include a visit to the Book of Kells. This is a unique opportunity that we are very lucky to be part of thanks to the Trinity Access Schools of Distinction Award we received this year. Visiting a college or university campus is an extremely valuable and worthwhile opportunity for young people whilst they are still attending school. It is an opportunity to engage in the reality of campus life and can open doors and ignite interest in studying at this level once students have completed school. Visiting a campus is a unique chance to put themselves in the shoes of a college student. Something nice to remember is that all the college students they will see on campus understand what it’s like to make decisions about choosing colleges and courses and were once secondary school students too! There are lots of valuable reasons for students to connect with colleges and universities during Senior Cycle and leading up to the Leaving Cert and CAO applications.
The following article from Griffith College lists some of these and is worth the read. It’s also highly valuable to make connections earlier than Senior Cycle so that students have an opportunity to begin to think about the future and the many amazing and varied opportunities available to them all. Here at Stepaside ETSS we are really keen for all our students to explore the many valuable pathways open to them beyond school and aim to expose the students to as many experiences that will support them in this. If any parents have any suggestions in this regard we would love to hear them. Follow Alice on Twitter