In the coming weeks, public universities and private institutions across South Africa will host a series of open days \u2013 events meant to showcase their offerings to prospective students from the matric class of 2019.<\/p>\n
Education experts advise learners who intend to study next year to attend as many open days as possible to ensure they make the most informed study choice.<\/p>
But more than just attending, learners need to approach the open days with a strategy and ensure they look beneath the surface and get a real understanding of what their experience a particular institution or campus is likely to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very exciting time for matrics who for the first time will be able to get some real-life insights about life on campus and what their future might be like in coming years after school,\u201d said Wonga Ntshinga, senior head of programme of the ICT faculty at The Independent Institute of Education.<\/p>
\u201cWe advise Grade 12s to determine without delay when various institutions will be hosting open days – an online search will suffice – and then make an effort to attend as many as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ntshinga further explained that there are many benefits to attending an open day.<\/p>\n
These benefits include:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Gaining greater clarity on each institution\u2019s offerings.<\/p>\n 2. A chance to visit different faculties at an institution.<\/p>\n 3. A chance to speak to representatives of the institution who will be able to help you determine which qualification is a good fit for you – if you are still uncertain.<\/p>\n 4. A chance to get a feeling of life on a specific campus.<\/p>\n 5. A chance to weigh up the offerings \u2013 academic and otherwise \u2013 of different institutions.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is one thing that prospective students must remember when attending open days and that is to keep a level head and not get too starry-eyed,\u201d Ntshinga said.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen days are the perfect opportunity to get first-hand experience of a campus and its students, staff and academics.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the first rule of open days is to remember that an open day might not be a clear representation of every other day.<\/p>\n \u201cUniversities put their best foot forward to impress and attract future students on these days, so you have to be savvy and ask the right questions.\u201d<\/p>\n Ntshinga further advised prospective students to spend a good amount of time on a campus to have a good look around and listen to their gut feel while doing so.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at the campus grounds, visit the library and the IT lab, note the condition of sports facilities, lecture rooms and even the toilets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf, for instance, an institution\u2019s restrooms are questionable on an open day, chances are that they will be the same or worse during the rest of the year.<\/p>\n \u201cIf lecture rooms and the general environment look tired, dilapidated and unkept on this day, it is unlikely they will look better any other day of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n If you, however, get a good feeling about what you observe on campus, the open day then presents an opportunity to ask university representatives several important questions to gauge whether your degree will help you make a smooth transition to the workplace post-graduation.<\/p>\n To determine that, learners should ask the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Work-readiness:<\/p>\n How much practical, work-integrated experience is incorporated into the curriculum?<\/p>\n Any good institution, whether public university or private, must have adequate practical learning integrated into the curriculum and not focus purely on academics.<\/p>\n 2. Industry relevance:<\/p>\n Is there close cooperation between the faculty and lecturers and is current industry practice reflected in the curriculum?<\/p>\n Employers look for graduates who they know will be able to make a contribution from the first day on the job, which is why they recruit at those institutions that best prepare students for the real world of work.<\/p>\n 3. Student support:<\/p>\n What can you expect in terms of support \u2013 administratively, academically and post-qualification?<\/p>\n Good institutions will have excellent student support from before you sign up until after you graduate and this support can make a real difference in your higher education experience as well as your career.<\/p>\n \u201cDoing your groundwork in the coming months by identifying and attending open days at institutions you\u2019ve been considering, as well as others you may not yet have considered, will make a huge contribution to your ability to evaluate your options properly,\u201d Ntshinga said.<\/p>\n \u201cAdditionally, you may be exposed to opportunities and qualifications you have not considered before and which may resonate with you.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen days are essential to making the best choice for your aspirations and provide insights that desktop research rarely does, so make the best of this limited window of opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nALSO READ:\u00a0Rondebult Bird Sanctuary hosts the elderly<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n