1. Well Done – you have now chosen your perfect phone!!

2. HOW DO I MAKE GOOD DECISIONS NOW AND IN FUTURE?

3. … THEY’RE BIG DECISIONS BUT… DO - DON’T - … don’t Panic!!! REMEMBER…… SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CHOOSE SUBJECTS THAT ARE USEFUL FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER CHOOSE SUBJECTS BECAUSE YOUR FRIENDS HAVE CHOOSE SUBJECTS JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK IT WILL BE EASY CHOOSE A SUBJECT THAT YOU KNOW YOU WILL STRUGGLE IN CHOOSE SUBJECTS BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE TELL YOU TO

4. DO – Think about what you’re good at… ► What subjects are you doing well in? ► Which subjects do you have a flare for…….SPORT? ART? SCIENCE? ► Are you good at research and reading? ► Are you imaginative? ► Are you sporty? ► Do you like logic?

5. DO – Think about what subjects you enjoy How do you learn best? - By doing lots of writing? E.G. English - By doing it yourself -practical learning? - Being creative? E.G. Media, Art

6. DO – Think about what subjects you need for your ideal career For Example – ► You will need Triple Science for careers in Medicine ► You will need to be good at Art or Music if you plan to do this for a career

7. DON’T – Choose a subject because your friends are or because someone tells you to………Why? ? ► Because you might not even be put in the same class ► You might choose a subject that you don’t like or that you are not strong in

8. DON’T – Choose a subject just because you think will be easy……..WHY? ? ► Because if you don’t have a genuine interest in the subject, you are less likely to try hard at it! ► It might not be as easy as you think………. ALWAYS THINK ABOUT WHAT THE SUBJECT INVOLVES – ASK TEACHERS!!!!

9. DON’T – Choose a subject that you know you will struggle in……Why? ? ► If you are not getting very good grades in a particular subject, will you be able to cope with the work at a higher level? ► If you struggle in a subject you are less likely to get a good overall grade in it. REMEMBER TO READ UP ABOUT EACH SUBJECT – BE REALISTIC WITH YOURSELF!!!!

10. What are your options ► Full time education which can be at college or 6 th form college ► Apprenticeships ► part-time education or training, if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week REMEMBER due to RPA you need to be in full time education for the next 2 years!

11. A level Route ► A Levels: Can be suitable if: ► You have 5 A-C GCSE grades, including Maths and English. ► Some subjects at A level may require a grade (B) e.g if you want to study science at A level you will need GCSE science at B. ► Can help if you want to keep your options open or you can’t decide on what career you want to pursue. ► Want to study specific subjects ► Like learning about theories and principles ► Like reading, writing and class based work ► Can organise your own time and individual study programme ► Can cope with big exams as a large % of final mark is based on an exam

12. Btec Route ► Btec courses are available at different levels ► Level 3 Btec- you will need 4/5 GCSE A-C including English language and/or maths ► Level 2 Btec- You will need 4 GCSE D or above ► Level 1 Btec- you will need 2 GCSE at E-G ► Entry grades vary across the colleges so you need to check on the college websites. ► For example Newcastle need 2 GCSE at C or above to get onto a level 2 course but Stoke college need 4 GCSE at grade D.

13. Btec Route ► Btec courses can be suitable if you: ► Know which job sector you want to go into ► Enjoys projects, research and work experience ► Can work with others and manage a portfolio of evidence ► Prefers coursework to exams ► Want to learn about a career area before going to work in it. ► Like learning about current practice in real situations.

14. Industry specific qualifications ► These qualifications are linked to specific jobs e.g The beauty industry has VTCT qualifications The beauty industry has VTCT qualifications The construction industry has C&G qualifications The construction industry has C&G qualifications Other industries use NVQ. Other industries use NVQ. ► These qualifications are practical and will require you to complete a portfolio. ► These qualifications are good if you: ► Know what job you want to be trained for ► Want to be trained in a specific skill e.g gas engineering ► Are practical and prefer to be doing things as well as learning about them

15. Who are my Careers adviser? Chrissy Pawliszyn and Elaine Spooner Drop in and see us in the LRC– You need to speak to student reception so they can let you through!