I can help you answer these questions and set you down a proper path through high school,
university (or college/technical school) and, eventually, a career.
IT IS KEY TO REMEMBER A FEW THINGS:
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You will not be making lifelong decisions.
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You will be saving yourself major challenges down the road by starting to think about this process now.
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The things that interest you and make you happy could make you money, and lead to a satisfying career.
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The things you do not like can be avoided.
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By knowing what to take, and what not take, in high school, you will travel a smoother path to university.
Welcome Junior High Students
I AM SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF QUESTIONS.
LET'S TALK
Who am I and how do I look at the world around me?
What am I interested in?
What am I good at?
IS IT REALLY TIME TO BE LOOKING AT CAREER POSSIBILITIES NOW?
Anxious about your future?
Not sure how high school really works?
You want to go to university, but have no idea how to get there, or what is expected of you if you get there?
Have “no idea” what “careers” interest you?
Knowing how high school works, what universities expect and what potential careers are of interest to you make it easier for you to map your path. If you are feeling anxious about your future it is probably because you simply don’t know “what lies ahead.” Learning how the system works allows you to see the road ahead and manipulate the system to your benefit.
HOW DOES HIGH SCHOOL WORK?
Does high school work basically the same as junior high?
Do I get to choose what courses I take in high school?
Is it true that high marks are necessary to go to university?
High school is based on your marks, where junior high school is based on your efforts. You get passed from one grade to another in junior high regardless of how well you do, but in high school you cannot move on unless you pass, and this goes for each course you take. You have a lot of control over which courses you take, but understand that where you spend your efforts in high school, and what grades you achieve, are critical to your future. Most students don’t understand this until it’s too late, which is why only 18% of graduating high school students in the Province of Alberta attend university directly out of high school.
WHICH HIGH SCHOOL SHOULD I GO TO?
Do I have a choice of which high school to go to?
Should I consider extra-curricular activities in my plans for high school?
You are designated to attend a specific public or separate high school based on your residence. However, you can enroll at non-designated high schools depending on program choice. As well, specialty programs, IPP support, extra-curricular opportunities and such may loom large in your choice of high school. I can tell you this; you and your parents may have to dig deep to get the answers you need to make a good decision about what high school to attend. I know where to dig.
WHICH COURSES DO I NEED TO TAKE IN HIGH SCHOOL TO ENSURE UNIVERSITY ADMISSION AND ENSURE I KEEP THE RIGHT DOORS OPEN?
What happens if I do not take the “right” courses in high school?
Lots of students I advise are in grade eleven, but have not taken the right courses for admission to their programs of choice. Some have to “catch up” on specific courses, which may mean summer school, or correspondence courses to get them back on track.
Some grade twelve students have not taken the right high school courses for admission to the program of their choice, and no time to “make them up. What do they do? What options do they have? There are multiple ways to reach your goal (of a particular university degree). Let me show you the various ways you can get from “here” to “there.”
GIVEN MY INTERESTs AND GOALS, WHAT COURSES DO I NOT NEED TO WASTE TIME ON?
If I have a plan for my future, are there high school courses I can “avoid” ?
If you take the “right” courses in high school, the anticipated "drudgery" of high school shifts to time spent in classes that DO interest you and help you on your path for the future.
This is where I come in. Let’s establish what you are interested in, what you are good at, and what your personality reveals about where you would find the most success (academically, in a career, and in life). Then, let’s identify what courses are necessary, and which ones are not. Let’s establish a PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE.
I AM A PRETTY GOOD STUDENT. SHOULD I LOOK INTO Programs Like A.P. OR I.B.?
What is IB? What does it involve?
What is AP, and how is it different than IB?
Is it really necessary to take a high powered academic program?
If you are interested in a professional career, as an engineer, researcher, veterinarian, physician, or dentist, for example, you should be considering some of the top academic programs available in Calgary, such as IB and AP. Wouldn’t it be nice to talk to someone who has been involved in these high powered academic programs for 30 years, in order to get an objective opinion on their advantages, and disadvantages?
WHAT If UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE/TECHNICAL SCHOOL ISN'T MY THING?
I am betting it is, or will be. Understanding the various types of "post-secondary” schooling (meaning school AFTER high school) that are out there may help you see a better path to your future.
Tapping into your strengths, feeding your interests and having a goal in sight will make your time in high school more enjoyable, less stressful and much more productive.