WOODY'S WISDOM

Advice from the wise guru for the path ahead...

Staying Ahead

At every point of your education, there are ways of staying ahead of the rest:
  • Research and read- extend your knowledge
  • Taste and see- open days, taster days, work exp.
  • Prove enthusiasm- portfolio

Year 9: GCSE Options

Consider enjoyment, ability and necessity.

Year 12: 11 Steps

The following are suggestions for staying ahead
  • Taster Sessions- unis, employers, prof bodies
  • Open Days- unis, employers
  • Websites- those best suited
  • Work Experience- new definition
  • Network- work at your contacts
  • Be Professional- essential
  • Research- be thorough
  • Extension Material- prove passions
  • Extracurricular- prove skills
  • Brit Gaps- get ahead
  • Opportunities- seize them

Also work out your USPs and list your Achievements?

Post 18

If you are certain you have to study a degree or want to, fine... but look at alternative routes as well before making the decision you want. 

If you are uncertain about a degree topic, step back and:
  • Take a gap year (or two)
  • Look at apprenticeships
  • Consider the Open University
  • Think about universities abroad
  • Research part-time degrees
  • Ask about sponsored degrees

Gapyear.com and Not Going To Uni are fine places to look.

Advice: one liners

  • The best university is the best university for you.
  • Life's not a rehearsal.
  • Choose the course for you not others.
  • Be yourself.
  • Express yourself.
  • Deadlines matter.
  • First impressions last.
  • You gotta have PIZAZZ/ the WOW factor.
  • Don't have any regrets.
  • Fulfil your potential.
  • Success is often measured at the end of a journey but fulfilment along the journey is more important.
  • Do your professional best.
  • Remember to laugh every day.
  • Laughter is definitely the best medicine.
  • Aspire, achieve and inspire.
  • Rejection is never your loss.
  • Why shouldn't your dreams come true?
  • Everyone is special. How do you shine?
  • Stay one step ahead of your peers/ competitors.
  • Why can't everybody live together?
  • Be thankful for what you've got.
  • Have a better plan ready before you diss anyone else's!
  • Think of yourself as a Brand.
  • What's YOUR Unique Selling Point?
  • What is your elevator pitch?
  • Never say never... without giving it all a really good try!
  • When the going gets tough, the majority give in. That's when you keep your mojo working.

And A Few Quirky Ones...

  • Most screws tighten clockwise.
  • Take the blutac you think you will need and half it.
  • Do your eyes cry when chopping onions? Pop a ball of bread between your top teeth and top lip. (Or ask someone else?)
  • Never be too busy to hug someone everyday. Remember to ask if they want to be hugged though!
  • 'Age doesn't matter unless you are a cheese'- Ken Dodd, comedian
  • Stella Barnes from Darlington confirms: 'The best university is the best university for you!'
  • Rich from Stoke says: 'Never headbutt a bison, never eat yellow snow and certainly never fasten your shoelaces in a revolving door!'
  • Rachael from Warwickshire says: 'Boys were made in the Stupid Factory!'