Last week, my fellow Year 12 students and I had the opportunity to learn more about the various options available to us after we finish ND6 in the 2025 Higher Education Days.
Throughout this week, we were enlightened about the different pathways we can take after our time at Notre Dame, to name some, apprenticeships, gap years, and entering the world of work and University. I can confidently say that my peers and I now feel much more reassured about life after Notre Dame and are excited about the possibilities ahead.
To kick off the event, we were introduced to the various activities and information that would be covered over the two days. During this time, we had the chance to discuss our aspirations with our peers, sharing our ideas about what we might want to do after leaving school and what options we were already aware of. We were also informed of key dates that we need to keep in mind.
Following this initial overview, we were introduced to UCAS and Unifrog, platforms we were already somewhat familiar with but explored in more depth. This helped us understand how we would be utilising them in the upcoming months. We then met our first guest speaker, Business Coach, Tony Franco, who guided us in figuring out what we truly want to pursue after school. He encouraged us to create a mind map with four main points: what we love, what the world needs, what jobs pay well, and what we are good at. This concept, known as Ikigai, is a Japanese term that helps us figure out our future. We discussed these points with our peers and noted them down to help guide us in our decision-making.
After a break, where we enjoyed some delicious chocolate chip cookies, we split into two groups. My group stayed at the ND6 centre to focus on UCAS, while the other group learned about apprenticeships and the world of work. After an assembly, we switched groups to complete the tasks that the other group had done. Following lunch, we were treated to a talk from Exeter University, where we learned about how to enhance our applications to stand out and gain admission to any university we desire. This session prompted us to think critically about our next steps in preparing for university.
On the second day, we met with four alumna, Katie, Juliette, Lilly, and Emily, via video call. They shared their different experiences at their different universities and offered advice for us as we prepare to embark on this journey. We also learned about enhancing our personal statements, focusing on how to make them more appealing. Topics such as MOOCs, work experience, and extracurricular activities were highlighted as beneficial for strengthening our applications. We examined both successful and less successful personal statements to guide us in crafting our own.
After a break, we discussed the opportunity to study abroad, with options in countries like the USA, Australia, and the Netherlands, sparking excitement among many of my friends, including myself! Following this, we welcomed back a former Deputy Head Girl, Yana, who shared her experiences as she takes on Year 2 of her degree apprenticeship. She answered our questions, and many found her insights both fascinating and a route they wished to explore further. Her discussion was intriguing and appealing to all of us! We also heard from another alumnae, Chloe, about her experience in gymnastics, her decision to take a gap year, and her plans for travelling. Lastly, we welcomed back a former Deputy Head Girl, Izzy, who shared her journey into the workforce. She emphasised that entering the world of work doesn’t solely mean focusing on jobs, she also talked about how she spends her time outside of work. This made us all realise that the world of work can be exciting and fulfilling beyond just the professional aspects.
To wrap up the day, we continued working on our personal statements. Those interested in Oxbridge attended their own sessions in the ND6 centre, where they received a visit from Oxbridge undergraduate and alumnae Mercedes, who is currently studying at Cambridge University. In addition, Vets and Medics had a talk with Vitoria who is currently studying medicine at Queen Mary’s Malta. During these sessions, student learned more about their opportunities, applications and top tips to help them achieve their goals.
Overall, I can confidently say that this year’s Higher Education Days have made my peers and me feel much more prepared and excited about our futures. The days were filled with valuable information and engaging activities. Current Year 11 students, you’re in for a treat next year!
We posted a Reel from our ND6 Instagram account which summarises the 2 days
