Lána attended Higher Options when she was in 6th Year & is now in her final year of her undergraduate degree. These are her top tips on making the most of Higher Options…
Higher Options is a great opportunity to ask questions, find out more about the options available to you and speak to people in different courses. However it can be easy to get carried away with the crowds and hundreds of stands. Here’s the top 5 things I wish I had done:
- Get there early: When I went to Higher Options, I had never experienced early morning Dublin traffic. It was a disaster, and we ended up getting to the RDS late. It is definitely worth planning your day in advance to the most of your day there! Get in there early and start straight away.
- Questions, Questions: Have a look at the list of stands, pinpoint the colleges you’ve been considering and don’t be shy! My quest for the day was to find out which Science courses would allow me to do Physics and Maths – and nothing else! Even if you think you have no questions or queries, there’s always going to be a few things on your mind. They don’t have to be specific questions – maybe you’d like to know more about college life, accommodation, or sports facilities. You never know, the answers could end up making your mind up for you!
An example of some of the exhibitors at Higher Options – there are so many colleges and organisations there – highlight the ones you want to visit!
A little tip : If you cant decide between different courses or colleges, try asking the same questions to the different stands. Now is the perfect chance to compare the different colleges or courses you like to one another. It could end up showing you which course or college is more suited to you and your interests.
- Go to a talk: Have a look at the timetable of talks on each day. There is something for everyone, and even if you’ve missed one, wander into the talks hall. I guarantee you wont find yourself stuck in a boring talk. I went to the talk on “Working in Science” and it really showed me what kind of careers lie beyond a Science course.
An example of some of the talks on at Higher Options – every one of them is interesting and informative!
- Don’t just follow your friends: Within the crowds of the RDS hall it can be easy to follow your friends around and go to the stands they want to see. Make sure that you get what you want out of the day – speak to the colleges you want to speak to, not just the ones your friends are speaking to. I wandered off on my own and spoke to people at the Institute of Physics, and other stands that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise! Wander around on your own for a while and meet up with your friends after. You’ll cater more to your own interests and learn a lot more.
There’s so much to see at Higher Options – walk around yourself and see what’s on offer
- Get the prospectuses you need (and free stuff!): There can be a lot of college guides, prospectuses and information packs given out on the day. Take the ones you need – don’t find yourself bogged down with heavy prospectuses you wont look at. I unfortunately took too many prospectuses and ended up carrying them around Dublin city for the rest of the day – only to throw most of them out! Bring a pen and paper to take down any information you get – but you’ll probably get enough free pens and paper to last you a lifetime (not to mention highlighters and rulers).
Take all the documents you need – there will be lots at each stand – but don’t take too much!
Higher Options can be a busy, overwhelming experience, but if you plan and prepare well you will get a huge amount out of it. Just by looking at the list of college stands and talks will give you an idea of what you can do for the day. Don’t hold back with your questions. When else will you get the opportunity to have all the colleges together in one room, all for your benefit. Make the most of it and enjoy it!
