You are thinking of further education after your MBO study. This creates the necessary tension. Could I handle it? Would the difference be big? These are questions you have probably already asked yourself. The better you prepare for the transfer to higher professional education, the smaller the chance of a lack of motivation, financial problems and study delay. Therefore, here are good tips for the real go-getters!
Visit an open day
When you visit open days, you will find out whether there is a course that appeals to you. During this visit you also get a picture of the school, lesson content and a school day. Every university of applied sciences offers opportunities to visit an open day. This is often twice a year. Keep an eye on when there is an open day for your future further education and discover what suits you best!
Make a schedule
It is very important that you prepare for the curriculum. Making a schedule can therefore help to keep an overview. Often a reader is offered by the study program per class period. This reader states what needs to be done per week. You may also prefer to write it down yourself, because this is easier for you. Buy a diary or make sure you work out a schedule on paper.
Preparation is half the battle
When you arrive at school, you will notice that you can keep up with the lessons. At higher vocational education you also have to deal with lectures. These are lessons that are given in a large space to people with the same education as you. When you follow these lectures, you have extra support about the lesson content. It can be very nice to attend these if you have difficulty with the subject matter. One tip is to make notes that you can use later.
How do I survive learning?
When exam week approaches, it is important to start on time. Make sure you find a quiet place so that you can learn well. There are also quiet rooms at some higher vocational schools, which can be very effective. If you adopt an active reading position, you stay alert. This means sitting upright, shoulders relaxed and head straight. Make sure you have everything you need at your fingertips, when you have to collect your learning materials you can be distracted by other things. Turning off your phone can help very well, this prevents you from texting instead of learning.
Credits
A completely new concept that you will have to deal with in higher professional education is obtaining credits. You will receive a number of credits for each test you pass. When you have obtained 60 credits in your first year, you have completed your propaedeutic phase. Obtaining this paper means that you can possibly continue to a university. You can pass your propaedeutic year in your first year. Previously, you had to obtain the fit form within a year, but in 2017 you can also do it for two years. If you have not passed it after this time, you have to leave school.
Ring the bell in time
You may encounter a number of problems in the beginning. Don’t worry, you always have a personal coach to help you get through your school career. You can go to your personal coach if, for example, you have difficulty with the subject matter, problems at home or are short of credits. If you have trouble writing Dutch reports, you can also take tutoring lessons at some schools. Before starting the training, you can also follow special transition courses. This allows you to get used to the level. Help is always there, so you are not alone!
Good motives for the switch
When you have completed secondary vocational education, you will be further developed in your way of thinking. You have not done HAVO, but you have certainly not been idle either! The advantage of continuing your studies is that you increase your luggage. During your MBO years, you may have already developed a view of the work field. During your higher professional education you can then focus on even more content and knowledge of your profession. It is important that you yourself feel that you want to learn more. If you are driven and motivated to progress, then higher vocational education is the perfect transition.
