What to expect when you start college
27 June 2023
Starting college this September? We can鈥檛 wait to see you for enrolment and Freshers Week soon. But to help you prepare in the meantime, here鈥檚 what you need to know about college life and what makes it different to school:
You鈥檙e responsible for your own learning
College is an independent learning environment. So, you鈥檒l be expected to show up for your lessons, participate in class work, and complete your coursework on time. You also won鈥檛 be in lessons all day. So, you鈥檒l need to spend time studying outside of lessons and learn to manage your time effectively.
There is loads of support on hand
The transition from school to college might seem scary, but we鈥檙e here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible. When you enrol, you鈥檒l meet your dedicated Personal Tutor who can help with academic and pastoral issues. There鈥檚 also a whole range of college support services helping you every step of the way, from Maths and English support to health and wellbeing advice.
Everyone鈥檚 in the same boat
If you鈥檙e feeling nervous about starting college, just remember you鈥檙e not alone. All new learners feel a sense of trepidation and nerves about stepping into something brand-new. But the Coleg Gwent community is always supportive, welcoming and inclusive for everyone, so you鈥檒l soon feel right at home.
You鈥檒l find new friends everywhere
If you don鈥檛 know anyone else in college yet, that鈥檚 all about to change. You鈥檒l meet loads of new friends during Freshers鈥� Week and in your classes. You鈥檙e bound to have lots in common with your new friends as you鈥檝e chosen to study the subjects you鈥檙e genuinely interested in. Making new friends is a big part of college life!
Make the most of Freshers鈥� week
Freshers鈥� Week is a great chance to explore the Students鈥� Union, get used to your new campus environment, find out about support services at college, and discover student groups that interest you. It鈥檚 a week of fun activities to help you settle into college life before your lessons begin, and an induction to your academic studies too.
No more uniform鈥� or a brand-new uniform
There鈥檚 no need to wear uniform to college for many courses 鈥� so you can express your unique personality. But for some courses like Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Cookery, and Agriculture, you鈥檒l be expected to wear the appropriate uniform for your hands-on training, such as chefs鈥� whites, blue overalls, or personal protective equipment.
Lots of exciting new opportunities and extra-curricular enrichment
College courses are designed to prepare you for further study or employment. So, during your time at college, you鈥檒l be given lots of enrichment opportunities to build your experience and skills. From national competitions and work placements, to university visits, sports, and field trips, it all helps you to grow and reach your potential.
You鈥檒l be treated like an adult
At college, you鈥檒l be treated like an adult. Your tutors will respect you and you鈥檒l get along great with them. It鈥檚 different to school as you鈥檒l call tutors by their first names and get to know them well during your studies. But they鈥檒l still be around to guide and support your learning.
Starting college is an exciting time and we鈥檙e looking forward to you joining the Coleg Gwent family soon. If you haven鈥檛 applied yet, it鈥檚 not too late to join us this September to Make It with Coleg Gwent 鈥� Apply now!