Finding time for super curricular work or selecting resources that work for you can be challenging....
At this time in the year Year 13 students will possibly have completed a good amount of super curricular activities and any personal statements are certainly well under way so why should you continue to engage with super curricular resources?
Filling in those possible gaps in your personal statement is a good reason for many. These activities don't have to be lengthy or time-consuming at a time when academic pressures are growing.
OR
Continuing your exploration of a subject, developing your bed of knowledge, continuing your preparation for onward study or simply growing your passion for a subject or topic.
Thinking about the above here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of our 6 resource sections at this crucial time in your final year at school.
The act of following someone is a very simple, quick and easy way of continuing your super curricular exploration. Bring the news, updates and information straight into your daily routine.
If its gaps in your personal statement this type of resource is ideal as it often includes brand new information, evidence, research etc and is not at all time-consuming to access.
MOOCS can seem like a long-term commitment but many are only a few hours long or perhaps you look at the modules within the MOOC and complete the section that you think will enhance or expand your current understanding.
The above MOOC is a great example. The full course is 12 x 50 minute sessions however there is nothing to stop you. from accessing 1 or 2 sessions that enhance your understanding, answer questions you've got or stimulate a new line of enquiry.
The foundations of super curricular come from reading but nowhere in the rules does it say it has to be long, overly challenging or time-consuming. You don't have to read the whole book, perhaps a couple of chapters is all you need.
The fields of psychology and criminology are broad and books are fascinating but here is a perfect example of a book that works its way through the profile of evil in 22 steps. Perhaps 1 or 2 are all you need to finish your research
Alternatively, there is always the opportunity to read books purely for pleasure, and self-development.
Perhaps you've completed your super curricular in medicine, health, sociology or even politics. This book offers a fascinating insight into how the worlds of medicine, politics and society as a whole made very similar mistakes to previous generations in socially profiling those who suffer a certain disease. misunderstanding its origins, causes, risk factors and treatment. Something you can continue to explore simply for personal development.
From 5 minutes to 5 hours TV and video is accessible in a time frame to suit your commitment. Continuing and developing your understanding through newly released material or accessing recorded content of a more academic nature such as lectures is a great way to use this media, to extend and enhance.
A TV series might be a good way to continue to delve into a subject post any application
and the lectures are a fantastic way of preparing for higher level study.
Podcasts are that anywhere, any time activity. Maybe its a new podcast or a new episode from one you've already visited.
Prizes and Competitions, taster lectures and Masterclasses, why should they end when your application is complete? Both offer experience of higher level learning and approaches, both offer potential for growth, both develop confidence and each offers reward. Not all are lengthy, not all are time consuming, all are useful.
The vast majority of students dont complete work experience directly for a university application, unless its a vocational course so why stop when its over.
Virtual work experience can be as long as two weeks and as short as 1.5 hours so if time is of the essence then these small focussed opportunities are idea, perhaps to offer context when discussing an area of law or simply to continue your learning.
Volunteering is not only an opportunity to build skills and knowledge, it is an opportunity to give a little or a lot of your time to a good cause, a worthwhile venture or an activity you have yourself, enjoyed.
Komorabi is an online database of volunteering opportunities around the UK, all online and all providing the opportunity for you to choose how long you commit for.
