Past pupils return to give advice

Past pupils returned to Ripon Grammar School to offer our sixth form students words of wisdom, advice and reassurance

AROUND 40 former pupils returned to Ripon Grammar School to talk to current students about careers, university and life after leaving school.

From volunteering and working in hospitality to travelling in Europe, Japan and South-East Asia, many students were keen to share their experiences of taking a gap year.

Others were able to give advice on a wide range of university courses, from aerospace engineering to chemistry, civil engineering, drama, economics, English literature, finance, geography, history, international business, law, mechanical engineering, medicine, pharmacy, philosophy, politics, and psychology.

Topics covered included everything from interview and application skills, living away from home, adjusting to city life, budgeting, adapting to life at university, what to do if you don’t get the results you expect, and entering the world of work.

One of the key messages to those students struggling to decide what they want to do following A-levels was to be flexible and open to change.

Willow Baker, studying geography at the University of Birmingham, urged students: “Be open to changes, though they may not be what you planned or hoped for yourself, they may still lead to great things and present opportunities you would not otherwise have had,"

Zoe Falokun, studying medicine at the University of Nottingham, advised: “Enjoy the summer after sixth form and don’t stress about making friends or having new flatmates. Everything works out in the end, and there is no rush.”

Jamie Murahwa, undertaking a finance apprenticeship with Lloyds Banking said his top tip was: “Interview preparation is a must.”

Oliver Callaghan, who is working in his gap year to earn money to travel to Japan before taking up his place at university, said: “Never panic about any changes as there’s always an option that will work out, however dissatisfied with your results you are.”

Phoebe Pengilley, studying medicine at Newcastle University stressed to students how important it was to find a good work life balance.

Head of sixth form Terry Fell said he was delighted to welcome so many wonderful former pupils back to school to catch up on their exciting news and experiences of life beyond school.

“We are very grateful for their support and advice. They all had something useful to tell our current sixth formers about the process of making post-school decisions, changing your mind, living away from home and getting work experience, as well as handy hints about life at university and in the world of work or employment.”