Past pupils return to give advice

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

AROUND 30 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 Canada, New Zealand, 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.

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.

Cassie Holliday, who has spent three months working on a cattle ranch in Canada, said: "I’ve learnt that if you want to achieve your goals it takes hard work. You have to go out of your comfort zone and take risks and even if you don’t quite get the results you hoped for, you tried your hardest and learnt useful lessons along the way."

Owen Robinson, studying classics at the University of Glasgow, said: "Make the most of resources around you and keep calm if you need to go through clearing."

Kayleigh Yarker, who has travelled to New Zealand and Japan and is setting up an online store, gave advice on gap year planning and the stress that comes with that.

Nathan Callahan, on a land management degree apprenticeship at Harper Adams, talked about work experience, interviews and job hunting, in addition to work life balance.

Angel Cook, studying psychology at Northumbria University, advised: "Set personal goals for yourself rather than compare to others."

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.

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

“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. We are very grateful for all their advice.”