Welcome to the wonderful world of LIFT OFF!

The S3 Event is all about introductions, getting to know LIFT OFF and the team, as well as explaining about what all Higher Education is all about.

As we are seeing all S3 pupils there will be some who do not know what they want to do and others who have no clue. Your role is to be really enthusiastic about whatever the pupil wants to do, explain a bit about HE and student life and helping the group think about their next steps.

Icebreakers (15mins)

Remember to introduce icebreakers and explain why we do them. Icebreakers are there so you can get to know the pupils but also so they can get to know you. Test them later and ask if they remember a specific fact about you. We have some prizes that you can use as bribes so just shout us over if you need a hand.

Try to choose a mixture of interactive and fun icebreakers along with a few getting to know you ones. There might be a bit more room for the larger icebreakers such as Splat or Go if….

Scenario Exercise (15mins)

Each pupil should be given a worksheet and they should all have something to write with. Depending on the dynamic of the group, you can do this as a paired exercise or something done as a whole group.

Talk the pupils through the worksheet where it explains what admissions staff look for and why it is important to think about everything you do at school- not just your academic grades.

Once you’ve decided how to split the group ask them to read the scenario and then ask them to fill in the first two questions of the worksheet. (Who did they choose and why?) Don’t give them too long at this but bring the group back together and talk about who choose who and why.

After this first vote you will then reveal some more information to the pupils:

  • Melissa has no interest in Business instead her Mum and Dad wants her to do the course. Melissa wants to do something in Art.
  • Stephen has had 6 month work experience at a local leisure centre as a receptionist carrying out administrative work. He is also involved in the enterprise scheme at school which raises money for charity every year.
  • Katy has completed the NC Business Administration previously and has received high grades for her work whilst studying. Before leaving school Katy was a prefect and captain of the netball team.

Ask the group to discuss who they would choose now! Have a quick discussion then allow the group to feedback.

We then want you to talk about all the things that would be important for a college/university application. Discuss with the pupils how important it is to gain the correct grades but also that you should have a real interest in the subject you want to study. Discuss with them the importance of extra-curricular activities. Ask if anyone does anything now? Have they completed work experience? Explain that even at university you are still undertaking extra things such as volunteering which is good for your CV/application.

Dress Up Box Activity (30mins)

This will be a full group activity so if you are sitting with your group ensure that they face the front/pay attention/keep quiet etc.

We will ask for 6 volunteers from the school pupils (if no one volunteers then unfortunately students you may be asked to join in). Each volunteer will be given some props that represent a type of profession or career. The pupils must answer which profession they think the prop indicates.

The props will represent a number of different professions and the development workers will indicate a number of routes/careers paths or HE courses that would allow them to complete these careers. Most of it will be light-hearted fun and the student’s role is to help ensure everyone around them is paying attention and joining in.

Question Time (10mins)

The pupils will now have a chance to ask you questions about HE. Use this time to go over anything that has just been said. If no one ask questions cover the basics like “What your timetable is like?” “How to look up courses” “What type of social life does a student have”.