6 April 2017With The High School Counsellors

Year 13 Pre-Departure

Orientation Session

Congratulations!

You did it!

Sending packages and emails to universities during summer

• Khun Thongkorn will be able to send documents by courier, but she will be on holiday during parts of July.

• The Counsellors are back on August 9.

• We will be able to send emails and electronic documents during the summer vacation (if urgent).

Possible scenarios on IB Results Day- for UK applicants

http://www.ucas.com/students/results/whatnext

• UCAS updates “Track” on the IB Results Day (July 5th) to show the universities’ decisions.

• If you meet all the conditions of your offer, you will be accepted by the university.

• Even if you have not quite met the conditions, the university or college may lower its offer and still accept you. Check Track to see their decisions.

Once you receive your results, you will be in one of the positions below.

1. You are accepted by your firm choice2. You receive a 'changed course' offer3. You don't meet the conditions of your firm

choice, but you are accepted by your insurance choice

4. Your results don't meet the conditions of any of your choices

If you have a question about any of your choice details, please contact the university directly – not UCAS.

1. You are accepted by your firm choice

• If you are accepted, UCAS will send you a Confirmation Letter in the post.

• This letter confirms that you will be attending the university and will explain whether there is anything you need to do now.

• Once you receive this letter, you will know that you have officially gained a place.

• The university or college will contact you with any further information.

2. You receive a 'changed course' offer

• Your university has been unable to confirm a place on your course because you have not met the original conditions, but they are willing to make an alternative offer.

• This could be a change of course, start date or point of entry.

• You will be asked to reply to any changed course offer provided you are not holding a confirmed place (UF).

• At this stage, you can reply to a changed course offer in Track and you will have five days to reply.

• After five days, the offer will be declined automatically.

3. You don't meet the conditions of your firm choice but you are accepted by your insurance choice

• Your place at your insurance choice will be confirmed (UF).

• UCAS will send you a Confirmation Letter in the post.

4. Your results don't meet the conditions of any of your choices

• You will be automatically entered into Clearing. Log on to Track to view your Clearing Number - you can then start looking for another course choice.

• Clearing is available until September.

• If you are flexible and you have reasonable exam results, there is still a good chance you will find another course through Clearing.

• Official vacancy lists are published on the UCAS website .

• The lists are updated continually, but not all courses have vacancies in Clearing, and some vacancies may be filled quickly.

• At the same time, a course that is full may have vacancies later.

• Contact the universities directly if you are interested in one of their courses.

• The IB benefit – IB results are available a month before the A-level results, so you will be able to compete for the Clearing courses well ahead of time.

Find out more about Clearing

CATHARSIS!

• Each student will receive a rejection letter template.

• Feel free to fill in the name of a university if you would like to.

• Ball up your rejection slip and throw it into the fire projected on the screen

Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsD1zoI7NYo

Thinking about your transition

• You have now graduated from High School!

• For the first time in your life, you won’t be in school. Your life is about to change tremendously – even if you plan to attend university in the same city and live at home!

• Although this is a totally EXCITING time, change can be challenging!

Getting ready to leave

• Be aware of your own reactions to stress (headaches, can’t sleep, etc.) and be prepared with positive ways to deal with them (daily exercise, reading, relaxing, etc.). Expect stress, adjustment, and disorientation.

• Talk about the move with friends and family. Talk to special people about memories and that you’ll miss them and say goodbye. Share your feelings. Have special get-togethers.

• Think about how you’ve experienced changes in the past. What coping behaviors worked and didn’t work?

• Try to keep realistic expectations about where you’re going and yourself. Avoid thinking everything will be great, or horrible.

Getting ready to leave

• Take some special things with you (pictures, books, posters, presents, and special products you can only get here).

• Make plans to keep in contact with special friends (phone, SMS, email, Facebook, MSN, etc.). Make plans to meet over vacation. Make an address book/contact list for those you want to stay in contact with.

• Read about the place you’re going to if you don't know much about it.

• Start a diary to help reflect during this special experience (Collect pictures, thoughts and memories of friends).

The importance of building a RAFT: Allow for proper closure through RAFT

• Reconciliation - forgive others and be forgiven

• Affirmation - acknowledge the importance of each person in your life

• Farewells - visit and say goodbye to people, pets, possessions, and special places (i.e. favorite restaurants)

• Think Destination – think about external resources [money, family support system] and internal resources for coping and dealing with stress

The transition experience (for those of you who love graphs)

This graph provides a basic overview of the process of transition

Important!• Do NOT bring your fake ID Card or Driver License from Khaosan

Road!! Take it out of your wallet before you check in at the airport.

• You might think that it is not a terrible offence here in Thailand, but in other countries it is very serious!

• The card might help you get into clubs and pubs, but you might also spend the night in jail, and end up in court.

“What’s Next” Activity:

In pairs, consider the following questions:

1. What aspect of the next chapter of your life are you most excited about?

2. What kind of difficulties do you think you will face in this transition?

3. What strategies will you employ to deal with these challenges?

Post-NIST Survey

An request to fill out the Post-NIST Survey will be

sent to your email in April next year.

PLEASE respond to it. We have 218 NIST Alumni

responses so far.

We hope to get at least 50 responses from you

guys!!

Post-NIST Survey

How would you compare the amount, level and type of work at your college to that you were asked to do at NIST?

Please comment on your Academic Stress Level at NIST and in College/University.

How do your College/University grades compare to your NIST grades?

What was the most challenging thing as you transitioned into college/university?

“The most challenging thing is adjusting to life being alone. Back in Bangkok, I always had my family and friends close by. Here, there are times that I feel

homesick but I cannot go back home (at least right away) like most people in my university (Skype is the best thing I can do)”.

-Alumnus of 2011

“Trying to explain my background to people. some of my friends still don't understand how I am German with an American accent”.

-Alumnus of 2010

“Getting used to the dorm life and doing EVERYTHING yourself; laundry, cleaning, etc. etc. BEWARE of this!”. – Alumnus of 2012

“You were a NIST student from 7:30-2:30 on weekdays. You're a college student 24/7.” – Alumnus of 2014

Since I go to a fairly large school, what was really challenging was being more independent with your school work. Since there are hundreds more other students

in your lecture class, your professor isn't going to remind you to do readings or other homeworks! You have to organize your time well so that you're able to do all

the work that's expected.-Alumnus of 2015

“Culture shock, and missing family!” – Alumnus of 2017

What was the most challenging thing as you transitioned into college/university?

“Take the noodle lady along with you if you can! Don't be afraid if you feel like you're not fitting in. It will improve if you give it a

little time. If you ever feel homesick and you're 10,000 miles away from Bangkok Skype with your NIST friends and talk to them because they will be going through

the same thing. And never ever forget to keep in touch with them!”- Alumnus of 2011

“Use your summer before university wisely, research your university well to see what opportunities you can get there. Try to speak to someone studying there. Don't

become lazy! Learn to cook, etc but also keep reading, know about current events and get a head start on your course - self motivation is very important. Most of all,

don't be nervous! University will be some of the best times you've ever had.”-Alumnus of 2011

“If you are a someone who procrastinated and left things to the last minute like me in NIST. You can't get away with that stuff in college :( I learnt that the hard way.”

– Alumnus of 2015

Please feel free to give any advice to our present Year 13 students that you think they would benefit from.

“Choose what you love, do what you enjoy and you won't have a problem cruising through uni despite how bad the workload can get.

BE STRONG, BE HAPPY, BE YOU :)” - Alumnus of 2010

“I think homesickness will be the biggest challenge for some of you guys, but the best way to get over it is to make friends, and don't be shy; freshmen students are

in the same position as you - they also want to make friends” -Alumnus of 2012

“Don't freak out if you don't get into the university you want because wherever you go, it's going to be amazing. UW wasn't my first choice, but I am so happy I am here

now.”-Alumnus of 2015

Please feel free to give any advice to our present Year 13 students that you think they would benefit from.

“Make sure you join a lot of clubs in first year, they helped me get free access to a lot of events and I know more people now”

- Alumnus of 2012

“Most classes don't have attendance at university but make sure you attend all your classes otherwise finals week will be extremely stressful.”

– Alumnus of 2017

“You guys live in Thailand, which is an amazing place to live, but it is really relaxed there. The laws are not enforced which is why you guys can go to bars on

weekends and other things like that without getting into trouble. Here in the US it is different, the laws are enforced and some places will really be on your back

about those sorts of things. So make sure you realize that when you are going to Europe, Australia or the US that the laws are enforced and that you can get into

more trouble than in Bangkok.”– Alumnus of 2015

Please feel free to give any advice to our present Year 13 students that you think they would benefit from.

How to Browse NIST Alumni Responses by College?

Follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=8DDi6OQypSAuOvXWLRKKVOh6owm4QKqykRuTuhFgI9w_3d

Click “Show replies” in section 2 of the survey as shown to the right and you will see the names of all universities represented in the survey

More transition advice to view at homeSlide 30-39

• The Goodbye List

• Once you are there

• Being Homesick

• Getting Involved

• Some Advice

F !W

Please visit us

when you come back to Bangkok

The Good-bye List1) Take photos of your home, school, workplace, favourite

spots/parks/restaurants and, of course, your favourite people. Take pictures of funny signs that crack you up whenever you walk by them. Although it may feel like you will never forget how this place looks, you will someday and you will probably be glad to have these photos.

2) Add the photos to Flickr or Facebook so that you and your friends/family have easy access to these images.

3) Use blurb.com or lulu.com or i-photo to create a professional looking coffee table book of your photographs. These can also be given as gifts.

4) Using an LCD projector, host a slide show of your favourite photos. These can be shared with people in the city you are leaving or in your new city.

5) Host a going-away party for yourself. Plan the party that you REALLY want. Invite all of your favourite people. Make or order your favourite foods from that culture. Plan a fun theme (complete with silly hats) if you are a theme kind of a person.

The Good-bye List6) Create a Bucket List of all the things you’d like to do before you leave – people

you’d like to hang out with, places you’d like to visit and activities you’d like to participate in. Do them!

7) Create your own Culinary Farewell Tour of the restaurants you love. Eat a meal in each one; share some of these meals with family and friends.

8) Write a love letter or a sonnet to your city.

9) Send off your troubles. No matter how much you’ve enjoyed living in a city, you will have encountered obstacles. Write your challenges or regrets on a piece of paper and send these off into the universe. Fold the paper into a small origami crane to be dropped from a high (but safe) vantage point. Burn your burdens in an oil drum. Take a lesson from Men in Trees – write your troubles on rocks and throw them away.

10) Reconcile your differences with those people with whom you have had a difficult relationship in this place. You’ll feel better knowing that you’ve done your best to make amends for having been less than wonderful in the past.

The Good-bye List

11) Share the love. Get your closest group of friends together and, using large pieces of paper taped on the wall or regular sheets of lined paper, take turns writing a heart-felt compliment for each person. At the end of the activity, you will receive a sheet filled with your friends’ loveliest thoughts and feelings about you!

12) Help new people coming to your school or city feel welcome and informed. You are an expert at living in this place.

13) Feel what you feel. It’s okay to be sad or exhausted or angry. Find a trusted someone with whom you can share these feelings.

14) Really live in the city you are leaving. Regardless of the amount of time you have left in this city, be active and fully engaged. Enjoy yourself!

Once you are there1) Be sure to take good care of yourself (balanced diet, enough

sleep, daily exercise, relaxation time, etc.).

2) Recognize stress reactions and culture shock and take measures to help relieve them (go see a movie, join a volleyball game, etc.).

3) Use your journal as an outlet for your feelings.

4) Write and call friends and share new experiences. Reach out to make new friends (join clubs, go to movies, go for dinner, etc.).

5) Explore your new home. Plan outings on weekends. Get involved.

Once you are there6) Review the reasons you came. Benefits of leaving: chance for new

beginnings, chance to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, new opportunities, chance to meet new people and get to know new places.

7) Recognize that “this too shall pass”, this is an expected period of adjustment (and probably not the end of the world).

8) Keep your sense of humor; be able to laugh at yourself and the ironies of life.

9) Learn where medical and dental facilities are in case of emergency.

10) Seek out a counselor or mentor at your new school to receive extra support when you are going through a difficult time.

Disorientation – feeling homesick• Many students start feeling homesick around the third to

sixth week of the first term. • During this period, the excitement and newness of the

initial college experience dies down. • A sense of normalcy sets in and students start suffering

from “disorientation”. • Students start to be overwhelmed as the academic

workload increases, time management becomes an issue, the previous uniqueness of a roommate is now annoying, and a functioning support system is still in its infancy.

• During this period many students hit the "reality wall". Some of their expectations of college life aren't what they thought and they start questioning if they chose the right college, or if they really want to be in college at all.

• Students show signs of frustration and depression and start wishing they could go home... back to the way things were.

• It is easier to connect with others during the first few weeks when everyone is new and keen to make new friends .

• Look for clubs and organizations to join. The more you feel part of the college community, the quicker you will embrace your new environment.

• Research shows that if students feel connected to the college community they are more likely to persist and graduate.

• Facebook does not equal community. Spending hours on Facebook with old friends isn't going to help you build the new relationships you need to succeed.

Some advice

• Treat university like a 9-5 job (that you love). Resist the urge to stay up late every night and get up late every morning as it can lead to missed classes and lower grades.

• Talk with your parents about your budget and do this before you leave for university. – How much are they able/willing to give you for spending

money? – How often? (monthly is a good idea!) – How will you receive this money? (You may not be ready for a

credit card yet). – For many people, dealing with money is one of the most

stressful parts of living independently.

• Thank your parents for paying for your education. It is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive.

• Going to university provides a new beginning. No one knows you there. If you want to change some bad habit, become a more responsible person, become a more outgoing person (you get the idea)… this is the time!

• You don’t have to be best friends with your room-mate but try to figure out as quickly as possible how to create a harmonious home. Set some rules. Remember that there are Residence Life staff who can help you with conflicts.

• Put yourself out there, socially. Be the first person to introduce yourself. It will pay off.

• Be cautious; reserve judgment about others. Not everyone at your new university deserves your trust.

• The first few weeks of university will be incredibly intense for everyone. Ask yourself if you are making good decisions.

Some advice

• Call your parents on a regular basis. This is going to be hard on them!

• You, yourself, are going to feel homesick – for family and friends, for Bangkok, for Thai food. Everyone will experience this differently.

• Get involved in organizations. Try something new.

• Build skills in the following areas: public speaking, organization, event planning, budgeting, being a leader, being a follower, and resolving conflicts (instead of running away from them).

Some advice