JMD Career Educational Counselling

Congratulations Madeleine! Madeleine has just accepted an offer of admission to York University's very competitive Pre-Education Direct Entry Concurrent Education Program. This is a 6 year program where you obtain two degrees (Honours Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education). If you are in grade 11, 12 or have graduated high school, and have questions or need help planning your college/university degree options, contact me today. I will be happy to help.

Summer is the best time to book and go on campus tours. It's also a good time to create a plan to ensure you have the required courses and average you need to apply to your program and school of choice. Post secondary applications open in just three months for Fall 2024. Contact me today if you or someone you know could use some direction for their post secondary pathway.

Some great advice for those who have graduated this year and are planning to attend post secondary in September. . .

Unlearn16 on TikTok Change the world.

Congratulations Sydney! Sydney will be studying Psychology in the fall at the prestious McGill University in Montreal. Enjoy every moment studying in "la belle province!"

Congratulations to Grace who has accepted an offer to study Psychology in the fall at Trent University. This offer was also accompanied by a $1500 scholarship. Grace came to me last summer and was able to start her grade 12 year with a plan; reducing the stress of post secondary applications. She is a winner and I am so proud of all her hard work.

Congratulations to Sierra who has just accepted an offer of admission to Brock University's Concurrent Education Program. It has been a pleasure working with you in finding your best fit school and program. Good luck with your future education and career goals in teaching!

The average Canadian changes their career 5-7 times in their lifetimes. If you are thinking of making a change, consider career educational counselling. We can compare your interests to others who share them and are happily employed. Contact me today for more information.

March Break is a great time for students in grade 11 to visit post secondary schools. Check out the link below for virtual and in-person open houses. Contact me today if you know a student who can use some help with planning and narrowing down their future career and educational choices.

Upcoming Events - Current Events - OUInfo Trent University – Durham Greater Toronto Area Durham March Break Open House March 11, 2023 11:00 am - 2:00 pm View event details

High school course selection for September 2023 is currently underway. If your child plans on applying to post secondary school note the following:

1. Early acceptance is based on grade 11 marks.
2. Entrance depends on students having the Gr.12 prerequisite courses and final marks/overall average required by post secondary school programs.

Students currently in grade 10 and/or 11 should have a clear plan and pathway towards their post secondary future. It all begins with their high school course selection. Contact me on how I can help steer you or your child in the right direction.

As post secondary students return home for the holidays after mid-terms, many are realizing that they are not in the right program. They might be considering a change in focus or type of post secondary school. If you feel like you need a change but are not sure what to do or where to begin contact me today.

When applying to post secondary schools it's important to be strategic. Apply to your "dream" school, a "target" school, and a "safety" school. Contact me to get more information and advice on post secondary applications.

There are over 90 colleges and universities in Canada. Don't rely on "reputation" as that doesn't always equate to the best fit for you. Check out Macleans article on choosing the right fit university and college in Canada. Contact me if you need help with what can be a daunting task of narrowing schools.

Universities and colleges: choosing the right fit in Canada How do you know if a prestigious school is really the right fit for you? Here are some factors to consider when choosing which post-secondary pathway to follow.

January 12, 2023 is the deadline date to apply for an Ontario university. Before you apply to university it is important to research your options thoroughly. Don't know where to start or need a little guidance? Contact me today

Be sure to visit the Ontario Universities fair this weekend in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 9am to 5pm. It's your way of getting information on all Ontario Universities in one place! Need help figuring out your pathway to post secondary? We are available to help!

Anyone else terribly missing their children who are living in residence at college/university? Are you constantly wanting to reach out to them? See the article below (4 screenshots in total) to see how cutting down on parent texts actually can free your kids to greater success.

Good luck to all first year students as they begin their post secondary journey!

Crazy how fast the summer is flying! In as little as two weeks, our oldest daughter leaves for school. A young person leaving home to begin college or university needs general life advice. Check out the Toronto Star article below on advice for teenagers who's off to school.

10 tips for the transition to university or college There are many ways to make the move into higher learning and independence all the more richer and less stressful. Pro tip: the microwave is not a makeshift clothes dryer.

We just returned from a fabulous family vacation in Portugal. Throughout the trip, my oldest daughter envisioned what post secondary living might be like in Europe. There are so many benefits to studying abroad. See the link below for an article from Maclean's on this topic.
https://www.macleans.ca/education/why-more-canadian-university-students-need-to-study-abroad/

This week, many students attending post-secondary schools in the fall are beginning to get their dorm room assignments. Here's a great article on what you should and shouldn't bring to residence.

What you should (and shouldn't) bring to residence - Macleans.ca Moving to university or college? Here's a shopping list.

What's the difference between college and university? Which is the better fit for myself or my child? Check out the link below, which includes a video, that deciphers between these two post secondary options. Still have questions? DM us for further information.
https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/choosing-between-college-university

Choosing between College and University | Transition Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities As you start applying to schools, you’ll have to decide whether you are headed to college or university. Learn about some of the differences between the two, and how to choose the best option for your skills and interests.

How Interest Tests Help Students Choose a Career:
1. They might validate that you would do well to pursue a career that you were already interested in.
2. Interest tests might also suggest careers you've never even heard of before or thought to consider.

Contact us today if your Gr. 10, 11 or 12 student needs a push in the right direction. We can help figure out how their interests and strengths can translate into a viable career.

With 3700 college programs and over 500 university degree programs to consider, post-secondary has many different options than when parents left high school. It's a changing world. New jobs are being created all the time, many that didn't exist 10 years ago. Give your child the space to explore a different pathway than you did. Be supportive, open your mind to alternatives, and expose your child to as many opportunities possible. Contact us today for more information on post-secondary and career pathways.

How to help your child navigate a route to career success It’s a fine line between helping your child make career choices and doing it for them. Virginia Isaac shares her top tips on guiding your child into the world of work

It's now easier to send JMD Career Educational Counselling a message.

Last week, my daughter graduated high school as an Ontario Scholar. In the fall she will be completing a six year dual degree in Philosophy and Law at both Wilfred Laurier in Waterloo and the University of Sussex in England. For a seventeen year old, it was quite a stressful process to figure out what she wants to be when she "grows up." Post secondary options have changed so much since I went to high school and was preparing for university. Currently, grade 12 grads have 3700 college programs, while university bound students have over 500 degree programs to consider! There is a real need to provide students and parents with an in-depth, one-on-one, educational planning source. As a coach and educator over the past 25 years in the Ontario education system, I can help. If you have a child that is in grade 10-12, " that is saying, "I have no idea what to major in!" or "How do I know what I want to do for the rest of my life?" I can help support and advise on academic options and pathways with a system that targets your child's very own strengths. DM me for more information.