Fairheads

Growing into adulthood has its own set of challenges, we offer some information and useful links on education, general financial issues and other helpful topics in this section. Please note that while we have taken care to find relevant and accurate information, the information and website links in this section are used at your own discretion.
 

Decide what to study

Most universities and colleges offer information on their websites to help you decide what you would like to study after school, and there are also various options available online.

Before you make a decision as to what you want to study, you need to understand WHY you want to study, and what your plans for your future are.
The following two websites offer some handy tips on deciding what you would like to study. (Please note that this does not mean that we endorse the courses offered by these institutions, as we have not necessarily dealt with them before. But we are hoping that their decision-making tools will help you.)
http://www.collegesa.co.za/Suggestions-to-help-you-decide-WHAT-to-study/
http://www.netcampus.com/Web/V4/Services/Individuals/HelpMeDecide.aspx
 

Apply for a bursary

Tertiary studies can be very expensive, but that is no reason to not take your studies further. If there are not enough funds available to sponsor your studies, you can apply for a bursary from the educational institution that you are interested in attending, or from businesses in the private sector. Such bursaries do not need to be repaid in the same way as a loan from a bank, but there could be conditions such as that you work for the bursary provider (at normal salary rates) for a set period, once you have qualified. (Which may be a positive point in own right, in a country where unemployment is rife.)
Once you have decided what you would like to study, and where you would like to study, ask the tertiary institution (they should have a student counselling department that can help you) for information on bursaries for which you could apply.

To apply for a bursary you will need to have proof of registration, residence, income, bank details, identity and a surety.
Bursaries take quite a while to be processed, as the institution granting the bursary has to evaluate your academic or sporting achievements, as well as your financial need. There is no guarantee that you will receive such a bursary, but you can improve your chances to be favourably considered by attaching a motivational letter explaining your current financial circumstances and why you would like to further your studies.
 

Use the internet to learn

Whether you are still at primary school or already thinking of tertiary studies, the internet offers a wide range of very helpful educational sites. Here is a pick of the best we have found so far:

Maths is fun
This site is ideal for the younger scholar. It helps the learner to practice basic maths such as algebra, geometry and more, while the puzzles and games really do make maths fun to learn:
http://www.mathsisfun.com/

Kids know it
This comprehensive educational site is aimed at making learning – of all subjects – fun and free.
http://www.kidsknowit.com/
We are planning to update this section as we find more useful websites, so please check back regularly for updates. And if you find a really good educational website that can help others, please let us know and we will post a link here, with your name and recommendation of why you like it.