Key Skills in ContextThird edition 
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Planning for the Future
CONTEXT
PROJECT A
PROJECT B
PROJECT C
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Activity
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Task 5
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Independence as a young adult. Should I go or should I stay?

Activity

The choice of where to study after school or college is a major issue for many young people. A number of factors have to be considered - type of course, entry requirements, University environment etc. but one crucial factor has to be finance. Anna and Greg are two 17 year olds trying to decide whether to attend a local University, and therefore stay at home, or move away to study in another part of the country.

A: "Well Greg, have you decided which offer to accept?"
G: "Yes and no. I do fancy the course at UCL, but the cost of everything - fees, accommodation, frighten me. I don’t know how I, or my parents, can afford it. After all, both are unemployed and there’s no way they can support me living away. I don’t see I have a choice - I’ll have to stay at home and go to the local uni."
A: "That’s ridiculous! Your future shouldn’t depend on what money your parents have. The degree at UCL would set you up for life and you’d earn a packet when you qualify. There must be some system for helping people like you? I’m definitely going to Newcastle, but I wish, like you, I knew more about how the finances work. All we seem to hear in the press is negative things about students up to their eyes in debt."
G: "Ok, but how do I go about organising my money? I just wish we could find out about all those financial matters and how to survive as a student on a limited budget!"

In this activity you are asked to work in small groups to investigate the current patterns/trends in students staying at home or going away to study in HE, the financial implications of such a decision and how best to disseminate information from your findings to your peer group.

Accurate records will have to be kept of all the work you and your group carry out as well as keeping details of useful sources and advice sought over the duration of the project (at least 3 months). You are advised to read through all the tasks before beginning the activity.

 


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