Short messages on Education from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
The next time you are studying, write down a list of distractions as they happen. This will help you to be more disciplined by knowing what habits you can remove to allow you to concentrate better.
Switch from things like sugary puddings to more refreshing ones like fruit, which also counts towards your 5 A DAY. It’s also a source of vitamins, minerals and fibre which are good for your health.
The NHS Change4life campaign has a new smart phone and tablet app featuring a Meal Mixer – with lots of quick, easy, healthier recipes with enough combinations to eat a different daily menu every day for 6 years – and a handy shopping list function to help people make healthy choices in the supermarket.
If cooking is not your thing, work together as a family to learn together and from each other. Youtube is a great resource for making meals at your own pace.
All the messages we’ve sent so far (484 of them!) are categorised and available on our website. If you have some time for reflection over the Christmas period, have a look through: which ones have impacted you? We’d love to hear back from you if any have changed the way you look at things, or have helped your family and friends!
You can get started on an apprenticeship by visiting apprenticeships.org.uk and searching for what is available, or calling the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900.
Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the apprentices’ ability and the industry sector. The minimum salary is £2.65 per hour; however, many apprentices earn significantly more.
Apprenticeships (and Advanced Apprenticeships) can lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5; a Key Skills qualification, like problem solving and using technology; (in most cases) a technical certificate, such as a BTEC or City & Guilds Progression Award; other qualifications needed for particular occupations; for higher Apprenticeships knowledge-based qualification such as an HNC, HND or Foundation degree.
If you’ve got a good idea of where you want to go with your career and like the idea of earning while you learn, an Apprenticeship could be for you. You’ll get top quality training, developing skills and gaining qualifications on the job.
If you don’t understand the work in school, ask the teacher for help. It is what they are there for and they are more expert in the subject than you. It is okay to ask for help.