When is a Student no a Student? When they are a Trainee!

Why are some students walking around the college dressed like they are going to a high-powered business meeting? Do they do it because they wake up in the morning and decide that it is a good day to ‘power dress’? Probably not! For an explanation, The Biscuit turns to one of the SKILLS4IT students, Jack Butler for an answer!

So you want to know why there are some students who are wearing shirts and ties huh? Well I guess I can tell you, you seem trustful. You see these students aren’t students at all they are actually trainees. Now the difference is that the trainees are representing the college not only inside the college but also outside the college.

The trainees are always required to wear a shirt and tie because their ‘uniform’ is business wear. They will be sent on work placements where they will be able to get a taste of what the world of business will be like. When they get there, they will not be able to dress down, like the vast majority of students. They will have to wear business clothes. So, in appearance you can tell the difference between a student and a trainee straight away!

One of the courses that has trainees rather than students is SKILLS4IT which is for 16-18 year olds who would like to work in the field of IT. Whether it is computer engineering or administrative work, this course trains them up to be qualified for these purposes.

The course is 18 months long and has a total of 6 months and 2 weeks of work placements with a company that has it and also schools such as Lewisham College which does take on these trainees for work placements.

The work placements come in two sections, the first section is 2 weeks long and the second section is 6 months long and sometimes the business or school has thought that the trainee was so good and hard working that they offer the trainee a permanent placement at their workplace. This has happened a number of times at LC – some of the younger IT Support staff that you see around the college started on the SKILLS4IT course. A lot of students have managed to get jobs on their external work placements too.

Paul Herbert, who runs the course, says, “This course is designed to play an important part in your future, by contributing to your education and providing a basis from which to establish a successful career.”

So, there you have it – the explanation why some students roam the college looking like they mean business! It is because they do!

How To Succeed At Lewisham College

See, there are 3 kinds of students that exist and only 2 of these 3 exist at Lewisham College. One, the Failures:-those that don’t exist in Lewisham college.

Two, the survivors:- those that attend 50% of their classes, only just meet their coursework deadlines, study a week before exams and are happy when they get one mark above the subject pass mark.

Finally, Three, the successful:- These are those that make the most of studying, achieve all they can, get rewarded for their achievements, and have fun while at it!

Like I said, only the survivors and the successful can be found at Lewisham College and from what I heard there isn’t even space for survivors anymore! So, to be part of Lewisham College, you’ve either got to be successful or err...successful!

Harsh as it sounds, that’s just the way it is and those are the ‘rules’. So from me to you, student to student I’d like to pass you a few tips that helped me succeed at Lewisham College. (By the way, they're not really my tips! Someone passed them down to me and they worked and now I am passing them down too!). They might just work for you!

Firstly, know why you’re there! Okay, in case you don’t know why you’re there, you’re there to learn. No matter how much you know or how much you think you know, for now you’re the students so take a good seat at lessons and let the teachers do their job. In summary, don’t be one of those “Know-it-all” people.

Also, Lewisham College has a lot to offer and I mean this in terms of educational support. Don’t worry if you’re not too good in your chosen course - just be determined to do your best and if you’re finding anything hard, talk to your course tutor and they’ll know the best people to pass you on to. Ever heard of a study buddy? Yes? Good for you, No? Ask someone.

Important tip: - “Never make the mistake of hating a teacher!” I must admit that teachers have their own unique ways of teaching and in some cases we (students) get frustrated with them but the truth is that once you hate a teacher, you hate the subject and once you hate the subject, you’re likely to fail it. So do yourself a favour by learning all you possibly can learn from them (without hatred). Besides, they only mean good...

As for coursework and exams, I bet you already know what am about to say but guess what?? I’m going to say it all the same! In fact, I’m going to say it loud and clear! “WHATEVER YOU DO, DONT LEAVE YOUR COURSEWORK TO THE LAST MINUTE!” and as for exams “A WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO STUDY!” If anything, you should be ahead of your game with your work, not behind. Basically, coursework done early leads to early feedback which gives room to improve on your grade (if necessary).

There’s much more than this that could be said but I guess you know it already - Flow with a good crowd, attend lessons, be punctual, and so on. All I can say is that you’ve got to put them into practise and not just know them!

So basically...that’s it. That’s what I did and I hope it helps you. The most important thing you need to know is that you have fun while studying. Studying doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life, it just means that there’s a time to study and a time to socialise...

Oh, by the way, I just realised, I didn’t introduce myself! Sorry about that! Well, let’s just say that I came to Lewisham college as a computer illiterate (hardly any knowledge of computers) and even though I had my ups and downs I managed to graduate with a DDD (3 Distinctions) in my course and am now in my 2^nd yr at University doing well and enjoying a £1000 scholarship (every year) that was awarded to me based on the good grade I got at college.

I hope I’ve said enough to recruit you to the successful side! Don’t aim at being an average student, aim at being one of the best! Still want to be a survivor? I hope not!

Best of Luck!!

xXx