Studying A Bachelor In Social Science – Your Key To Becoming An Analytical Thinker

A Bachelor in Social Science degree prepares you for your workplace by challenging you to become an analytical thinker. Often a course offered by the Humanities department, this course is a three year undergraduate degree and you have the option to further your post graduate studies in your chosen major (the specific field).

What major’s do you get in Bachelor in Social Science?

You can choose to specialise in one of the following subjects:

·         Development Studies / Social Development

·         Economics

·         Gender Studies

·         Industrial Sociology

·         International Relations

·         Philosophy

·         Politics

·         Population Studies

·         Psychology

·         Public Policy and Administration

·         Religious Studies

·         Social Anthropology

·         Sociology

A Bachelor in Social Science programme offers you the opportunity to work in journalism, publishing, public relations, marketing, human resources, a position in training and development, public or civil services, psychology, counseling, social and community services, social welfare as well as a variety of administrative positions.

What are the benefits of studying a Bachelor in Social Science degree?

There are several benefits of studying a Bachelor in Social Science degree. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider it:

·         This degree offers subjects that deal with contemporary and relevant areas of study

·         You can choose your subjects and tailor your degree to suit your unique areas of interest or to support the career that you would like to follow.

·         The degree aims to prepare you to be able to communicate efficiently with professional and non-professional individuals and groups to be able to do sufficient research and devise development programmes in your chosen field

·         You will be able to analyse complex social problems and apply ethical principles to resolve possible issues

·         This programme will encourage you to think creatively and to apply perspective to solve problems in social sciences.

Where can I sign-up?

Entrance requirements for a Bachelor in Social Science degree include Matric exemption. Some universities or collages offer only a few of the majors mentioned here, although you will have to consider your university or collage carefully, depending on what you would like to specialise in. Once you have chosen your field, you can confirm the specific entrance requirements of the Bachelor in Social Science degree offered at your chosen tertiary institution.

If you would like to apply to study a Bachelor in Social Science degree, you can contact us to find out how we can assist you with a loan to cover your tuition fees as well as a loan for your textbooks, a laptop or tablet as well as any other study-related equipment you might need like a scientific calculator. Visit our website today to find out how we can assist you to unlock your potential as a Bachelor in Social Science graduate!

EDULOAN CONGRATULATES 2013 MATRICULANTS

Eduloan congratulates the 2013 matric class on their notable efforts. Well done.
 

Having prepared for this day since Grade 11, these results are a gateway to your educational future.

Eduloan wishes South Africa’s matriculants all the best for their future. “You are  South Africa’s future and your welfare and success will impact on the country as a whole,” says Memela. 

For those looking to further their education, now is the time to focus. For these pupils a new world is opening up; one that may prove to have stumbling blocks for those that are unprepared, says Eduloan CEO Totsie Memela.

In order to be a productive young professional, emphasis should be on moulding individuals that are driven to succeed; that are focused on growing the economy and that are able to maximise on the opportunities presented to them.

According to the National Planning Commission Diagnostic Report fewer than 4% of those who pass matric will be accepted into university.

The past few years have shown the ratio of young South Africans opting for university studies as opposed to those who decide on further education and training (FET) or are willing to consider an artisanship is distorted compared to international benchmarks. Yet these alternatives can lead to better results in terms of employment and income potential.

Matric provides young adults with a broad theoretical background, but does not prepare them to perform specific tasks in the workplace. This is one of the reasons why only about 25% of school leavers are expected to find formal employment.

In South Africa and elsewhere there is a trend to only consider university studies. This is an option for matrics who received university exemption marks and who are informed about the course they want to apply for and where this course will take them in life.

Memela says a university degree is not only option for further education. There is a shortage of artisans, like plumber and boilermakers. . As an emerging economy, South Africa requires such skills in order to be competitive.

Universities of Technology offer national diplomas in a wide variety of career options and have lower entrance requirements than academic tertiary institutions.

In addition there are 50 FET colleges with 264 campuses country-wide offering a range of programmes from engineering, business studies, art and music, and food services for students who did not qualify for university entrance.

“Students need to be practical about their future. If you qualify for and can afford tertiary academic institutions, and know where your degree will take you, go for it. If not, pursue other options like FET colleges or consider part-time study. Whatever the choice or opportunity, for those prepared to work hard there is a future,” says Memela.

Eduloan offers a variety of financing options to help prospective students on their way. For more information call Eduloan’s Client Services Department on 0860-55-55-44 or visitwww.eduloan.co.za or follow us on www.twitter.com/EduloanSA

ABOUT EDULOAN

Eduloan is a leading education finance specialist operating in Southern Africa. Since its inception in1996, Eduloan has provided more than 720 000 study loans valued at R3.7-billion and continues to help thousands across Africa unlock their true potential. Currently, Eduloan approves between 50 000 and 60 000 loans annually to students, a significant proportion of them working professionals.

Eduloan’s loan offerings include repayment options at extremely affordable, fixed-interest rates, for the duration of the loan period. 

Study fees are paid by Eduloan directly to the institution, taking the administrative burden away from the student/corporate institution.  Loans can be paid back either through a salary deduction or a debit order.

For more information, call Eduloan’s Client Services Department on 0860-55-55-44 or visit www.eduloan.co.za. Follow us on Twitter/EduloanSA and Facebook/EduloanSA.

Eating Healthy While Studying – Why What You Put In, Affects What You Get Out

We often remind you that good study habits are key to success in school, college and university. A healthy diet supports your studies by helping you concentrate.

Did you know that you can improve your academic potential by eating certain foods and following particular eating patterns for their brain-boosting benefits?

Meeting your daily vitamin and mineral requirements will make doing your best much easier. Iron and B vitamins are especially important to maintaining the physical and mental energy necessary to concentrate. Keep an eye on your diet and ensure that you include all 5 food groups in your diet:

• Grains
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Dairy
• Protein

Eating regular meals keeps nutrient and energy levels more stable, limiting the temptation of snacks that you might find in the vending machine. Eating three big meals a day slows you down mentally and physically and can also make you drowsy. Rather have 5 or 6 well-balanced, smaller meals, to sustain your energy levels.

By snacking while studying you may find that you remember more of the information that you studied. Here is a list of snacks that you can consider:

• Peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread – This simple sandwich provides protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
• Piece of whole fruit – We suggest eating an apple or banana as the healthiest option, but there are so many others including oranges, grapes, strawberries and pears.
• Carrots and hummus – That crunch is oh so satisfying!  Other veggies like bell peppers and cucumber slices are great with hummus too.
• Cheese and cherry tomatoes - Cheese can be a good source of calcium, protein, and other important nutrients.

Finally, you should keep hydrated. Keep a glass of water at your desk to help maintain your energy. Take regular sips and get up from your desk to fill you glass to take a break from your studies.

By taking care of what is going into your body, you can make sure that you are one step closer to successfully studying and retaining the information!

8 Tips For Balancing ‘Self’ And ‘Responsibility’

With all the demands of your daily life, it could be difficult to pay enough attention to yourself as well as your responsibilities. Whether you are at school, college or university, every step of your education can have various demands. Here are some tips to ensure you start managing your time effectively and that you don’t fall under pressure leading to further stress in your life!

Tip #1 – Schedule your time

Schedule your time and make sure that you get to all your responsibilities daily.

Tip #2 – Listen to your body

Your body will tell you if you’re tired or hungry. Don’t ignore the warning signs!  Your body requires rest and food to make sure that it functions properly – which is key especially during exam periods.

Tip #3 – Exercise

Exercise ensures a healthy mind and body. Going for a run could help clear your mind or going to gym might give you added perspective.

Tip #4 – Set goals for yourself

By setting goals, you can guarantee that your schedule works for you and you will have a great sense of achievement. Be sure to set realistic goals!

Tip #5 – Have responsible relationships

Ensure that you engage in relationships that are good for you. Learn to manage your relationships, mainly because it is very easy to be drawn into someone else’s life or problems. Striking a balance in life is key.

Tip #6 – Learn to say no

If you feel uncomfortable or if you know that you will not have enough time to do something or go somewhere, do not commit yourself to doing something that you will not be able to achieve!

Tip #7 – Do something for yourself and for others

Take the time to do something you love or enjoy to make sure that you get into the best headspace! Doing something for others can also be rewarding, so think about doing something for someone else too.

Tip #8 – Reward Yourself

Whether you enjoy some extra time on the soccer field, or one more hour with a novel, reward yourself for maintaining balance.

Why don’t you draw up a schedule and mark your average daily activities on the sheet in different colours. Pay attention to the volume of time that you might allocate to one activity, responsibility or task that might disrupt the balance of “self” and “responsibility”. If you are worried about your time management or if you are finding it difficult to reach a balance, schedule an appointment with your counselor at school, college or university. Ask your parents and friends for help if needed!

Interview – Eduloan speaks to Vincent Meyer, an Engineering Student

Ever wonder how some students seem to do so well in their studies, seemingly without too much effort? Today on the Eduloan blog we speak to Vincent Meyer, a student from the University of Johannesburg who recently achieved a degree in Engineering. He tells us how it’s done!

Q:  Firstly, tell us: were you always a boffin at school?

A:  I wouldn't call myself a boffin, but if you define a person that works hard and always tries their best as a boffin then yes, I am one.

Q:  Why did you decide to study what you are studying now and what are your career goals?

A:  I always wanted to become an engineer. From a young age, I always loved to play with things and pull them apart just to enjoy the process of putting it back together. My short term goal is to become a great engineer and to enjoy my work. My long term goals are to work as the head engineer at a well-known company.

Q:  What about your family, are they supportive of your studies? How do they help you?

A:  My family supports me in everything I do. Their support helped me throughout my school career and now also during my university studies. Through bad and good times, I can always talk to my parents and ask for their advice or just chat about things that are bothering me.

Q:  So what is your secret to getting good marks?

A:  Study hard and spend as much time as needed on your work. If needed, ask for help and don’t linger on something that you don’t understand.

Q: What was the transition like for you when you made the move from secondary to tertiary education?

A: To be honest the work load increased a great deal but with help from my family and friends, the transition was easier. I also had to put more time into my work and the rewards of great marks was well worth it!

Q:  Do you have a mentor or someone you can turn to for advice if things get a little bit too much?

A:  Yes, I have a friend that works as an engineer at the company that I work for part time. He is always there if I need assistance or help with my work. We also have family friends who are qualified engineers who often give me advice as well.

Q: What are your tips for memorising information?

A:  Break the work down into segments and explain it to yourself over and over again. This really worked well for me throughout high school and now at university.

Q: What’s your personal philosophy when it comes to work and study?

A:  Put the necessary hours in and you will reap the benefits!

Q: What about your social life? Do you make time for friends and family? What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I always make time for my social life; I believe it has to be balanced out. I love going out with my friends and having a good time. I also exercise and enjoy being active and in the outdoors.

Q:  Any final words of advice for all the students out there struggling with their marks?

A:  Never be afraid to ask for advice and guidance. A person who asks questions will get ahead in life than a person who struggles in silence. 

Wanting More

Lerato is the winner of our April Not just a Student number competition. See her winning blog below on our April theme: Wanting more.

I'm a first year student at University of South Africa, studying towards a bachelor’s degree in intermediate and senior phase Education.

The reality of life began after matric in 2012. I wanted more for the future, I began to see life with the naked eye, where I made decisions that will determine my future, where my social-life was nowhere to be found. In the words of my former Mathematics teacher, Ms Mabudu, "focus less on friends, after matric all will take their own path".

As a part-time student it’s never really an easy task, its takes someone with discipline and who knows how to manage their time, but after all I wanted something more challenging. At first, attending workshops with students old enough to be my parents and even grandparents, I felt like "Oh do I really belong here?” But gradually all turned out good, socialising with them helped me to develop mentally.

I always wanted to be in a field dealing with children, but didn't know what career to choose, until grade 12, my former English teacher Mr. N.A Mapodile, asked me to assist him in teaching. That was a life time opportunity! I feel so unique, because most people my age run away from this career and I'm chasing it.

I am not qualified to be a teaher yet, but that doesn't stop me because I want more. I recently joined the Gogo reading project in Daveyton Intermediate School. We offer our time to read books to learners every Friday. The people I'm working with are all qualified teachers, some even retired and that makes me so unique! I'm the youngest of all of them, studying and looking for experience.

I use every opportunity I get because I always want more. I do whatever it takes to be where I want to be and enjoy exploring things that will help me in future.

Student life prepares me for the future, I learn to be independent, how to approach challenges and problems and to take responsibility for my actions.

Regards

Lerato P Selepe

Early Applications For Your First Year Of Tertiary Studies – Don’t Leave It Too Late

Many schools, parents, colleges and universities encourage 2014 students to apply to their chosen tertiary institutions as early as possible. You might be thinking “what is the fuss about?”, mainly because you have tons of 2013 Matric commitments, responsibilities, activities and studies that you might want to focus on. Many colleges and universities open for applications in April and application deadlines can come as soon as 30 July. Here are 6 reasons to get you applying now:

Reason 1: Faster Application Feedback

Because there are less applications being submitted to the administration office, you might get a response a bit sooner. If you apply in June, your application may be submitted along with thousands of other students’ and you might get a delayed response.

Reason 2: Pressure

If you receive early acceptance to your chosen college or university, you will have one less thing to worry about – and an important one at that - when you are trying to prepare for your preliminary or final exams.

Reason 3: Applying For Accommodation

Many colleges and universities only consider applications for student housing and accommodation, once you have been accepted at the institution. If you are planning to study at a college or university away from home, you might need to take the time to plan and make sure you apply early enough to get a spot in student housing or accommodation.

Reason 4: Options

By applying early, you can ensure that you have options available. Many colleges and universities will allow you to change your degree or diploma after being accepted as long as you fulfill the requirements. And, if you change your mind completely, you still have time to do something about it.

Reason 5: Running Out Of Spots

Universities and colleges often have a limited number of places available in the program. This often depends on resources. By applying early, you can be sure that “we are unfortunately full for the current year of study” will not be a reason featured on your application feedback.

Reason 6: Financial Assistance

As soon as you have a letter of acceptance from your college or university, you will be able to contact us to find out how we can assist you. We can give you a study loan to cover your study fees as well as accommodation, textbooks and even a laptop or tablet.

Getting ready for matric exams?

What you need to succeed

At Eduloan we aim to unlock your potential, so we have compiled a list of things that you can keep in mind while getting ready for your matric exams:

Study Tip One

Focus on time management! Compile a study schedule. Plan your time in advance and be realistic. Everyone is different so there is no prescribed schedule, but make sure that you don’t start too early and risk burning out, or start studying too late and then run out of time to prepare sufficiently. Listen to your body clock, this will allow you to establish when you should be studying (during the day or at night). You have to break up your studies to make sure you are concentrating and it is also good to work towards a goal and then to reward yourself if you do.

Study Tip Two

Get your hands on a study guide. A study guide is also a good resource to getting insight into the way questions are asked. Study guides sum up the curriculum pretty well and often include sample questions after each chapter.  Chat to your teachers about where you can get these.

Study Tip Three

Start a study group. By setting up a time to meet you study towards a deadline. Whether you give each member in the group a topic or whether you use the group to discuss certain topics, it is a good way for you to alternate your study schedule and gain additional knowledge from others as well.

Study Tip Four

Ask friends and family for past papers. You can also buy these online or from various book stores. Past papers are great for getting used to the way in which certain information is questioned in exams. Practice these to test your knowledge and to make sure you are not caught off guard just because a question is posed in a different manner.

Study Tip Five

Select your study space carefully. Whether it is at a library, at home or in an empty class room at school, make sure that you have all the resources and textbooks at hand so that you do not have to interrupt your studies. It could be a good idea to make sure that your study location is quiet and that you won’t be interrupted by family members, loud noises or peers.

Study Tip Six

Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your teachers questions. Many teachers will give you time to ask them questions or to attend additional revision classes. Make use of this resource!

Study Tip Seven

Make sure you complete any administration requirements like tertiary applications and student loan applications well in advance of your exam period so that you are not distracted or unnecessarily stressed. Keep in mind that most universities and colleges open applications in April and some close as early as 30 June. You do not have to wait for your preliminary exam results as many of them only accept your grade 11 end-of-year exam results. You can also apply for your study loan early to make sure all your focus is exactly where it should be – on passing your Matric exams.

For more information and to speak to one of our Eduloan consultants, visit our website (www.eduloan.co.za), like our page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/EduloanSA) and follow us on Twitter (@EduloanSA).

Matrics of 2013, Are You Prepared For 2014?

It’s your matric year and you are faced with tight deadlines - the looming exams, heaps of administrative paperwork, trying to enjoy time with family and friends, participating in extra-curricular activities as well as preparing for the Matric Dance. Whether you really want to enjoy your final year of school or whether you are looking forward to getting this year behind you, we have three steps to make sure that you are ready for 2014:

Step 1: Set Goals for Yourself

Matric is a busy year, most students aim to ensure they live in the moment while preparing for the future. Plan in advance and set yourself goals to make sure you keep up with everything you need to.

For example:

-       I want to summarise chapters 1 to 6 of my biology textbook by Friday

-       Make a list of institutions where I can study by 31 May 2013

-       I would like to achieve 5% more on my mathematics preliminary exam

Work towards these goals and reward yourself when you achieve them. This will help you to maintain balance and keep exam stress under control.

Step 2: Compile A Calendar To Mark Important Dates

By adding important dates to a calendar or diary, you can plan ahead and avoid missing deadlines or being caught off-guard, causing unnecessary stress. List important dates associated with your 2013 academic year as well as dates that mark deadlines that will affect your 2014 academic year:

For example:

-       Matric preliminary and final exam dates

-       Dates for university or college open day’s

-       University or college application deadlines

-       Entrance exam deadlines

Step 3: Understand What Comes Next

Visit your career counselor at school or make contact with a university or college career counselor to discuss your options. A career counselor can also help if you do not know what courses to take to get all your credits for a certain degree, diploma or certification. You might choose to take an aptitude test (ap·ti·tude test. noun. A test designed to determine a person's ability in a skill or field of knowledge) to assess your interests and skills. Make use of Eduloan’s free Career Aptitude test to assess your skills and interests, which will give you an indication of the type of career that you are best fitted for. We cannot guarantee that this fun assessment will match you with your perfect career, but it is a wonderful tool to narrow down your choices and open avenues that you might never have thought to explore!

 

Once you know what you would like to study, you can research tertiary institutions to find out what courses are on offer, what the application prerequisites are and what process you need to follow in order to apply (some courses might require certain subjects, community service hours or a portfolio for example).

Once you have made these decisions, you can contact Eduloan to discuss a study loan that is tailored to your needs. Applying for a study loan early, means that you will be able to gain approval before your registration fees are due, easing the pressure during your final exams. We even offer you a chance to apply for a loan to cover your registration fee to make sure all the costs associated with your studies are covered!

The checklist below will make sure that you stay on top of your administration for 2014:

þ I have completed the Eduloan aptitude test and visited a career counselor to get the career advice I require to unlock my potential

þ I have compiled a list of tertiary institutions that offer the courses I require for my chosen field of study and selected the ones that I would like to apply to

þ I have researched the prerequisites for my degree, diploma or qualification and I meet all of these requirements (remember that every university, collage or training school will have their own application requirements)

þ I have all the open days, application deadlines and entry exam dates noted in my diary

þ I have completed all of the application forms and prepared all of the supporting documents, portfolios, community service or work experience required for applying for my line of study

þ I have applied to the student residence of my choice

þ I have contacted Eduloan to speak to a consultant about personalising my study loan to ensure that I have funds to cover my study fees, accommodation, my textbooks and a laptop or tablet

We wish you all the best for your matric exams and hope that these tips will help you prepare to the best of your ability.