Take advantage of the wealth of resources at your fingertips

The world as we know it is constantly evolving. The accelerated growth of technology in the past five years has  changed the way we do things.

The field of education has not been immune to these technological advancements.  Technology enables  students to have access to real-time information in order to enhance the learning process.

 A single word typed into a search bar can generate millions of results in less than a second. Giving students of all ages, all relevant information  at the click of a button.

The use of educational tools (learning programmes uploaded onto tablets  for pupils) has even enabled primary school children the opportunity to be exposed to the benefits of technology on education at an early age.

Every two days we create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003, according to Eric Schmidt, an American software engineer and businessman.

Here is a simple tip to help you sift through all this information online:

Expand your searches by using the word “AND”, “OR” and “NOT” when typing in the search bar. This way you will search for the words together and ensure that the correct information is top of the search results.

Don’t forget offline

With this wealth of knowledge online, it’s easy to overlook the important physical resources that your institution offers. Resources such as libraries, journals, your lecturers and fellow students can supply you with valuable information.

Your educational journey requires debate and conversation in order for you to gain further insights into your chosen profession.

In the digital age it is easy to focus on just your online resources. But the secret to finding well-rounded information is to use all of your resources at your disposal.

Remember to reference information correctly, whether the source is online or offline. Plagiarism is to be avoided at all costs.

Knowledge is power. So take advantage of all the resources at your fingertips to help you learn and grow.

Are you searching for finance for your educational journey?

You don’t have to search very hard.

Since 1996 Eduloan has awarded study loans to the value of more than R4 billion. Whether it be for study fees, registration, textbooks, accommodation, technology or everything in-between, Eduloan offers an end-to-end solution for all your study needs.

Contact Eduloan today about financing your dreams, visit www.eduloan.co.za or call 0860 55 55 44.

How to actively immerse yourself in your studies

From the moment you step into your first lecture, there is urgent need  to succeed. Your career aspirations and attitude towards  learning should not diminish with the increasing pressures of student life.

As you adjust to  campus lifestyle, your success is based on how you are able to balance lectures and social life. The ultimate goal is to gain a qualification, with lifelong friendship being an added bonus. A successful educational journey is all about consistency and accountability. One needs to be able to achieve both career and personal goals.

Immersing yourself during your tertiary education period requires both discipline and sacrifice. By constantly having the end in mind (getting that degree/diploma), you will be able to prioritise study schedules and course requirements.  

where does the passion for learning go? How do you continue with the  principles you would have developed in high school, when in a tertiary institution?

The learning cycle happens throughout all life stages. Sometimes your passion for learning will take a dip, but it’s now time to bring it back to life! It’s time to start learning, not because you have to  but because you are truly interested and want to know more.

How can you do this? Actively immerse yourself in your studies!

Strong Time Management:

Try to make your courses a part of your everyday life. Interact with like-minded individuals and attend industry workshops/seminars. The learning process is not only about the gathering information, but also the application of such knowledge. It is through learning more about your chosen profession, that you are able to map out your future career.

Actively learn:

You will learn  quickly that tertiary institutions  are very different to high school. There will not be teachers running after you to make sure you’ve done your homework. It is up to you! Your success is purely based on the amount of effort you are willing to put. Your attitude towards your studies over the next three years will determine how effectively you achieve your goals. Participation is encouraged by lecturers and group assignments foster a culture of teamwork/peer reviews.

The best way to actively learn is to ask questions. Ask as many questions as possible. Remember, the person who  gets all the answers is the one who asks the questions.  Have the courage to ask, knowing that there is someone knowledgeable enough to give you a response.

Do you need to finance your passion for learning?

Whether it be study fees, registration, textbooks, accommodation, technology or anything in-between, Eduloan offers an end-to-end solution for all your study needs.

Contact Eduloan today about financing your dreams, visit www.eduloan.co.za or call 0860 55 55 44.

5 tips to conquering your first year of university

This is an exciting time. There will be a lot of get used to in the beginning but by next year you’ll be a pro.

Your first year of student life is all about adjusting to on-campus student life, time management and course work.

Below we have put together some simple tips to help you conquer your first year at university.  

Tip 1: Orientation is key

Learn how your university works. Get to know the ins and outs of how to use the library, cafeteria and shortcuts to your classes. These can make everyday university life easier.

Tip 2: Be early and consistent with attendance of lecturers

Lecturers often start off their lectures with announcements about their specific subjects so be sure to get there on time.

Tip 3: Know yourself and know what you want

It can be difficult at first to know which subjects to choose but a key thing to keep in mind is to be self-aware and really drill down to what you want.

After your first semester, you might find that you have had a change in heart about your subject choices. That is OK and is quite common. Just research your new path and make sure you want to move in that direction. Speak to your lecturers and get advice on what would be the best for you.

Tip 4: Be a diligent student

Make sure you know the evaluation requirements for each course. Courses often include mandatory workshops, field trips and practical hours you’ll need to complete in order to advance to the next semester or year.  

Tip 5: Your future is in your hands now

University is very different to high school. You are responsible for managing your time and making sure that all of your work is completed and handed-in when it’s due.

If you miss any lectures, make sure that you can catch up on the work that you missed. Also read through your study material before your classes so that you are familiar with it before your lecture starts.

Remember that keeping up with your studies is a lot easier than having to catch up.

Take charge and push yourself. If you apply yourself and work hard, you will succeed.

Do you need help financing your first step in your educational journey?

Eduloan can help you with all of your finance requirements. Since 1996 Eduloan has awarded hundreds of thousands of study loans that are worth billions of Rands.

Whether it be study fees, registration, textbooks, accommodation, technology or everything in-between, Eduloan offers an end-to-end solution for all your study needs.

Contact Eduloan today about financing your dreams, visit www.eduloan.co.za or call 0860 55 55 44.

2015 New Year’s Resolutions:

As quickly as it began, 2014 has come to an end. With time passing by as quickly as it does, it’s important to stop and think about the future. What better way to do this than setting yourself some New Year’s Resolutions?

We know that every year these resolutions have a habit of fading away. This year, make a point to do things a little bit differently.

Tips to sticking to your New Year’s Resolutions:

Tip 1: Make a list
Take the time to really think about how you can make 2015 different. Be specific in your resolutions and be sure to write them down.

Tip 2: Prioritise
Put what you think is most important at the top of your list and make sure you are constantly working towards achieving it.

Tip 3: Put it into action
It doesn’t help having all these big ideas if you don’t have a plan on how to change. Each resolution should have an action plan.

Tip 4: Stick to it!
There will be times when you lose enthusiasm, but if you take a step in the wrong direction, the key is to get back on track as quickly as possible.

Eduloan would like to wish you all a prosperous and safe 2015! We hope that all your dreams and wishes come true!

Eduloan can help you with all of your finance requirements.

Since 1996 Eduloan has awarded study loans to the value of more than R4 billion. Whether it’s study fees, registration, textbooks or technology, Eduloan offers an end-to-end solution for all your study needs.
Contact us today about financing your dreams, visit www.eduloan.co.za or call 0860 55 55 44.

So now, what’s next?

Matric exams are finally over and now it is up to you to figure out what to do next.

It’s a hugely important decision to make since most of us will work in our chosen fields for years.

With so many career options out there, it can a bit overwhelming to know where to begin.

Useful tips to help you find the right career for you.

Do your homework

Do as much research as you can and, if possible, try to gain real-life experience in the career that you have in mind.

Job fairs

These are a great source of information and give you the opportunity to meet with representatives of different companies face-to-face. Another great thing about jobs fairs is that you can explore a wide range of career choices in a single place.  

Ask a career counselor or take a career evaluation test online

There are lots of assessment tools to help you narrow down your choices and many are available online. These tools assess your personality traits and then suggest careers that might suit you. Would you prefer to work by yourself or as part of a team? By using the tools to ask yourself questions such as these, you be able to narrow down your choices and get a clearer sense of which careers are right for you.

Apply for an internship or a graduate programme

There’s nothing like work experience to help you decide if the career that you think you want is actually right for you.

  

Follow your heart

One of the most common mistakes that people make when trying to choose a career is that they chase money. They look at high-earning professions such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc.

While we all need to make money, you need to choose a career that are you genuinely interested in and have a passion for or else you’ll find that your career is not satisfying.

It’s your life

You only live once. Choose the career that is right for you.

Good luck!

If you feel you the need to go back to school, contact Eduloan on 0860 55 55 44 or visit www.eduloan.co.za

4 steps to prepare you for life after matric:

After years of hard work and dedication, your high school career has finally come to an end. But now the big question looms. What do you do next?

Here are 4 steps to preparing yourself for the coming years:

Step 1: Acknowledge your achievements!

First of all, congratulations! Completing high school is a big deal and you deserve all the praise you get from your friends and family, but don’t forget to be proud of yourself!

Take some time to look back at what you have accomplished!

Take confidence from your success and get ready to tackle your next challenge.

Step 2: Take it easy

Now that you are done, give yourself a bit of a break. It’s time to catch up on your hobbies and recharge. Taking time to recharge ensures that you have more energy to take on future tasks.

Be sure to re-charge only for a short period. You don’t want to break the routine that you have already refined during your matric year. A tertiary education has its own challenges and you need to ensure that the routine developed in high school years is maintained.

Step 3: Choose a direction

If you haven’t already, decide what is next for you. Whether it is continuing your studies, or starting a new job, make sure you set long term goals that you are constantly working towards. Think long and hard about what you want out of life, and how you are going to get it.

Step 4: Put your plans into action

You can do anything that you set your mind to, but first you need to have a plan and set goals. Once you have those you can work towards making your dreams come true.

Some goals you set might take time to achieve but be patient, work hard and you will succeed!

Allow Eduloan to help you make your dreams a reality by financing your future education.

Eduloan can help you with all of your finance requirements. Since 1996 Eduloan has awarded study loans to the value of more than R4 billion.

Whether it be study fees, registration, textbooks, accommodation or technology, Eduloan offers an end-to-end solution for all your study needs.

Contact Eduloan today about financing your dreams, visit www.eduloan.co.za or call 0860 55 55 44.