It is the time of year when many high school students are solidifying their plans for their post-secondary education. It is an exciting time and a stressful time.
There are options to consider, program details to be compared, documents to be gathered and deadlines to meet. In addition, post-secondary education is changing in the way it is being delivered and how it continues to set priorities. Reviewing an institution’s academic plan and strategic direction can be useful in making your final decision.
Capilano University states that it is committed to helping learners become, “engaged, informed and committed citizens who are well prepared for success through career-related and professional degree pathways” (Capilano University Academic Plan 2014-2018). The Sunshine Coast regional campus reflects how that goal has been carried out and continues to be part of the plan for the future.
The regional campus was established in 1977 and has been the starting point for thousands of students as they embark on or continue with their post-secondary studies. The campus has offered programming that has adapted and changed along with the region.
The university works in collaboration with many community partners to develop and deliver flexible delivery formats for programs that meet the needs of our diverse student population. Students are often found working in various areas of the community and with different partners along the Sunshine Coast. Often the community is the campus classroom.
As post-secondary education continues to evolve, there is a growing understanding of what defines student success in college and university, so an important question to consider is how a post-secondary institution supports student success. It is more than just what is learned in a classroom. It is about the kind of services and programs that are available on a campus, especially those that support students transitioning from high school to university. You can learn more about what institutions can do to support student success at blueprintsfor
studentsuccess.com.
In navigating your way through the application process, it is important to develop your own personal blueprint for success. If you do this as part of your planning, you have taken an important step towards being a successful learner. It can also help you know what you want from your post-secondary institution.
Good luck — early application deadline is almost here!
Editor’s note: Campus Corner is a monthly column in cooperation with Capi-lano University with a voice and trends around post-
secondary education in B.C.
The article this month was written by Lydia Watson, convenor of the mountain bike operations program at Capilano University.
