KEY POINTS:
THE QUALIFICATION
What: Certificate of Achievement in Tertiary Studies - HeadStart
Where: Manukau Institute of Technology School of Foundation Studies, South Auckland
Phone: 0800 62 62 62 or 09 968 8716
Email: info.foundation@manukau.ac.nz
Web: www.manukau.ac.nz
Course costs: Free to domestic students. $400 per module for international students.
THE COURSE
Are you interested in tertiary study but worried you don't have the skills, or feel you need to brush up on your essay writing and exam techniques? Then try a short preparatory course such as HeadStart at Manukau Institute of Technology.
HeadStart helps potential students develop basic academic skills, build up confidence and familiarize themselves with the campus environment.
HeadStart covers five modules; study skills, academic writing, communication and exam skills, personal management and academic processes. Each module takes 30 hours of classes and involves a lot of practice exercises with feedback given on strengths and weaknesses.
Students choose the modules they feel most appropriate to their needs; many enrol in all five.
The most popular module is essay writing which teaches effective essay skills; reading essay questions accurately and using appropriate paragraphing and referencing.
The study skills module includes study goals, planning, learning styles and revision.
The academic processes module demystifies academic language, while the communication and exam skills module develops skills of speaking, listening, critical thinking and taking exams. This course specifically targets students without firsthand knowledge of New Zealand education processes.
HeadStart academic writing and study skills modules run consecutively prior to the start of each semester. Evening courses run four times a year in January, April, July and October but cycle through different modules.
The group usually consists of approximately 18 students ranging in age from 16 to 60 plus years. Three quarters are female and there are a wide range of ethnicities. There are no entry requirements.
Unitec and Auckland University run similar courses.
THE GRADUATE
Sabrina Webster
Future part time Bachelor of Arts student at University of Auckland
I completed two HeadStart modules at MIT last year through evening classes for a couple of hours once a week.
I enrolled after seeing HeadStart advertised in the local paper. I had been thinking about doing a degree in creative writing but didn't know to get started or how realistic my goal was, so I thought I should start with the basics to see how I went.
HeadStart was wonderful and I learned a lot. The study skills module taught me about setting goals, time management and note taking. I'm now using memory, reading and writing techniques on a daily basis in my job; techniques like using pictures and symbols rather than writing whole sentences.
I thoroughly enjoyed academic writing as well. We would research essay topics on the internet, TV, radio and newspapers, discuss in class, and then write our assignments up. I was never good at essays at school but I developed an interest in writing because my job as client service manager involves writing. This module has made me more careful about how I write.
The greatest value though is that it has given me confidence in my ability to do tertiary study. Our tutor Ana Wightman was especially good. We all had different learning styles and she managed to work with everyone and encourage us to believe in our ability to study.
I enrolled in the MIT HeadStart because it was close to home but unfortunately I'll have to go into Auckland University when I start my degree because MIT doesn't offer BA study.
THE STUDENT
Ianne Guinares
Manukau Institute of Technology Foundation Studies student
I've been in New Zealand for two and a half years. I wanted to do nursing after leaving Penrose High School but didn't have enough credits so my school suggested I do HeadStart and Foundation Studies to prepare and get the credits I needed.
I did the HeadStart modules before starting Foundation Studies mid year and it really helped prepare me for academic studies. Time management, setting study goals and planning for my study were the most important things I learned.
The note taking and essay writing also gave me skills to learn properly in Foundation Studies and the exam skills module taught me how and when to prepare for exams. I use the techniques for Foundation Studies and it has really helped me. It is a really good course if English isn't your first language.
