Here’s what one year 9 student told us…
“Personally, I have taken part in numerous trips and events organised by Make Happen and I can truly say they have guided me in what I want to do not just at college in the upcoming years, but in life.
One trip that still sticks in my mind is a residential to Loughborough University; a group of us got the rare opportunity to stay in university dorms and grasped what it is really like to be a student there.
It was amazing – not just because we got to take part in exciting new activities (which were pretty cool) but also because we left truly feeling like we had been university students for a few days. This trip in particular helped me to make important life decisions such as my unshakeable determination to attend university after college.
This was just one university visit out of many, such as the University of East London that enriched us on all the possible career paths that we could take after school and how to reach our goals.
All my worries about the cost of studying and any information you may want about further education was answered here, and I know for a fact that my certainty about what I want to do with my life is purely down to trips like these.
Of course, talk about education and career choices aren’t for everybody; sometimes we like to just go away and not have to think about school. The residential trip to the Lake District is a great example; for a whole week a lucky group of us had the chance to stay in an Outward-Bound centre metres away from a beautiful lake, far away from any stress we may be having with school.
It was a way for us to relax and spend time with our friends whilst also developing useful skills such as teamwork and how to climb a mountain, for instance. There were loads of cool activities we could take part in there: rock climbing, canoeing, hiking, rafting, caving, even going on 24-hour expeditions and camping in the mountains for the night. We got a real taste of adventure, and so it was one of the best experiences of my life. To do it with some of my best friends was an added bonus that made it all the better.
Thanks to Make Happen, I now have a clear view on what I want to do in life and I have made some unforgettable memories along the way. Don’t be scared to sign up for that trip, because trust me when I tell you that you won’t regret it – I certainly don’t.”