High school can be chaotic. You might find yourself in complex friendship situations, struggling to balance a social life with school, fitting in some 'me' time, and getting enough sleep can seem impossible. It's amidst all this chaos that society and the school ask you to plan your future by choosing a university course and a career path. I am sure I am not alone when I say this is not an easy task.
Personally, the biggest problem I face is that my passion and grades do not match. The things I don't enjoy are the things I achieve the best grades in and the things I enjoy are not (grade-wise) my strengths. This is frustrating, confusing and I feel as though I am being pulled in two opposite directions. Fortunately, I still have time to improve my grade in the subjects I love most.
Gap year, the right option?
Nevertheless, if you are nearing or in your final year at school and you are completely lost on what to study at university, then many people advise taking a gap year. A gap year will allow you to gain some life experiences that may help you find where your interests truly lie. Remember university can be attended at any age, the 'right' age for everyone will differ. So do not be afraid to wait till you're older if that is what's best for you.
Finding what’s is best for you
Another challenge I constantly hear about from my peers is that they simply don't know what subjects they like. This makes sense as going to school every day can be very repetitive, hence you are less aware of the progress you're making or what you enjoy. Additionally, during lessons students are often focused on taking notes, doing the task at hand, etc. without thinking about whether they are enjoying it or not.
Simply taking some time to assess how you feel about what you're learning can give you some clues. My other tip is to write a list of all the subjects you don't like or jobs you don't want to do and see what you have remaining. If you realize you don't like any subject, investigate careers that are not related to subjects you study in school. As an alternative, think about the everyday things you do: do you love doing your make-up or hair? Maybe you’ll like the idea of being a make-up artist or hairdresser? Above all, I recommend finding ways you can pursue your interest further before starting university, whether it's reading a book on the topic or taking a placement/internship.
Try out new things!
In the book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the father of Monique says: "When you're older. You have to find a job that makes your heart feel big instead of one that makes it feel small..."
This is a noteworthy and insightful piece of advice, yet how can we follow it? Monique explains she was able to find something that made her 'soul expand' by joining and trying out everything she could, from orchestra to football to debate club, before finding her passion for journalism. I do believe, in real life, that taking risks and trying out new things will help you find your passion.
All in all, this is my list of tips to find what you may want to study later on:
Take some time to reflect on what you enjoy and what you don’t - pay attention to your feelings
Write a list of subjects that you like and don’t like
Reflect on the things that you do every day, they may provide you with clues as to where your interests lay
Spend more time trying activities/experiences to figure out your interests (internship/books)
If you still struggle with what you want to study, consider taking a gap year!
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