Future Pathways

[friedjelly]

Hey guys,

I'm in year 12 this year, and when I talk to everyone around me, they all seem to know what courses they want to do, what uni they want to go to, and what ATAR they need to reach that goal. Me on the other hand.... I really have no idea. Out of the subjects I did last year, the only one I had interest in was Bio, so for a while, I was considering biomed but then I failed chem, and so thats out of the question now. And even if I didn't fail chem, I'm not sure I'd even want to be a doctor etc, if it would suit me, and if I'd be able to cope with the work.

I'm so lost about what I want to do at uni that I'm constantly hovering around various courses. Sometimes its like, maybe I'll do law, maybe commerce is better ... and so on, but I know so little about all these courses, and what future pathways they lead to that everytime relatives ask me what uni and courses I'm planning to do next year it gets SO awkward.

I feel like if I had a goal to work to, that would really help me this year, but I don't even know where to start...

Anyone in the same boat as me, or can offer advice would be really appreciate

Mods please move topic if wrong location

[extremeftw]

 You still have PLENTY of time to make up your mind! I didn't really know what I really wanted to do until course preferences were pretty much closed. Just try to explore your interests throughout this year and then use them to tailor your future plans and course preferences.

[heids]

I never had any clue and even when I'd got an offer for my course this year, still when people asked me my default she'll-be-right-mate answer came out ('I have no clue, anything could happen, look, it'll all sort itself out at some point...')  I took another year on top of VCE to decide, and even now I really don't know how I'll find it - but look, I've decided I'll enjoy whatever I do so it's not stressful.

Basically, it's normal to feel this way, so don't stress; be aware that you have a decent while to sort it out so there's no rush

And remember to sit and plan out a massively cool answer to give people when they ask

[PhishPhillets]

It's definitely not unusual to be unsure of what you're going to do in year 12. I was unsure where I was going to head until I developed somewhat of an idea midway through last year. A number of my friends entering third year are still unsure of where they are heading!

One thing I would have done in hindsight was to not be afraid of talking to people about their profession,  and taking some extra work experience to see what certain fields are like. Doing some research about x job in y field can help you start and find someone to give you some insight. Even if you don't find the job interesting,  you get to meet people that can potentially lead you to a field that you do enjoy.

[EspoirTron]

What you're feeling is really normal and most students experience this throughout Year 12 as well. As you learn about new courses, new prospects begin to take your interest. As others have mentioned however, there is absolutely no rush to know exactly what you want out of your education immediately. Doing a broad, generalist degree to begin with is a great idea. Something like Science (given you like Biology) could be a great start and from there you could branch out. You could couple this with many other combinations of degrees, or you could go to Melbourne, and do Science while taking Commerce/Law related breadth units.

I think a good way to start is, make a checklist of anything that appeals to you, even if the appeal is mild. From there begin to get some sort of experience in the field, e.g. visits, research, etc., and then begin to cross off fields that don't interest you as much. This will at least help you get some VTAC preferences down on the table.

Besides it's very early days in the VCE year and you've got plenty of time to decide.

[babushka818]

Hey guys,

I'm in year 12 this year, and when I talk to everyone around me, they all seem to know what courses they want to do, what uni they want to go to, and what ATAR they need to reach that goal. Me on the other hand.... I really have no idea. Out of the subjects I did last year, the only one I had interest in was Bio, so for a while, I was considering biomed but then I failed chem, and so thats out of the question now. And even if I didn't fail chem, I'm not sure I'd even want to be a doctor etc, if it would suit me, and if I'd be able to cope with the work.

I'm so lost about what I want to do at uni that I'm constantly hovering around various courses. Sometimes its like, maybe I'll do law, maybe commerce is better ... and so on, but I know so little about all these courses, and what future pathways they lead to that everytime relatives ask me what uni and courses I'm planning to do next year it gets SO awkward.

I feealonee if I had a goal to work to, that would really help me this year, but I don't even know where to start...

Anyone in the same boat as me, or can offer advice would be really appreciate

Mods please move topic if wrong location

Hi there friedjelly!

I have been in a similar situation to you where I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but had the added pressure of expectations; mum wanted me to be a doctor, dad wanted me in commerce.. It is really hard to find what you're interested in. First it's so important to recognise that what you choose today can change tomorrow, don't be scared to choose something you like and give it a go; you can always change your mind, there are pathways and transfers and it's never the end of the world!

But in a more direct answer to your question. Don't stress about the people around you. I had heaps of people in grade five or something that were set on careers and I was like what I don't know! These people might have goals, but they can still change their minds, and you aren't behind or wrong or disadvantaged, there is absolutely no detriment if you don't know what you want to do. Realise that's there's also lots of people who don't know what they want yet, and that's okay too.

It's important to keep your options open. Which it sounds like you're doing given your thoughts of law, commerce and medicine. If you're undecided, keep any potential pathways open. Can I ask what subjects you're doing? Have you completed/selected prerequisites for any potential courses? Ensuring you have the possibilities to make choices is the first step. Review your subjects, your abilities, your interests. What do you have a passion in? What can you/can you not see yourself doing? Remember these things can change.

Whilst it's important to not close doors without having all necessary information to make that decision, at some point you'll also need to start closing doors to narrow down your decision. I still don't know what I want to do, but I said no to several options so I have a few left that I can choose from when I'm ready to make that choice. Law wasn't me, I'm not into IT, or English/Language studies, I don't like history or humanities subjects. My passion was also science and biology, so I am considering medicine and health sciences, research science or commerce as a back up. This is a good process for you to think about (well, I think so!) It helps if you imagine your life in a particular stream. I wanted to be a teacher at some stage, but I could never envision that as my lifestyle. You are considering some very different pathways; start thinking about what you definitely don't want to do, and it might help you find what you like. Something that may or may not influence your choice is other lifestyle factors; how long do you want to spend studying? What sort of career do you want? An office job? A social job dealing with clients? Do you want a family? Can the lifestyle of your chosen pathway accommodate the other things you want? For some this isn't a deciding factor but it was for me so I thought I'd mention it

As others have mentioned, you've still got ages to decide, and it's okay if you haven't got a definite plan by preference time. Go to open days, hear about people's experiences in the course, check out potential jobs after completing a course. Ask questions on AN; there's heaps of people at university who'd be happy to help you out and give you advice. Don't be afraid to ask anything; lawyer, doctor, accountant.. They're the jobs we hear about but there's an insane number of careers in the world and you could end up doing something that you don't currently know exists! Expose yourself to the world; get involved in volunteer projects and see if there are things you enjoy in that. You might end up helping out at your cousin's birthday at a zoo and find you love animals, next minute you could be training monkeys in India. You might visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa on a community service project and end up designing monumental buildings in Mexico. Life can take you anywhere, some pretty bad examples lol, but don't stress if you haven't got your life planned out; even if you had, it never works out that way. These days most people will probably change their career at least once. Don't feel bound by time pressures; you've got your whole life. You can take a year out to decide what you want to do, see the world. There's so many options, just find something you're passionate about and go for it.

About having a goal; I understand what you mean. This is why I think it's important that you find maybe a field you could be interested in. That might help working out ATAR prerequisites, or help encourage you to look forward to doing something you love next year, or in the future. Maybe set a benchmark if you're really unsure- you want an 80 or a 90 ATAR. It really depends on you, how you want to go about it. Just try your best though. You don't need a goal to work hard and achieve something you're proud of.

Last thing I want to suggest is that you talk to people; your teachers, careers counsellors, especially your parents. Ask for perspectives. You can't know everything about the world, so find some smaller bits and pieces from various people. They might inspire you! Also don't worry about your relatives; just tell them you haven't decided and leave it at that. It's not uncommon for you to not know what you want to do, so don't let them make you feel bad about it. More than anything, don't settle for anything pushed on you; make sure you choose something you're comfortable and happy doing, or you won't do well in it.

Best of luck and sorry if you didn't find this helpful.. :/ just know you're not alone and you've still got time and as others have said, you can do a general degree (such as Science) while you still decide.

[Swagadaktal]

Hi there friedjelly!

I have been in a similar situation to you where I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but had the added pressure of expectations; mum wanted me to be a doctor, dad wanted me in commerce.. It is really hard to find what you're interested in. First it's so important to recognise that what you choose today can change tomorrow, don't be scared to choose something you like and give it a go; you can always change your mind, there are pathways and transfers and it's never the end of the world!

But in a more direct answer to your question. Don't stress about the people around you. I had heaps of people in grade five or something that were set on careers and I was like what I don't know! These people might have goals, but they can still change their minds, and you aren't behind or wrong or disadvantaged, there is absolutely no detriment if you don't know what you want to do. Realise that's there's also lots of people who don't know what they want yet, and that's okay too.

It's important to keep your options open. Which it sounds like you're doing given your thoughts of law, commerce and medicine. If you're undecided, keep any potential pathways open. Can I ask what subjects you're doing? Have you completed/selected prerequisites for any potential courses? Ensuring you have the possibilities to make choices is the first step. Review your subjects, your abilities, your interests. What do you have a passion in? What can you/can you not see yourself doing? Remember these things can change.

Whilst it's important to not close doors without having all necessary information to make that decision, at some point you'll also need to start closing doors to narrow down your decision. I still don't know what I want to do, but I said no to several options so I have a few left that I can choose from when I'm ready to make that choice. Law wasn't me, I'm not into IT, or English/Language studies, I don't like history or humanities subjects. My passion was also science and biology, so I am considering medicine and health sciences, research science or commerce as a back up. This is a good process for you to think about (well, I think so!) It helps if you imagine your life in a particular stream. I wanted to be a teacher at some stage, but I could never envision that as my lifestyle. You are considering some very different pathways; start thinking about what you definitely don't want to do, and it might help you find what you like. Something that may or may not influence your choice is other lifestyle factors; how long do you want to spend studying? What sort of career do you want? An office job? A social job dealing with clients? Do you want a family? Can the lifestyle of your chosen pathway accommodate the other things you want? For some this isn't a deciding factor but it was for me so I thought I'd mention it

As others have mentioned, you've still got ages to decide, and it's okay if you haven't got a definite plan by preference time. Go to open days, hear about people's experiences in the course, check out potential jobs after completing a course. Ask questions on AN; there's heaps of people at university who'd be happy to help you out and give you advice. Don't be afraid to ask anything; lawyer, doctor, accountant.. They're the jobs we hear about but there's an insane number of careers in the world and you could end up doing something that you don't currently know exists! Expose yourself to the world; get involved in volunteer projects and see if there are things you enjoy in that. You might end up helping out at your cousin's birthday at a zoo and find you love animals, next minute you could be training monkeys in India. You might visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa on a community service project and end up designing monumental buildings in Mexico. Life can take you anywhere, some pretty bad examples lol, but don't stress if you haven't got your life planned out; even if you had, it never works out that way. These days most people will probably change their career at least once. Don't feel bound by time pressures; you've got your whole life. You can take a year out to decide what you want to do, see the world. There's so many options, just find something you're passionate about and go for it.

About having a goal; I understand what you mean. This is why I think it's important that you find maybe a field you could be interested in. That might help working out ATAR prerequisites, or help encourage you to look forward to doing something you love next year, or in the future. Maybe set a benchmark if you're really unsure- you want an 80 or a 90 ATAR. It really depends on you, how you want to go about it. Just try your best though. You don't need a goal to work hard and achieve something you're proud of.

Last thing I want to suggest is that you talk to people; your teachers, careers counsellors, especially your parents. Ask for perspectives. You can't know everything about the world, so find some smaller bits and pieces from various people. They might inspire you! Also don't worry about your relatives; just tell them you haven't decided and leave it at that. It's not uncommon for you to not know what you want to do, so don't let them make you feel bad about it. More than anything, don't settle for anything pushed on you; make sure you choose something you're comfortable and happy doing, or you won't do well in it.

Best of luck and sorry if you didn't find this helpful.. :/ just know you're not alone and you've still got time and as others have said, you can do a general degree (such as Science) while you still decide.

I know this comment isn't helpful but I just wanted to say, damn babushka you're really dedicated to AN... you write an essay in response to each topic :O gj

[CH3ezEC4KE]

In the end whatever you choose you will get through some of uni and realise that you will most likely graduate at 21/22 and be working for a very long time day after day. Finishing uni at such a young age means you'll always have other opportunities, can always pursue something else if need be. I finished 3rd year of my course last year, and going into uni had no idea what I wanted to do, had no idea what atar I'd get before and after exams, and still have no idea what I specifically want to do post uni, only have about 10 vague ideas of what I'd be interested in doing

[babushka818]

I know this comment isn't helpful but I just wanted to say, damn babushka you're really dedicated to AN... you write an essay in response to each topic :O gj

Aww haha that's so sweet! Idk, you guys are just heaps better than people in my regular life and you all appreciate effort and experience, so why not give what I can? I like giving advice to people who can and will use it, or at least appreciate it. In other words, I give my attention and time to those who deserve it, hence why I spend the majority of my time here with you guys than on social media with the people in my regular life. I always thought people might get irritated with my long responses though, nice to hear you at least don't mind! Thanks though <3

[friedjelly]

Aww haha that's so sweet! Idk, you guys are just heaps better than people in my regular life and you all appreciate effort and experience, so why not give what I can? I like giving advice to people who can and will use it, or at least appreciate it. In other words, I give my attention and time to those who deserve it, hence why I spend the majority of my time here with you guys than on social media with the people in my regular life. I always thought people might get irritated with my long responses though, nice to hear you at least don't mind! Thanks though <3

thank you so much to everyone who have contributed! Everyone has raised such good points that I never even thought about, and hearing from other people who are still unsure/ deciding puts everything into perspective  Especially babushka!! Your mini essay raised so many good points!! Thought I was going to have a 1/5th life crisis for a while, but I feel so much better now

I think you're totally spot on about the unpredictability of life. Its something that I often forget/neglect because I'm someone who likes to plan out everything and be control. I think I'm just going to focus on doing the best I can with the subjects I am doing, try to find something I like, do it well, and trust that life will run its course

[Glasses]

Just to add, I'd highly recommend reading Joseph41's "Guide to Arts" in the Monash sub-forum. Even if you don't want to study at Monash, I think you'll find reading it very beneficial and relevant to your situation

And just to reiterate what everyone else said, don't stress about not knowing what you want to do!! Everyone is different, some people feel a need to make long-term plans, while others are comfortable and enjoy living in the present and taking things one day at a time.

That being said, it might help motivation-wise to establish some medium/long-term goals regarding future career or course ideas, but that is just a suggestion; you know yourself better than I do 

[babushka818]

thank you so much to everyone who have contributed! Everyone has raised such good points that I never even thought about, and hearing from other people who are still unsure/ deciding puts everything into perspective  Especially babushka!! Your mini essay raised so many good points!! Thought I was going to have a 1/5th life crisis for a while, but I feel so much better now

I think you're totally spot on about the unpredictability of life. Its something that I often forget/neglect because I'm someone who likes to plan out everything and be control. I think I'm just going to focus on doing the best I can with the subjects I am doing, try to find something I like, do it well, and trust that life will run its course

that's okay nice to hear that it helped you!
that's a really great attitude! its understandable that you forget things like that; you can plan out everything you want, but adaptation is key to doing well in life in general. you've got to be able to find solutions and options in situations you don't predict. that being said, you need to put yourself in a position to be able to do that, and also to stick it out in things that you did plan. that's why you should set goals- even if plans don't go the way you expect them to, you should have a goal or something else to motivate you to do as well as you can. give your best and there's nothing you can't do

above anything though, make sure that you learn something from every experience. if you set goals and don't reach them, or stumble on your way to getting there, don't give up.
as pi frequently preaches, self analysis is really important to improvement! if you don't do so well in a sac, think about why; what were your study techniques, did you practice enough, did you ask questions about things you didn't know? it helps so much in life, I know this from experience, to be able to take a lesson or something positive out of everything; if you can't change the one circumstance, learn from it to stop it happening the next time.
you did some subjects last year; think about how they went, how you can use those experiences to help develop your study habits and passions, how you can use those to set your goals and achieve your best; once you do that, the world is yours to choose whatever you want! and as you learn more, it will help you narrow down what it is you want to choose

**I was up til 4am last night and none of this really makes sense to me but hopefully it does to you, if it doesn't I'll delete it