Making decisions about your future
As you grow older you have to make choices about your life.
Some of them are small choices, but others will have a big effect on your life and future.
The choices you make around education and work are very important. You need to consider them carefully.
But you also need to be ready to make decisions quickly, or you will miss opportunities for jobs, learning and your future.
- More about choices
Step 1. Overcome anxiety
There are good opportunities available, but sometimes it can be hard to grasp them. Do you put off things until it's too late? Do you worry about looking bad? Or looking too good?
If fear, anxiety or laziness is keeping you from achieving something you are capable of, try this:
- Decide that you are absolutely going to do it!
- Tell everyone you are going to do it.
- Ask for advice about how to do it, research online, or talk to a teacher or Connexions Adviser.
- Make a list of all the things you need to do to get the thing done.
- Put the list in order and break it up into smaller tasks.
- Work through the tasks in order.
- When you've done it, give yourself a reward!
Fear can be helpful. It can make you try harder to get the best opportunities. But don't let it make you too afraid to do anything.
Step 2. Discover the real you
It’s hard to make decisions about your future if you don’t know who you are, and what you want from life. It can help to go on a fact-finding mission and write things down in a notebook or on your computer. Things like:
- Activities you like and dislike most
- Favourite and least favourite subjects in school
- Your talents and skills
- What bores you to tears? Gives you a buzz?
- What do you want from a job or career?
- Is money and status important to you?
- What type of people do you work best with?
- Are you an indoors or outdoors person?
- How much of your time do you want to spend working?
Take a good look at what you’ve written. What does it tell you about yourself? Ask your family and close friends for their opinions. Ask them if they can think of a job that you would like. The more you learn about yourself, the better you will be able to make decisions about a future career.
Step 3. Get some help
For information about study options and specific subjects talk to your form teacher and subject teachers. They can help you find a course to suit you, and decide which exams to study for.
- Key Link: www.oxfordshireprospectus.com Oxfordshire's online course-finder
The school Connexions officer or careers coordinator/teacher can help you find out what qualifications are needed for various careers and how to obtain them.
- Key Link: www.careercompanion.co.uk
If there are issues getting in the way of study, or moving on to the job you want, then talk to a Connexions Adviser. They can offer support around all sorts of things, from finding funding to problems at home.
- Key link: www.connexionsdirect.com
Share your stories
We're looking for your stories. What are your top tips for making decisions? What is your story about job-seeking, connexions and finding work?
Whatever tips you have to pass on, email and let us know!
Find it
Looking for somewhere you can get information, advice and guidance around careers, choices, study, jobs and education ? Find your local Connexions Centre or Access Point.
Links
These websites will help you find information advice and guidance around careers and choices online:
- Oxfordshire Prospectus
Oxfordshire's dedicated website listing course options for young people aged 16+ - Connexions Direct
All the information and advice you need to make the decisions and choices in your life - UCAS
Your connections to Higher Education
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