Time to Select Subjects. Aaaaargh!!!

Selecting subjects can be scary! This is so at whatever stage of education you are at. Whether it’s about knowing which subjects to select for CXC and/or GCE, which ones to do at advanced level or which options at college or university, there is always more than a bit of anxiety associated with this decision.

Sometimes, there are just so many options (and sometimes so few of the right ones) with which you are presented. It is also necessary at times, for schools to “package” or group subjects from which you must choose making it even more difficult to decide which one in a group to opt for. This is done in the main part in order to facilitate timetabling.

And then, what about the nightmare of timetable clashes, especially if you are a student who is good in more than one area?

When approaching subject selection, you should try to remember that your educational and career path will in the future be determined by the choices you make at this point, then you will see why it is important to take some time on this important aspect of your educational life.

How do I go About Selecting my Subjects?

Some of you will already know what you want to do for your career and that is great so selecting your subjects should be easy. For those of you who are not so sure the following is a guideline for you:

Start by asking yourself some questions:

“What do I really love doing?”

“What do other persons say I am good at?”

“If money was not a problem what would I do for my career?”

“What do I love doing so that I do not notice time passing?”

• Once you have answered the above questions find a tool that will help you find jobs which compliment what you have found out about yourself. Doing a test will guide you to a future career therefore giving you more clarity on the subjects you need to do in order to pursue your future career.
  
  
• If you still could not answer the questions still go ahead and use a tool which will help you. One such tool is the Career Key which is easy and quick to use. Persons who have used the Career Key attest to its accuracy. Also check out the Internet for sites which offer free tests.
  
  
• For those of you who are below Grade 9 consider starting your career search at 3rd /4th grade as this will give you time to discover what you really want to do for your career. This will allow you to be ahead when it is time to choose the subjects you will take in CXC/GCE examinations. This is where your parents/guardians can help you get tested by using tools like the Career Key, Psychometric tests, etc.
  
  
• Speak with the guidance/career counsellors at school to make sure you take the right subjects to help you fulfill your chosen career.
  
  
• Parents/guardians, you have an important role to play here by helping to guide your child in a way that does not undermine their choice of subjects/career. If you feel your child is heading in the wrong direction or should be pursuing a career you think is suitable take time to listen to their reasons for their choice and then check it out by talking to their guidance counsellor and or career counsellor. Also use a testing instrument to determine your child’s area of interest and see if they match what has been chosen by your child. Going through this process will eliminate stress for everyone.
  
  
• Parents/guardians and their child can visit job and career fairs to get exposure to what takes place in their chosen field.
  
  
• Parents/guardians and their child can also do research by contacting persons in their chosen field to find out the advantages and disadvantages of the job and put some reality on the world of work.
  
  
• Parents/guardians, please note that the world of work is changing with technological advances and new and little-known careers are springing up such as life coaching, neuro linguistics programming practitioner, graphology, genetics, to name a few so be open minded to some of the things your child may put to you.

Remember though, that it’s never too late to take up another subject if you are interested in it or find that you will need it. Even if it’s not formally included in options offered to you at your institution of study, if you are determined and know that you definitely need it or are just interested in it, then you can make arrangements to do it outside of normal school.

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