Congratulations! So now you’ve finished your secondary-school education and you’ve successfully obtained your SPM or O Levels. What comes next? Well, you don’t have to zoom right off to college. As much as we here at SEGi College Kuala Lumpur are providers of quality higher education, we also understand that for many people, college might not be a viable option just yet. Although we do recommend arming yourself with a college diploma or degree, for some of you, that is something that you might like to put off for the time being. So we’ve come up with a list of things that you can do to strategically plot your bright future.
Here are some things that you could consider doing right after graduating from high school.
Gain work experience
You might be thinking, ‘Work? Gosh, that’s boring. It’s unglamorous.’ Well, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, if you choose the right industry and job, you can gain invaluable experience about life, about people, about working with people as you chart out the course of your life. Working a legitimate job will mean that you learn to work with people, and thus brush up your social and communication skills. These skills will be essential when you eventually begin college life. Plus, while you’re working, you get to save up money to pay for college. And for those of you who don’t need to worry about college fees, at least you’ll have pocket money while you’re studying.
Pursue your passion
Many people discover a passion for something when they’re still in school, but somehow, what with studying and exams and other school activities, they just never had the time or the opportunity to explore this passion. Is there something you’ve always wanted to try your hand at? Is there a particular interest or hobby, a sport or a musical instrument, or a skill you’ve always wished you could learn? Well, now’s the time for you to do that soul-searching. Figure out what it is that stirs your excitement. And you might just figure out what it is you want to do for the rest of your life. Or even if it’s just for a while, it won’t matter. Just explore your mind and heart and find your passion.
Learn about your career options
As a young person, as smart or as schooled as you may be, you might not have the benefit of years and experience, but the people who care about you certainly do. Your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties, ex-teachers, older friends. Many of them, having gone through many decades of life, have the wisdom and knowledge to advise you about your career options. And they understand you, the things you like or don’t like, your personality. These are very important for the choice of a career, because many careers require certain types of personalities and ways of thinking. Then perhaps write a few possible choices down, and then you can begin your research, and you can search your soul. It’s of crucial importance to make an informed decision before signing up for any degree or diploma course.
Plan your education
Just as everyone is different, everyone’s life journey is different. You don’t need to choose the most popular degree or diploma course, or the most glamorous. Think long and hard about what it is you want to commit yourself to, and make sure you choose a subject that interests you and makes you want to learn more and more and more. One of the key reasons of failure in education, especially higher education, is picking a subject that’s boring, or hard to understand. But once you’ve figured out what makes you excited, you’ll find that learning is easy and fun, and for many people, it’s also much easier to ace those exams. And off you’ll go, towards your chosen career and your bright future.