Training

How to make the right choice?

It is very important to foster pupils’ autonomy in decision making about their education path choices. A teacher in this process can be only a facilitator. In order to make the right decision pupils must have self-confidence, develop effective goals and be able to pursue their interests, become self-directed learners, and get along well with others. So teachers have to make their contribution in developing these competences.

One of the key targets for successful choices is to help the pupils set up effective educational and career goals. Pupils should be engaged in an extensive exploration of educational and career choices, develop effective goals linked to this exploration process, and then moving themselves to a self-chosen direction. Goals help pupils to enhance their achievements in the present and foster their motivation to keep working toward realization of their plans. Having clearly set up goals for further education enable pupils to regulate their actions, mobilize and invest their energy and resources. These goals lay out a course of action that can be realistically pursued in everyday learning contexts.

Involving in studies or career planning activities helps pupils feel more engaged in their high school studies and prevents them from early school leaving. Pupils, who are able to organize their studies directed towards the future goal, make more successful transition in their lives after graduation from high school. Pupils should be able to formulate their specific goals and to make up plans for the future. These plans should represent objectives that are not easy but to reach but realistic. Easy to reach goals are not valued, and pupils often give up when facing difficulties or obstacles.

The teacher’s and counsellor’s role in all this postsecondary education planning process is to promote the student's self-esteem and self-confidence; encourage the student to develop extracurricular interests and to participate in community activities; demonstrate sensitivity to the uniqueness and values of the pupil; provide appropriate course selection, counselling, and academic support services.

Collaboration with the representatives of the world of work is extremely valuable in helping the pupils to make decisions for their future, as it brings real life cases to the evidence of pupils and demonstrates the importance of what was learnt at schools for successful achievements in the labour market and in life.

Online Resources

• Transition Planning GuideThe website provides a toolkit for pupils’ transition to postsecondary education and employment. The guide provides resources for a Personal Learning Plan development.
• Making the right postsecondary education choices The article outlines important issues related to making decisions on the choice of postsecondary education.
• Pupil’s guide. Practical guide for 10 -12 grade pupils in career planning, providing theoretical background and practical tasks leading to self- cognition, setting up realistic goals, decision making, learning to explore education and labour market opportunities, creating an individual career plan.
• Choose studies carefullyAnimated movie advising how to choose a foreign higher education institution and a study program.
• Career Guidance: Helping Students Make Smart ChoicesAcademic innovations good practice about leading pupils to their career choices.