3 Things to Consider Before Changing Strands in Senior High
Going through a change of heart with the strand you’ve gotten into? No worries –it’s perfectly normal to rediscover your interests as you go through your teenage years. After all, you were expected to decide on the career you’d like to pursue at quite an early age, and even college students have their doubts as they test the waters of their course.
Since the more specific processes for shifting tracks varies per school, these are simply the general tips that should help you finalize your decision:
- Begin with the end in mind
As Forrest Gump put it, “If you don’t know where you are going, then you probably won’t end up there”. Consider the time, resources, and efforts that you’ll have to invest in the strand you’re about to pursue, as well as how much you’ve already invested in your current strand. Though shifting is possible, it definitely isn’t practical to keep changing course every two years or so, and it won’t be favorable on your parents’ end as well.
When deciding, think: Do these courses really have the potential to lead me to my desired profession? Remember that the K-12 curriculum was crafted with the expectation that you’ll have a more definite career goal when choosing your discipline, so try to move cautiously towards a clear vision.
- Consult with your classroom adviser/most trusted teacher
If you’re struggling with how to go about the first tip, then this is the best time to consult your teachers or any academic adviser you feel comfortable talking to. Chances are, your emotions are making it tricky to decide wisely, so approach a mentor you trust for sound advice.They should be able to set clearer expectations regarding the strand you’re hoping to take, and they’ll even be able to assess whether your strengths and skills are best suited for your current or desired strand.
While their recommendations don’t have to be the final decision, take their word into consideration and maybe even ask your parents as well so they’ll have a heads-up. What matters is that you’ve gained additional perspective on this very crucial decision.
- Do your research
It’s best to look up the subjects that the strand you’re now interested in will require you to catch up on, so that you can set more realistic expectations and also weigh in on how much you really are in it. You can even ask friends who are already taking it up or those who have changed tracks before and survived. You surely aren’t the first person to take the leap and start over, so always keep an eye out for people who can guide you in the process.
Other things you might want to think about are: potential career paths that your new strand will lead to, financial expectations, and general requirements/essentials for that track.
If you’re still wondering which schools offer a particular strand you have your heart set on, you can always do a filtered search at Edukasyon.ph–that way, you can decide based on facts instead of general ideas.
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