Choose your next path on paper

Personal & Social Development · Self-Awareness · ages 16-18

Name ______________________ Date ____________

How can you examine what you want alongside what others recommend?
- Follow each recommendation without checking whether it fits your needs
- Write both lists and ask why each preference matters
- Reject advice whenever it differs from your first choice
Which information belongs in a side-by-side comparison of two paths after school?
- Fees, living costs, study time and later options for both paths
- Only the job titles and photos that make each path look impressive
- Only which path friends prefer
True or false: being able to switch a course means switching cannot cost any time or money.
Circle one: True False
Your comparison gives one path the highest score. What can help you check that result before committing?
- Commit now because the highest score proves the best fit
- Try an affordable activity and review the ranking afterward
- Keep the ranking even if new facts contradict it
Which SMART goal would help you gather facts to compare two courses?
- By Friday, ask both providers about fees and entry rules
- Some time soon, think harder about which course feels right
- Choose the course with the brightest brochure
Mila values creativity, but her family recommends a course for its reputation. What would help her decide whether it fits?
- Assume her family's recommendation proves it will suit all her interests
- Reject it because its reputation matters to her family
- Compare its tasks with her values and practical needs
Theo can try classes and switch courses until Friday with no extra fee or lost study time. After Friday, his course fee becomes non-refundable. What should he do before Friday?
- Try classes and check the switch deadline before deciding
- Pay now because any later cost must also be reversible
- Avoid classes until the switching deadline has passed
Noor is considering a gap year before a course. What should she check before assuming her place will still be available?
- Assume all providers save places and funding for a year
- Assume a gap year prevents any later application
- Check deferral rules, deadlines and funding for her options

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Choose your next path on paper W1-mt_kDhdTK2H9s-s1

Write both lists and ask why each preference matters · Separate lists make agreement and differences visible. Asking for reasons helps you examine both without automatically accepting or rejecting advice.
Fees, living costs, study time and later options for both paths · The same practical headings let you compare both paths' costs and opportunities. Photos, titles and friends' preferences alone leave these unknown.
False · A change can be possible but still costly. Check switching rules, fees and effects on study time.
Try an affordable activity and review the ranking afterward · A suitable trial can add information. The ranking depends on its criteria and facts, so new evidence may change it.
By Friday, ask both providers about fees and entry rules · Asking both providers gives a specific, checkable task relevant to the comparison. Friday gives a deadline.
Compare its tasks with her values and practical needs · Mila needs facts about the course's work and requirements. Family advice may be useful, but reputation or automatic rejection does not establish a fit.
Try classes and check the switch deadline before deciding · Theo can gather information during the stated switching period. After Friday, recovering the course fee is no longer possible under the stated rules.
Check deferral rules, deadlines and funding for her options · Noor needs the rules for her particular options. A gap year does not automatically preserve or permanently remove a place or funding.