4 Tips from an expert on making the right subject choices for Grade 10
Making the right subject choices for their final two years of high school is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions your child will make in their school career. Professional advice and guidance will help make the decision less intimidating and can give your child the confidence needed in selecting the subjects best suited for future studies and career paths.
Educational psychologist, Nigel Taylor spent years working in a school environment which has given him valuable insight into the process. He offers the following tips to help make successful subject choices …
1) Take your time
“Start thinking about subject choices well ahead of the deadline the school sets in order to gather important information, opinions and advice,” advises Taylor.
After all, the decision will have a long-term impact, so you owe it to your future to take the necessary time to make the right decision.
2) Don’t let a bad teacher put you off
Beware of deciding against a subject just because you have had a bad experience with a particular teacher.
“Don’t allow your experiences with teachers, whether positive or negative, to determine your choice of subjects,” said Taylor. Similarly, where a class is held, or what time is usually is taught, isn’t a good reason to choose it over another subject which might better suit you.
“It is important to view the subject choice process as being the start of a further process of informed decision-making involving career choice and appropriate tertiary study paths. All of the above measures of support are geared towards assisting students in ‘taking ownership’ of decisions that are fundamental to their future success.”
3) Focus on self-awareness
Taylor advises his clients based on an assessment process that focuses on increased self-awareness. “This can play a crucial role in choosing the right subjects for grade 10,” he said adding that all through his work with learners he offers feedback to both the parents and the client themselves to ensure clarity about:
- Issues relating to personality, such as how we relate to people, process information, make decisions and organize our lives
- Levels of interest or disinterest that we have in activities, and last but by no means least
- Particular strengths and weaknesses
4) Try to link subject choices to tertiary study paths and career paths
Certain careers require a basic grounding in particular subjects. Knowing which subjects are necessary for further study in a particular field. This is expert information which, while it might seem common sense, if often difficult for you, or your parents, to make sense of when you are looking at subject choices.
“Admission to tertiary training institutions and to specific career paths can be highly dependent on your choice of subjects,” explained Taylor.
Time spent with an expert will also result in a final report detailing the findings of assessments and recommendations for subject choice and possible career paths based on those findings.
Ultimately the choice of a career is a decision you will have to live with for the rest of your life, and not making a decision is, in itself, a decision too. In his work as an educational psychologist, Taylor has helped his clients overcome mental, physical, emotional and social difficulties that make it difficult for them to participate in academic and non-academic activities within primary, secondary and tertiary education.
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Nigel Taylor has a Master’s Degree in Education (Educational Psychology) obtained from the University of KwaZulu Natal.
He is registered with the HPCSA.
To contact his office to set up an appointment, phone 084 558 8553, or 031 7641612 (w). Alternatively, you could also email him at netaylor500@gmail.com, or check out his website.
