1. What do I enjoy?
"Just choose something you enjoy." This is pretty much the most heard advice when it comes to choosing a study. Easier said than done, though: even if the question is obvious, it's sometimes quite difficult to pinpoint where your passion lies - especially if you're broadly interested. Start by considering what motivates you, what school subjects you find most interesting and what you used to enjoy as a child. Okay, becoming a dolphin trainer or astronaut may not be feasible for everyone, but it can be a good starting point to find out what fields appeal to you. Knowing that you like, say, engineering, finance or working with people is sometimes good enough!
2. What am I good at?
Another cliché. But a very important one! The better your study matches your skills and character traits, the more smoothly you'll walk through student life. And besides, if you're good at something, you often like it! So, grab your list of grades and consider the studies in line with your best subjects. But, perhaps more importantly, think about your strengths on a personal level. In which situations do you stand out? What do others ask you for advice on? Or ask a friend what they think you excel in! They may come up with entirely new insights and, let's be honest, it's good for your ego. 😉
3. What do I want to do with it?
Or rather: what are your dreams for the future? Although you may not have a well-defined career path in mind yet, you probably have ideas about what your future job should look like. For example, do you want to work in an international environment? Become an entrepreneur? And what type of organisation suits you? Getting your bearings on the job market may also make it easier to choose a study programme. So go on a company visit with an acquaintance or family member with a job that interests you! Who knows, you may even find a future employer before you even start your studies...
4. For the Dutchies: do I want to go to hbo or university?
If you want to study in the Netherlands, you have two choices when it comes to choosing a university. You can go to a research university or a university of applied sciences. It is important to note that the admission requirements for a research university are generally more stringent than for a university of applied sciences. There are quite some differences between these two types of education. So, it is wise to ask yourself: how do you prefer to learn? Do you like to dive deep into theory or do you prefer to practice with real-life cases? Do you like to apply knowledge, or would you like to dive into unfamiliar territory? Do you like to work independently or more classroom-based? You can explore both options! To be frank, please do so: even if it is just to confirm your choice.
5. Where do I feel at home?
Do you already have a study in mind? Congratulations, you're halfway there! Now onto deciding where you want to study. Maybe you have known for a long time that you would like to live in a certain country or city and you base your choice on that, or maybe a specific university appeals to you. Every educational institution has its own emphases and teaching methods, and the only way to find out what suits you is to have a look yourself! Visit as many (Online) Open Days as possible, or even better, register for Student for a Day or an online meet-up with a student. That way, you’ll get the unfiltered opinion of students from the study that interests you and you'll already have a few acquaintances should you eventually decide to go for that study!
