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In Years 8 and 9

School boy

 

In years 8 and 9 you have to start thinking about your future.  The choices you face about what options to take might be the first really important decision that you have to make.

Take your time and get all the information you need.  The choices you make now can influence your future.

 

It might seem scary but you don't have to make decisions on your own. 

You can talk to:

  • Subject teachers

  • Careers teachers

  • Family and friends

You might make these decisions in year 8 or 9 depending on your school.  Your school will let you now what is expected. 

Remember to think about you, the options available, how these match together and how you can make it happen. 

Options in Year 9, Connexions TV

To make a good choice you need to think about about yourself. If you know what you are like you can start to identify what you might like to do in the future - and what you won't enjoy.  It's all about finding courses and jobs that suit you, and there will usually be more than one option for you.

  • What subjects do you enjoy and why?
  • What are you good at?
  • What type of person are you?
  • What are you interested in outside school?
  • How do you like to learn?
  • What is important to you?

 You could start by doing this quiz

passportfolio button

 

Passportfolio has lots of activities and quizzes to help you.  These include quizzes about learning styles, personal qualities, skills, strengths and values 

You know about yourself, but what options are available?  Your first decisions will be about study, but it helps to think about what types of job you are interested in so you can choose the right qualifications.  If you choose a broad range of subjects you can keep your options open.

There will be different options available in school, these are likely to include:

  • GCSEs
  • Entry level / level One qualifications
  • Other qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs 
     

These might not be available in all schools, check out what your school has to offer. 

When you are choosing qualifications think about:

  • Jobs you might want to do in the future and what subjects they might require

  • Subjects you enjoy

  • Subjects you're good at

  • Building upon your strengths and skills  

Did you know?

You should find loads of information in your school (online or in the careers library).  You can also get help using the resources.

There are some subjects you will have to study such as maths, English, science and IT.  Others you will be able to choose, there might be new things to try. Don't choose subjects just because your mates are doing them - you don't want to be stuck with a subject you don't like.

Finding out about your options could be something simple such as attending your school options evening, or finding a website about different jobs.  It doesn't have to be complicated. 

My Choice Notts logo

Visit MyChoiceNotts, a website that lists all the qualifications available in your local area.

 

So you have thought about yourself and the opportunities available.  Do they match up?  Can you see anything that will stop you from doing what you want?
 

  • Why do I want to take this subject?

  • Why would I be suited to it?

  • What are my strengths/skills?

  • What can I offer this subject

  • What does this subject offer me?

  • What does the subject want from me?

Which subjects?

Want to know more about what different subjects offer, the skills you could gain and the possible jobs and careers they are useful for?  find out more

It is always worth having a back up plan if your first choice is not available, but make sure it is something you would be happy doing.

Remember you can talk about your ideas and get support from a range of people. Even if you think you are sorted if can be good to check you have everything covered.

If you have made a decision the next step is to put your plans in to action. 

At this stage it might mean filling in your option form for school and making sure it is back on time.  It could also mean starting to research course and careers options on the internet.  

passportfolio button

Passportfolio is a great place to start storing information that you might need for the future.  You can build up a portfolio all about you and your skills, qualifications and strengths.  It has an action planning section so you can start step by step to get to your goals.  

Before you leave school you should have time to explore more course and career ideas.  You may go on work experience to give you an idea what the world of work is like.  You are likely to have people visiting school to talk about their jobs.  You can also visit colleges to see what they offer.

It is never to early to think about the future.  If you want to find out more about your future choices you can read about Years 10 and 11. 

There will always be plenty of support on offer. 

Did you know?

You can get free access to the internet in Connexions centres and public libraries - great if you haven't got access at home