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  • Turning Anger into Productivity

    Turning Anger into Productivity

    By Erin Rebello

    Whether it’s a poor mark on a test or a falling out with friends, feelings of anger can really take a toll on the teenage mind. With an underdeveloped pre-frontal cortex, teenagers are prone to making regrettable decisions. This becomes even more true when emotions are involved. There are times when life seems too cruel to be real, but it’s all part of the human experience, and we must persevere. Though you might want to do nothing more than scream, cry, or punch a wall when you’re upset, there are a variety of different ways you can channel you anger into something more productive and beneficial to your situation.

    When you’re mad, the first thing you’ll want to do is take a deep breath and evaluate the situation. Though you might want to stop thinking about it altogether, the best and most helpful thing to do is to take a look at what’s going on. It important to take a minute to consider what exactly you’re mad about and why you’re mad about it. Then, try to think of ways you can make your situation better. Rationalizing your emotions makes it easier to digest what’s going on and might help you realize that you’re mad about something that’s easily fixable.

    If you just want to cool off and take your mind off things, I find that doing chores works surprisingly well. I take my anger out on the dust bunnies under my bed instead of the people who might have hurt me. Yardwork is also great because it gives you a change of environment and allows you to take in the fresh air. Another plus about doing your chores when you’re upset is that when you feel better and calmer, your errands are taken care of and you have more time to do things that you love.

    Another way that people like to channel their frustration into productivity is through exercise. Slap on a pair of headphones and blast your favourite motivational tunes while you go through your workout. It’s scientifically proven that your brain releases endorphins, i.e. happiness chemicals, when you exercise. These chemicals make you happier and leave you feeling great after a powerful workout. You’ll also probably be too tired from your exercise to feel mad! Overall, why cry when you can get abs and feel happy at the same time?

    Finally, a great way to get out the anger is through self-expression. By expressing your feelings, be it through writing, dance, painting, etc., you are able to separate them from yourself. For example, if you write a poem about why you’re feeling mad, chances are that it will help you rationalize the situation. In a way, self-expression allows you to leave your emotion on your canvas and step away from them. You might also find that your artwork and writing is more passionate and emotion-filled when you’re feeling a certain way, which helps you improve as an artist.

    Overall, there are a lot of great ways you can turn your anger into something positive. Of course, there is a time and place for being upset, but sometimes you just have to pick yourself up and take a good hard look in the mirror. You are the only person that dictates your emotions; no one else can tell you how to feel. When it comes down to the facts, self-improvement only happens if you’re the one who decides to make the change.

  • Holiday Gift Buying That Won’t Damage the Planet

    Holiday Gift Buying That Won’t Damage the Planet

    Everyone is aware of the struggle of gift buying. However, we are all ignoring the most important thing that we should be focusing on; the environment. With everything we do, we should be aware of the affect it has on the earth. This needs to be our main priority, even when it comes to simple things like gift shopping. When people are going about their daily lives, they don’t think about their carbon footprint, but we need to start thinking about this even in small daily tasks in our lives in order to help our earth.

    Many families have a tradition of giving and mailing out Christmas cards. However, due to the large number of cards being mailed out each year, it can become very harmful to the planet, especially if they choose to order them through a company that prints your photos on plastic paper. There are great solutions that are easy and affordable. By ordering these cards through eco-friendly companies that use recyclable, biodegradable paper, you are saving yourself the guilt of contributing to global warming this holiday.

    Another simple yet great gift to give this year is cute, fun soap! In hotels alone, 182,500,000 shampoo bottles are used each year. Recently, industries and businesses have turned to using soap bars and shampoo bars rather than wasting unnecessary, useless plastic. Why would you purposefully spend your extra, hard-earned money on a plastic bottle when soap bars last longer and they come in fun shapes and colours? This is a simple yet fun gift, and most importantly, it’s eco-friendly!

    Companies such as tentree, United by Blue and Amour Vert are all environmentally friendly, reasonably priced clothing stores. Depending on your style or the person you’re shopping for, there is most definitely an eco-friendly store out there for you. People tend to shop at the stores that are the most popular or trendy, but smaller, greener companies are still out there! There’s no harm at all in researching the companies you’re shopping at before you buy. You may be surprised at how badly your favourite stores are treating the environment- do your research!

    There are countless gifts available to you. They may be slightly more expensive than regular items, but in reality, it’s a small price to pay to help our planet become greener.

    Lastly, buying reusable kitchenware or containers is a way to get your friends to help the environment as well. Stores like Earth Easy sell various eco-freidnly products such as bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax candles, reusable sandwich bags and socks, any of which would serve as a great gift this year.

    Consider briefly researching the items you buy and the companies they come from before you purchase an item. You’d be surprised at how many companies treat their workers cruelly, test their products on animals or release an extreme amount of chemicals that harm our planet. By avoiding the purchase of these products, we are supporting companies that promote positive, eco-friendly businesses.

    Sources:

    1. https://www.tentree.ca/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-4nuBRCnARIsAHwyuPquq4MnDAkOpoc2IjmRf0lA7YQjb2c93cJA_6bXrZxaNutyx07fNlQaAgMtEALw_wcB
    2. https://unitedbyblue.com
    3. https://amourvert.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=amour%20vert&utm_campaign=g_search_brand_NCA_exact&utm_content=227787257502&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-4nuBRCnARIsAHwyuPo0YBzkP-dCWN4QpZouNlISX1D6JP0nFkkrp-EB1abq3I0AqqbrbvkaAnWMEALw_wcB

    https://eartheasy.com/gifts/

  • Sleep Deprivation While in School

    Sleep Deprivation While in School

    Sleep deprivation is never a good thing. It can be managed for a short time, but it can get worse and have serious impacts on your long term health. It happens often in high school, and very frequently in college and university, and the workplace. You need to take care of yourself because prolonged sleep deprivation can not only affect your academic performance in various ways, but also negatively impacts your physical and mental health.

    Your academic performance suffers most if you are sleep deprived. A consistent lack of sleep results in a lack of concentration and energy; both of these are very important.  Not paying attention to your teacher for important information can translate into lower grades – school work, tests or group assignments. A lack of energy can affect doing sports or even just hanging out with your friends can be a hard task.

    You will need to address why you’re not sleeping well. Are you stressed about a test or the senior grades in high school required to get into the college or university of your dreams? You can get extra tutoring or extra assignments from your teacher or a classmate so your grades can improve – which means less stress on yourself. Stress can affect your health, especially at night if you are consistently worried about several things all at once, and can’t fall asleep. It can still be visually seen on your body as well – particularly bags under your eyes. If someone comments rather innocently that you look tired, try not to take offense – they just recognize a change in you from your normal self. Take it for the concern it was intended to be, and try to take steps to sleep better, not just longer.

    I say sleep better, not longer, because that’s what you need to do. It’s not about the hours you sleep, but how deeply you sleep (sleep takes place in cycles). This doesn’t always happen, so don’t worry too much about it, but take the information and see what you can do with sleep phone applications or wearable technology to see what techniques or strategies you can use instead.  And it’s always better to turn off the electronics well in advance before settling in for the night.

    Plan accordingly, and consider strategies that help you relax and or stay asleep. Exercises such as yoga include breathing exercises that help people relax before they fall asleep. There are playlists everywhere full of calming sounds – such as birds chirping or a gentle rainfall, which can help as well. Humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air fans, or scent diffusers can also help. There are even weighted blankets that help you stay still so you can wake up feeling refreshed. There are many strategies to help you fall (or stay) asleep, it’s just a matter of finding what works best for you and your budget.

    So hopefully these pieces of advice and finding the right strategy help you sleep well, as it helps with your health in multiple ways.

  • Moving out of the House

    Moving out of the House

    Depending on the type of person you are, moving out can be a good thing, or a bad thing. This can be a very difficult decision and one that takes many factors to consider.

    If your chosen secondary pathway is college or university, they are typically very expensive. By moving out, you are adding unnecessary expenses on top of the large fees you’re already paying for your education and transportation. Graduates typically underestimate the large amounts of money that are required to take care of your home by yourself.

    Timing is key; make sure that you’re ready and mature enough to take on this commitment. It’s common to experience anxiety and sadness while moving out of your family home, but if you think about moving out you experience overwhelming fear, that may be a que to wait awhile before moving out. Your main deciding factor should be based on how you feel about moving out, because all that really matters is you. It’s your decision, and only yours. Many students feel pressured to move out at a certain age or after high school, but avoiding this pressure is important to being comfortable with moving out on your own.

    The responsibility of moving out on your own is a responsibility a lot of students aren’t ready to take on. They don’t have the maturity to do simple household tasks like cleaning, groceries, etc. School and homework also take up the majority of a student’s time which makes earning money more difficult because they need to work a lot in order to earn said money to upkeep their living space.

    independence is a huge reason why students move out after high school; the freedom

    is something that they’ve never experienced before, and never had the opportunity to have at this level. By moving out, they feel free to do whatever they want. Some students take advantage of this fact, but it’s the main reason why students move out after high school, especially if they’re moving into dorms. They feel free since they no longer have to abide by any rules from their parents.

    Moving out is also a great learning experience and gives students a glimpse into their future when they own perhaps a larger house. They learn about budgeting, all of the costs of owning a house, saving money, and more. This is great for people to learn at such a young age so by the time they are ready to own a full house themselves, they already know about these important things.

    Along with this, students have said that by moving out after high school they feel as if they can start their own lives. They can invite their friends/partners over to their house, arrange their schedules, move in with roommates, etc. This comes to be very important as they have their own space away from their parents and they can begin their lives in “the real world” rather than being sheltered and protected by their parents.

    Therefore, moving out after high school all depends on the situation and the type of person you are. After considering the pros and cons of your options, make the decision that feels right and that will benefit you the most.

    Sources:

    1. https://www.quora.com/Is-it-wise-to-move-out-after-high-school

    https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/52391/moving-out-still-in-high-school

  • My SHAD Experience: Living Away from Home

    My SHAD Experience: Living Away from Home

    By Maryam Sheikh

    A new season, new school year… and the SHAD Program applications come out soon. When I first heard about SHAD, I was intrigued. A month long, live-in, STEAM based program with other like-minded teens from across Canada? What better way to spend one July of my summer? I had heard about this program from many people; students who were applying, community leaders, and SHAD alumni. The program was formed so that high school students from across Canada with a passion for STEAM would have the ability to learn in an enriched environment alongside many mentors and educators. The program has 17 Canadian host campuses and participants on their designated campus for 27 days.

    Living away from home and on a university campus is an experience that many students can relate to or might be a possibility that they are exploring. For me, it was an opportunity to meet so many new people, gain independence, and be in a university environment.

    This experience was my first one living away from home. I was definitely excited and that feeling only intensified when I started the program. All of the directors and program assistants were extremely welcoming, friendly, and approachable. I got to live with a wonderful roommate- we became very good friends and talk regularly even though the program is over.

    The month consisted of workshops, seminars, lectures, and outings. This gave us opportunities to get to know some of the professors and other educators at Western as well as get a feel for the campus. SHAD opened my eyes up to so many fields I wasn’t entirely familiar with earlier and I know that I will definitely apply to Western when submitting university applications this year.

    We also had a design project to work on throughout the month in our designated groups. This year’s theme was about tackling plastic waste management. In preparation to pitch our projects, we were taught about building businesses and we got to learn more about waste management in order to have a strong background on the topic. Throughout workshops, we developed from an idea to a full-fledged business.

    All in all, SHAD was a very well-rounded experience. Each day was packed with educational seminars, recreation/fitness time and project time. We also went on outings especially on the weekends!

    The program instilled a strong sense of community. At my campus, Western University, I was introduced to 66 strangers on the first day and left with 66 people I now call family. There are also so many accomplished SHAD fellows from other campuses that I will be able to network with and I have yet to meet!

    SHAD strives for inclusivity and diversity in each cohort, and as such, participants come from different backgrounds and life experiences. This program looks for unique, passionate, and hardworking high school students to bring together for a month of learning, growing, and having fun. If you’re debating whether or not to apply, I would highly recommend that you go for it! The application process in itself is a great way to reflect on yourself and your personal experiences.

    There are more details on SHAD’s website: https://www.shad.ca

  • Resources and Tools- A Guide to NEADS.ca

    Resources and Tools- A Guide to NEADS.ca

    By Maryam S.

    Are you a Canadian post-secondary student or graduate with a disability?

    NEADS.ca might be the website for you. NEADS, the National Educational Association of Disabled Students is a consumer-controlled, cross-disability charitable organization. It aims to provide full access to education and employment for post-secondary students and graduates.

    Once on the website, users have the option of accessing the site in either English or French. There are multiple tabs to browse under, including the About Us page, the Education section, the Employment area, Resources, and Events. There is relevant information on each tab for users to explore.

    Some key tools that are available to use on NEADS.ca are their job search videos. They cover topics such as finding work in tough economic times, becoming a self-advocate, transitioning from school to work, preparing for interviews, and effective job searching. Videos are made by representatives from different professionals from BMO, RBC, and UNB, among others.

    Additionally, the site has search engines to find campus career centres and locate campus disability services.

    NEADS also has a bimonthly e-newsletter which highlights new information, upcoming events, and interesting stories.

    The organization has also established a NEADS-L Network; an email based, discussion forum for comments, questions, and contributions. It is a beneficial way to interact with others and share experiences.

    Furthermore, NEADS runs a website that helps match students with scholarships and bursaries they may be eligible for. Students can go to disabilityawards.ca and sort through available scholarships and bursaries by searching according to disability, province, or deadline.

    The site includes access to a duty to accommodate file. This document is a resource for individuals who work and provides information about the difference between federally and provincially regulated employees, the human rights legislation, the rights to equal employment, and employers’ duty to accommodate employees with various needs.

    One of NEADS past initiatives was their Job Search Strategies Forums Project. They hosted interactive forums with guest speakers that assist attendees in preparing to enter the job market. With interactive sessions and guest speakers, topics focused on career transition, concerns about disclosure, resume development, conducting job searches, asking for accommodations, promoting skill sets, and finding mentorship opportunities.

    The forums hosted around 70 attendees with 5-6 guest speakers. They have previously been held in Toronto and Vancouver and have been fully accessible events (ASL interpretation has been available in the past). After the forums, reports were produced which included participant suggestions and presentation transcripts.

    Current projects run by NEADS are their Career Centre Outreach Project and the second phase of their Equity Through Education Project.

    There are a variety of personal experiences and inspirational stories to read about on the employment articles section. For example, people write about their lessons being their own boss, their interview tips, and their educational journeys.

    One of these articles is about Jennifer Dillon, a York University graduate who is an information management advisor. As a woman with a vision impairment, Jennifer uses screen reading software and refreshable screen displays in her work. Having participated in the two-year paid Ontario Internship Program, she gained many skills that have helped her in the workforce. She completed a Bachelor of Environmental Sciences, and, realizing the need for project management in the environmental field, completed a certificate in project management at Ryerson University. She is very successful and happy despite her disability, and her educational journey is an inspirational read.

    Overall, NEADS.ca is a great resource to find tools, use resources, and search for helpful tips pertaining to the workforce and education. It strives to make information accessible and provides relevant and important information. Don’t hesitate to check it out!

  • Trades Career: Agricultural Equipment Technician

    Trades Career: Agricultural Equipment Technician

    Farming is a core pillar of Canada’s economy, and our agricultural communities produce everything from the meat and vegetables we eat, to other natural raw materials for products such as biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and more.  But the agricultural industry doesn’t only depend on plants and animals, it also relies on the expert tradespeople who perform essential tasks such as maintaining agricultural machines and equipment.

    Agricultural Equipment Technicians are a subset of heavy equipment mechanics and technicians, and are responsible for the maintenance and repair of large industrial farming equipment.  This can include tractors, combines, sprayers, harvesters, and irrigation systems, among other machines.  Agricultural equipment technicians are trained to assess, diagnose, repair, overhaul, and maintain the machinery used for farming, and are in high demand across the country wherever agricultural industry is in operation.

    These tradespeople must be familiar with all parts of heavy farming machinery, including the engine and braking systems, electrical systems, exhaust and emission control systems, air conditioning and ventilation systems, wheels and drive systems, as well as any specialty parts such as tillage, planting, spraying or harvesting attachments.  Much of the knowledge and skills used in the agricultural industry will also be applicable to repair and maintenance of heavy equipment and machinery in other industries, such as mining, forestry, or transportation.

    Pursuing a trades career as an agricultural equipment technician is an ideal choice for those who enjoy working with mechanical and electrical systems and automotive vehicles, and who have an interest in farming.  These technicians must have good hand-eye coordination and the physical strength required to lift or move large tools and heavy machine parts.  They also need a solid understanding of and ability to read technical documentation, and a strong work ethic and sense of motivation to work independently with little supervision.

    Most agricultural equipment technicians are employed by heavy equipment service centres or dealerships, and will often perform most of their work indoors at these repair facilities.  However, there are also opportunities to work outdoors by performing repair and maintenance of equipment on-site at farms and other agricultural operations.  Many of these tradespeople will also be employed directly by large farms or agricultural companies, and work in an on-site garage or centralized repair location.  This is also a trade ideal for working as an independent contractor and running an independent small business performing repairs and maintenance work for a variety of farms large and small.

    Depending on which province or territory you are working in, earnings will range from starting wages around $14 to $18 per hour, up to $45 to $47 per hour for experienced tradespeople or those with specialized skills.  Most positions will require an apprenticeship period to learn the trade, as well as some additional education through a college or trade school.  This trade is also eligible for certification through the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, which will enable you to work in any location within Canada.

    Sources:

    https://www.collegeoftrades.ca/wp-content/uploads/Agricultural-Equipment-Tech.pdf

    https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-occupations/profiles/0321/

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/26452/22437

  • Indirectly Working in the Trades- Jobs That Surround the Trade Industry

    Indirectly Working in the Trades- Jobs That Surround the Trade Industry

    A career in the trades can be a very stable, good choice for people who have the ability and physical endurance to do the work, but it is not for everyone. You might not want to be an electrician, hair stylist, or pet sitter, but you might want to work with the people who are in these trades. If so, you should explore the various careers that are available for people who want to support the trades but not work directly in them.

    When people think of the trades, the picture of construction workers or plumbers probably comes to mind, but the trades are much more diverse than that. Cattle herding, broom making, and all kinds of other jobs are also in the trades, and they all require different types of help for the people working in them.

    One of the most basic types of help is working as an adviser for people considering the trades. This job could involve working at a trade school or career college, possibly going to high schools to tell students about the job possibilities in the trades or advising students on courses and apprenticeships once they have already begun their studies.

    Another possibility in this area is to work at outside organizations that deal with issues related to the trades. Examples of these are the Canadian Labour Congress, unions, or other groups that help to regulate the trades or provide information for the workers. For example, the Careers in Construction website provides information on topics such as how women can get involved in the trades or what certifications are required. Writers, website experts, or event planners are some of the people who might want to consider working in these areas.

    Accountants and financial planners can also work with people in the trades. Some electricians or pet sitters might be very good with money matters, but others often need help with setting up ways of keeping track of their earnings, remembering to pay bills, or setting aside funds for large purchases. Financial professionals can help with this kind of task.

    Suppliers, distributors, and advertisers are also very important for the trades, since even the best product will not sell if no one knows about it or can find it. Suppliers can also be a very important link between the raw materials, such as lumber, and the manufacturers, such as furniture makers.  Once the products are made, distributors ship the items to stores or warehouses where customers can find them. Advertisers let the customers know about the products and help the businesses promote themselves and show their advantage over others in the same field.

    Requirements for getting into some of these fields related to the trades vary widely, but generally at least a high school diploma is necessary. Accountants generally need university degrees, and other people working indirectly in the trades might want to have qualifications in website design or related fields. People who have left the trades for their health or other reasons can also use their skills to help in many ways. If you want to work indirectly in the trades, you should be able to find an area where you can use your own skills and abilities in unique ways.

    Bibliography:

    Careers in Construction. “Organizations that Help Women Get Started in the Construction Tades.” https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/opportunities-women/organizations-help-women-get-started-construction-trades.

    Entrepreneur.com. “How to Find and Work with Suppliers.” https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/66028.

    Settlement.org. “Myths About the Skilled Trades as a Career Option in Ontario.” https://settlement.org/ontario/employment/professions-and-trades/regulated/myths-about-the-skilled-trades-as-a-career-option-in-ontario/

    True North Accounting. “Trades and Truckers.” https://www.truenorthaccounting.com/trades.

  • Why learning at your own pace is ok!

    Why learning at your own pace is ok!

    Everyone is different, and therefore, everyone learns a little bit differently!

    Have you ever been stuck on a task that you were assigned by your teacher that everyone else seems to have down pat, but you just can’t wrap your head around? Well it might be because you learn differently than the way you are being taught… and that’s completely okay!

    There are many different learning styles. Some are:

    • Musical – meaning you learn best through music. You may memorize things through song.
    • Verbal-Linguistic – meaning you learn best by words and explanations. You might prefer a page of words to explain how you feel as opposed to a page of pictures.
    • Bodily-Kinesthetic – meaning you learn best by doing things. You may enjoy hands-on activities.
    • Logical-Mathematical – meaning you learn best by logic and numbers. You may be great at math and/or science.
    • Interpersonal (social) – meaning you learn best by being social and you tend to know and be able to read people well
    • Naturalistic – meaning you learn by common sense and what comes natural to you. You may like “going by the flow”.
    • Intrapersonal (self) – meaning you learn best by working by yourself. You may like to just “figure it out on your own”.
    • Visual-Spatial – meaning you are aware of space and learn best by seeing things. You may prefer to be shown how to do something before trying it.

    Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Some people are really good at sports, others prefer arts! It’s the same with learning. Someone who is “word smart” might be really good at memorizing large amounts of information that the teacher shares in a speech, whereas someone who is “picture smart”, may not be able to memorize everything the teacher said. However, if the teacher had shown a diagram to explain what they meant, the “picture smart” person might be able to perform better than the person who is “word smart”.

    Since we all have different learning types, it only makes sense that we all have different learning paces right? It’s just like someone who is really good at basketball might take longer to perfect a painting than someone who is really good at painting!

    Learning at your own pace is 100% okay, and even though it might seem like the whole class understands everything the teacher is saying, and you feel like you got lost back in 1952, I guarantee that you are not the only person who doesn’t understand.

    Learning is essential because it is the foundation of everything we do. If you are a logical thinker, and your teacher only uses music to explain things, you might need to ask them for extra help to better suit your learning needs. It’s important that if you are having trouble with a topic being taught that you sp

  • The Trials and Tribulations of Choosing a Career

    The Trials and Tribulations of Choosing a Career

    What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question that everyone’s heard before. When you’re younger, the question doesn’t really mean much. But as you get older, the question becomes something of great importance and great stress, especially if you don’t exactly know the answer. As you get older, you have to make choices that’ll bring you closer towards what you want to be. However, it’s much easier said than done. What if you have multiple passions and can’t choose a single one that you want to pursue as a career? What if you can’t think of anything that interests you enough to pursue as a career?

    It’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of worrying about the future and what kind of career you’ll end up in. People will tell you that it’s what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life, so you better make a good choice and you better make it before you graduate high school or else you’re bound to have an unhappy future. There’s always this intense pressure to know what you’re doing, to have a game plan and stick to it. But the reality is: there’s no rush.

    Try New Things, Learn New Things

    If you’re completely unsure of what you want to be, the best thing to do is try a lot of different things. That way, you’ll get a better sense of what you enjoy doing and then it’ll be easier to find some overlap between what you enjoy and what you can pursue as a career. You should also try to find out what kinds of jobs are out there. There are probably plenty of exciting jobs that you don’t know about and researching different careers broadens your options.

    If you’re particularly worried about your potential career, you could always do some career counseling, in person or online. After graduating high school, one of my friends took a year off to work and figure out what career they want to pursue. They told me that they decided to do some career counseling and it really helped them narrow down their choices, so it doesn’t hurt to get a little help with figuring things out.

    Passion or Paycheck?

    What if you know what you’re passionate about, but you’re not sure if it’s something you want to do as a career? For example, if you like doing art or acting you’ll probably come across people who’d advise you to choose something else because they think it’s not a stable career. After all, it’s one thing to know what you want to do and it’s another thing to make money off of what you want to do.

    Some careers are inherently more risky than others. Some careers also don’t bring in as much income as others. These are things to take into consideration when deciding on what you want to do as a career. It’s really up to you and your values. However, make sure the choices you make, especially choices concerning your future, are purely your choices. In other words, you shouldn’t let other people, like your friends, parents or teachers, make your decisions for you. They’re not the ones who will be living with those decisions.

    You Have Time

    You have now until the rest of your life to figure out what you want to do. Life isn’t a race. It’s completely fine if it takes a longer time for you to know what you want to be. Some people jump from career to career, trying new things until they eventually get bored and move on to the next new thing. It’s normal if you decide one day that you want to pursue a certain career and then eventually change your mind a different day. I’ve talked to a lot of teachers who told me that they’ve had another career before teaching. Some of them said that they never planned on becoming a teacher but life just turned out that way. It was a career that they sort of fell into and ended up liking. So even if you don’t exactly know what you want to be, sometimes life will surprise you and next thing you know, you’re already what you want to be.