Choosing what to study

For many people, choosing a certain course of study is simple since they’ve always known what they wanted to do. Others have not always found it that simple. At the beginning of your new life journey, choosing a course in university can be stressful and challenging. Change is never simple, especially when one is unsure of what the future holds or of what they want.Every element of your life will be impacted by your career choices. Making the appropriate academic choice at university is crucial because it will help you get started on a career path you will enjoy and ensure that you advance well in your studies in a field you are passionate about. You should also take into account how the study objectives and instructional standards relate to your course.Assess interest and passionsUnderstanding your interests or areas of passion might make choosing a course to study 10 times easier because university is not the easiest place to be. It is usually advisable to make sure you have some interest in the course you are selecting because this makes it more interesting and increases your chances of learning to apply this knowledge, rather than just to pass. “It is extremely important for students to understand their passion and have clarity about the course they are willing to pursue. Choosing the right course helps them acquire new skills and improves their technical proficiency, which is of utmost importance to survive in a dynamic marketplace,” Justy Mbaeva, a second-year bachelor of accounting student at the University of Science and Technology (NUST), said.Think about your potential career optionsWhen selecting your course, it's crucial to be practical and forward-thinking. Always plan three steps ahead, and consider the opportunities you might gain from choosing a certain course. “They must think about their existing experience and skill set and how to expand on them. Also, consider prospective careers and employment opportunities,” Michael Kisting, a career guidance practitioner, said.Some jobs demand a particular degree, so knowing which ones can do that will help you choose the correct degree to enrol for. If you have a dream position in mind, try working backwards from there to see what degrees would make this possibility attainable to you.Look closely at the courseAfter deciding on a field of study, you may still encounter a wide range of course titles at various universities that appear to be extremely similar. This is the time to conduct detailed research.Take a look at the required and optional modules for each academic year. Consider whether you like the topics' layout and check to see whether some of these modules include your preferred subjects. To learn more about what the course covers, you may even locate the unit guide.Find out the teaching method used for the course. While some courses are heavily focused on theory, others will have more practical content. Don't let something that seems difficult discourage you from digging deeper into the fundamentals of a course. The entire purpose of earning a degree is to advance your knowledge and abilities. That will undoubtedly be difficult, but you will have a lot of help along the way from your lecturers and tutors.Does choosing the wrong course effect the marks or performance of a student?“You are unable to understand the concepts being taught in the class. No matter how hard you try, you are not able to concentrate on, nor enjoy your studies,” Kisting said. You are unable to meet the prerequisite standard for your course, he continued. Almost always, you begin to feel anxious, stressed and grumpy. Some students have extremely low self-esteem and low self-confidence levels, and are unhappy with themselves.While other factors, such as homesickness, an inability to acclimate to the new surroundings and other things may also cause these symptoms, they typically go away quickly. But if, even after a few semesters, you still feel unwell, you need to look into it. And most frequently, you'll discover that you're headed in the incorrect direction.Selecting the best option can be difficult, but that doesn't mean you should worry - there are many ways to achieve your goals.

Choosing what to study

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Choosing what to study

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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