Finally, after 7 years of secondary school life and a few weeks of waiting for the results, they are finally here.
A big congratulations to those who made the cut; you should be proud of yourselves as you step into a new chapter of your lives. This smells like a stepping stone to some form of independence as discussed during my previous article and podcast, YOUR SELF-DEVELOPMENT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
I would also like to extend a word of encouragement to those who unfortunately didn’t make it this year. I want you to know that it isn’t the end of the world, and examinations are not necessarily a true test of your potential in life… We all fail at some point in our lives, but what makes a difference is what you make of such moments. How do you pick yourself up, double your efforts, and turn things around for the best?
You Passed. What’s Next?
A lot of students look forward to the results without really pondering what their next move will be once the results are out. They have lingering thoughts here and there, but most of you are coerced by peer pressure and easily fall prey to “groupthink.”. That’s a mistake I would hate for you to make, because it may set you off your life’s trajectory and perhaps your destiny.
As you all celebrate, I want you to think about these questions:
- What do I want to become in the future?
- What courses can I take to achieve that?
- What educational institutions, both nationally and internationally, can I attend?
- What are the financial implications for me, my parents, or sponsor?
- What and who are the people that I’ll need to go through this to the end?
University for You?
What is a University?
“It is an educational institution designed for instruction, examination, or both, of students in many branches of advanced learning, conferring degrees in various faculties, and often embodying colleges and similar institutions” ( Oxford Dictionary).
Some of you may be thinking about state universities, whilst others about private ones. Whatever your choice is, I want you to weigh both sides diligently in order to make an informed decision.
In my case, after I had my GCE, there was enough peer pressure to be swayed into going for the popular option, which at the time was the University of Buea. My goal was always to become an accountant or a banker, and based on my research, a professional school offering a higher national diploma course was the best option for me. I went down that path, got a Higher National Diploma in Banking and Finance, took a gap year, and then went on to have a Bachelor degree in Accounting Finance and Audits at the University of Douala.
So let me ask you this: What path are you thinking of taking? Are you going to succumb to the desire to attend the same university as your friends, or are you making an informed decision of what’s best for you?.
Whatever you do, think deeply. This one decision could set you up for life or set you back for years.
GAP YEAR.
What is a Gap Year?
“It is a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education” (Oxford dictionary).
Perhaps some of you would like to take a GAP YEAR. That’s equally fine!.
If your objective is to attend further education abroad, perhaps taking a gap year is a good option. This will give you time to make your applications, secure admission, put finances together, and get your visa.
A Gap year could be all you need.
Before you start worrying about this deferral looking bad on your next university application, please hear me out. Taking a gap year after the GCE has become very popular amongst students, and universities are becoming accustomed to seeing this on applications. Needless to say, you should not worry about this affecting the outcome of your application or worry about it being viewed negatively. Deferring your entry to university also allows you to take a well-earned break and gain some invaluable life experience at the same time.
Are you considering a gap year? Ask yourself these questions;
- Is it a good idea to take a year off school? In order to make the best out of your gap year, it is imperative for you to set some goals about the year and how you want it to pan out at the end of it all. Remember that failure to plan is planning to fail.
- How feasible are my goals and objectives for taking a year off school? Make sure your plan is something that is within reach and can be realised. Consider the financial costs and other resources involved, and ask yourself if you can afford it.
- How does a gap year affect my university of choice? Make sure that the university you would like to attend has no issues with you taking a gap year.
Why you should take a gap year.
Perhaps it will be worthwhile to mention some of the reasons why a gap year may be good for you;
- Acquire work experience. Taking a year off, can be an opportunity to apply for internships and gain some valuable work experience. You may also earn some cash and be able to save, whilst doing this.
- Gain professional skills. Work experience is increasingly the one thing that gets a job applicant ahead of other candidates. Perhaps you could use your gap year to develop professional skills in the industry or sector that you would like to pursue, after your university degree.
- Traveling and learning about other cultures. Besides acquiring new skills and gaining on-the-job experience, travelling around your country or abroad may just be that one thing you need to broaden your horizon and discover your purpose. Learning how other people live and exploring other cultures has the potential of giving you a knowledge and mental boost.
- Reassessing and Refueling. After so many years in education, taking a gap year can be a well-deserved break from academic pressures. This may be a time to reassess what your options are and what path you want to take. It could be a time to just get your motivation back to top levels before embarking on another 3+ years of student life again. Results from research carried out on the “gap year” students have shown that students who take a year before starting university have higher motivation and graduation rates on average than students who don’t.
- Personal Development. A year off school could be a perfect moment to mature and add invaluable soft skills to your repertoire. Reading books, taking personal development courses, mentoring, and much more will no doubt boost your self-confidence and increase your value in the marketplace.
What to Study at the University.
Now that we have discussed the possibility of university or a gap year, perhaps you should know the financial rewards that are available for you in different professional fields.
Below are the best-paying jobs in the world and the monthly salary expectations.
In Cameroon, most specifically, salaries are as follows:
Depending on your future career prospects and goals, carrying out research on the best-paying jobs in your city, country, or even worldwide would be a good place to start from in order to inform yourself on what your options are and what may be best for you.
