Questioning whether you’ve chosen the right university degree at some point during your studies has been as much a rite of passage as your diet consisting of almost exclusively instant ramen and coffee.
After all, our teenage formative years are defined by growth and change – and what we thought we wanted at 16 might change by the time we find ourselves in the lecture hall.
Here are 5 green flags to help guide your child to know whether they’ve chosen the right uni course for them.
- They already enjoy the content they’ve learned so far at school
Sure, your child might not be the biggest fan of hauling themselves out of bed at the crack of dawn to make it to their 8am biochemistry 101. But if they enjoy what they’re learning, that’s a pretty good sign.
Studies show that if students are interested in or passionate about what they’re studying, there’s a higher chance of them staying engaged for the majority of their lectures and tutorials, and by extension, doing well in their exams.
Also, we might be pointing out the obvious here… but do we really want our kids to spend 3 to 5 years feeling trapped in a course that makes them feel unfulfilled?
Yeah, that’s what we thought.
- They’ll be surrounded by like-minded people
Humans connect with each other most deeply over shared interests and passions.
So if your child’s feeling a little out of place in class, this might signal that the degree they’ve chosen might be out of alignment with what they’re passionate about – and therefore, a healthy and happy career path.
- They can (actually) see themselves working in that chosen field
Have a chat with your child and ask them where they see themselves in five or ten years. Does that align with the program they’re currently enrolled in?
If not, it might be worth exploring the idea of transferring to a course that’s more aligned with a career they see themselves thriving in.
If that seems a little too daunting, suggest undertaking work experience or internships to get a feel for what it’s like to work in a different role or industry.
- They enjoy talking about their course with others
We get it. University can be stressful, and there will be times your child will need a vent here and there.
But if you notice your child bringing up the content of their studies in conversations with others in a positive way, chances are they’re passionate about what they’re learning at university and are on the right track to a fulfilling career.
- They’re excited about their future
While it’s totally normal to be a little nervous about taking that first step into the workforce, if your child emits a sense of hope and excitement about entering their chosen career – well, that’s the biggest green flag of all.Seeing red flags instead? Try encouraging your child to have a chat with their career advisor, or take our free Youra career quiz, which helps draw a picture of how Gen Zs can better understand how their interests, skills, goals can come together and create a career pathway that’s aligned with who they really are.
