Are you interested in pursuing an education in the sciences, or in the humanities? Do you feel like commuting to the university every morning, and do you prefer group work or individual assignments? Here, UCPH researcher Henriette Holegaard helps you learn more about selecting a programme of study by focusing on important considerations when making this frequently difficult choice.
Are you the kind of person who knows exactly what you want and feel it in your gut without a shadow of a doubt? If so, this article may not be relevant for you.
However, if you are one of the many people who breaks a sweat at the thought of deciding which line of study will unlock an incredible career and future for you, the following will inform you about what to consider before making that choice.
"Selecting a programme of study can be extremely frustrating and many young people feel very alone with the responsibility of making the right choice. Therefore, above all else, it is important to share one's thoughts with others," says Henriette Holmegaard, an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Science Education. Among other things, Holmegaard's research investigates study choices.
Some young people have the tendency to "shut out the noise of other people's opinions", because they are afraid of being influenced by others with regards to what's best for them. However, engaging in endless research online doesn't necessarily make a person more certain about their final choice either, she says.
"Instead of going around and struggling with thoughts on your own, it can be helpful to share these thoughts with friends and family while consulting a student guidance counsellor. Student guidance counsellors can also bring young people together in counselling sessions where thoughts are shared among people in similar circumstances," says the educational researcher.
Come out and experience the place in real life
Besides sharing thoughts with friends and family, it is a good idea to contact the educational institutions that a person is considering. Holmegaard points out that while this can be accomplished by phone, it is best done in person,
