How to choose the right course after SPM

SPM is, lending its hand to help us get closer to our dreams, and here we are, thinking as if it’s a curse we are born with. Choosing the right course after SPM, as fresh high school graduates can be a pretty mind-boggling ordeal, considering there are numerous factors to look into.

Some of the things that you need to consider include few factors such as, your career ambition, personal interests, personality traits, skills and talents, as well as course-related factors such as course accreditation, the syllabus, duration, costs and entry requirements. To start off, what you got for your actual SPM can be used as a guide. This is a good way to measure whether you are capable of doing well in the course or not.

First of all be realistic because your result will become the measurement of what course that you’d be able to take in the future. Scoring high in Modern Maths can bring you to a few choices such as Accounting, Finance, Banking, Computing or Internet Technology (IT). In other ways, if you favour Additional Mathematics or Physics, you can easily choose Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications. Strong in Chemistry will make you good in Food Science and Nutrition, Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering. If you are based on personality and skills, or scoring high in History, Moral Studies or English, courses such as Law, Mass Communications, Public Relations, Advertising, Teaching English and Communication could be your top pick.

You have to look at the subjects and compare them to your personality, interests and hobbies as well as to see whether it fits you. Other than that, make a list for the field of study that interest you, and come up with a list of courses according to your preferred field of study so that you can consider taking it based on these interests in the future.

Do research about your options, from the Internet, books or by asking around. There are lots of ways to get more information on which course you’re about to take. Ask the right people, speak to people who are professional in your field of interest and find out what is it like working in that job. Talk to an experienced career guidance counselor about which course that fit you that go hand-to-hand with your results, skills and talents. In a better way, people who have completed university courses can give you an insight from a student’s perspective –

they can tell you the pros and cons.

The cost of studies is another crucial thing to focus on, as there is no point asking around about studying overseas when your budget is only affordable to study locally. Affordability is another aspect you need to consider while deciding on your course, as well as the additional costs that occur, such as text books, field trips etc. Talk to your parents about the costs or seek for financial aids which are available in scholarships and education loan from MARA or PTPTN. Be frank about the career opportunities; make sure the course is going to be worth it after you graduated.

Look at the career prospects of the course before selecting one. Consider various factors such as income, job security, stress, responsibility and other benefits while researching a profession. Look at statistics, evidence and facts. Don’t fall into pressure from your relatives, family university counsellor saying that one course or career is better than the rest. Instead, take a look at the subjects offered, read through the course outline of the courses you want to apply for and determine if the subjects interest you or not. Have a look at the subjects you must undertake and the types of learning, assignments and examination tasks involved.

However, university or college qualities are important. Make sure you make the right choice in choosing the right university or college that suit your educational needs and preferences. If possible, visit the university and their Open Days to get a feeling of what the campus is like. Choose a university that promotes the use of English Language as English is important to survive in this world because research conducted by various researches has shown that professionals with good command in the English Language gets roughly 25% higher salary and chances of promotion.

Thus choosing a course or career is not rocket science; it is a process in finding out who you are and what you are good at. Some people find out faster while others take more time. Put in mind that personality or career test will not magically show you what your future will be because they are just a guide for you to achieve success in life. – By Nadhrah Hayani  – Student at Cosmopoint College