Are you in year 8 or year 9? Are you choosing your options?

So far you’ve probably had to study all the subjects offered by your school but now you can have some say about what you’ll study next.  This is known as ‘choosing your options’.  It’s important because what you choose now as your choice may affect what courses or jobs are open to you in the future.   

• Find out if your school is holding an Options evening/event or subject taster days and when they are
• To look into your options, use the careers library and speak to your teachers or Connexions Personal Adviser at school
• Use computer programs like www.fasttomato.com to consider your skills, knowledge, preferences and how they may relate to careers.  Then start researching into possible careers.  Good free resources can be found at www.connexionsbucks.org.uk/Resources/free-careers-resources
• If you need help to build your confidence and gain basic/additional qualifications then personalised learning programmes may be on offer in your area.  If these sound interesting ask your teachers or a Connexions Personal Adviser for more information. 

Who to go to for help - here are a few:

• Parents and carers
• Friends and relatives
• Students already in years 10 and 11
• Careers teachers/co-ordinator in school
• Subject teachers and form tutor
• Connexions Personal Adviser either in a group or on your own.

Making decisions is not easy but it is important you make decisions on your options based on what suits, interests and motivates you.  Make your own decisions and don’t follow what your friends are doing.  If you let other people choose for you, you could end up studying subjects or courses that suit them better than they suit you!   

Your parents can also attend some online training with Connexions to support you with your decision making.  For more information please email natalieellis@connexionsbucks.org.uk.