Five questions to ask before you pick your options

Option choices time is a great opportunity to tailor your subjects to:

• what you enjoy
• what you’re good at
• what’ll help you get into a career that's right for you

Remember, you'll get plenty of support from your careers adviser in school. You'll be able to chat to them about any questions you have. But there are a few questions they might want you to think about first – you might hear these called the 'Big Five'.

Use these as a checklist to help you narrow down and make decisions about what to take.

1. How do you like to learn?

Different subjects get taught in different ways. You’ll have your own unique learning style, so think about what suits you. If you love doing practical work, you might want to think about Graphic Communication or Physical Education. If you like to talk and listen, a language subject might suit you.

Speak to your teachers if you want to know more about how different subjects are taught throughout school so you know what to expect.

2. Where will your choices take you?

If you already know what you want to do, that’s great! You can use the Option Choices tool to work out what subjects will help you get there.

If you’re not sure yet, it can help give you some inspiration. You can enter up to six subjects you’re considering and it’ll show you careers they can lead to. It’s a great way to work out if what you want to study could take you somewhere interesting.

3. What do you enjoy?

If you’re a bit lost where to start, keep it simple and focus on the things you know you like. Even if you’re not sure what you want to do after school yet, you’ll at least be able to learn in areas you know you’re interested in while you figure it out.

Make a list of things you enjoy doing or learning about and compare that with the subjects on offer.

4. What are you good at?

Taking subjects that you do well in is also a good idea. This’ll help if you want to keep studying that subject at school. It’ll also give you more options when you leave school and look at courses or jobs.

You could try using My Strengths to understand more about what you’re good at.

5. What do others think?

You have lots of people around you who would be happy to chat things over with you. It might be your parents or carer, your friends or an older sibling who has been through option choices. Your teachers and careers adviser have lots of knowledge about this stuff too, make the most of it and ask them all the burning questions you have.

Remember though, it’s still your decision to make. Think about the advice and guidance others have offered but make the choice that’s right for you.

Pick the subjects you want, not anybody else. As you’re the person that needs to sit in the class, listen, participate, do the homework and sit the exams. It’s your life!Carla BichanCareers Adviser, Skills Development Scotland