So your teen isn’t sure what they want to be. Or, they’re unsure which A-Level topics to choose, which university course to apply for or which next step to take.
Lots of us fear being undecided about the future, but it’s a very normal part of life. Not being certain actually opens us up to different options and opportunities. It means we ask questions and want to explore different paths.
Being undecided about the future is normal
We tend to praise teens for knowing early on the career path they want to take. We also encourage them to make fast decisions and have a clear plan.
However, the vast majority of teens feel undecided – and that’s okay! A survey by careers advice company notgoingtouni.com found that a quarter of teens don’t know what to do after compulsory education.
While a new study from youth employment company Youth Group found that 63% of 18-25-year-olds are curious but unaware of the current career advice available to them.
Thousands of pupils are unsure about the right route for them after school, and they’re looking for information and support to help them decide. Rather than see this as a negative thing, it’s time we flipped the concept of being undecided on its head.
Here are 5 ways that being undecided about the next step can actually be a great thing for your teen.
1. It means they’re open to exploration
“Being undecided and undeclared is a good place to be as it’s a source of exploration,” says singer and podcaster, Robby Celestin in his recent Tedx talk, Being Decidedly Undecided.
Being curious and open to learning means your teen is more likely to try a wide range of subjects at school or modules at uni and they’ll be more open to different paths, widening their options.
All your teens’ different experiences can also interlink. “Everything we learn over ‘here’, eventually feeds something over ‘there’ – your life experiences and journeys will show you the way,” says Robby.
2. It means they have time to experiment
After school, the next stage of your teen’s learning is voluntary. It’s a choice for them. And while the countless options can seem overwhelming, your teen’s generation is in a good place.
“This next generation is the largest, most savvy generation to ever hit the planet,” says writer and editor Genevieve Morgan in her Tedx Talk, Undecided. “You can uptake big data, you’re information ninjas and you have extremely long lives to look forward to. So, yes there are so many options, but you also have time.
“You have years to reinvent yourself, experiment and throw things up against the wall. Carving a career is important, but how and where you do it has never been less important.”
3. It means they’re more likely to reach out for support
Whether your teen is choosing their GCSE or A-Level topics or contemplating the next move after school, sixth form or college – being undecided about the future means they’ll want to talk things through.
They’ll be open to information, ask lots of questions and likely learn from different sources of support – including yourself, careers advisors, teachers, mentors, tutors, youth information sites and social media. All you need to worry about is helping them find their most helpful sources of support.
4. It means the pressure’s off
“Problems arise when you’re paralysed with indecision or you secretly know what you want to do but you’re denying it to please other people,” says Genevieve. “That ‘should’ voice comes up in your head, and it can cause you to make decisions based on fear, rather than what you truly want.”
Being undecided means the pressure’s off and your teen is free to explore what really matters to them. “That pressure can get really intense, and you might be burned out and need to take a break,” says Genevieve.
Your teen might want to take a gap year and work in a local shop, travel, become a tutor, volunteer abroad or locally. There are so many organisations that can help your teen figure out the next step, like Year Out Group, Volunteering England or Trailfinders Travel Academy. Lots of universities also value this reflection time.
5. It means they’re growing
“Being undecided about the future doesn’t mean you’re stifled and it doesn’t mean you’re stuck, it actually means you’re growing,” says Robby.
“The roots of your life are going to intertwine whether you have a plan or not. So if you don’t that’s okay. My advice is just to move. Go out and find something you love. It’s okay to wonder what you’re going to do next, because that’s moving.
There are plenty of moves your teen can make that will help them figure things out along the way. And it doesn’t have to be university – they might consider apprenticeships or traineeships, studying overseas or trying online courses.
“Every time you try, succeed or fail – it’s movement. If you’re feeling a little lost in life, it’s okay as long as you’re moving forward in some way. You’re not undecided, you’re simply evolving!”
Think your teen might benefit from a mentor and role model? Our tutors can help build their confidence as well as help with learning gaps and exam revision. Find the right one for them here.