How To Choose A Stream In Class 11
One dilemma that begins to lurk in the minds of students and parents as soon as the former enter senior school (Classes 9 and 10) is that of choosing the right stream or subject combination in Class 11. While the nature of the dilemma may vary, its roots are often the same. Students scoring well and finding all subjects equally easy are as confused as those who do not enjoy studying much. The aim is to settle for a subject combination that they will enjoy, are able to handle with reasonable ease, and that assures them of a promising future.
Let us look at a few points that students should keep in mind while choosing a subject combination for Class 11.
What Are Your Strengths?
Which are the subjects that you’ve consistently scored well in? Does scoring well in Chemistry come relatively more easily to you as scoring well in History? Let yourself go back in time, as back as three years, and evaluate which subjects have been your strength areas. Also, make yourself aware of any weak areas that have invariably troubled you. Let me not recall my horrors with Maths until I dropped it in Class 11!
What Do You Like?
While considering the subjects that you score well in is important, it is separate from what you enjoy studying the most. For e.g. A student may score well in Physics but may enjoy English the most. Similarly, a student may be scoring well in History but may enjoy Chemistry more. Reflect on what subjects you like apart from reflecting on what brings you the highest marks.
What Do You Participate In?
What kind of co-curricular activities seem to ring a bell with you? Are you more of the “Science- Fest” kinds or like to give your best foot forward in MUNs? Would you rather take part in a dance competition or run a race on Sports Day? Reflect on what type of activities you enjoy the most, they may give you subtle but important hints about what stream or subject combination you are cut out for.
Play It Out
As much as an understanding of different subjects helps in determining what career options one would like to consider for themselves, envisioning different professional roles and evaluating what strikes a chord with you helps equally, if not more. What I mean to say here is, research and read about what different career options entail. Read about as many popular and unconventional options as you can, and envision yourself in those roles. See what your gut seems to be calling a fit and what not.
Find An Intersection
Put all your above reflections down on a paper and try to find a point of intersection. For instance, a student who scores well in Maths and English, enjoys participating in MUNs, and feels attracted to business management roles may find their calling in Commerce. Of course, finding this point of alignment may not be as direct and easy for every student, but this whole exercise will give a fair idea of where they want to head. If not that, they will know that they need professional intervention in helping them figure this out.
Consult A Career Counsellor
There can’t be a safer bet than meeting a qualified and experienced career counsellor before taking a decision like this. Career counsellor typically use aptitude and interest assessments, evaluate a student’s interest, and share unbiased insights about the workings of the professional world. All these factors together help students and parents choose the best-fit subject combination.
To make a decision that you stick to and are satisfied with, it is key to start thinking in time. Starting to think and plan from Class 9 about choosing subjects in Class 11 gives one enough time to explore, reflect, evaluate, and then choose.
This article has been written by Variddhi Gupta, counselling psychologist and career guidance expert.
