Which study is best for me?

Making a choice of study is quite difficult. Because there is so much choice. You can really go in any direction. Don't panic! In this blog, we help you choose your course of study.

Which study is best for me? sigh. Making a choice of study is quite difficult. Because it somewhat determines your future. And there is so much choice?! Where do you start? And what should you pay attention to? What can you expect? Don't panic. In this blog, we will try to give you answers to the above questions.

But before we continue, one of us would like to give you the following: ‍

“Don't focus on making the perfect course choice. Because honestly, it doesn't exist. And I can know it. I've been studying for 8 years now. And — as we speak — I'm going to stick with that for another 2 years. But even after all these years, I still don't know if I've chosen the right course of study. Am I happy with my choices? Yes, absolutely! Am I sure? No. Because I really like it.”

Today's wise lesson? Interests simply cannot be captured in one course of study.

Who am I? What do I like?

Let's start with you. Who are you? And we're not talking about your first and last name, age and place of residence. You are probably in your last year of high school right now. And your final exam is getting closer. But with that final exam in sight, a new adventure also begins. You're going to study later. Exciting!

But who are you really? What do you like? And what are you good at? Choosing your degree should start with where your interests and talents lie. It's important to do something you enjoy and are good at. Write down your strengths, but also what you're not good at. What else do you like to do in your spare time? And what 3 things do you find important when choosing a course of study? It does not have to be a report. Put it in your phone and keep it short and to the point. So you always have it at hand and keep it organized. Handy for later!

Do you find it difficult? Ask your parents, family, and friends for help. They often have some ideas. More than you sometimes think. For example, what do they think is right for you? And what not at all? Also, don't hesitate to talk to your mentor or dean. They know you personally and are the right people to support and advise you in your choice of study.

And what can I do?

What else can you do with your profile? An important question! But the answer to that question isn't always fun. Because not every profile provides access to every study. And that's crap. It is therefore important to know which studies do and do not match your profile.

Do you want to know more about your profile and which studies do or do not fit? Then check From Profile To Study! This handy tool for HAVO and VWO shows you which profiles and additional courses provide access to which study.

Are you in VMBO? Then check Choose MBO. This tool is specifically focused on the opportunities that MBO offers. It shows you which courses you can choose from. And it gives you insight into internships, apprenticeships and business.

Will it be MBO, HBO or WO?

The terms MBO, HBO and WO may already sound somewhat familiar. The choice between MBO, HBO and WO depends largely on you. What are you good at? And what are you not doing well? How do you like to learn? And where do you see yourself later? In a nutshell: MBO courses offer practical training for specific occupations. Higher professional education courses have more theoretical subjects, but are still quite practical. These courses are mainly aimed at preparing students for a specific professional field. On the other hand, university courses are academic in nature, with a strong focus on theory and research.

Open days, trial studies and attendance days.

Ok. You now — hopefully — have a better picture of yourself. After this preparation, it is time for the most fun, but also the most important things: visit open days, test studies and attend attendance days. Rest assured. It's okay if you don't have an answer to everything yet. Choosing a course of study sometimes sounds harder than it is. Remember, there is no such thing as the perfect course of study. And that switching studies is always an option.

Do you want information about or get to know more about multiple courses? It is then best to start visiting open days. Some find that exciting. And that's what it is sometimes. However, such an open day can make just the difference between “Hmm, maybe not...” and “Yes, this is it all!” You should actually see such an open day as a sneak peek into your future student life. A sneak peek that gives you the opportunity to gather a lot of information and get a good taste of the atmosphere. By the way, don't forget to ask teachers and current students questions!

And then, the trial studies and the attendance days. These are the paths to a real student's world. But for one day, you sit in the lecture hall, experience the lessons and see how everything works. It's your chance to check whether the course material appeals to you and whether you like the way of teaching.

Your study, your choice.

In short, making a choice of study is a process in which you get to know yourself. You'll discover where your profile and interests match. And you also explore your talents. Take your time and don't be afraid to explore different options. Remember: there is no perfect course choice, but there is definitely one that suits you best. Be curious, approach the process with an open mind and feel free to join us for a day. Are you unable to figure it out or do you want to have a sparring with a student? We are happy to help you with it.