What Should I do After High School?

I had been waiting for this moment for five year : I had finally finished high school. Now, I had to make a decision that would impact my entire future.

Choice 1 : Take a Year off.

Choice 2 : Go to Cégep du Vieux Montréal.

Take a Year off.

I decided to take a year off. I wanted to experience more than just school and enjoy my youth before I had to enter the adult life.

Choice 1 : Travel all Year.

Choice 2 : Work Full Time.

Go to Cégep du Vieux Montréal.

Long years of studying were ahead of me, and I was ready for the challenge. I was curious, and interested in so many things that I didn't know which program to choose. It was time to make an important decision.

Choice 1 : Choose the Double DEC program.

Choice 2 : Choose the Special Education technique.

Choice 3 : Choose the Social Sciences program.

Work as a Waitress.

I worked in a big restaurant in downtown Montreal. At first, I was excited to earn money. But over time, I realized I didn't like it as much as I had hoped. The hours were long, the clients demanding, and I didn't feel fulfilled. By the end of the autumn season, I decided to apply to CEGEP for the winter semester.

Choice 1 : Start again

Travel all Year.

I needed to meet new people, discover new places, and experience something different from my usual routine. Most of all, I wanted to feel free and independent. After a lot of hesitation, I had to decide where to begin my journey.

Choice 1 : Go to Australia first.

Choice 2 : Go to France first.

Work Full-Time.

I want to experience adult life, become more independent, and make good money before going back to school. I wasn't sure what kind of job to choose.

Choice 1 : Work as a waitress.

Choice 2 : Work as a swimming coach.

Choose the Double DEC Program.

Since I was so undecided, I chose the program that allowed me to explore the widest variety of subjects. To my surprise, I ended up loving natural sciences, especially mathematics and biology. In one of my biology classes we studied the nervous system. It made me realize I wanted to study something related to the brain at university.

Choice 1 : Apply to Neurosciences at Université de Montréal.

Choice 2 : Apply to Medical School at all Quebec universities.

Choose the Special Education Technique.

I chose this program because I felt a desire to help others. I started the technique with the intention of going to university afterward.

Choice 1 : Change program after a year.

Choice 2 : Finish the Special Education program.

Choose the Social Sciences Program.

I was interested in subjects such like Psychology, Sociology and History, so the Social Sciences program seemed like the right fit for me.

Choice 1 : I don't like it.

Choice 2 : I like it.

Apply to Medical School at all Quebec Universities.

I decided to apply in medical school, hoping I would get accepted somewhere. After weeks of waiting and stress, I finally received an acceptance letter from Université Laval. I was so happy! That meant I had to move to Québec city and get my first apartment.

Choice 1 : Start again

Apply to Neurosciences at Université de Montréal.

I studied in neurosciences for four years and got my bachelor's degree. But during those years, I realized what I truly wanted was to become a psychiatrist. So, I applied in medical school at the same university and I got accepted.

Choice 1 : Start again

Change Program After a Year.

I realized I didn't really like the program, it felt too easy and not challenging enough. After one year of studying Special Education, I decided to switch to the Social Sciences program instead.

Choice 1 : Start again

I Don't Like it.

I didn't enjoy the program at all. The classes felt long and boring, and I couldn't see myself doing this for much longer. Feeling unmotivated, I decided to drop out of school. I needed time to figure out what I wanted.

Choice 1 : Start again

Go to France First.

I landed in Paris and stayed there for a couple of weeks. I visited all the tourist attractions and made some friends. Then, I decided to go to Marseille, I met a handsome guy there and fell in love. I stayed with him for several months before deciding to move to France permanently with my partner.

Choice 1 : Start again

Go to Australia First.

I visited Australia. I started in Sydney, where I explored the city. I was amazed by the beautiful nature: the tropical forests and the kangaroos. A traveler I met there inspired me to visit Asia next. So, I traveled to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. After almost 11 months away, I came back home full of memories.

Choice 1 : Start again

I Like it.

I really enjoyed the Social Sciences program. I discovered new interests, like anthropology and even economics. After CEGEP, I decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Choice 1 : Start again

Work as a Swimming Coach.

For me, it was logical to work as a swimming coach : I had been a swimmer since I was seven years old. At first, I was afraid I wouldn't be good with kids or that I wouldn't enjoy working with them. But I ended up loving it. I enjoyed it so much that I never went back to school. I made a career out of it.

Choice 1 : Start again

Finish the Special Education Program.

It took me three years to complete the program. After graduating, I went straight into the job market and started working with high school students. I felt like I had made the right choice.

Choice 1 : Start again