The end of high schools.

It was the end of high schools. I couldn't decide what to do next. Should I take a gap year or should I jump straight into further studies?

Choice 1 : Take a gap year.

Choice 2 : Continue studying.

Take a gap year.

Taking a gap year could lead me down to two different paths. I could volunteer abroad, see the world and gain experience. Or, I could find a job to learn responsibilities and independence. What should I do?

Choice 1 : Volunteer abroad.

Choice 2 : Find a job.

Continue studying.

Continuing my studies meant I would keep learning after high school, but I still had to decide what path to follow. I could choose to study horticulture, diving into the world of plants and practical skills, or I could enroll in a program in another field, like history, gaining specialized knowledge. Each choice offers a unique way to grow and prepare for my future.

Choice 1 : Study horticulture.

Choice 2 : Study history.

Volunteer abroad.

Volunteering abroad had been an amazing experience for me. At first, I had been skeptical about leaving home, unsure of the advantages and disadvantages. I had volunteered to go to Marroco to help young children, and I traveled, and lived with other volunteers in a small village. Even though there was no wage, the experience felt invaluable. The purpose of this trip was to help, learn and grow. It made me feel truly alive, and I can't wait to do many more humanity volunteering.

Select a section to link to here.

Find a job.

I needed to find a job to earn some money and gain experience. Since I didn't have much work experience yet, my options were limited, but I still had a couple of choices. I could try to get a position in a marketing firm, especially since my friend could refer me and help me get in, teaching me about office work, teamwork, and professional skills. Or I could work in a coffee shop, gaining customer service experience and learning responsibility in a fast-paced environment. Both paths would help me grow and prepare me for future opportunities. Should I go work in a marketing firm or go work in a coffee shop?

Choice 1 : Work in a marketing firm.

Choice 2 : Work in a coffee shop.

Study horticulture.

Starting my studies in horticulture was both exciting and maddening at times.The work was tough, and keeping up with assignments and hands-on projects tested my time-management skills. I wasn't a straight A's student at first, but I put aside doubts and kept pushing forward. Every challenge taught me something true about patience and dedication. By learning how to pull off complex projects and managing my responsibilities. In the end, I loved every moment, and this path convinced me to continue my studies at the university level, fully committed to a career in horticulture.

Select a section to link to here.

Study history.

I decided to give studying history a try, hoping it might capture my interest. But things didn't go as I expected. I struggled with the workload, my grades weren't straight A's, and I consistently felt behind. During one particular assignment, a major research project, I felt completely overwhelmed, and it made me realize how disconnected I felt from the subject. I didn't enjoy the classes, I didn't feel inspired, and it became clear that history wasn't the path for me. That's when I finally decided to go study something else. Start again!

Select a section to link to here.

Work in a coffee shop.

I worked at a coffee shop to earn money and gain some experience, but it quickly became clear that it was a dead-end job. The work was repetitive, and there wasn't much room to learn new skills or grow professionally. I quit the job. Start again!

Select a section to link to here.

Work in a marketing firm.

I worked as a project coordinator in a busy marketing firm, and office politics were basically part of the air we breathed. Our workplace is an open-concept office in Montreal, but more often than not, it felt smaller than it was because rumors traveled fast. I never planned getting sucked up in drama, but it happened anyway. One time, I was leading a campaign for a client. My colleague, who wanted the position I had, withheld key data that I needed. It completely undermined our progress. I could tell he was purposely hindering me to look better in front of the boss. When the project failed to meet the deadline, I realized I had gotten sucked up in their mind games without noticing and ended up withholding my own ideas out of frustration. It undermined the team further. In the end, I decided to leave the job. Start again!

Select a section to link to here.