Academic life till 10th is very usual. Students study a standard set of subjects. There is no option to choose subjects that interests a child. Everyone studies all the basic subjects. Students across the nation are bound to surpass a pre decided curriculum. A child who is curious about machines, physics, astronomy etc has also to study languages whether he likes them or not. A child who struggles with maths and has poor logic, still has to work hard to pass those subjects. A particular intelligence is not focused on while talking a formal education till the high school finishes.
After 10th, a student can decide on what stream should be selected. There are multiple factors that should be considered before taking this decision. Stream selection is crucial because it plays a major role in shaping the career of student. There are 3 broad parameters one should consider while selecting a career.
1. Aptitude
It means the mental capacity and inclination of a person towards subjects. If a child has sharp logic, is hard working, can bear pressure of loaded work, he can be said to have qualities to fit in science stream. Whereas if a child is extrovert, is people centric, manages to bargain for things, likes to roam around and has a curious mind about finding the strategy and profit of any business model around him, we can say that a child then has commerce appetite.
However if a child is serious about creativity, has a hobby from childhood with hands on learning approach, likes any form of performing arts, is a good listener and ultimately likes to express by any of these ways, we can assume that he is fit for humanities.
2. Interest
I meet so many students and parents during counselling sessions who are clueless about what interests the child. The interest areas could have roots in childhood hobby patterns, external learning, peer learning, culture of surrounding, school environment or it could even sometimes be genetical.
If a child pursues his interest area as further education, it becomes play thing. Long hours into learning would also be encouraging and it would push to keep going on. If a subject is selected on basis of what one wishes to practice in future, it helps to get a child concrete theory knowledge which would make them enriching practitioners.
3. Leverage
The end goal to study is to make a living. Every person, no matter what he does, is ultimately trying to earn pelf to put food on his table. So there are 3 questions one needs to have answer about while stream selection.
A. Do i have a family business? Am I to continue with next generation? What skillset will I need to do justice to the role?
B. Am I fascinated towards high paying job? Am I a right job material person? Am I competent enough? Can I take orders ?
C. Do I strive for entrepreneurship? Am I capable for my own start up? Do I wish to be a professional? Am I resilient enough to stick on to my project?
Ultimately what matters is such a stream should be selected where a child feels to explore, grow and be passionate to learn more. The child should discover his strength, weakness, sincere approach and the ability to be consistent in whatever he choses.