Choosing a university course

Here is my two-cents worth of advice for those of you who are still undecided in your choice of university courses.

1. Know what the available courses are and find out every thing you can about the courses that interest you. Check the university websites and read up their prospectuses. Attend the university open houses. Find out what their curriculum are like. Talk to friends or relatives and ask them to share their experiences.

2. If you have a career path in mind that you want to pursue, pick a course that can facilitate the achievement of your career aspirations. With that said, don't choose a career just because it "pays well". I always believe that you should put your interests first before money. Do something that you are passionate about.

3. One of my career counsellors told me in a seminar "you don't know what you don't know". Very few people actually know for certain, the exact career path they want to embark when they are 18 years old. I'll have to admit that that's what happened to me. There may be things in life that you might like, but you just don't know about it yet. Furthermore, your interests may change. You may change. The career that you once so passionately wanted to pursue may not seem so desirable after all. If you want to pursue highly specialised courses like medicine, veterinary sciences or architecture, make sure you are clear on what you want.

4. Don't choose engineering for the sake of choosing engineering! I know of friends who choose a particular course just because that is where most of their friends are going. They don't end up in engineering very long. Also, don't just apply for any random course for the sake of "going through the motion" and getting a certificate (I know this is Singapore). Choose a course that you like, and not one where you think you can sail through and graduate. 4 years of university education is a substantial amount of time (and money) to be wasted on something you find out you do not like.

5. Lastly, one professor of mine gave the class these profound words "university is supposed to liberate your thinking, not limit your opportunities". Don't be afraid to follow your heart and go with your passion. If your considering a degree in the arts, humanities or social sciences, go for it. The job that you choose to do does not have to be related to what you studied.