Which Stream to Choose in Class XI?
Selecting the right stream is probably one of the most important decisions that your child is going to be making in their career. With so many changes happening across every career field, stream selection in Class XI has to be spot on.
Let’s Look At Some of the Questions Which Clog Your Mind During This Period
What if I choose now but hate the subject combination later? Will my school allow me to change my subject combination later? Will I be able to handle Maths in Class XI? What if I want to drop Maths after Class XI? Will I be restricted from pursuing a particular course during my graduation if I drop Maths in Class XI and XII?
But let us sit back and think for a moment? With the explosion in the number and type of Career Options – should we really fret over stream selection in Class XI to such an extent?
The moment you ask students about their choice of stream after 10th, you’ll hear answers like:
- I am focusing on my preparation now. Let the result come out, and I will decide after that.
- Of course science, all my friends are going to opt for science.
- My parents want me to become an engineer. So, I will opt for science.
- I am confused what to choose. I would opt for a stream that has more demand in the job market.
n class 10, children tend to take the decision with a puzzled and ambiguous mind. Many times, they end up selecting a wrong stream, thereby opening the door to haywire career decisions later on in life. Sometimes, students start hating their subjects in 11th, quit midway or start feeling frustrated about their wrong move or decision.
Remember that if you give in to peer pressure, parental pressure or lack the right knowledge, you tend to lose motivation to perform after a certain time. Hence, it is very important for any student to choose the stream carefully for better career prospects. But how would you decide if your choice of stream after 10th is correct or not?
Ask yourself these questions before deciding the stream:
What are my interests?
The first step towards choosing a stream after Class 10 is to match personal interests with potential careers. Students, ideally, would like to choose a stream that will enable them to have a career that makes them happy and content.
When thinking about what stream you would like to pursue after Class 10, and consequently what career you would choose for yourself, you should consider several aspects of your personality through a career assessment tool. These include things that you have always been interested in, activities that you enjoy doing, topics and subjects you like reading about, etc.
For example, if you enjoy reading science fiction and staying abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and inventions, you may want to take up the science stream. Likewise, a student who is creative, imaginative and likes writing, then the arts stream is the right choice.
What is my aim in life?
Every child grows up having a role model in mind. It can either be a family member or even a famous personality or celebrity. More often than not, a student’s aim in life will be based on their role model. It is important to identify this ambition in life for a student and judge which subject stream will be best suited for them. Whether you want to become an engineer, doctor, chartered accountant, lawyer, teacher or break free from the conventional career options, if you know exactly what you want to do, the choice becomes very clear.
What subjects do I like the most?
Before choosing a stream in Class 11, you should keep in mind the subjects you have always enjoyed studying and which you are good at. It’s always wise for students to choose a stream for themselves that includes their ‘favorite subject’. For example, if you like studying history, you should take up the Arts/Humanities stream. Similarly, a student who excels at and enjoys studying the sciences, should take up the science stream.
Do I need to visit a career counselor?
Sometimes, it’s sane to talk to a career counselor to make better decisions. A career counselor is the one who conducts tests which have been scientifically designed and formulated to help the students to know the right stream after 10th class. Attending career guidance lectures, seminars, educational fairs would also be a good idea to explore career choices and plan your next step.
Should I take assistance from my seniors/parents/teachers?
There are instances when students take the wrong decisions due to lack of knowledge. So, guidance from experts and experienced people always matters. On many occasions, students ignore their passion and follow their parents’ decision. So, a constructive discussion with parents or teachers and conveying to them where your happiness lies should not be missed out during this phase.
Here’s a quick look at the various streams and their career options.
- Science Stream – Engineering and Medicine
- Commerce Stream – Accounting, finance, marketing, business and economics, insurance, foreign trade and stock broking
- Humanities Stream – Economics, education, media and politics, literature, history, architecture and philosophy
No matter what you decide, ensure that you don’t give in to peer pressure or take up a stream based on what your friends are doing. Friends can motivate and inspire you to study hard and do well but you may not really like the subjects and perform well.
So, take your time to decide but do not rush to conclusions.
We hope this article helped you in your choice of stream after 10th standard. For professional support to select the right stream in Class XI reach out to us here.
We, at ScholarsMojo, have been instrumental in helping thousands of children across the state in discovering their Aptitude, Personality, Interests and preparing an action plan for the future.
