The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The trials and tribulations of making `the right choice' by Shailee Koranne Grade 11, White Oaks S.S. here's a certain sense of "Wow, I'm growing up" that came to me while I was going through my first university tour, and with that also came feelings of "This is a new chapter!" It's incredible to think that at the age of 16, I am supposed to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. On one hand, you keep hearing that you're too young to make decisions, and on the other hand, you're supposed to make the biggest decision of your life. With that comes looking at universities/colleges or apprenticeships, answering questions for all your parents' friends, and choosing courses for your last year of high school. The toughest part is deciding. Is this really the career you want? It is so frustrating to have to choose, especially if you want to experience everything. And it doesn't help when grown-up after grown-up approaches you and asks you what you want to do -- especially when they remind you to make "the right choice." The pressure is immense. You want to do what you love, but if what you love isn't a "sen- 13 | Friday, May 31, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com T sible" career option, you're stuck. It's incredible that the choices you make now are going to affect the rest of your life. Here we were, cruising along our high school years, thinking there was so much time until we really had to buckle down. And now we're nearing the end of high school, and I suddenly feel the impulse to turn around and run all the way back to the starting point. It's hard to remember that things usually work out in people's favour when you're sitting in front of your computer looking at admission requirements for a dozen different universities. There are so many options, but at the same time, there aren't. If there was a process for picking the right career, it would make a lot of lives easier. The most important things to keep in mind when making "the right choice" are your interests (this is different from your hobbies), your skills, your workplace values, and personality. There is nothing wrong with talking to someone who can help you decide. See a career counsellor, or the guidance staff at your school. They can help you get started. Through self-reflections, you'll be able to decide. Stay up until 3 a.m. if you have to -- I've realized through countless personal experiences that when no one is around you and you can't hear anything but your thoughts, you understand yourself a lot more. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you will have time to change your focus, and always will. For example, Leonard Cohen was 33 years old when he decided he wanted to be a songwriter. So, go ahead. Take risks. Take chances for yourself. You have your whole life to decide what you want to do. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in an upcoming Kids Speak Out - School News column featured in the Beaver, please e-mail Tom Dykes at ellergreen58@ gmail.com. HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! Open Your Home & Hearts to a Student From Spain This Summer Red Leaf Student Program needs families in Oakville and Burlington to host a Student from Spain in July and August. Students attend classes and activities Monday to Friday. Remuneration of $70000/4 weeks paid to host families. URGENT Veronica 905-637-0879 Soak up the sun. Merry Maids of Oakville lets you enjoy a clean home for less this summer. For more information FRE E FINE ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL $ Act now and take advantage of the most cost-effective cleaning for your home. Starting from $75 on a weekly/biweekly basis, this package ensures that we focus on the rooms of your home that need the most attention. BUDGET-MINDED CLEANING PACKAGE STARTING FROM FineART &CRAFT Saturday, June 8, 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, June 9, 11 am to 5 pm 75 festival BAC · · · · · Artisans from near and far Buy Canadian! Original & Hand Crafted Indoor/Outdoor Family Friendly at the Burlington Art Centre CELEBRATE BURLINGTON ART CENTRE 35 Jewellery, Clothes, Accessories, Glass, Woodcraft, Fine Art, Eclectic Finds and more for every age and taste! Plus great food, entertainment and children's activities. For More Information: theBAC.ca/festival sponsored by . 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON 905-632-7796 theBAC.ca F BurlingtonArtCentre L@the_BAC_