DIMAPUR — Even
as students burn the midnight oil for the crucial High School Leaving
Certificate (HSLC) examination, which is usually conducted in the first quarter
of every year, many could be still indecisive about the stream to opt for after
Class 10. However, it is pivotal to choosing the right stream -- Science,
Commerce or Humanities -- as it will shape the future, career path and success
of the persons concerned.
The
decision one makes at this phase can make all the difference. A wrong decision
can lead to dissatisfaction and loss of focus on studies, while a right and
informed selection of subjects can help excel in the fields of one’s choice.
The
common factors students face during subject selection are expectations of
parents and teachers, peer pressure, societal influences, and even sheer
ignorance. It is also not uncommon for students to choose streams purely based
on the marks they scored in board exams. However, ideally, selection of streams
and subjects should be done based on their interest, career goals, strengths and
dreams.
After clearing
Class 10 exams, students can opt for one of these academic streams:
Humanities
(Arts)
Students
who have interest in subjects like Political Science, Sociology, History, Economics,
Geography, Psychology, Education and English can opt for this stream. Career
options after completion of this stream include teaching, social work, performing
arts, journalism, linguistics, social work, law, civil services, etc.
Science
Students
who aspire to pursue a career in medicine, engineering, technology-related
fields and pure sciences research can opt for this stream. It may be noted that
the core subjects for this stream include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
and English.
The
core subjects of Commerce (Class 11) are Accountancy, Business Studies/ Administration,
Economics, Mathematics/ Informatics Practices and English, with Entrepreneurship
and Physical Education as optional subjects. So, students interested in these
subjects can opt for this stream. Career options after completion of studies in
this stream include chartered accountancy, banking, business management, investment
analysis, stock markets, entrepreneurship, etc.
Besides
these traditional streams, students can also take up skill-based vocational
courses such as agriculture, hospitality, tourism, construction, electronics, polytechnic,
etc., based on their field of interest. Parents and teachers can also play a
vital role in helping students choose the subjects or courses of their interest.
Putting undue pressure by undermining the strengths and passions of students
can kill dreams and cause disappointment.
