Choosing a stream in high school can seem like a daunting task. Here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing a stream in class XI.

• Explore your Interests

The first and foremost thing to keep in mind while choosing your subjects is your interest – what subjects do you enjoy the most, and what topics interest you?

• Take a Psychometric Test

Aptitude tests help you understand what type of career will be best suited for you according to your potential.

• Subjects Requirement for Your Prospective Career

Different subject combinations suit different careers and if you are clear about your ideal career, you should choose subjects that will facilitate your course in the field.

• Explore your Hobbies

If you have a hobby you would like to pursue professionally, you could look at professional skill-based or vocational courses in your area of interest.

• Check the College Admission Requisites

It is not advisable to blindly choose your subject combination without taking into account the admission requirements of your ideal colleges. If you have a dream college in mind, you should look at the admission requirements – what grades do they require, what subjects do they need for admission to a particular course, etc.

• Network with Industry Experts

It is always a good idea to talk to people already working in the field that you want to pursue. Professional career experts can offer unbiased opinions and complete guidance about various career paths.

• Consider your Attributes

Your character traits, like whether you have an introverted or extroverted personality should also be taken into consideration.

Students at this stage struggle a lot and often make subject choices under duress based on other people’s opinions. The best possible way to gain clarity is to seek support from career counseling institutions.