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10 Questions to ask before you pick a course

Choosing a course is one of the most important steps in shaping your future. It deserves time, thought, and honest reflection. These ten questions will help you choose with clarity and confidence.

Your course choice can shape everything

I remember sitting at my desk late one evening, surrounded by open prospectuses. The decision ahead felt enormous. Everyone had something to say, teachers, friends, family. Their advice was meant to help, but it only made me unsure.

Eventually, I chose a course that sounded sensible. It seemed safe and respectable. But within the first term, I began to feel out of place. I struggled to stay motivated and dreaded each new week.

One cold morning, I sat alone in the back row of a lecture theatre. Something inside me knew I had made the wrong decision.

That moment changed my life. I learned the hard way that choosing a course should come from the inside out. If you are in this position, feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, these ten questions will help you pause, reflect, and decide with confidence.

1. What am I naturally drawn to?

Think about times when you feel most alive. Is it when you are solving problems, creating something new, or helping others?

Your interests often show up in quiet moments. They reveal what you genuinely enjoy without pressure or praise.

Follow your curiosity. That is often where real passion begins.

2. Does this course connect with the work I want to do?

Try to picture your future self. What sort of work do you want to spend your time doing?

Ask yourself:

Will this course lead me there?
Does it prepare me for a job I will find meaningful?
Can I imagine feeling proud of that path?

Looking beyond the course title can offer real clarity.

3. Do I fully understand the course content?

It is easy to choose based on how a course sounds. But have you looked closely at what it includes?

Review:

The topics and modules
Types of assessments
Project work or practical elements

Understanding the full picture will help you choose wisely.

4. Have I spoken to someone who has taken it?

Hearing a real experience can be eye-opening. Talk to someone who has studied the course already.

Ask about:

What surprised them
What was harder than expected
What they would do differently now

You may uncover things no brochure will tell you.

5. Can I see myself in this for the next three years?

Imagine your daily life on this course. The lectures, the study load, the reading, the environment.

Would it challenge you in a good way? Can you see yourself growing, not just passing?

A course is not just a title. It is a long journey. Make sure it fits.

6. Will this course still be relevant in the future?

We live in a fast-moving world. Some subjects change quickly, others hold steady.

Ask:

Is this course preparing me for long-term opportunities?
Will the knowledge and skills still matter in five or ten years?
Can I adapt or specialise further if needed?

Future-proofing your choice gives you confidence.

7. What are my strengths and where do I struggle?

Knowing yourself is powerful. It is not about being perfect, it is about being aware.

Choose something that builds on what you do well. Avoid courses where you will constantly fight against your natural style.

This is not weakness. It is wisdom.

8. Am I making this choice for myself?

Take a step back. Whose approval are you hoping for?

Some students choose what parents want. Others follow a path because friends are taking it.

But your voice matters most. Make sure your course reflects your own values, interests, and hopes.

9. Have I considered all the options?

Do not rush your decision. Sometimes a better fit is waiting, just beyond your first idea.

Explore:

Dual courses
Work-based study
International opportunities
Alternatives outside traditional university settings

Knowing your options opens your world.

10. What happens if I change my mind?

Change is part of growth. Many students start one course and move to another later.

Ask:

What support is available if I feel unsure?
Can I transfer to another subject or programme?
How easy is it to adjust my direction?

Being flexible now helps you feel more secure as you move forward.

One student’s story

I recently spoke to a student who started a law course. Her parents had dreamed of her becoming a solicitor. But within six months, she realised her heart was in social work.

She was terrified to tell them. Eventually, she made the switch and now she is thriving.

Her story reminded me that your happiness matters. So does your peace of mind.

What I learned through my own mistake

Looking back, I wish I had paused. I rushed into something without asking these questions. I ignored my doubts because I wanted to seem certain.

But I learned that changing direction is not failure. It is actually strength. It takes courage to admit what no longer fits and to choose again.

That experience taught me to trust myself. It also helped me grow in ways I never expected.

A final word: you deserve the right fit

This is your journey. Nobody else can walk it for you.

Take your time. Ask the hard questions. Do not just choose what is popular, safe, or expected. Choose what brings you alive, even if it scares you a little.

You do not need to know everything right now. You only need to start with honesty.