Becoming an adult
“To become an adult is to improve oneself, to realize one’s potential, and to push oneself to the limit. It is setting out to accomplish what is important to us to the best of our abilities. It’s also about beginning a family, associating with friends, excelling in sports, meeting new challenges, laughing, enjoying ourselves, working at a rewarding job and making choices according to our values.”
Source: Chroniques de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke
Becoming an adult is also….
Feeling that one must make choices that will have a major impact on their lives: Young people have fears, but also very defined motivations concerning their future. Just knowing a few of them can help you understand what they are experiencing.
Fear of being wrong
- “I am choosing for life…”
- “I’m afraid to make the wrong choice.”
- “There are too many choices and I don’t know myself well enough.”
- The stress of March 1 application deadlines.
- Many decisions to make in a short time.
Fear of not being successful
- “I’m afraid I will not achieve my dreams.”
- “I don’t have the time to discover my real passion.”
- “I’m afraid of not being admitted to the program of my choice.”
- “Will I be able to obtain the grades needed for my program?”
Fear of not being understood or supported by my family
- “I’m afraid to talk to my parents about what I’m experiencing, about my choices…”
- “I’m afraid my parents won’t agree. Will they encourage me?”
- “I’m afraid to distance myself from my friends and family…”
While they have their fears, young people also have specific motivations. They do not always express them openly, but here are some things you might hear them say:
- “I want to do what I love and feel a sense of professional accomplishment.”
- “I want to live comfortably and not have too much debt.”
- “I want to have children.”
- “I want to balance work and family.”
- “I want to have time to experience life.”
- “I would like to be part of a recognized profession.”
These may seem idealistic and not always corresponding with what parents think (or would like) for their child. A parent wants what is best for them but is not always aware that their own fears and experiences can heavily influence the way they support (or do not support) their child in the process.
Mireille Moisan, Guidance Counsellor
Member of the Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec (OCCOQ)
Sarah, 14, shows up at her school guidance counsellor’s office… Cheerful by nature, today she is rather shy and has difficulty expressing herself. She responds as best she can to the counsellor’s questions. Head down, she squirms and fidgets with her hands. After a few minutes she bursts into tears: “I don’t know who I am! I don’t know what I want to do later in life and it’s all happening too quickly!”
Sarah’s situation is not exceptional: In fact, it is common inside the offices of high school guidance counsellors, regardless of the student’s personality. Orient yourself, find your way – it may all seem simple at first, but it is a tall order for youth who often have no work experience, little sense of themselves, and generally do not want to “make a choice” which may seem constraining and irrevocable.
Fear of being wrong
Most youth who feel anxious about making a career choice are often simply afraid of making a mistake. The multitude of possibilities presented to them; having to choose in a short period of time; less than convincing grades; and the many decisions to be made during the school year are all elements stoking this anxiety. They believe, often mistakenly, that a bad choice will impact their future and force them into a program, or WORSE, a job that they won’t like!
As a parent, you can reassure your child by letting them know that there really is no “bad choice.” No matter what they choose, they will gain experience and learn more about themselves. Our educational system allows for numerous and diverse pathways, so young people must understand that there is no such thing as the “perfect choice.”
There are several possibilities open to them, and they can always change direction along the way.
Tips
By demonstrating patience and confidence in your child, you can support him with reassurance and reflection on his qualities (sociable, organized, thoughtful, active, etc.) and skills (good at sports, artistic, manually skilled, etc.). It is not about saying “big” things, but rather simply emphasizing his strengths, giving him time to reflect, and most importantly, respecting the fact that his choice of career is his.
Fear of change and the unknown
As parents we are not always aware of what this decision represents in the lives of our children. Think about it: Once they finally feel comfortable in high school, they must now consider their future in a whole new way. This can mean a new school, new classes, new groups of friends, new teachers, possible student employment, maybe a move, a car and an apartment?
That’s a lot, right?
Some young people like and embrace change and novelty, but others are fearful, which has repercussions on their career choices, as all these changes add pressure to their decision-making.
Tips
These fears are normal. By taking the time to listen without judging, you allow your child to articulate and understand them. You can also reassure them by visiting open houses, education and job fairs, and through “student for a day” activities that allow young people to familiarize themselves with their future school environment. You can also encourage them to do short workplace internships to learn more about these unfamiliar settings and validate their various occupational interests.
Legitimate fears
Young people face many fears throughout this process, and these are just a few examples. There are many others, such as the fear of not being successful, disappointing their parents, moving away from family or simply the fear of failure. Don’t worry! With your support, your child will cope with it all.
Do not hesitate to seek help and advice, especially from your child’s guidance counsellor.