They say the secret to a happy life is to love what you do. Whether it’s a desire to work outdoors, with people or having an opportunity to showcase your skills, fulfilling your individual passion will set you up for a career that brings happiness. But with so many career paths on offer today and in new and emerging fields, how do you narrow down the field to just one? Read our tips on how to decide which course suits you best and how to enrol.

1. Go to open days

University and college open days are much more than a place to collect free pens and balloons. They are a festival to celebrate the new semester and where prospective students can ask current students and lecturers questions. Make sure to ask all the tough questions, such as; Are the fees worth it? Do many students drop out from this course? Is there a good chance of securing a graduate job at the end of the course? A visit to the campus is also a great chance to collect course brochures, speak with other staff and check out the facilities.

2. Look at job seeking websites

There is possibly no better way to see what potential job requirements, future salary and work locations there are than by having a look online at jobs that you may be interested in. By completing your research online you can see if the future profession, perfect graduate program or potential future employer suits you and your expectations. If it’s not getting you excited to kick off your studies, it’s a clear sign that perhaps the subject area isn’t for you. It would be like studying retail management without the desire to work with customers, or studying construction without a love for travelling across and between cities.

3. Pick something you know you love

Studying something you don’t enjoy can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety; your tummy might turn in knots when you think about catching up on homework, or the course content might be tough to absorb and just not sink in. On the other hand, if you feel connected to the subject matter you’ll breeze through and produce your best work. Exploring your thirst for knowledge and getting caught up in a topic that interests you is something to be proud of and excited about.

4. Look at work experience opportunities

Internships are either paid or unpaid depending on your course of choice and the corresponding industry. For example, journalism requests unpaid interns for the semester break while doctors and engineers work in paid positions throughout all formal breaks. Undertaking work experience or an internship as part of the course you’re interested in is a great way to trial a career without being locked in. If you find your heart isn’t in it, it’s best to then look at tweaking your course to suit what you enjoy.

5. Look at overseas opportunities

Combining study and travel can be a cost-effective way to access different courses that may interest you. This is a great option, particularly if you’re interested in meeting new friends, visiting new towns in the study break, and learning about a different country during your studies. Lonsdale Institute has loads of courses tailor-made for travelling international students, including English, project management, nursing, business and marketing.

6. Trust your gut instincts

If you feel right about it then you should pursue it. If it’s the new city where a university course may have taken you, the subject matter, the career prospects, or whether you love the idea of the course, this is all a great sign you are starting out on the right path for you.

7. Make a spreadsheet

A common problem-solving tool is creating a chart listing the ‘positives’ and ‘negatives’ you see from the courses and universities, and then cross-referencing those by location, fees, potential costs like moving away from home, travel costs, educational supplies and anything else which is important to you. From this, you can choose the best option for you.

8. Don’t believe all the rumours and myths

Do your research beyond what you might have heard from past students, students who’ve quit studying or internet review sites. Those five-star or one-star reviews are just a single point of view and you need to make up your own mind about a course or university.

9. Find the perfect course with Lonsdale Institute

Selecting a course to study should be an exciting time as you gaze into your future and professional life. The next step is to do your research and then work up the courage to hit ‘APPLY’ for the course of your dreams. Consider the courses offered by Lonsdale Institute to help you narrow down your choices.