Exam season is nearly over and for a lot of young people its marks the end of a huge chapter and onto the next steps of life…but what are those steps?!

Leaving secondary school can be very exciting but also very daunting. After spending five years in the same environment, with the same people, in the same routine working towards the all-important GCSEs when it’s finally over it can feel very overwhelming and leave you asking questions like…what now? Do I want to go college or sixth form? Do I want to do an apprenticeship? Do I want to work? Should I burn my uniform?

You may have a lot of voices advising you to take different paths, and most of these people we’re sure have your best interests at heart. But it’s about what YOU want to do and what you are passionate about. Don’t feel pressured into anything you are not 100% comfortable with.

If you have questions that you need answered, young hackney can help… we’ve set up a Facebook page with Prospects so you can post your questions. For example the differences between college and sixth form, what it means to be an apprentice earning and learning at the same time and what is expected of you as an employee in the working environment. There’s also drop-in Careers advice at Young Hackney Forest Road and Young Hackney The Edge.

There are a variety of opportunities available, whether you decide to continue education in a college environment or an apprenticeship setting; or if you feel like you want to go straight into the world of work… or if you just don’t know, that’s okay too.

h