Dear Year 7 students,

I am a Year 9 student and I really need your help. I never thought this day would arrive, but Stance is coming to an end. I need to choose between two different high schools to go to, and I just literally have no idea which one to choose. The only thing I know is that I want to be a doctor, however, today, this doesn’t mean anything because both schools will help me with that.

One of them will prepare me better to pass in vestibulares, however, I will need to study so much every weekend. The best part of this school is that I will continue studying with my best friends, and I really want to be with them. 

The second school follows more Stance way of teaching. There are more social projects, and of course I will need to study, but not as much as the first one. The only bad thing is that it is an international school and it won’t prepare me to vestibulares as well as the first one, and this counts a lot.  

I would really appreciate your help with this issue!

Best regards,

Anonymous 

Dear Anonymous,

I see that your problem, needing to choose between two schools, is a really difficult one to handle, but don’t worry! Many people have this type of problem, and I am here to help you. My suggestion is for you to seek some key elements that are important when changing schools.

One part of your problem is that you need to choose between two schools that offer very different experiences. The first school prepares you well for vestibulares, but it also means studying a lot every weekend. I really think you should choose the school where you feel most comfortable and supported. If you enjoy your environment and have your best friends around, you’ll be more motivated to study. According to GreatSchools.org, when students feel happy and connected at school, their performance improves. If you are surrounded by your best friends, you might feel less stressed, and your study time can become easier and even nice. If you study in a place that makes you feel good, you always perform better. However, this school could make your weekends very busy and leave you less time for rest or fun. If you choose this school, you will probably have less free time, but you will also be better prepared for vestibulares. One thing you should do is make a small list comparing what each school offers and what you value most. This way, you can clearly see which one you like most.

The other part of your problem is that you don’t know what to choose because both schools sound good, and the second one has more social projects and a lighter study routine. In my experience, thinking about extracurricular activities and teacher quality works really well. According to CollegeRaptor.com, these factors can be key in your academic and personal development. Even though the second school might not prepare you as much for vestibulares, it could give you more time to rest and  join social projects, besides the fact that you could study for the vestibulares on the weekends if you feel like doing it. If you chose this school, you would have more time to relax and focus on the kind of learning you enjoy, which could help you stay motivated. If I were in your place, I would think carefully about which school’s teaching style helps me learn best. How about visiting both schools or talking to students who already study there? This might help you see what daily life is really like in each one. 

In summary, choosing a new school is not easy, but focusing on comfort, friendships, academic reputation, extracurricular activities and opportunities can help you make the best choice. If that does not work, you could also think about the school’s location and time of travel. As GreatSchools.org suggests, shorter trips can give you more time to rest or study, and less stress in your daily life. Last but not least, take in consideration your personal opinion! You should choose the school that you feel more comfortable with and with the values you most respect. No matter what you decide, I hope my advice helps you find a school where you’ll feel confident, happy, and ready for your dream of becoming a doctor.

Sincerely,

Y7 - Bernardo Marquez