What after SSC/HSC
Yesterday one of my neighbours asked me "My son's SSC exams are over now, can you please let me know what he should do after SSC?". What after SSC/HSC? This is one of the common questions being asked by parents and students who want to develop career in today's world where without a proper education you are nowhere. Lakhs of students appear for SSC every year and this question looms large on their minds as well as their parents.
If students or parents do not get proper guidance nr come under the influences of what others do and not then under such wrong career decision they end up with mess and spoils child career. Let us see what are this wrong influence career decisions which leads to spoiling a Child’s career.
Career chosen based on what others say: Here the influencing factors are relatives, friends and neighbours. Just like my neighbours asked me many other parents asks to family friends, neighbours and relatives which may not be always correct for your child. What answer parents receives are normally "My son did engineering and now he is earnings handsome salary", "After SSC my nephew joined Computers field as there is a big demand of Computer in future so you can take up a course in Computers" etc. I am not saying don’t ask any one about your Childs career but the thing is do not force your child to do what others are saying. After all it is your child who is going to face the future situation based on his/her decision. So find out the right interest and aptitude of your child.
Career choice based on friend’s choice: After spending 10 years of schooling many students feel that they remain with their friends forever, so they intend to join the career what the friends are going to do. But in this case the career chosen may not be suited as the level of the student is not up to the required mark.
Wrong Notions: People still under wrong notions even in this fast expanding world, they think that Medical and Engineering studies as highly prestigious. So many times it has been seen that parents want their child to take up Science after SSC irrespective of whether he/she would be able to cope up with its syllabus or not. Even students getting low percentage in SSC are admitted to science colleges. This results into a failure and then dropouts and finally switching over to either Commerce or Arts stream.
Choosing a career is a multi-step process. Before concluding from your side try to find out from your child about his/her best aptitude, interests. If you are still not able to satisfy then attend seminars for career guidance after SSC/HSC which many schools arranges for their students or even many private organizations arranges in their suburb. Go and attend those seminars. Try to meet teachers as they are the best one who knows about your Childs skills and capacity. Finally don’t hesitate to go in for career counselling, as it will be beneficial for your child in the later stage of life to pursue or go in for higher studies.
Most of the students I have seen they go in for Engineering as a career. But they are confused as to start the career with Diploma or HSC. I would suggest them if engineering is to be done, then going directly to diploma after SSC is good option. Engineers having diploma background have an extra advantage in career as they spends 6 years in engineering field as compared to HSC + Engineer who spends 4 years in engineering field. Also after HSC, getting into better engineering course is very tough as it requires very high percentage in HSC and then very good percentile in CET. And CET will be there for HSC students applying for engineering and is never going to be removed.
As compared, after diploma, if you have better percentage in last year, you get direct admission to 2nd year of engineering and thus you are saved from the dreadful 1st year of engineering which is considered as the toughest year in any engineering course because there is a drastic change in the pace of study from HSC to Engineering.
Let us have a helicopter view of various educational courses available to us after SSC/HSC. The list is not complete so readers are requested to take the help of some other sources information also like internet, career guidance seminars and career counsellors etc.
Careers after SSC:
Following are the list of courses that can be done after SSC.
HSC in Science Stream (2 Years)
HSC in Commerce Stream (2 Years)
HSC in Arts Stream (2 Years)
Engineering Diploma (3 or 4 Years)
ITI (Fitter, Welder, Machinist, Stenographer, Mechanical Draughtsman) (2 Years)
Army Navy, Air Force (Defence) Police Dept. Exam
LIC Agent
Fine Art / Commercial Art Diploma (5 Years)
Art Teacher Diploma (2 Years)
Railway Ticket Collector (T.C.)
Bank Insurance Clerical Exam
Diploma in Dance / Music (2 Years)
Certified Building Supervisor (6 Months or 1 Year)
Diploma in Farm Management (6 Months or 1 Year)
Medical Laboratory Technician Certification Course (MLT) (2 Years)
MS-CIT Course
Career after HSC
Diploma in Travel & Tourism (2 Years)
Laboratory Technician Diploma (3 Years)
LIC Agent
Hotel Management Diploma (3 Years)
Air Hostess/Flight Steward (1Years)
Career after HSC Science Stream With PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology)
B.Sc. in Dairy technology (4 Years)
Bachelor of Pharmacy (4 Years)
B.Tech in Agriculture (4 Years)
B.Sc. in Biotechnology (4 Years)
B.Sc. in Agriculture (4 Years)
Career after HSC Science Stream With PCB (Physics, Chemistry & Biology)
B.A.M.S. (4&1/2 Years)
B.H.M.S. (4&1/2 Years)
B.V.Sc. (5 Years)
B.D.S. (4 Years)
M.B.B.S. (4&1/2 Years)
Paramedical Courses (3-4&1/2 Years)
B.Sc. Nursing (3-4 Years)
Diploma in Nursing (2 Years)
B.M.L.T. (3 Years)
B.Sc. Home Science (3 Years)
B.Sc. (Botany, Micro Biology, Zoology, Chemistry etc)
Career after HSC Science Stream With PCM (Physics, Chemistry & Maths)
N.D.A. (3 Years)
B. Arch. (5 Years)
Bachelor of Planning & Design (5 Years)
Technical Entry in Indian Army (3 Years)
Bachelor of Engineering (4 Years)
B. Tech from IITs (4 Years)
Direct Admission to 2nd Year B.E. (3 Years)
B.C.S. / B.C.A. / B.Sc. Phy. (2 Years)
Film and Television Diploma (1-2 Years)
Hotel Management Degree (3-4 Years)
Career after HSC Commerce Stream
C.A. Foundation
B.Com. (3 Years)
B.B.A. (3 Years)
C.S. Foundation
B.C.A. (3 Years)
B.Arch. (3Years)
D.Ed. (2 Years)
Call Centre Executive
Career after HSC Arts Stream
D.Ed. (2 Years)
B.S.W. (3 Years)
L.L.B. (5 Years)
Fashion Designing Diploma (3 Years)
Interior Designing Diploma (2 Years)
B.A. (3 Years)
B. Arch (5 Years)
B.B.A. (3 Years)
Foreign Language Diploma
Call Centre Executive
Career after B.Com.
M.B.A. (2Years)
Bank/Insurance Probationary/Development Officer Exam
L.L.B. (2 Years)
C.A. (2 Years)
B.Ed. (1 Years)
I.C.W.A. (2 Years)
Bachelor in Library Science (1 Years)
C.S. (2 Years)
Import/Export Diploma (1 Year)
M.C.A. (3 Years)
M.C.M. (2 Years)
MPSC/UPSC Exams
Computer Courses Tally
Indian Military Academy
Career after B.A.
B.P.Ed. (1 Years)
M.A. (2 Years)
Bachelor of Journalism (1 Years)
L.L.B. (2 Years)
Bachelor in Library Science (1 Years)
M.B.A. (2 Years)
MPSC/UPSC Exams
M.C.A. (3 Years)
M.C.M. (2 Years)
B.Ed. (1 Years)
Advertising & Commercial Management Diploma (2 Years)
Event Management Diploma (2 Years)
Sub Inspector Exam for BSF/CRPF/CISF
Psychologist Major
Time management
Step 1: Marking time
Start time management the simple way. Instead of marking off the days of the week, use a calendar to fill in up-coming events. When you schedule something, make sure you also schedule the time it takes to get to and from the event. For instance, if your school day is 8:00 to 2:30 but you have an hour bus ride both ways, then your school day is really 7:00 to 3:30.
As well as scheduling school days and social activities, schedule chores. For instance, if it’s your job to take out the garbage or clean the cat box, write it on your calendar. That way, when you’re trying to study or in the middle of your favorite TV show, you won’t be interrupted by an irate parent.
Speaking of TV, if you have a favorite show that you don’t want to miss, write it down. Schedule everything for a week or if big events like your birthday are up coming, write them down, too. Use empty calendar boxes (like the ones after day 31) to keep track of future plans. (Next month basketball practice starts– [date]).
Now that you know what’s in the future, you should have a pretty good handle on the rest of your time. So, if homecoming is on the 6th and the history test is on the 7th, you can schedule extra history study time for the 5th. In addition, make it a point to take good notes that you can quickly review on the morning of the 7th.
Step 2: Use a To Do List
Use a small notebook and jot down things you need to do 1) today, 2) tomorrow, and 3) by the end of the week or later. Prioritize today’s list. If today’s list is too long, it’s time to regroup, break down, and move some items to tomorrow or further into the week. That isn’t procrastination; it’s time management. Procrastination is when you know you have to get something done, but agonize over doing it as time slips away. For example, if on Monday you get a large assignment that’s due Friday, break it into smaller parts and work on it all through the week, making your goal to have most of it done before Thursday’s study time.
Step 3: Schedule your time
- Schedule today’s “to dos”. Make sure you have transferred any important events from your calendar to your list. Also, be sure to schedule some “free time”. In addition to being a buffer for tasks that take longer than you expected, scheduling free time can help you deal with interruptions and with unexpected additions to your list.
- As new things come up, add them to your list. As you complete old tasks cross them off.
- If you have evening events— a date, a game, a practice —schedule study time before.
Step 4: Analyze your schedule
At the end of the week, take a look back at what you had to do and what you accomplished. See what worked and what didn’t work for you. Use both the hits and misses from this week in building a schedule for next week.
Time pointers
- Where schoolwork is concerned, make every effort to stay current. In fact, when you get the chance, work ahead! That way when a teacher has a tantrum and assigns two chapters instead of one, you’ll have that much less work to do!
- When you schedule your time, it’s a lot easier to say “no” when you need to. “I can’t work late, I need to study for a chemistry test” sounds better to your boss than “Nope. Sorry. I have other plans.” You can even cut off an interrupting phone call with, “I can’t talk right now. Can I call you back at 8:00?”
- Build some flexibility into your schedule. One way is by scheduling frequent breaks. Another way is to give each “to do” more time than you believe it will take. That way if you need to call a friend for help with an assignment, you can do it at the end of a study time and not feel guilty for taking a few minutes to socialize. A flexible schedule will also help you keep on schedule and help you stay in control of your time.
- Use a To Do List — It’s not only a good reminder, but also a time management tool to help you see what you accomplish and how long it takes. (See time management strategies .)
- Get set in your ways — Good time management is synonymous with good organization. Put your daily routines into detail. While you don’t need to schedule every move you make, listing routine tasks helps you to remember each step you need to take to meet your goal, whether it’s getting to work or school on time or doing Saturday morning chores.
- Break it up — Divide large tasks into small ones to get a better sense of accomplishment as you complete each step. In addition, when you’re interrupted in the middle of a task, it’s much easier to get back on track and regain your focus.
- Be realistic — Don’t under or over estimate time. Over estimating time makes it difficult to fit all your tasks into your daily schedule, while under estimating “cuts your day short” and makes it impossible to complete your schedule. However, do be generous with your time allotments. It’s much easier to fit a small task into “extra” time than it is to try to make up for “lost” time.
- Pick up a good habit — Try to keep something in hand going both to and from a destination. If you need to run copies, pick up some office supplies while you wait for the copy machine to finish.
- Big messes start with little piles — Completely finish your circles. Put things away as you finish using them. Aside from keeping you out of clutter and giving you a big clean up at the end of a project, you’ll know where things are the next time you need to use them.
- Start tomorrow tonight! — Get in the habit of preparing for the next day at the end of your day. Write out a “to do” list for tomorrow’s tasks. Leave keys, wallet (or purse), and your To Do List all in the same place. For optimum time management, you can even lay out tomorrow’s clothing before you go to bed.
- Don’t forget — Write yourself a note (“Don’t forget your lunch”) or put reminders at the top of your to do list.
- Round to-its — The easiest way to get “a round to-it” is to schedule a task. If the lawn needs mowing, put it on your to do list.
- First things first – Prioritize your tasks and then schedule each one at the appropriate time. For instance, you may have to wait until after work to mow the lawn. Although it may be your “top priority” for the day, it needn’t be at the top of your list!
- Learn to say no! — Frequently, we consider that saying “no” is discourteous, but you can be frank without being rude. “I can’t now, but I could (insert when) “or “I’m sorry, but I just can’t manage that today” is just good time management.
- The pause that refreshes – Do make breaks a scheduled part of your day. A small break at the end of a large task or series of small tasks refreshes you and helps you to wind down and focus on “what’s next?”
- Be flexible — Effective time management will take some time to get used to. No matter what you did or didn’t get done today, there is always tomorrow.
Time management strategies
Building time management strategies is similar to planning a budget. Just as the goal of a budget is to put you in control of your money, your goal in time management is to regain control of your time. The first step in forming time management strategies is to analyze how you spend your time.
For one week, list everything you do and the approximate time it takes. At the end of the week, you’ll see how you “spent” your time. Now you’re ready to begin planning. Humans are creatures of habit and chances are you’ll find you adhere to some sort of daily routine.
Examine your routine and determine where you can make changes. Include all of your daily tasks, scheduling them at their usual times and allowing ample time to complete them. If you’re normally five minutes late, schedule your time so that you are able to leave ten minutes earlier. At first, this may mean starting your day 15 minutes earlier, but effective time management strategies soon put you back in control of time that used to fall through the cracks.
Frequently time management brings a picture to mind of a daily planner with every minute plotted from the time your alarm clock sounds until the time you crawl into bed. However, time management experts suggest that you planning only 50% of your time leaves you time to relax as well as time to cope with the unexpected.
Create a To Do List
After you’ve analyzed your time, begin planning by creating a To Do List for tomorrow. Divide the list into classes.
- Today’s schedule or high priority activities that you must complete today. Be sure to include personal appointments and social obligations like doctor’s appointments. Just as important are activities like promised family outings or playtimes with children.
- Projects with a deadline beyond today (tomorrow, this week, this month, etc.)
- When I get around to it. (i.e. clean out the garage, the closets)
Your first inclination may be to put all small projects in the first category, but remember the first part of your list is for things you need to accomplish. You’ll also optimize your time by including some small projects in number two or number three. Secondly, prioritize each of the three sections of your To Do List, listing items first by deadline (e.g. needs to be done in the a.m, p.m. or exact time or date). List Class 3 projects by their order of importance.
Class 1: Today’s Schedule
Start planning your day using your routine as a guide. Pencil in times for Class 1 projects, making sure you give each one a generous block of time. If you estimate a job will take 15 minutes, give yourself half an hour to complete it. If you estimate it will take an hour, give yourself an hour and a half. If “today’s projects” are few, fill in the rest of your day with Class 2 projects. Be flexible. As you work through your daily plan, if you finish a task ahead of schedule, either move on to your next scheduled task or work on part of an unscheduled Class 2 project. If a routine break is the next thing on your schedule, reward yourself with an early break, still allowing only the normal amount of time to give yourself an early start on your next task. Also, take advantage of multi-task opportunities. Work on a page of Friday’s report while today’s report is printing. Refill your coffee cup when you pick up the fax from the office fax machine. Fold a load of laundry while the potatoes are boiling. When new things “crop up”, either put them in a free block of time or add them to part two or part three of your list. Also, remember to leave 10 or 15 minutes at the end of your schedule to make your To Do List for tomorrow.
Class 2: Projects With a Deadline
Whenever possible, split up projects with a deadline. For instance, laundry needs to be done this week, but you can divide it into loads and finish it over several days. At work, long reports can be broken into pages. If you finish a task from today’s schedule with time to spare, use the “extra time” to complete part of a Class 2 project. Throw tonight’s load of laundry into the washer or work on a page of the report that’s due on Friday. Cross off any parts of finished projects to avoid repetition and to help you see what you have accomplished as well as to stay focused on what you have left to do.
Class 3: When I Get A Round To-It
As you did with Projects With a Deadline, divide larger projects into smaller tasks whenever you can. For instance, you might want to detail the inside of your vehicle. Washing windows, cleaning the steering wheel, console, dash, upholstery and carpets can all be done separately. At first you may find “round to-its” are a rare breed. In that case, you may want to schedule a Class 3 project or part of one into your day. However, as you become more organized, you’ll be hanging “round to-its” on the wall like trophies, especially if you take advantage or our Time Management Tips .
Personal time management:
What is Personal Time?
Who does your time belong to? When you wake up tomorrow, you’ll start with exactly 24 hours of personal time. However, most of us have traded part of our 24 hours for benefits. If you work or go to school, you have traded part of your time for education or pay. Personal time is what we call “free time” or the time we haven’t already bartered away.
How do we spend our time?
The average person spends the following amount of time in an average day:
- 8.5 hours sleeping.
- 1 hour devoted to personal care.
- 2.5 hours on household chores (cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping, etc)
- 8.5 hours at work and/or school related activities on weekdays and (4 to 5 hours on the weekend).
- 3 hours caring for others, either those who live with us (children and spouses) or those outside of our homes (elderly relatives, volunteer work).
If you add up the numbers, you’ll see that “free time” is really at a premium!
Making Every Minute Count
The trick to managing personal time is first determining how much time you have to manage. Use the example above and put the time you spend sleeping, in personal care, doing chores, at work (or school), and in caring for others during your week to zero in on the personal time you have left to manage.
- Be realistic in categorizing your time. You’ll need at least three categories: work (school) time, sleep time, and personal time.
- Your first inclination in planning personal time may be to subtract your 8-hour workday from your 24 hours, leaving you with 16 hours of personal time. However, although sleep-time is part of personal time, it isn’t really time you can manage. Sleep patterns are very important to the way you function during your waking hours. Don’t cut yourself short. If you think you’re sleeping too much of your life away, gradually cut down on sleep. Begin with either retiring 15 minutes later or waking 15 minutes earlier.
- Consider travel time to work as work time. If your main focus on waking is getting ready for work, you might also want to consider that as work time.
- Personal time spent in relaxation is as important as the rest of your day. Schedule time to read, exercise, meditate… things you’d like to do… on your To Do list.
- Break times at work are personal time. If that’s not true for you, then you probably need to learn to say “no”. Make use of wasted minutes during lunch hours and breaks. Bring a book to work, take a walk, run an errand.
- Delegate some daily chores to the weekend.
- Learn to multi-task. You can fold the laundry while the potatoes are cooking.
- Divide large tasks into small ones. “Today I’ll mow the lawn, tomorrow I’ll tackle the weeds.”
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help and delegate some chores to others. Learn to barter with housemates. “I’ll help weed the garden if you’ll help wash the car.”
- Mark your place. A lot of us waste a good part of our time just finding “where we left off”. Keep a notepad or a pad of post-its nearby for emergencies and write yourself a note. Cross finished chores from your To Do List.
- Become listed. A grocery list can keep you from an extra trip to the store when you forget the milk. To Do Lists help you keep your focus on what you need to get done so that you have more time to do the things you want to do!
|
