Dear TEENage,

I’m an upper sixth-form student, but I must admit that I feel like a first grader. My nerves are jittery, my confidence is low and I’m deathly afraid of stepping out into the world.

I’ve been seasoned into my high school to the point where I call it my home. I’m loved by the students, babied by the teachers and respected by my peers. That is my problem as I’m hesitant to leave that familiar environment.

I know I have to let go and move on, but knowing and doing are two different things. As a result, I have not yet applied to any institution.

I’m not sure where I’d like to go and I’m equally confused about what I’d like to do. I’m quite aware that I’m acting irresponsible right now in not taking the initiative to look after my future. However, my present is where I’m at now and where I’d like to be. I don’t know how to let go, but I know if I don’t soon, it will be to my detriment.

What do I do?

Holding On

Dear Holding On,

Your need to cling to familiar ground is understandable. However, this is just a phase. You need to shake off that feeling that is mentally turning you into a recluse, or else you’ll have no one to blame when your future goes bad.

The University of Technology (UTech) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) close their applications at the end of the month. Both the application processes are tedious and require patience. It would be recommended that you start as soon as possible so as to meet the deadline.

As for the point of you not knowing what you want to do… think about it. Take an hour or two, a day or two and seriously think about what it is that you would like to spend the rest of your life doing. If your decision takes you away from UTech and UWI and into the hands of a teacher’s college or even a job, then so be it.

If it is that you cannot decide what you want to do, then go to your Guidance Councillor for help. He/She should be trained enough to help you with the right choice.

Start now though, as time is of the essence. You’ll meet new friends, you’ll be babied by new teachers and respected by new peers. This is part of the growing process and can’t be avoided. You need to let go, but in doing that, keep the persons you have grown to love in your heart and their numbers in your phone. Wherever you go, you will be great, depending on the outlook you choose to have.

Good luck.

TEENage Advice Team