Who do I want to become? What do I want to do after school?
When I was younger, I always had an answer. I wanted to be an author, a doctor, a lawyer, or a police officer. My dreams changed over time, but I always had a clear vision of who I wanted to be.
Now, as I get older and school comes to an end, I find myself unsure. The certainty I once had is gone. Do I want to study? Do I want to travel? Do I want to start working right away? Who do I truly want to be?
I have spent a lot of time thinking about it and realized that before deciding on my future, I first need to understand who I am right now. What are my strengths? What do I want to achieve—not just in my career, but in my life?
The first step is self-discovery. Ask yourself: How can I become the best version of myself? When you truly know your strengths and values, you can use them effectively to shape your future.
Once you have a better understanding of yourself, explore your options:
University? A structured path with endless learning opportunities.
Travel? Discovering new places, cultures, and perspectives.
Work? Gaining experience and financial independence.
Taking a break? Sometimes pausing is the best way to move forward.
When you have narrowed down your choices, the hardest part begins. You have to choose.
But how do you know what is right for you?
Start by thinking about what makes you happy. What are the things you genuinely enjoy doing? When do you feel most energized and fulfilled? Maybe you love helping people, being creative, solving problems, or working with your hands. Pay attention to what excites you, not just what you think you should do.
At the same time, consider what you do not enjoy. What drains your energy? What kind of tasks make you feel stuck or uninspired? Understanding what you do not want is just as important as knowing what you do.
The better you understand yourself, the easier it will be to make a choice that truly fits you.
And remember, no one has it all figured out right away. Your first choice does not have to be your forever choice. Life is not about finding the perfect path. It is about exploring, learning, and growing along the way.
So take your time.
Trust yourself.
And most importantly, choose a path that excites you, because in the end, your happiness is what matters most.
Hannah is a BBG from Berlin who loves to play table tennis.
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.