Find your future fit
How to explore your options in Year 12
You don’t need to have your whole future mapped out – but Year 12 is the perfect time to start exploring what excites you. Whether you already have a dream career in mind, or you’re still figuring things out, taking small steps now can help you find the path that’s right for you.
Start with what you enjoy
The best place to begin is with your interests. Think about the subjects or activities that make you lose track of time. What do they have in common?
Do you enjoy solving problems, being creative, or working with people? These clues can point you towards degree subjects and careers that suit your strengths and personality. If you’re not sure yet, that’s completely fine. Keep an open mind and start noticing what grabs your attention – both inside and outside the classroom.
Explore your options
Once you have a few ideas, start exploring what’s out there.
- Browse courses on the UCAS website or university pages to see what catches your eye.
- Read about the experiences of students studying subjects you’re curious about.
- Take online career quizzes to help match your interests to possible routes.
Getting a feel for different courses and career paths will help you make more confident choices later.
Try subject enrichment
If a particular subject sparks your interest, look for ways to explore it further. You could:
- join a club or society linked to your favourite subject
- take part in competitions, projects or workshops
- complete a short course to dive deeper into a topic
- attend taster days or university events.
Teesside University’s Winter University is a brilliant opportunity to experience university life for yourself. You can try different subject sessions, meet other students and get a feel for what studying at uni is really like. It’s also a great way to boost your confidence and add valuable insight to your personal statement. There’s a Summer University too – so plenty of opportunities for you.
If you’re ready to take it a step further, our Residentials offer an immersive on-campus experience where you can live like a university student for a few days, take part in subject activities, and get to know others who are also exploring their options. It’s the perfect next step if you want to experience life at Teesside first-hand.
Get experience that counts
Work experience doesn’t have to mean a long placement in a big company. Volunteering, part-time jobs, or short-term shadowing can all give you a better understanding of what you enjoy – and help you build skills that universities and employers value.
After each experience, make a few notes about what you learned, what skills you used, and what surprised you. These reflections will come in handy when you start your university application.
Make it count for your personal statement
When it comes to your personal statement, universities want to see curiosity, motivation, and genuine interest in your chosen subject. Everything you’ve explored – from a short volunteering project to an online course, can help show that.
Use your notes to highlight what you’ve discovered about yourself. Maybe you found you love problem-solving, teamwork or creativity. Maybe an experience confirmed that a particular subject is the right fit for you – or helped you realise you’d rather take a different direction. Either way, it’s all valuable.
Take your next step
Year 12 is all about exploration and discovery. You don’t need all the answers now – just the willingness to try things out, ask questions and keep learning about what excites you.
We’re here to help you find your future fit.
Get hands on with university life, and join us at Winter University, or a Residential. You’ll take part in subject sessions, meet our students, and start to picture your future.
