bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Dear Jaime,

Soon I will have to choose what I want to do next year. I really don't know what path I should take. I'm confused and worried that I won't be able to make the right choices about study, careers or relationships. I spend so much time thinking about the future. What advice can you give me?

Austin

Dear Austin,

Choosing what you want to do in life is often  time consuming and can be difficult.

But don't feel that if you make the wrong decision, you can't go back and change it.

Many teenagers get so consumed with deciding what they are going to study that they feel like they can't change their mind once their choice is made.

But many people change their careers  during their lifetime, and some even change a few times.

The most important thing is that you actually make a choice.

Making good choices can be quite easy once you have all the information.

Study and careers can be thought about together.

Sit down and think about what type of career you would love to get up for in the morning.

Consider what type of skills you need to develop to have that sort of career, and what you need to study to develop those skills.

Once you have done that, you can weigh up the positive and negative consequences

of each career/study option. Then, look into where you can study that chosen subject.  Write down the positive and negative aspects of each institution.

You can use the same process with relationships.

Dear Jaime,

A month ago, I broke up with my boyfriend. I'm still very sad about this. Today I found out that he has been seeing my best friend behind my back for the last two weeks. I'm so sad. I don't know how my best friend could betray me like this. Should I tell her I know or should I wait for her to tell me? She has already noticed that I didn't talk to her this afternoon. Please help.

Lillian

Dear Lillian,

This must have been a shock for you, and I can understand why you are so sad.

Unfortunately, at times in your life, people will do things that are going to upset you.

The most important thing is knowing how to respond to them and  protect yourself from getting hurt any further.

If this is your best friend, then  I think it's a good idea to let her know that you have heard about this.

Firstly, find out if it's true. If so,  let her know that this has really hurt you.

You will need to decide what type of friendship you want  with this girl.

Are you willing to keep the friendship going? Or does it hurt you too much and you need some time by yourself?

Only you can answer these questions.

Remember the most important thing is how you respond.

If you respond with lots of anger you'll end up only hurting more; but, if you respond with a confidence that you are worth much more than this hurt, your heart will slowly heal.



free to be me