Where to Go to Study?

In adolescence, a situation arises when the teenager must decide where to go to study after finishing several grades or after graduating from school. In different countries this happens differently, but the principle of further education is the same everywhere: the teenager must receive education either in school itself, or in vocational school, college, university, where he can enter after a certain age.

The choice of this path, as a rule, should be in the teenager's power, who by personal interests should decide what's truly close to his heart, how special education can be useful in further life, whether he'll be in demand with his new specialty.

For parents, this period is also a time of special prayers and wise influence. They have more experience and vision in understanding prospects and dangers of this or that direction, and their timely instructions are extremely important for the teenager.

The teenager is influenced by those who are nearby, who are already studying, parents' stories, and he may under the influence of these people choose not what he needs.

There are general factors that are important to consider when choosing further studies:

• is this educational institution and its diploma recognized by the state?

• is the received diploma recognized in other countries?

• what kind of educational program takes place: theoretical, practical, combined study with work?

• is there tuition payment or is this a budget program where the state pays for everything, and do they give the student a scholarship?

• will the teenager find work in his received specialty upon graduation from this institution?

• what spiritual atmosphere surrounds the students?

• is there bullying among students of those who are not like everyone else, or who someone doesn't like?

Also these educational institutions can be divided by different directions: serving people, serving God, working with hands, social work, power structures, teaching professions, research, creative specialties, legal education, civil service, and others.

The choice of a new place of study can become a turning point in the teenager's life, where he will make a decision to go into the world with its tempting prospects or continue his life in union with God and be faithful to biblical principles despite everything. And this choice, as a rule, doesn't mature in one moment, although it can happen under the influence of other people who will come and tell about interesting aspects of the proposed education.

In Germany, for example, for all schoolchildren from age 15, they practice such a program once a year: the student must find a place for practice and for two weeks visit the chosen institution, performing assigned work or being present at other people's work. After which he receives a reference from the employer and continues his studies at school.

Also during school holidays, students may have the right to official part-time work at various enterprises up to four weeks a year. In other cases, during holidays, schoolchildren are offered various activities like language courses, camp meetings with trips to nature, all kinds of clubs and sections, volunteer work, acquaintance with science, and much more.

The world is very diverse in its offers, and state programs supporting young people amaze with their breadth and scope. But one shouldn't draw children's attention only to secular things. Where there's possibility of organizing church projects and camp meetings with participation of children and teenagers, parents need to pay attention to such events and attend them together with children or give teenagers to the care of wise mentors. Such camp or trip events introduce teenagers to each other, help see many spiritual things in a new way, live in extreme conditions, plunge into spiritual atmosphere, and make important decisions.

In many countries where there's religious freedom, believing people organized their spiritual educational institutions, which offer a wide spectrum of new professions in demand in serving people.

Teaching a teenager in these institutions can become protection from the world's influence and acquisition of new skills in spiritual life.

A person studying the science of salvation as a curriculum receives more knowledge in this area than those who occasionally come into contact with the Bible.

In ancient Israel, in Jesus' time, it was customary to teach young people spiritual things in synagogues, but besides this, every teenager had to master some work with hands and be able to do something professionally. It was believed that if a person wasn't familiar with physical labor, then he wouldn't be a reliable servant in the spiritual sphere. And the ability to work with hands gave people the opportunity to earn their bread with them in critical situations. From Jesus' life we know that until age 30 He worked in a carpentry workshop and knew how to do what His father Joseph taught Him. But working with hands, Jesus always found and allocated time for spiritual activities and for communication with God.

Any work with hands that teaches something and adds something to life experience will be useful for any student, and it would be wise to choose such educational institutions where they combine humanities with professional physical activity.

There's such a concept: "Lifestyle diseases." And this should also be paid attention to when choosing a future profession or direction in education, so that a sedentary lifestyle doesn't become the cause of subsequent occupational diseases.

Not every teenager knows what he really needs. And he may change one educational institution for another or completely refuse to study. This is normal practice, and one shouldn't panic about this. It's better to change what doesn't suit in time than to regret wasted years of life later.

To avoid mistakes in correctly choosing a place for further study, parents need to determine their child's abilities and inclinations before adolescence and conduct conversations about choosing future study or work, listening to what the child chooses. In adolescence these inclinations may change, and it's important for parents to take this into account.

There's a difference between "want" and "must." If a young person dreams of becoming a doctor or musician, do everything possible to help him achieve this goal. Don't force him to go where his place isn't. If he doesn't want to enter spiritual seminary, then don't frighten him with all kinds of curses. Studying against one's will at parents' direction isn't very correct and useful. Let the teenager decide what he needs himself and set a goal to achieve this. And parents' task includes helping in forming independence and personal responsibility in their teenagers.

It's worth asking leading questions: "What are you ready to do for free?"; "How do you see yourself in the future?"; "What especially captures you?"; "What will you do with pleasure without coercion?"

Prayer with the teenager about his further study gives God authority to influence and open those paths that without prayer would be inaccessible.

The choice of educational institution isn't just a step toward a new profession, but an important decision where the teenager's personality, character, maturity, and independence are formed. This path may not be simple, but with God's help, parents' support, and correct inner attitude, it will lead to a blessed future.

1. Please read Dan. 1:8,12-20; Luke 2:52; Mark 6:3; Matt. 6:33; Prov. 4:7; 16:9; Isa. 30:21; Hos. 4:6; Acts 17:11; 18:3; 2 Thess. 3:10; Eph. 6:4, in light of this lesson.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

4. How to inspire a teenager to correctly choose a worthy place for further study?

5. Is it necessary to pray for your teenager's future profession? If yes, then how?

6. How to understand your teenager's tastes, desires, and dreams before he begins seeking a further place to continue his studies?

7. Do you often consult with your teenager to learn his opinion and plans for the future, or is it better to give instructions and monitor their fulfillment?

8. What's the difference between a prestigious educational institution and a desired one?

9. Why is the choice of further education the most important event in a teenager's life?

10. What to do if the teenager wants to enter paid education, but you don't have money to pay for it?

11. Should you let the teenager leave home to move to a new place of study if it's located very far away?

12. What to do if the teenager can't enter where he would like to?

13. The teenager's further education or choice of new profession—is this his personal business or the whole family's business?

14. Is God interested in choosing a new place of study for your teenager?