#ZemJournals #PennyForMyThoughts All the Grade 9 last year have not taken their NCAE. My advisee last year was Grade 9. Now that they are in Grade 10, most of them are on the decision making on what will be the strand they are going to choose for their SHS. Since I was their adviser for the past two academic years, they often have messaged me to seek advice on what they wanted. Some of them were my students for 3-4 years as a subject teacher, I've witnessed their growth and improvement over the years. I tried to give them suggestions to somehow direct them. However, I also give them this answer. "I'm 25 and I don't even know what I wanted. I'm not even sure if I am on the right path. Yes, I'm your teacher, I got my degree and I got my license but what else. When I was in my university years, I had discovered something that I wanted to pursue. I wanted to conquer life more, I have so many questions. I'm confused too. I've been yearning to take my masters but I don't know what to take, I wanted to study all the other branches of Social Sciences. So, yes, don't get pressure with your life. It will have many surprises along the way. It's okay to be clueless about what you want yet. Don't create your own timeline. Just let it roll." I know this may sound a little privilege, but I want to instill them the value of not pressuring themselves. I want them to remove the structure this society has, that we need to pursue and achieve something at a particular age or what, because it sucks. That mindset is a nightmare, for late bloomers like me. I want them to live in the moment, to cherish the present because sooner or later they'll realize what they wanted. So, yes, enjoy life, it's ups and downs. Pursue a life that is dedicated to serving others. https://www.instagram.com/p/CF6ucYRHpDp/?igshid=12r26ohp97oi1