29 Apr 2020

I know I know, this whole isolation situation is a drag. Staying inside is bleak. Not seeing friends is traumatic. Could time go any slower?

But, you've been given the gift of free time. Don't treat it as a curse.

If you capitalise on this limbo period, who knows, you might just have a lightbulb moment and figure out what you want to do next year... or for the rest of your life!

So... what are you passionate about? Well, now is the time to ask questions. What do I like to do? Would I like to go to university or TAFE? Do I want to travel? What job could I see myself doing? 

With questions come answers and you have the whole internet at your fingers - abundant in tutorials, vlogs, articles and resources to aid you.

Why not use dosh that you'd be spending on festival tickets, clothes or eating out, and use it on an online course instead. Perhaps that could be a taste tester in a field you're interested in - even Blake in the Year13 fam has started a course in Australian Wine! 

You can also spend your time researching university courses and campuses, internships and job routes. If you're interested in Environmental Science, watch some YouTube videos of people in the field, read articles and email your teachers and careers councillors to get your mitts on any information you can.

Now, I dare you to pick up some hobbies that you've always wanted to try and really give them your best shot. 

Have you always wanted to mosaic, play the cello, sew your own clothes or video edit? You have nothing but time on your hands! There are no excuses to try new things. Maybe you'll figure out that you despise playing the cello. That's fine! If you wanna make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs! But by mucking about with hobbies you never had time for, you might find your passions and begin to pursue it.

If this sounds all a little too overwhelming, we've got our very own Year13 Expo to help you sift through choices. You’ll be treated to talks from real educators, employers, industry experts and influencers, coming to you in the form of videos, webinars, live chats and digital ‘booths’. 

But I now leave you with one piece of advice. Be a sponge. Inhale books, podcasts, articles, movies, documentaries and tutorials. Breathe more, relax and take your time. But make sure you muck about.

When the world is back to normal and you're hanging with your beautiful mates again, you'll all share what you did during iso, which for most will consist of puzzles and playing the Sims 4. You'll be able to say that you figured out what you're passionate about, no matter how big or small.