Choosing what to do after high school is one of those moments that feels way bigger than it should. You’re 17 or 18, people keep asking “So, what’s next ?”, and inside you’re thinking : honestly… no idea. And that’s normal. But over the years, I’ve seen the same orientation mistakes come back again and again. The kind that seem harmless at first, then hit hard six months later, usually around November, when motivation drops and doubts creep in.

The good news ? Most of these mistakes are avoidable. Really. If you spot them early, you save time, energy, and a lot of stress. I’ve spent hours talking with students, parents, guidance counselors, sometimes over a coffee that’s gone cold, sometimes in noisy hallways. And yeah, patterns appear. A lot. If you want broader insights on training paths and education choices, I also recommend checking out https://parlonsformation.fr, it’s one of those sites you bookmark and come back to later.

Mistake #1: choosing a path just because “it sounds good”

This one is everywhere. Law because “it opens doors”. Medicine because “it’s respected”. Business school because “you’ll always find a job”. Sounds familiar ? The problem isn’t ambition. The problem is choosing a field without knowing what daily life actually looks like.

I remember a student who picked law because she liked debating in class. Six weeks into her first semester, surrounded by thick legal textbooks and endless case law, she realized debating was about 5% of the reality. The rest ? Reading. A lot. Alone. At 11 p.m.

Before choosing, ask yourself simple, concrete questions. Do I like reading long texts ? Working in groups ? Sitting in front of a screen all day ? If possible, talk to real students. Not brochures. Real humans who complain about deadlines and exams.

Mistake #2: following friends (or family) blindly

This one hurts, because it’s human. Your best friend goes to university X, so you go too. Your cousin did a BTS, so you do the same. Parents push a bit, sometimes a lot. And suddenly your orientation isn’t really yours anymore.

I get it. Being alone in a new city, a new campus, that’s scary. But choosing studies just to avoid that fear ? Bad trade. I’ve seen friendships break anyway, different schedules, different lives. And you’re left stuck in a program you never really wanted.

Try to separate things. You can stay close to people without copying their path. Your future deserves its own logic, not someone else’s comfort.

Mistake #3: underestimating the workload

This one surprises many students. “I was good in high school, it should be fine.” And then reality hits. Lectures with 300 students. No one checks attendance. Exams count for 100% of the grade. No safety net.

University, BTS, BUT, prep school… each has its own rhythm. Some are intense but structured. Others give you freedom, which sounds great until you realize freedom also means responsibility. No one reminds you to revise.

Before choosing, look at schedules, exam formats, failure rates. Yes, failure rates. They’re not there to scare you, but to inform you. If a program has 60% failure in first year, ask why.

Mistake #4: thinking orientation is irreversible

Honestly, this is one of the biggest mental blocks. Many students think : if I choose wrong, my life is over. That’s false. Completely.

Reorientation exists. Bridges exist. Gap years exist. I’ve met students who changed paths at 19, 21, even 25, and are now perfectly fine. Better than fine, actually. More confident, more aligned.

The real mistake isn’t changing. It’s staying stuck in something that doesn’t fit, just out of pride or fear of “losing a year”. A year isn’t lost if you learn from it.

Mistake #5: not asking enough questions

Some students stay silent. They don’t ask teachers, counselors, older students. They google a bit, skim a forum, and decide. Orientation deserves more than that.

Ask questions. Even “stupid” ones. How many hours of class per week ? Is there a lot of homework ? What happens if I fail an exam ? Where do graduates actually work ?

The more concrete the answers, the clearer your choice becomes. Orientation isn’t about guessing. It’s about gathering clues, then deciding.

So, how do you avoid these mistakes ?

There’s no magic formula, sorry. But there is a mindset that helps. Be curious. Be honest with yourself. Accept doubt. And don’t rush just because others seem sure. Many aren’t. They just hide it better.

If you’re hesitating right now, that doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re thinking. And that’s a good place to start.

Still, working while studying isn’t a bad idea. Money matters. Experience matters. Independence too. The real question is : how do you find a student job without trashing your grades ? That’s what we’re going to unpack, calmly, honestly, without pretending it’s always easy. By the way, when you’re browsing opportunities or tutoring gigs, sites like https://profannonces.com can be surprisingly useful, especially if you’re looking for flexible, skill-based work rather than random shifts.

Start with one uncomfortable question : how much time can you really work ?

Let’s be blunt. Not how much time you think you have. Not how much your friend works. How much time can you realistically give without burning out ?

For most full-time students, the sweet spot is around 10 to 15 hours per week. Beyond that, things start slipping. Maybe you skip lectures “just this once”. Maybe revision gets rushed. Maybe Sundays stop being days off. It creeps in.

I’ve seen students swear they could handle 25 hours a week. Some did. Most didn’t. And the ones who did ? They paid for it during exams. Headaches, stress, that constant tired feeling. You know the one.

So before even looking at job offers, sit down. Take your actual timetable. Add commute time. Add revision. Add rest (yes, rest counts). What’s left ? That number matters more than the hourly wage.

Not all student jobs are created equal (far from it)

This is where many students mess up. They take the first job that calls back. Restaurant, bar, supermarket. Nothing wrong with those jobs, but they’re not always study-friendly.

Late shifts. Unpredictable schedules. Weekends gone. It adds up.

If your priority is protecting your academic results, look for jobs with :

• Fixed or predictable hours
• Possibility to reduce shifts during exam periods
• Low mental fatigue (or, even better, useful mentally)

Jobs like tutoring, library assistant, campus admin work, babysitting, or even remote tasks can be game-changers. I’m biased maybe, but tutoring saved my grades. Explaining algebra at 6 p.m. felt way easier than memorising it at midnight.

On-campus jobs : underrated and surprisingly smart

If your university offers on-campus jobs, don’t ignore them. Seriously.

Why ? Because they’re designed for students. Employers there know you have exams. They don’t look shocked when you ask for fewer hours in May.

Working at the library, IT desk, student services, labs… these jobs often come with quiet moments. Moments where you can read, revise, or at least breathe. That’s gold.

And yes, they might pay a bit less per hour. But the hidden benefit ? Time saved and stress avoided. That’s worth a lot.

Flexibility beats salary (even if that hurts to hear)

I know. When you’re broke, hourly pay is everything. But here’s the thing : a job paying slightly less but offering flexibility will often cost you less in the long run.

Missed exams cost money. Retaking a year costs money. Burnout costs energy you don’t get back easily.

Ask direct questions during interviews. Don’t be shy :

• “Can I adjust my hours during exams ?”
• “How far in advance are schedules planned ?”
• “Is it possible to swap shifts ?”

If the answers feel vague or defensive, that’s a red flag. Trust that feeling.

Remote and skill-based jobs : the quiet revolution

One thing that surprised me over the last few years is how many students now work remotely. Writing, translating, tutoring online, data entry, social media moderation.

The advantage ? No commute. No uniform. No wasted time waiting for a shift to end.

The risk ? Overworking. When your job lives on your laptop, it’s tempting to say yes to everything. Suddenly, your “flexible” job eats your evenings.

Set boundaries early. Clear hours. Clear limits. Otherwise, flexibility turns against you.

Learn to say no (even when you really want the money)

This might be the hardest part. Saying no to extra shifts. Saying no to covering for someone. Saying no when your manager insists “it’s just this once”.

But protecting your studies means protecting your time. Full stop.

A good student job respects that. A bad one slowly pushes you past your limits. If you constantly feel guilty for prioritising exams, something’s wrong.

And honestly ? Most employers replace students all the time. Your degree doesn’t replace itself.

Check yourself regularly : is this job still worth it ?

Here’s a simple test I like : every month, ask yourself three questions.

• Am I keeping up with my courses ?
• Am I sleeping enough ?
• Am I constantly stressed ?

If two answers are “no” or “yes” in the wrong way, it’s time to adjust. Reduce hours. Change jobs. Take a break if you can.

Working while studying should support your life, not dominate it.

Final thought (and a bit of honesty)

There’s no perfect student job. Some weeks will be messy. Some exams will feel rushed. That’s normal.

But with the right choice, the right limits, and a bit of self-awareness, you can work without sacrificing your results. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. And yes, I’ve also messed it up before figuring it out.

So take your time. Be picky. Your future self will thank you. Probably after finals, with a coffee in hand, slightly less stressed than last year.

I’ve seen students refresh the page every ten minutes, parents argue over rankings at the kitchen table, teachers sigh in the staff room. If you want a calmer, clearer view of the system (and some solid orientation thinking), resources like https://project-education.com can help put things back into perspective. Now let’s break Parcoursup down, simply, without the official jargon.

What Parcoursup really is (and what it isn’t)

First, let’s clear a big misunderstanding. Parcoursup is not a giant algorithm that decides your future behind a dark curtain. It’s more like a matching tool. You apply. Universities and schools review applications. Then Parcoursup manages the answers and the waiting lists.

That’s it. No magic. No secret score that ruins your life.

What matters most ? Your grades, your motivation letters (yes, they are read), and how competitive the program is. A medical PASS in Paris ? Brutal competition. A local BUT with fewer applicants ? Much more accessible.

Understanding “vœux”: don’t treat them like lottery tickets

On Parcoursup, you can make up to 10 main wishes, plus sub-wishes depending on the program. And here’s where many students mess up.

Some only choose ultra-selective programs. Others play it too safe and get bored with their own list. Both are mistakes.

A good strategy (and I insist on this) is balance :

• 2–3 ambitious choices (your “dream” programs)
• 4–5 realistic ones
• 2 safety nets where admission is very likely

Ask yourself honestly : Would I actually accept this program ? If the answer is no, don’t put it. A vœu is not harmless. It’s a real possibility.

The motivation letter : everyone underestimates it

I know, I know. Writing motivation letters is annoying. Everyone hates it. But I’ve seen average students accepted while stronger profiles were rejected, simply because the letter was clearer and more sincere.

You don’t need fancy words. Please don’t write like a robot. Explain why this program, why now, and what you bring. Concrete things. A subject you loved. An internship that changed your mind. Even a failure that taught you something.

Franchement, a simple, honest letter beats a copied template every time.

Parcoursup answers : what “yes”, “waiting list” and “no” really mean

The big day arrives. You log in. Heart pounding. And there it is.

“Yes”: take a breath. You’re in. You can accept or hold it while waiting for better options.

“Waiting list”: this is where stress explodes. But here’s the truth : waiting lists move. A lot. Especially in June and July. I’ve seen students jump 300 places in two weeks.

“No”: it hurts. No sugarcoating. But it’s not the end. There are complementary phases, alternative paths, private schools, gap years. One refusal does not define you.

How waiting lists actually move (and why patience matters)

This part is weirdly fascinating. Waiting lists move because people decline offers. Constantly. Someone accepted in Bordeaux drops it for Lyon. Another chooses a BTS instead of a licence. Chain reactions everywhere.

Pro tip : check your position and last year’s admission rank if available. If last year the program went up to rank 2,500 and you’re 1,800? Stay calm. If it stopped at 900 and you’re 4,000… maybe start planning a Plan B.

Common mistakes I see every year (don’t be that person)

A few classics :

• Ignoring safety choices “because I’ll never need them”
• Writing the same motivation letter everywhere
• Panicking and accepting the first “yes” without thinking
• Not asking for help (teachers, counselors, older students)

Parcoursup rewards clarity and anticipation. Panic is your worst advisor.

Winning strategies (nothing fancy, just smart)

Here’s what works, year after year :

• Start early. Like, earlier than you think.
• Research programs beyond the name. Content matters.
• Be honest about your level and your goals.
• Prepare alternatives you’d actually accept.

And one more thing, maybe the most important : don’t tie your self-worth to Parcoursup results. The system is imperfect. Sometimes unfair. Often stressful. But your path is longer than one platform.

Final thought (and yes, it matters)

If you’re reading this with a knot in your stomach, you’re normal. Parcoursup puts pressure on people who are already at a turning point in their lives. But once you understand the rules, the fog lifts a bit.

Ask questions. Talk it through. Take notes. And remember : orientation is not a one-shot decision. It’s a process. Sometimes messy. Often surprising. And very rarely linear.

You’ve got more control than you think. Really.