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.