Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, in her weekly articles for 12 Punto, this week highlighted the importance of making the right choice for true success. Here is Güngör's article:
The YKS results, eagerly awaited by university candidates, have been announced. However, the excitement has not subsided; it has intensified. Scores have been received, now it's time to make the right choice. It's an important and serious moment of decision. The choice made will determine the future life journeys of young university candidates in particular. It's not easy at all. In fact, it might be the most difficult stage of their lives in terms of choice and decision-making. On one hand, there are the scores obtained, and on the other, the dreams built, visions seen, and plans made up to this point.
If the dreams built align with the scores obtained, the joy is immense, but if they don't, then the problem is significant. After all, so many years of studying, effort, multiplying hopes, and setting goals, but the expected outcome did not materialize. So, what should be done in this situation?
There might be disappointment, but no need to be sad. Continue moving towards the goal within the current conditions. There are many universities in Turkey, and therefore many departments and programs. Placement in one of the programs is guaranteed with the scores obtained. Provided that our young friends can make their choices rationally and calmly.
For instance, if someone aiming for a medical faculty does not have sufficient scores to achieve this goal, they can still consider closely related options in the health field. For example, faculties of health sciences have various programs aimed at training for different professions within the scope of medicine. Our young people can choose one of these programs and still pursue a career in a field related to the health sector.
Similarly, if the scores obtained by a young person who wants to become an engineer are not sufficient to enter engineering faculties, they can still be placed in one of the associate degree technical programs, which is a lower tier of the engineering sector. Vocational schools are preferred institutions both for gaining a profession quickly and for acquiring technical professional skills. Our young people can complete one of the associate degree programs within two years and both enter working life sooner and get the chance to enter their target departments through vertical transfer exams.
From a traditional and conventional perspective, everyone's dream is to become an engineer, doctor, judge, lawyer, etc. However, today's world is undergoing rapid change and transformation, influenced by new technologies. New professions are emerging, and new needs are arising in the areas of work and services. The need for new talents, creative and entrepreneurial professionals is felt much more strongly every day. Therefore, our young people need to closely follow the world's developments, analyze them well, and maintain a healthy and accurate vision for the future. It is also important for them to set their ideals, goals, and career choices accordingly.
It is important for realities and dreams to nurture each other, but on the other hand, they must also be distinguished from each other with a rational perspective. In this sense, there are the realities of the life we live, and then there are our dreams. We need to understand and analyze these two very well. When forming our ideals, it is necessary to grasp very well the points where realities and dreams intersect and conflict. We need a job to gain our economic independence, sustain our lives, and establish a place in society. This is a huge reality facing all of us. Therefore, we cannot ignore this reality in the process of making choices and decisions. On the other hand, we have dreams that we have accumulated and nurtured since childhood, and ideals shaped accordingly. This should also not be overlooked during the choice and decision-making process. Besides these two, we also have our YKS score, which is an initial measure in determining our future roadmap. Therefore, to make the most appropriate choice and the best decision to reach the goal, it is necessary to determine the most suitable point within this triangle. Reason and common sense must come into play precisely at this stage.
There are many universities, and within these universities, there are numerous associate and bachelor's degree programs. If the right choice is made, placement in one of these programs is guaranteed. For this, my advice to young friends is to definitely consult preference advisors during this process. Our young people should not be sad if their scores are low or if they didn't get the scores they wanted. They should visit the websites of universities. They should carefully examine all departments and programs. But they shouldn't just rely on virtual information. To the extent possible, they should definitely visit universities, meet academics, and get face-to-face information about departments and professions. They should certainly see and examine the physical conditions of the universities, laboratories, libraries, unique opportunities, differences, and advantages related to the department or program they wish to study.
Our own talents, inclinations, and preferences are important in choosing a profession and program. For this reason, young people should analyze themselves very well when choosing a profession and program. They should ask themselves questions and try to provide answers as detailed as possible. Knowing ourselves is very important for making the right choice. As someone who has been in academia for years, I encounter this from time to time. Our students get placed in a program, but when they actively get involved in the education, they realize that the department is not suitable for them and start searching again. To prevent this, young people should determine very well which profession they are inclined towards and suited for right from the start. This is perhaps one of the most important secrets of success. The right choice, the appropriate decision.
On the other hand, I also have some advice for young people who achieve high scores. A high score is an achievement, but for success to continue, the choice must also be made correctly. For instance, if a young person who qualifies to enter medical school with their score is not inclined towards or suited for medicine, and would not be happy working in a health-related field, there is no need for them to choose medical school just because they got a high score. Achieving a high score offers a great advantage. Young individuals with high scores have the freedom and advantage to enter many departments and programs. However, for them to achieve true success, it is important for them to define their goals very well, analyze their interests and inclinations, and make the right choice accordingly. Because true success is only possible with work that we do with pleasure and happiness. We might have a very respectable profession, we might earn a lot of money, but if we don't get enough pleasure from what we do, we cannot call that true success. The right choice and the right decision are of great importance for true success.
I wish success to all university candidates.