Introduction

The final year of secondary school is undoubtedly the most stressful in a student’s career. It is a crucial year, not only because of the fateful BAC exam but also because it marks the end of a period and the beginning of a new life. Yes, after the BAC, reality quickly catches up with us, and adaptation is more difficult for people who haven’t prepared themselves. Unfortunately, this still happens today: many students focus solely on their academic success and miss out on interesting academic opportunities. The unluckiest spend their first post-baccalauréat year in the dark. This article aims to provide some guidelines on how to prepare for the post-baccalauréat period.

Preparing for the ‘Post-BAC’ period from Year 3:

It’s never too early to start preparing for your future. The 3rd year is crucial. In many school systems, it’s here that you make your choice of stream for the next few years. So it’s the ideal time to think seriously about the career you’d like to pursue later on. Yes, in general, the opportunities are different from one stream to another, as are the conditions of eligibility for competitive entrance exams. If, for example, you want to become a doctor, the literary stream is not the right one for you.

Often, the choice of stream can be made based on the marks obtained in the various subjects. You should also take into account the job you are passionate about and the effort you are prepared to put in, because, as the saying goes, if you don’t want to work, choose a job you are passionate about.

Targeting the schools where you would like to continue at least 1 year beforehand:

The Bac is just one step on the road to several others. By the end of your first year at the latest, it’s important to target the schools where you’d like to continue your studies. It’s not enough to have the names of the schools; it’s essential to find out about the admission procedures. If you have to sit a competitive entrance exam, you need to know about it so that you have time to prepare. If it’s an application process, you should know the deadline for submitting applications.  If you’d like to apply for scholarships, find out in a good time so you don’t miss your chance.

Asking for advice:

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Send emails to schools, consult your educational adviser and contact professionals in the field you want to enter. Also, ask your parents for their opinion and find out about their courses. 

Conclusion

Preparing for your post-baccalauréat career is just as important as passing your baccalauréat. Getting started early, in 3ème in this case, would be ideal, as you’ll have a clear pathway to all the different professions, as you won’t yet have chosen your course of study. Otherwise, don’t panic. Think about your options and contact the schools that interest you to find out all the admission details. Above all, don’t be afraid to ask for advice.