As the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal prepares to open, many Form Four students will soon face one of the most important decisions of their lives: choosing a course. During this period, an interesting phenomenon often occurs, everyone seems to know which course you should take. A parent may insist on medicine, another may push you toward law, a friend may convince you to join the course they are studying, and a mentor or relative might suggest something entirely different. Advice and guidance are valuable, especially from people who care about your future. However, the final decision about which course to apply for should come from you. After all, you are the one who will spend four to five years studying it at a university or college. You will attend lectures, read textbooks, complete assignments, sit for exams, and sometimes work on practical projects. Many students make the mistake of choosing a course simply because someone else advised them. Later, when KUCCPS releases placement results, some become anxious or disappointed with the course they selected. Others only realize the problem after joining the university when they sit in a lecture and feel they are in the wrong place. Some even try to change their course immediately after being placed. In many cases, this confusion happens because the course was chosen without fully understanding what it involves. Before applying through KUCCPS, take time to research the courses you are interested in. Understand what each course entails, the skills it requires, and the careers it may lead to. Ask yourself honestly whether you can see yourself studying that field for several years and building a career from it. You should still listen to advice from parents, teachers, mentors, and older students because their experience can help guide you. I am a good example of this. In 2024, I guided a student on how to choose the best course for himself. I offered advice, and he carefully considered it, but I did not pressure him to pursue Mass Communication, the course I am currently studying at Kabarak University. Choosing a course is not simply filling in options on the KUCCPS portal. It is a decision that can influence your academic journey and future career path. That is why it deserves careful thought and proper research. So when the KUCCPS portal finally opens, take your time before selecting your courses. Read about them, understand them, and make a decision that you truly believe in. The best course for you is not necessarily the one everyone recommends, even if it is your parents’ choice. If your mother or father suggests a course, ask them to explain their reasons. Sit down together with a pen and notebook, and carefully listen. However, the final decision should be yours. Choose a course that you understand, believe in, and are ready to pursue with commitment.

As the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal prepares to open, many Form Four students will soon face one of the most important decisions of their lives: choosing a course. During this period, an interesting phenomenon often occurs, everyone seems to know which course you should take. A parent may insist on medicine, another may push you toward law, a friend may convince you to join the course they are studying, and a mentor or relative might suggest something entirely different. Advice and guidance are valuable, especially from people who care about your future. However, the final decision about which course to apply for should come from you. After all, you are the one who will spend four to five years studying it at a university or college. You will attend lectures, read textbooks, complete assignments, sit for exams, and sometimes work on practical projects. Many students make the mistake of choosing a course simply because someone else advised them. Later, when KUCCPS releases placement results, some become anxious or disappointed with the course they selected. Others only realize the problem after joining the university when they sit in a lecture and feel they are in the wrong place. Some even try to change their course immediately after being placed. In many cases, this confusion happens because the course was chosen without fully understanding what it involves. Before applying through KUCCPS, take time to research the courses you are interested in. Understand what each course entails, the skills it requires, and the careers it may lead to. Ask yourself honestly whether you can see yourself studying that field for several years and building a career from it. You should still listen to advice from parents, teachers, mentors, and older students because their experience can help guide you. I am a good example of this. In 2024, I guided a student on how to choose the best course for himself. I offered advice, and he carefully considered it, but I did not pressure him to pursue Mass Communication, the course I am currently studying at Kabarak University. Choosing a course is not simply filling in options on the KUCCPS portal. It is a decision that can influence your academic journey and future career path. That is why it deserves careful thought and proper research. So when the KUCCPS portal finally opens, take your time before selecting your courses. Read about them, understand them, and make a decision that you truly believe in. The best course for you is not necessarily the one everyone recommends, even if it is your parents’ choice. If your mother or father suggests a course, ask them to explain their reasons. Sit down together with a pen and notebook, and carefully listen. However, the final decision should be yours. Choose a course that you understand, believe in, and are ready to pursue with commitment.