The Right Choice for True Success

The YKS results, which university candidates have been waiting for with excitement, have been announced. However, the excitement has not subsided; it has only intensified. The scores are in, and now it is time to make the right choices. This is a significant and serious moment of decision. The choices made will be a determining factor in the future life journeys of these young university candidates. It is not easy at all. In fact, it may be the most difficult stage of their lives in terms of making choices and decisions. On one side are the scores received, and on the other are the dreams, aspirations, and plans built until today.

If the dreams built align with the scores received, there is nothing better, but if they do not, that is when the trouble begins. After all, they have worked and put in effort for so many years, hopes have been nurtured, and goals have been set, but the expected outcome was not achieved. So, what should be done in this situation?

There may be disappointment, but there is no need to be upset. Continue moving toward the goal within the existing conditions. There are many universities in Turkey, and therefore, many departments and programs. With the score received, one will certainly be placed in one of the programs. As long as our young friends can make their choices rationally and with a cool head.

For instance, if someone aiming for medical school does not have a score sufficient to realize this goal, they can focus on similar options within the health field. For example, faculties of health sciences have various programs aimed at training for different professions within the scope of health. Our young people can choose one of these programs and still become professionals in a field related to the health sector.

Similarly, if a young person who wants to be an engineer does not have a score sufficient to enter engineering faculties, they can be placed in one of the associate degree technical programs, which are a sub-tier of the engineering sector. Vocational schools are institutions that should be preferred both for entering a profession quickly and for gaining technical professional skills. Within two years, our young people can complete an associate degree program, enter professional life as soon as possible, and also have the chance to enter their targeted departments through vertical transfer exams.

With a traditional and conventional perspective, everyone's dream is to be an engineer, physician, judge, lawyer, etc. However, today's world is in a rapid state of change and transformation, also influenced by new technologies. New professions are being born, and new needs are emerging in the fields of business and service. The need for new talents, creative and entrepreneurial professionals is making itself felt more strongly every day. Therefore, our young people need to follow the world's trajectory well, analyze it well, and maintain a healthy and accurate vision for the future. It is important that they set their ideals, goals, and job and career choices accordingly.

It is important for facts and dreams to nourish each other, but on the other hand, they must be distinguished from one another with a rational perspective. In this sense, there are the realities of the life we live in, and then there are our dreams. It is necessary to understand and analyze these two very well. While forming our ideals, it is necessary to grasp the points of overlap and conflict between realities and dreams very well. We need a job to achieve economic independence, sustain our lives, and gain a place in society. This is a huge reality standing in front of all of us. Therefore, we cannot ignore this reality in the process of making choices and decisions. On the other hand, we have our dreams that we have accumulated and nurtured perhaps since childhood, and the ideals we have shaped accordingly. This should also not be ignored in the process of making choices and decisions. Alongside these two, there is our YKS score, which is the starting metric in determining our future roadmap. Therefore, to make the most accurate choice and the most correct decision toward reaching the goal, it is necessary to determine the most suitable point within this triangle. Reason and common sense must come into play at exactly this stage.

There are many universities, and within these universities, there are many programs at the associate and undergraduate levels. If the right choice is made, one will certainly be placed in one of these programs. For this, my advice to young friends is to definitely consult with preference counselors during this process. Our young people should not be upset because their scores came in low or they did not get the scores they wanted. They should visit university websites. They should carefully examine all departments and programs. But they should not be content with virtual information. As much as their means allow, they should definitely visit the universities, meet with academics, and get face-to-face information about departments and professions. They should definitely see and examine the physical conditions of the universities, laboratories, libraries, and the unique opportunities, differences, and advantages related to the department or program they want to study in person.

Our own talents, inclinations, and tastes 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 strive to provide the 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 once they are actively involved in the education and training, 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 toward and close to from the very beginning. 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 suggestions for young people who have achieved high scores. A high score is a success, but for the continuation of success, the choice must also be made correctly. For example, if a young person who has earned the right to enter medical school with their score is not inclined toward or close to medicine, and will not be happy working in a health-related field, there is no need for them to choose medical school just because their score is high. Getting a high score offers a great advantage. Young individuals who receive high scores have the freedom and advantage of being able to enter many departments and programs. However, for them to achieve true success, it is important that they set 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 may have a very respectable profession, we may earn a lot of money, but if we do not get enough pleasure from the work we do, we cannot call this true success. The right choice and the right decision are of great importance for true success.

I wish all university candidates success.