When you’re 17 or 18, everyone suddenly expects you to have your whole future figured out.
“What are you studying?” “Which uni?” “You sure or not?” It feels like the world is rushing you to decide, even though you’ve barely had time to breathe after SPM.
And because of that pressure, many students rush into a course or university they were never truly aligned with. Some regret it six months later. Others only realise it years down the road, when they are stuck in a job they dislike every morning.
Before making your big decision, it’s always worth slowing down a bit, turning down the noise from the outside, and asking yourself a few honest questions.
What do you actually want?
It sounds like the simplest question in the world, but it’s usually the hardest to answer. As there is no one right answer to it.
A lot of students choose a path because it seems “safe,” “popular,” “high demand,” or simply because someone older says, “This one sure makes good money.”
But here’s the part nobody really says out loud: you are the one who has to wake up and live that choice every single day, not them.
No one should expect a 17 or 18 year old to have life all figured out. Still, it’s worth asking yourself: What genuinely excites me? What kind of environment helps me grow? What do I naturally gravitate toward, even when nobody’s pushing me?
Clarity doesn’t just fall from the sky. It comes when you stop choosing out of pressure, and start choosing with purpose.
Even if you can’t pinpoint what you want, you can at least figure out the general direction.
Is the course what you think it is?
A lot of students fall in love with the idea of a course, but not the reality of what it takes.
Sure, you might be the go-to friend for life advice, but do you actually enjoy diving deep into psychology, learning how professionals analyse behaviour, handle heavy emotions, and deal with negative thoughts every single day?
You might love crime documentaries, but beyond all the drama and mystery, the real work is hours of case reading, comparing details, and understanding the law.
And just because you enjoy scrolling TikTok doesn’t automatically mean you’ll enjoy mass comm assignments, research papers, or campaign planning.
The best way to avoid regret later is to stay curious now. Ask questions. Talk to seniors. Look at the real subjects you’ll be studying. Then imagine your day-to-day life doing it for the next three or four years.
If that thought excites you, great! You might be on the right path. If you’re already feeling drained just thinking about it, that might be your sign to pause and reconsider.
Will this university help you grow, not just graduate?
In today’s competitive world, having a degree alone is no longer enough. What truly shapes your future comes from the experiences you collect, the internships you land, the people you meet, the exposure you get, and the confidence you build along the way.
The right university doesn’t just hand you knowledge. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, connects you with real industry players, and trains you with skills that actually matter in the working world.
Now imagine graduating and competing against students who already have hands-on experience, who learned beyond the textbook, who have faced real problems and solved them. That is the difference exposure makes.
Knowledge and skill sets today evolve rapidly, and you need to be learning what is current, relevant, and applicable in real jobs, not outdated theories you can’t use.
You’re not just choosing a campus. You’re choosing an environment that will influence your mindset, your network, and your opportunities. Pick a place that doesn’t just teach you, but stretches you.
Will this career still matter in the age of AI?
These days, everyone is asking the same thing: How will AI affect this industry? We are living through a huge shift. Some jobs we see now will shrink in the coming years, while new roles, including those that do not even exist yet, will start to grow.
That is why it is completely fair to ask the uncomfortable questions. Is this career still relevant? Where is the industry heading? What will my income look like? Will AI replace certain tasks, or will it actually open up bigger opportunities?
The truth is, the answer is not always clear. Some industries will become stronger with AI, while others may face more risk. To tell the difference, you need insight, awareness and proper guidance, not guesswork.
Passion matters, but long-term sustainability matters too. Your future deserves a balance of both heart and strategy.
It’s okay to ask for help
Figuring everything out alone can be overwhelming. Instead of guessing your way through Google searches and YouTube opinions, sometimes it’s easier to just speak to people who understand the pathways, the industry and the future job market.
And that’s where education fairs come in!
The AUG GO! Further Studies Edu Fair brings top universities and experienced counsellors together under one roof so you can ask questions, compare options and get real answers before making any big decisions.
✨ What’s Happening:
- Free admission — walk in and explore freely
- Application fee waived* — save on selected uni applications
- Face-to-face consultations — get clear, personalised guidance
- Scholarship opportunities* — discover options you may not know about
- RM20 Grab voucher — for the first 30 students who pre-register and attend
*Terms and conditions apply.
The fair will be happening across multiple locations in Malaysia, so you can join the one closest to you. Whether you’re from the north, south, east coast, or the Klang Valley, there’s a stop near you.
Register here : https://events.humanitix.com/fsedec2025?c=weirdkaya
On top of everything, AUG is celebrating its 30th anniversary by partnering with top universities to offer special scholarships that make studying abroad more affordable. The initiative aims to support students with strong academic potential as they take the next step in their education journey.
The limited scholarships include:
- 3x Kaplan Higher Education Academy, Singapore – 50% tuition fee waiver
- 2x Curtin Singapore – 50% off first-year tuition fees
- 3x Monash University Australia – AUD10,000 per year, up to four years
With only a few spots available, this is a final opportunity for students to pursue their dream university through AUG with less financial stress.
Mark down the location, date and time for the upcoming AUG GO! Further Studies Edu Fair so you wouldn’t miss your chance!
📍 Nationwide Fair Schedule:
- 12 Nov (Wed) — Premiere Hotel, Klang (1–5pm)
- 15 Nov (Sat) — WEIL Hotel, Ipoh (1–6pm)
- 16 Nov (Sun) — E&O Hotel, Penang (1–6pm)
- 21 Nov (Fri) — Zenith Hotel, Kuantan (1–5pm)
- 22 Nov (Sat) — Noble Resort Hotel, Melaka (1–6pm)
- 23 Nov (Sun) — KSL Resort Hotel, Johor Bahru (1–6pm)
- 30 Nov (Sun) — Aloft Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (1–6pm)
With seven stops nationwide, it’s now easier than ever to get proper guidance without travelling far. Just pick a date, show up, and ask everything you’ve always wanted to know, from courses, to countries, to scholarships, to career pathways, to what life is really like as an overseas or local uni student.
On top of everything mentioned, you can also join these events at this round of the education fair! You don’t want to miss out:
- Get up close with over 40 top universities from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.
- Meet and greet the amazing cosplayer Victoria Wey in Ipoh.
- Dive into fun tarot reading sessions in JB, Melaka and Klang.
- And don’t miss your chance to win Grab vouchers worth up to RM100!
Don’t leave your future to guesswork, take the first step towards clarity and confidence.
Register now for the AUG -GO! Further Studies Edu Fair and get the answers you’ve been looking for.
