As we hit our last two years of high school and graduation looms ahead, we know it’s finally time to start making big decisions about what our plans for postsecondary will be.
Some lucky students will have chosen their pathway years before and will be ready to move on and start working toward their career or education goals: whether it is entering the workforce, entering a nursing program, or starting university right away, those who have made their decisions years before may find this time easy. They may have even started working toward those goals, either through co-op programs or working in a family business. Many students will still be unsure of their postsecondary pathways or may even be debating over which schools or programs to apply to. They may spend some time feverishly researching different careers or programs, or are deeply considering a ‘gap year’ to work, travel, or both.
Wherever you are in your decision making for postsecondary, it’s important to keep in mind that your future is always changeable, that you can stay the course or change course should you decide to do so. The most important thing is that you are making decisions that enable you to reach personal success and a lifestyle that you can be happy with. That being said, if you can make thoughtful decisions early and create a plan that you can follow through with, you will save yourself lots of time, energy and resources by determining a pathway that works early on.
Choosing your high school courses can be tough with so many options to choose from. Learn how to make course selections that lead to the postsecondary pathways you want most.
University Planning for Science Students
If you are certain that your postsecondary career will involve university and the sciences, you have a great head start in planning what your future will look like. You will find dozens of science-related programs in any university you apply to: which makes it even more important that you plan your long term goals so you can choose the right courses that will lead you to the degree or degrees of your dreams.
Let’s start by thinking about how to identify our long term goals so we can be as prepared as possible to apply for the programs that we want.
Science Career Planning Ahead
Students who love science and chemistry in high school have a passion that is as fascinating as it is practical. Skills in the sciences are highly sought after, and you can take so many options in healthcare, business, education, pharmacy, law and research after you graduate. The key thing to think about prior to enrolling in your undergraduate degree is what your ultimate goals may be.
What a lot of students don’t consider is that your undergraduate degree is just a first step toward a number of degrees. While some students can enter the workforce upon completion of their undergraduate bachelor of science, in many cases you must take an additional degree to enter a certain profession.
This doesn’t mean that your undergraduate or bachelor’s degree is pointless - in fact, it is quite important to have it. You will need an undergraduate degree to apply to most professional or research postgraduate programs in the sciences, and your bachelor’s degree will enable you to build a foundation of higher level knowledge you need to level up. Those years are also essential to your maturity as a young adult, as you will surely face personal challenges that come with a transition into adulthood: living independently, managing priorities, handling relationships, and coping with stress.
So getting back to long term goals, think about what career or careers you see yourself in? Here is a list of some popular science related careers you may want to keep in mind:
- Science Teacher
- Researcher
- Pharmacist
- Chemical Engineer
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Lab Technician
- Entrepreneur
- Nutritionist
- Hospital Administrator
- Product Development
- Dentistry
- Orthodontist
- Biotechnology
- Biostatistician
- Analyst
- Toxicologist
- Physiotherapist
- And so much more!
Applying for the Right Science or Chemistry Program
To apply for the right science or chemistry program, you will want to choose a program that enables you to access programs that launch you into your career of choice. Start by looking at which careers you see yourself in: perhaps you could see yourself working as a researcher or a high school educator. Then find out what post graduate programs will enable you to achieve those goals. In this case, it might be a bachelor of education degree, or a Master of Science program.
Once you know exactly what your long term goals are or could be, you can pick your undergraduate pathway. For example, high school teachers need two teachable subjects, so if chemistry is your passion you can choose a chemistry program plus another teachable area you are passionate about, like mathematics (ex. Chemistry major and Mathematics major). Then look into a Master of Science program - what do most graduate schools require? You may find that the prerequisites align, or you may find that you may have to do some additional tweaking to keep both options open.
Your goal, in other words, is to keep as many pathways open as you can to the future programs you want. At the same time, you will want to maintain a GPA high enough to keep your applications competitive - so make sure you are enrolled in an undergraduate program your enjoy and will look forward to working on every day.
Wondering what to expect in your grade 11 and 12 chemistry courses? Find out what topics you can expect to study in your senior years of secondary school.
What will Chemistry Lessons be Like in University?
Another thing you will want to start thinking about when you make the transition to university are your classes. What will they look like? How can you show up prepared? Will the courses be competitive?
University courses will certainly be harder than a lot of classes you take, but because you are undertaking them after a long formal education and as a much more mature learner, they will be at a level that is entirely possible for you to engage with. Know your strengths and weaknesses as a student, do not skip class, and you will find yourself quite ready to undertake the learning you have been tasked to do.
Your first year courses will likely be large classes or lecture halls filled with students who require the same course to fulfill their program requirements. In these courses, it is important to keep up with the readings and to network with your peers so you can build relationships with others in the same pathways as you. You will learn so much from your classmates, and they will be indispensable resources you can use to think about your own goals and learning.
As you move into second and third year, you will find that your classes become more focused on specific topics and areas of research. You will probably also notice that your classes get smaller as students start to determine which learning pathways they want to be on. Of course, some students will leave university, others will transfer, and others may even take a year off to pursue other goals or take on family responsibilities. Every postsecondary pathway will be unique, and yours will take its own form as the future unfolds and you discover what you are best suited for.
University courses will be competitive, as everyone will be looking to get the best grades to apply for postgraduate programs or simply have a strong transcript. Put your best foot forward by showing up to school with a notebook and personal device for taking notes or doing research on the fly, taking the time to conduct your labs properly and clearing your schedule so you can focus on school during your busiest days, and attending all of your classes, lectures and tutorials.
Are you thinking about taking grade 12 chemistry? Wondering whether you should take the online or in-person option? Get all of your chemistry questions answered here.
How do I Choose Which Chemistry Research Topics to Focus On?
If the idea of research papers has already been on your mind, fear not as you will get plenty of inspiration and ideas from your professors as you attend your classes. You may want to consider the following questions as you think about research topics in chemistry:
- What interests you most in chemistry?
- What topics are most relevant to the course you are taking?
- Is your research topic realistic to undertake?
- What kind of resources are available on your topic?
- What topics are most relevant to my long term goals?
You may want to choose topics that focus on healthcare, such as medications or vaccines, if you ultimately see your pathway going in that direction.
How Many Years Does it Take to Finish Mastering Chemistry?
Knowledge is always changing, especially as times and technology changes. You may be able to ‘master’ a specific area of chemistry, but in truth it is better to adopt a growth mindset where you can learn endlessly and continue evolving as a student and as a professional.
One way to develop your knowledge of science and chemistry quickly is to find a chemistry teacher. Science and chemistry tutors are usually graduates of programs, educators, or graduate students, and can support you in your acquisition of knowledge by reviewing main concepts and providing feedback on your work. They can help prepare you for exams, and give you invaluable tips and insights on university programs.
To find a great chemistry tutor, be sure to visit the Superprof Canada site. Superprof is a platform that connects students with tutors online, making it easy to hire a tutor that fits your needs and has an academic background sufficient to guide you in your learning. Simply use the search function to type in university chemistry, and you will see dozens of tutors that fit the bill. Browse through their profiles to identify the best tutor for you, and compare rates. You can message prospective tutors through the site’s messaging system, and even pay tutors safely through the site.
You might be surprised to learn how many topics you will cover in grade 12 or AP Chemistry courses - make sure you show up for class prepared!
Should I Take a Chemistry Class Online?
Some universities will offer chemistry courses online, which can be incredibly useful if you are working part or full time, have a long commute that you’d like to avoid as much as possible, or simply prefer the flexibility of remote learning. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that online courses cannot offer the same level of human connection and networking opportunities as in person, and can be rather isolating at times.
If you can blend online and in-person courses in science, you may be able to find a happy medium. However, if online is your only choice, you will still receive a high quality education backed by an accredited institution, which is invaluable for your career.
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