Form with 22 key suggestions for 3rd Lyceum students for their career planning, from the Counseling Science and Professional Career Laboratory of the Pedagogical Department of the University of Athens, aims to strengthen the personal and professional empowerment of graduating students and students with the end of the school year and the start of the Panhellenic competitions.

At this crossroads of young people’s lives, the authors of the new publication suggest that they see their career exploration as a challenge that they must manage. “One of the many challenges you will encounter in the future paths of your personal, educational and professional path. Keep dreaming and keep your interest in your professional goal, making use of your personal characteristics, in your wanderings and endeavors. Explore your values, interests and personality elements online from the EOPPEP page. It’s a good opportunity for introspection to discover what motivates you.

After realizing the importance of your professional choices (goals), commit to them early on! Their implementation will come about through perseverance, positive thinking, self-control, determination and consistency in school tasks, virtues that will be a conscious choice”, says the guide.

At the same time, the editors emphasize that learning does not end with the National Examinations and suggest that students take advantage of all the learning opportunities given to them and even give specific advice on effective study: “Take advantage of the learning opportunities not only for the National Examinations, but as continuous training in new models and contents of providing knowledge. Think about the skills you can use, such as communication, self-learning, creativity and critical thinking. This knowledge will help you manage your career decisions. Manage your time carefully. Time management requires organization and absence of distractions. Find the right space and equip yourself to stay focused. Use your time to your advantage to deal more with the chapter that was difficult for you, the problem that you did not understand the solution to, with the irregular verb and the chemical formulas that bothered you.” The Guide insists as follows on the part of time management: “Maintain a balance in the time you devote to your reading. Take care of your physical and mental health with good nutrition and frequent breaks. The preparation for the Panhellenic is a marathon and not a sprint. Spend time on your courses, but if you would like to do something different, take the opportunity to find out about the Departments of your scientific field through the websites of the HEI Departments. Learn about new professions. Due to the pandemic, many Greek and foreign scientists, of various subjects, are giving advice based on their professional status. You can search for information about these professions online. Make a life and career plan with the help of mind mapping. Plan your steps carefully and in detail and make your vision a picture! That way, you increase the chances of making it happen.”

Professor Georgios Pasias, assistant professor Katerina Argyropoulou and scientific collaborators-career advisors: Aspasia Karavia, Aristides Lorentzos, Katerina Mikedaki, Nikolaos Mouratoglou, Penelope Belki, Sofia Papatheodorou, Maria Skoulaki and Argyro Harokopaki collaborated for this publication.