Name: ______Date: ______
Case Study: Making Decisions
JENNIFER’S STORY
Jennifer has two more years of high school to complete before she graduates. Some days she dreams of being a veterinarian while other times she wishes she could become a famous singer. Although she enjoys sciences at school she does not like mathematics. Although she tends to be a straight “A” student, her current mark in math is barely a pass. She wonders whether she should go to summer school to upgrade her math mark or just forget about becoming a veterinarian. She knows that if she wants to continue her dream of becoming a singer, she needs to improve her singing in order to effectively audition for a music program after high school. Of course, she could just forget about any form of post-secondary education and attempt to sing on the bar circuit while she waits for a big break. She knows that her parents would be very disappointed if she took that approach. She also wonders if she could handle the constant traveling associated with performing.
For the past two years Jennifer has dated the same guy. He has plans to start work in a nearby company after he graduates from high school in another two years. Jennifer wonders whether her future plans would destroy her relationship with her boyfriend. If she went to University she would have to move several hours away from home and if she decides to pursue a career in singing she would always be traveling. Should she just wait and see what happens or would she be better to end the relationship now so the pain wouldn’t be so great later?
Jennifer knows that her parents want her to study English or Journalism in University because English is her best subject in school. She just can’t see herself working for a newspaper, and she doesn’t know what else she could do with training in journalism, although she had to admit that she did enjoy creative writing.
Whatever she decides for her future she knows that her parents have very limited money to help her. She wonders how she could ever earn enough money from part-time jobs to be able to afford to go to University. Maybe she could work for a few years after high school and then enter University when she had some money and more time to really decide what to do with her life.
One of her best friends is thinking of traveling for a year after high school. Jennifer could join her friend, but she worries that this would really put her behind in achieving any future dreams.
Next week Jennifer knows that she will have to select her courses for the next school year of high school. What is she going to do?
- Identify five choices that Jennifer has for her future.
- Who will be affected by Jennifer’s choices besides Jennifer?
- How will the choices impact Jennifer’s future?
- What is the most responsible decision Jennifer can make? Why do you think this?