After +2: Are You Confused About What to Do Next?

Are you confused after +2? Are you unsure? Is this normal?

For the past one and a half decades, I have interviewed thousands of students in Nepal’s education sector. Today, I want to speak with you not in “machine” or “market” language, but as a guardian and a friend.

After the +2 (Class 12) exam ends, many students feel a deep emptiness and confusion. “What should I do now?”

We will not only break through this confusion, but also try to find a solid and practical solution. We will not force you to go abroad or stay in Nepal.

We will only talk truth based on facts, experience, and research.

Table of Content

1. Why Am I Confused? Identifying the Problem
2. Is This Confusion Normal?
3. Know Yourself (Self-Assessment Tools)
4. Detailed Analysis by Stream
5. Go Abroad or Study in Nepal? The Great Debate
6. Gap Year (Gap Year) Blessing or Curse?
7. Skill-Based Education (Vocational Training) CTEVT
8. Success Stories (People Who Took Different Paths)
9. Action Plan (Action Plan) 7 Steps
10. Mental Health
11. Conclusion

Why Am I Confused? Identifying the Problem

When Class 12 exams end, many feel they are now “free.” But with that freedom comes a heavy burden of responsibility.

In Nepal’s context, there are deeper psychological and social reasons behind this confusion.

The “Herd Mentality”

In our society, what the neighbor’s son studied, or which country a friend got a visa for, influences our decisions by 80%.

Research: According to an informal survey, more than 60% of students in Nepal choose their subject not by interest, but due to pressure from friends or parents.

Problem: When you try to live someone else’s dream, you feel empty from within. That emptiness is “confusion.”

Information Overload

In today’s digital age, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are flooded with videos about “easy money” or “a happy life in Australia.”

On one side, consultancies present foreign countries as heaven.

On the other side, a pessimistic narrative is built that “there is nothing in Nepal.”

Because of this, students cannot separate reality from advertising.

Lack of Career Counselling

In most schools in Nepal, teaching continues up to Class 10 or 12, but there is no “career guidance.”

Students do not even know about thousands of career options beyond doctor, engineer, and pilot.

Is This Confusion Normal?

Answer: Yes, it is 100% normal.

In psychology, it can be seen as an early sign of a “Quarter-Life Crisis.” At age 18–19, your brain is still developing (the Prefrontal Cortex does not fully develop until around 25).

At this age, fear about the future is a sign of a healthy person.

Fact: Successful people in the world (such as Steve Jobs, or Nepal’s Binod Chaudhary) were also confused in their early days. Confusion forces people to ask questions and search for answers.

If you are not confused and are blindly jumping somewhere, that can be more dangerous.

Know Yourself (Self-Assessment Tools)

Before listening to what others say, you must talk with yourself.

Here, I will teach you two world-famous tools that can be adapted to Nepal’s context.

SWOT Analysis (Your Personal Audit)

Take a notebook and a pen and divide it into four parts.

Strengths (Strong points):

• Which subjects are you good at? (Not only marks, but interest too)

• Do you like talking with people or working alone?

Examples:

• “My English is good.”

• “I enjoy coding on a computer.”

• “I am good at drawing.”

Weaknesses (Weak points):

• What is difficult for you?

Examples:

• “I feel scared when I see mathematics.”

• “I feel shy speaking in a crowd.”

• “My financial condition is weak.”

Opportunities (Opportunities):

• What is in demand in the market in your area of interest?

Examples:

• “IT demand is high right now.”

• “Tourism is growing.”

• “By passing the Korean language, it is possible to go through EPS.”

Threats (Challenges):

• What obstacles exist?

Examples:

• “Competition is high.”

• “My family is pressuring me to go abroad, but I do not want to.”

This exercise helps you think not “on air,” but while standing on the “ground.”

IKIGAI (The Reason to Live)

Ikigai is a Japanese concept, but its use is very relevant in Nepal.

When choosing your career, think of four circles:

• What do you love? (Passion)
  Examples: cooking, writing, traveling

• What are you good at? (Profession)
  Examples: management, science, sports

• What does the world (or Nepal) need? (Mission)
  Examples: good teachers, skilled nurses, honest leaders

• What can you get paid for? (Vocation)
  Examples: a job, a business

Advice: Where all four match, that is your right career.

For example, if you love coding (Passion), you are good at it (Skill), Nepal’s IT companies need developers (Need), and it pays well (Money), then BSc CSIT or BIT can be your Ikigai.

Detailed Analysis by Stream

Many students think science students only become doctors/engineers, and management students only become bankers.

But reality is different. Let us examine each stream in depth.

What After Science?

If you studied science in +2, you have the most doors open.

But “doctor or engineer” are not the only options.

Medical (PCB)

• MBBS/BDS: A long journey (5.5 years + work). It requires a service mindset and patience. Hard work is needed to pass CEE (Common Entrance Exam).

• Paramedical (BSc Nursing, BPH, B.Pharm): There is high demand for nursing and public health in Nepal and abroad (especially Australia, Canada, the UK). It is a respectable and secure career.

• New fields: Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Food Technology. Opportunities in Nepal are gradually increasing in these areas.

Engineering/IT (PCM)

• Engineering (Civil, Computer, Electrical): As Nepal is a developing country, demand for civil engineers always remains. However, you should consider preparing for Lok Sewa Aayog as well.

• IT (BSc CSIT, BIT, BCA): This is the current “hot cake.” If you have skill, even without a degree you can work from home for foreign companies and earn lakhs per month.

Pure Science

• After BSc (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), you can go into research or the teaching profession.

What After Management?

Management is not only a bank job. It is the foundation of “Entrepreneurship.”

• BBA/BBM: Prepares you for the corporate world.

• BHM/BTTM (Hotel and Tourism): Nepal is a tourism country. If you dream of becoming a chef or hotel manager, this is excellent. There are also good opportunities for “Paid Internship” abroad.

• CA (Chartered Accountancy): Difficult but highly prestigious, with high earning potential. It requires a mathematical mind and relentless hard work.

• New fields: Digital Marketing, Event Management, Supply Chain Management.

Humanities and Law

Society often looks down on it as “for weak students,” which is completely wrong.

• B.A. LLB: To become a lawyer, judge, or legal advisor. Demand for corporate lawyers is currently high.

• Social Work (BSW): To work in NGO/INGO or for social service.

• Mass Communication/Journalism: For those interested in journalism, media, or content creation.

• Sociology/Psychology: To understand people and society. With rising mental health awareness, demand for psychologists is increasing.

Education

• B.Ed: To become a teacher. In Nepal, a permanent government teacher position is an attractive public service post.

Go Abroad or Study in Nepal? The Great Debate

This is today’s most complicated question.

Let us talk based on facts, not emotions.

Study Abroad

Positive side (Pros)

• Quality education: Developed countries provide practical education.

• Self-reliance: Earning and studying by yourself teaches life skills.

• Global exposure: Opportunity to mix with people from different cultures.

• Financial aspect: With hard work, good earnings are possible.

Negative side (Cons) that consultancies do not say

• Struggle: The first 2–3 years can be dog-like hardship. You may have to wash dishes, do cleaning work, and do difficult jobs.

• Mental stress: Being far from family, loneliness, and study-work pressure have led many students into depression.

• Expensive: You may need an initial investment of 20–30 lakhs, which is a major loan burden for middle-class families.

Study in Nepal

Positive side (Pros)

• Family support: Home food, family love, and a support system.

• Affordable: Compared to abroad, you can complete a bachelor’s degree at around 20% of the cost.

• Network: You build friends and connections in Nepal, which later helps in career.

• Opportunities: Nepal has strong potential in IT, agriculture, tourism, and hydropower. Those returning from abroad are also trying to do something in Nepal.

Negative side (Cons)

• Outdated curriculum: Some universities still have old-style courses.

• Politics: Campus politics and strikes (though this is decreasing).

• Unemployment: Even with a degree, it is hard to find a job without skills.

Impartial advice

If your family’s financial condition is strong, or you have received a full scholarship, and you are ready to struggle hard, abroad can be a good option.

But if you are taking a loan only because “friends went,” be careful. There are countless examples of staying in Nepal, learning skills, and doing something with small investment.

Gap Year (Gap Year) Blessing or Curse?

In Nepal, “taking a year off after +2” is called “Year Loss” and seen negatively.

But in Western countries, it is encouraged.

Why take a Gap Year?

1. Self-discovery: You get time to understand what you truly like.

2. Entrance exam preparation: Better preparation for MBBS, Engineering, or CMAT.

3. Skill development: Short courses of 3–6 months can be done, such as:

   • Graphic design, video editing

   • Language classes (IELTS/PTE/Japanese/Korean)

   • Barista (coffee making), bakery training

   • Public speaking

4. Financial preparation: Work for some time and save money.

Warning: If you take a Gap Year by sleeping all day or scrolling on your phone, it truly becomes “Year Loss.” Take a Gap Year only with a plan.

Skill-Based Education (Vocational Training) CTEVT

Our society values only “degrees,” not “skills.”

But the truth is that compared to an unemployed BA graduate, a skilled plumber or electrician often has higher demand and income.

CTEVT (Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training) offers many good courses:

• Sub-Overseer (Civil/Electrical)

• Lab Technician / Radiographer

• Agriculture / Veterinary JTA

• Fashion Design / Beautician

If you do not want to study for a long time and want to become self-employed quickly, this path can be excellent.

Do not make the mistake of calling it “small work.” Abroad (such as Australia/Europe), salaries for these “Blue Collar Jobs” are not lower than engineers.

Success Stories (People Who Took Different Paths)

You do not need to go far for inspiration.

• Sunita Dahal (Entrepreneur): A simple housewife who started a tailoring and doll-making business with NPR 50,000 and became a successful entrepreneur. She did not take a big degree; she learned skills.

• Rohit Tiwari (Foodmandu): Nobody had imagined online food delivery in Nepal. Instead of doing IT and taking a job, he took a risk and started a company.

• YouTubers/Bloggers: Today, some youths earn more than government officers through speaking skills or video-making skills (content creation).

This does not mean you should quit studying. It means the “traditional path” is not the only key to success.

Action Plan (Action Plan) 7 Steps

Here is a practical 7-step guide to reduce your confusion:

1. Stay calm (Relax): Do not decide in haste. Take 1–2 weeks.

2. Do research: Google, watch YouTube, but use only official sources. Visit different college websites.

3. Talk to experts: Consult seniors, teachers, or a career counsellor. Be careful with consultancies; they may talk for their benefit.

4. Entrance preparation: If you are sure, join preparation classes for CMAT, CEE, or IOE. It keeps you in study rhythm.

5. Alternative plan (Plan B): Things do not always go as planned. Think in advance what you will do if your name does not come out (for example: going abroad, or studying another subject).

6. Learn a skill: Results take 3–4 months. In this time, learn driving, learn computers, or learn a language. These skills help for life.

7. Decide: In the end, the decision must be yours. Explain to your parents, but sit in the driving seat of your own life.

Mental Health

At this time, you may feel “I am nothing” or “everyone progressed, I fell behind.”

This can lead to anxiety and depression.

Fact: According to a study of the Nepal Health Research Council, more than 10% of youths in Nepal are going through some kind of mental problem.

Solutions:

• Talk with friends.

• Do physical exercise (Exercise).

• Reduce social media use. Do not compare your “behind the scenes” with others’ “highlight reel.”

• If needed, do not hesitate to seek help from organizations such as “Ankur Counseling Center” or “CMC-Nepal.” Asking for help is not weakness; it is bravery.

Conclusion

Dear student brothers and sisters,

This confusion after +2 may feel like a dark tunnel, but remember: there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Where you are right now is not a full stop, only a comma.

One wrong decision does not ruin life. You can always change your path. The important thing is to keep moving forward continuously.

Whether you start a venture in Nepal, or go abroad and earn skills and money, your honesty, hard work, and continuity will shape your future.

Do not panic. Use this time to know yourself, learn new things, and build a strong foundation for the future.

(Disclaimer: This blog has been prepared entirely for educational and public awareness purposes. Before making any educational or financial decision, please consult experts in the relevant field directly.)

Author: Ramesh Thapa