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Decision Time: Making Choices

By Henry R., Grade 11
Today, I want to talk about something that we all face every single day of our lives: the choices we make.  An average human makes on average 35,000 choices per day. From the smallest decision, like what to have for breakfast, to the most monumental, like choosing a career path or housing, our choices shape the path of our lives.
 
It is easy to forget that making the right choice is not always about selecting what feels easiest, most comfortable or even most popular. In fact, the right choice is often the one that requires the most thought, courage and integrity. Unfortunately, you will rarely be 100% certain that the choice was the right one. Sometimes, it will be too late to know that the decision was wrong.
 
The Weight of Choice
Every choice we make carries weight, whether we realize it or not. Every decision sets us on a path, one that can lead us toward growth and success. What makes one option better than another? It’s a question that has preoccupied philosophers, leaders, and ordinary people for centuries.
 
As we grow older, the decisions we take also get more important. At Stanstead, we learn to make independent decision that parents would have done for us in our youth. Several of us have university in our near future, more impactful decisions will be taken on our own.
 
The Hard Part
The choice is the hardest part of any decision. Some people make decision faster than others, although, all humans debate on whether their choice was the right one.
 
People make choices in different ways depending on what feels right for them. One simple risky way is by flipping a coin, which is great for when you're stuck between two equally good options or if you’re more of a gambler in life. Another method is making a pros and cons list, where you write down the good and bad things about each choice to help you figure out which one is better. Some people also talk to people they look up to: friends, family or mentors who can offer advice or a new perspective on the situation. All these methods help make decision-making a little easier, depending on the situation.
 
The Right Choice
Making the right choice at this moment of our lives is crucial. These years will form our future. Although doing what is right may be harder or require more energy, it will pay off in the long haul. No one will make all right decisions, but we must strive to get the nearest to perfection. With 35,000 decisions daily, mistakes are bound to happen but learning from those mistakes are crucial.


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