Interactive self-awareness sessions for secondary school students: entering adulthood and tackling quarter-life crisis

As a responsible higher education institution, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Pázmány Péter Catholic University is committed to supporting secondary school students in making career choices with a diverse range of tools. As part of the Grammar School+ programme organised by the Student Services Centre, the Faculty’s career guidance psychologist and peer counsellors from the Psychology Master Programme hold regular interactive self-awareness sessions for interested secondary school students at open days, outreach events and school visits organised by the Faculty. The interactive self-awareness sessions approach career orientation and guidance from a psychological perspective, providing young people with current background knowledge and psychoeducation. The sessions present the period of developmental psychology of entering adulthood, the challenges of quarter-life crisis and decision-making, as well as the importance of resilience. The sessions are held mainly in secondary schools in Budapest, for Grades 11 and 12 students, in 45-minute classes, that are reserved for general discussions with the form teacher. Students are encouraged to participate actively in the sessions, initiating interaction. The sessions are enriched with presentations, screenings, digital polling and voting opportunities. An informative, readable brochure is also available for those interested.