IELTS cue card: «Describe a difficult decision you made», пример ответа

Describe a difficult decision you made.

You should say:

what the decision was

when you made it

why it was difficult

and explain how you feel about the decision now.

The hardest decision I've made so far was to leave medical school after my first year and start again in computer science.

I made the decision about two years ago, at the end of the summer after my first year. I'd spent most of that summer feeling anxious, because I already knew I wasn't happy, but I kept telling myself it would get better.

It was difficult for several reasons. My parents had always dreamed of having a doctor in the family, and I felt I was letting them down. On top of that, switching meant losing a whole year, and watching my friends move on without me. I remember sitting with my dad in the kitchen for almost three hours, trying to explain that I'd been coding in my free time since school and that it was the only thing I never got tired of.

Looking back, I'm completely sure it was the right choice. I'm much happier now, my grades are far better, and I've already done an internship. If I had stayed in medicine, I would have finished with a degree I didn't care about. The funny thing is that my parents now tell everyone about my programming projects.

It taught me that a decision can be painful and still be the right one.

Should parents choose careers for their children?

I don't think they should choose, but they should definitely be involved. Parents have experience and often see strengths their children miss, but the person who has to do the job every day should have the final say.

Why do some people find it hard to make decisions?

Often because they're afraid of regret. When there are many options, people worry about choosing the wrong one, so they delay, and sometimes not deciding becomes a decision in itself.

Do young people today have more choices than in the past?

Is it better to make decisions quickly or slowly?