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Living in the moment is good for the soul, but what about those times when thoughts about the future just can’t be ignored? It’s natural to look ahead occasionally and to wonder where life might lead you, especially at the start of a new season or the beginning of an academic year. In fact, while it might all still feel a long way off, it can be motivating and exciting to think about what you’d like to do when you finish school. Maybe you’d love to travel, live somewhere else for a while, go to university or train for a particular job that appeals to you. Imagining the future doesn’t mean making fixed plans that are set in stone or narrowing your options. If anything, thinking about what you’d like your life to include means you’ll probably be more open to opportunities when they arise. And it’s not about impatiently waiting for the time to pass. Recognising your existing strengths and skills ensures you feel good in the here and now and boosts your confidence about what you can go on to achieve. From forming friendships or campaigning for change to building resilience through a painful loss, all your current experiences will help prepare you for whatever path you choose later on. It’s important to remember, of course, that joy and freedom can be found in the present. But as long as you keep that in mind, it’s never too early to dream about all the possibilities that lie ahead.