Decision Making in Adolescence…
As a part of Aastha, The Psychology Club (Counselling Unit Junior College), in house counsellors Ms. Smita Pradhan & Ms. Gayatri Borse conducted a comprehensive module on Decision-Making for Junior College students on 2nd September 2023.
Keeping the characteristics of adolescence in mind and the confusion with respect to making appropriate decisions, the session aimed at empowering them to make informed choices in various aspects of their lives.
We utilized a combination of theoretical frameworks and some activities to foster critical thinking and effective decision-making skills among the participants. To foster engagement and open communication, we commenced the session with an icebreaking activity. This activity not only helped break the initial barriers but also encouraged active listening and observation – skills essential in the decision-making process.

In the initial part, students were introduced to the importance of decision making, insights into brain functioning during adolescence, types of decision making, role of emotions, factors affecting decision making, potential risks and consequences of decision making. In the second part, students got acquainted with making right decisions which involved steps and strategies to make informed decisions. After that, we conducted one activity named “Six Thinking Hats” connected to decisions making.

Six Thinking Hats Activity: The core of the session was the Six Thinking Hat activity, inspired by Edward de Bono’s theory of Six Thinking Hats. This approach involves wearing different metaphorical hats to explore various perspectives on a problem or decision. The six hats represented different modes of thinking: white (facts and information), red (emotions and feelings), black (critical and cautious), yellow (optimistic and positive), green (creative and innovative), and blue (process and control). Students were presented with a hypothetical decision-making scenario, and they actively engaged with each coloured hat to assess the situation from diverse angles.
This exercise encouraged critical thinking, empathy, and a well-rounded understanding of decision-making process.

Key Takeaways:
• Improved Decision-Making Skills: Through the Six Thinking Hat activity, students gained a comprehensive toolkit to make decision-making, which they can apply to real-life situations.
• This activity helped them to come out of their comfort zone. It also enhanced their ability to take calculated risks and problem solving. Dealing with the failure as a part of process was also emphasized.
• Enhanced Communication: The icebreaking activity helped students build rapport, fostering better communication and collaboration during the session.

Conclusion:
The decision-making session, coupled with icebreaking and the Six Thinking Hat activity, provided students with practical skills and a supportive environment to enhance their decision-making abilities. Equipped with these tools and experiences, the students are better prepared to face the complexities of decision-making in their academic and personal lives.
The session was very enthusiastically received by the students.