‘What will I do after secondary school?’ This is the question keeping thousands of Italian students awake at night during these weeks. On one hand, the state exam still represents the main source of anxiety (for 50% of students). On the other hand, there is an equally strong but underlying concern: uncertainty about the future.

This snapshot was captured by Studenti, a Mondadori Media brand and Italian leader in digital education, which launched a survey among its community in the 48 hours leading up to the exams, gathering over 1,000 responses from Italian graduates.

THE RESULTS: A HAZY FUTURE FOR MANY

The survey reveals data that depicts a suspended generation:

• one third of students have not yet decided which path to take after school.
• Only 1 in 5 feels truly ready and confident in their choice.
• More than half of graduates would like personalised support with orientation, even through the use of artificial intelligence.

THE DESIRE NOT TO BE LEFT ALONE

The secondary school exam is no longer just a written or oral test. It symbolises a delicate transition full of questions and expectations.

In recent years, the post-graduation landscape has also expanded, with universities, ITS courses, foreign opportunities, work and volunteer experiences. Without a compass, this range of possibilities risks generating confusion.

‘The need for modern guidance closer to the communication methods and emotional needs of Gen Z is more urgent than ever,’ says the Studenti editorial team. ‘Young people are asking for spaces to discuss and receive clear guidance, even with the help of new technologies.’

As it emerged from the survey, students are asking not to be left alone at this moment. They would like concrete, updated, and accessible tools to navigate among universities, vocational courses, gap years, and first jobs.

Studenti meets this need by offering guides, orientation tests, video interviews, in-depth articles, and dedicated columns specifically for post graduation choices such as ‘Cerca Corsi (Search Programmes),’ the digital orientation tool linked directly to MIUR official data (with 5,800 degree programmes), and Gaia, the first integrated artificial intelligence tool on the web dedicated to education.

Studenti is a brand by the Mondadori Group, an Italian leader in digital education, with 4 million users (source Audiweb – April 2025). It is a reference point for the younger generation at school and more, due to dynamic and constantly evolving editorial offerings marked by innovative language and content. This formula that has allowed Studenti to reach over 1 million followers on social media — including TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp — where students can access guides and tutorials to prepare for exams, receive support to navigate their educational and professional future, and find resources to make the most of their student experience in every respect, including personal wellbeing.