The paper presents the theoretical hypotheses and research results conducted with the use of Transition from Education to Work Scale. Basing on the analysis of particular theories regarding the transition from education to work as well as selfdevelopment theory it has been noted that assumption of employment by graduates does not solely depend on labor market condition and their academic achievements but also on the level of identity development and appropriate assessment of one’s own skills and abilities. From the assumed perspective the transition from education to work is a long lasting and complex developmental task where accurate and thorough self assessment skills and readiness to achieve compromises between expectations and possibilities related to career development are of crucial importance.

Learning in unknown circumstances is a great challenge for young people, particularly those who lack the ability to regulate their emotions. This text presents the results of research on the image of the life of students in higher grades of primary school, measured by the sense of self-efficacy and the sense of helplessness. The research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic among 303 students. It was found that (1) students rather express their belief in their own effectiveness (agency), and, at the same time, (2) half of the students indicated the feeling of helplessness; (3) helplessness is significantly higher among girls; (4) in the case of girls, there is a clear and strong negative relation between the sense of effectiveness and the helplessness.