Abstract: this article discusses one aspect of the problem of professional self-determination of first-year students during their adaptation to new educational conditions in the institution of secondary vocational education. The aim of the study is to analyze the data obtained using literary sources on the correspondence of the perfect professional choice with the preferences and interests of the indicated category of students, which are in the potential of their personality at the stage of adaptation to vocational training. Particular materials are presented with respect to understanding the psychological readiness for self-determination of students, taking into account the specifics of secondary vocational education institutions, as well as the manifestation of their professional interest in the initial period of study; revealing the substantive aspects of the stage of adaptation of students to vocational training, identifying reasons of a personal, social, domestic nature that violate their effectiveness, among most freshmen a weak validity and instability of professional interest in the chosen profession is found. These results can be used in the practice of teachers and psychologists of secondary vocational education institutions.
Keywords: first year student, secondary vocational education, professional interest, professional self-determination, adaptation to vocational training, choice of profession