[Incisive]

I've changed my mind about applying to uni as none of the degrees interest me.

My parents seem to think that university is the only option in terms of getting anywhere in life.

Will I kick myself if I don't get a degree?
Or should I take a gap year and spend some more time thinking about it?

Thanks for your help

[ageshallnot]

(Original post by Incisive)
I've changed my mind about applying to uni as none of the degrees interest me.
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What does interest you?

[The Polymath]

(Original post by ageshallnot)
What does interest you?

(Original post by Incisive)
I've changed my mind about applying to uni as none of the degrees interest me.

My parents seem to think that university is the only option in terms of getting anywhere in life.

Will I kick myself if I don't get a degree?
Or should I take a gap year and spend some more time thinking about it?

Thanks for your help

Not one degree out of literally thousands interest you?

[Okhotsk]

University can be of great/essential use to someone if they are there for the right reasons. On the flipside, University can also be a waste of time and money for people if they are there for the wrong reasons, i.e. to party/get student loan.

The main key to success in life is spending your time doing something you want to be doing - you can achieve this by going to University, but you can also achieve this by not going to University. You must decide what it is you want to do, how best you can get there, and then don't look back.

[tory88]

University can be useful for a lot of people, but it isn't for everyone. What does interest you? Maybe it'd be better to go into a trade. The most important thing is either to follow something your interested in as a career or to make good money to make up for it in your spare time. Choose which you want and follow that route.

[Jack93o]

Yeah if you're that unsure about things, then take a gap year, loads of people do it anyway. Going to uni at 19 is practically the same as going at 18.

[Cutmeloose]

(Original post by Jack93o)
Yeah if you're that unsure about things, then take a gap year, loads of people do it anyway. Going to uni at 19 is practically the same as going at 18.

Ah I always feel sad when I see no mention of 20! I'm only taking 1 gap year yet will be 20 in freshers

[The_Last_Melon]

Don't go unless you're certain. Especially now with the extortionate fees.

[inksplodge]

You don't have to go to uni to get the job you want. I was lucky enough to get into marketing without a degree, I just gained relevant experience instead and am just about to start a new job in the industry. If you know what you want to do you can normally get there without a degree (obviously the exception is nursing, dentristry, medicine etc).

Granted, I did decide to study with the OU so I will have a degree eventually - but it is of little relevance now I've already "got my foot in the door", so to speak.

[Jack93o]

(Original post by Cutmeloose)
Ah I always feel sad when I see no mention of 20! I'm only taking 1 gap year yet will be 20 in freshers

so you're doing 3 years of sixth form/college then?

18-22 is probably pretty similar anyway, espicially if you've never left home/gained independence yet

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

It's important to some people, but not to everyone. It just depends what you want to do really. Even if you don't go to uni now, that's OK as long as you're spending your life doing productive things to be happy and you can always go get a degree later in life if you want or need to

Don't just go to uni because your parents, teachers, friends, neighbours, pets, TSRians, etc say you should go. You should only go if you really want to go and think it's the right thing for yourself.

I think the only time you realistically couldn't go to uni is when you're dead. Though, maybe take into account that if you're 30 and married with kids, it might be a little harder and the student experience probably won't be quite the same as if you went as a 18-year-old singleton, but I'm sure you'd still do fine at it anyway

[Cutmeloose]

(Original post by Jack93o)
so you're doing 3 years of sixth form/college then?

18-22 is probably pretty similar anyway, espicially if you've never left home/gained independence yet

Nope I'm just doing 2 years, but I'm born in September so my birthday has actually already been (19 now) I'm just on a typical gap year!

Just weird since I'm sure there will be some 17 year olds at uni while i'm 20!

[cid]

Also, no rush to go to uni, maybe try the the workplace for a while, maybe 5, 10, 15 years from now you decide to go to uni, you won't be out of place as a mature student.

Maybe placate your parents with something like, I'm taking a year out to get some workplace experience and I will apply next year, if you manage to get a good job or your foot in the door of what may be your ideal career will your parents really care if you go to uni or not. And if you do get in that position, do you really care what your parents think?

[TimmonaPortella]

(Original post by The_Last_Melon)
Don't go unless you're certain. Especially now with the extortionate fees.

I don't know about yours, but my course would still be a complete bargain at 9k p/a.

OP, what else are you going to do? If you don't have any particular plans for a career, I'd suggest you get a degree, if only to get you in to grad jobs.

[Okhotsk]

(Original post by Cutmeloose)
Ah I always feel sad when I see no mention of 20! I'm only taking 1 gap year yet will be 20 in freshers

I was 21 when I started Uni, and quite a few people were in their early-mid twenties as well. There are enough mature intelligent people at University to make age of little importance.

[tibbles209]

Where do you want to end up in life? Will getting a degree help you get there? Getting a degree for the sake of getting a degree is pointless - unless that degree is going to help you get to where you want to be then there is no benefit to having it.

[Natster]

Take a gap year to give you time to think

Explain to your parents that you want to be 100% sure before deciding on going to uni

[poony]

It depends what is the GCSC & A level results, if below average, don't waste your time.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Incisive]

Thanks for your replies everyone, some really good advice

[Sparkle24]

(Original post by poony)
It depends what is the GCSC & A level results, if below average, don't waste your time.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

What's the average?