Do you regret your degree?
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Original post by Cherry82
Well so far, as I'm in year 12 only I'm working on my personal statement and spoke about interests with psychology and English literature. It's between those two but I don't know- £9,000 a year is a lot of money which is why I'm afraid of regretting my degree. If this was free why not but I want a degree that would bring in jobs but also one that I will enjoy doing.
Not to discourage you, but I would consider career aptitude testing before choosing a course to study, as you will be surprised by a) where your strengths may lie and b) the number of potential vocations out there. Many of which may not even require a degree. It'd also help to find a good, reputable careers counsellor, if possible. Because of the way student loans are financed in this country, their burden is fairly minimal (compared to paying for it out of pocket), but you will regret it if you choose the wrong subject, then decide you wanted to do another, but then find you are of course no longer eligible for student finance.
Some unis (Cambridge included) offer the option of what is effectively doing a "minor" and switching to it, if you prefer it; I'd consider that as well.
(edited 8 years ago)
Yes and no... I do a joint honours degree and hate one of the subjects, hate the content and not overly keen on the lecturers (not so supportive) and I'm looking to switch and do my other subject by itself. Howeer i am worried, as my grades in that subject aren't that great. (40, 47 and 48) but I've got a tutorial with my personal tutor for that subject next week to discuss changing.
Degree subject - Yes, despite 1st class honours in Chemistry.
University - No (UoB) Good Experience
Could change my mind if I get the job I want, but so it has not materialised.
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University - No (UoB) Good Experience
Could change my mind if I get the job I want, but so it has not materialised.
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Original post by simplylldxo
Yes and no... I do a joint honours degree and hate one of the subjects, hate the content and not overly keen on the lecturers (not so supportive) and I'm looking to switch and do my other subject by itself. Howeer i am worried, as my grades in that subject aren't that great. (40, 47 and 48) but I've got a tutorial with my personal tutor for that subject next week to discuss changing.
You haven't even mentioned your subject, proving the point you don't like your degree
Original post by Singh89
Degree subject - Yes, despite 1st class honours in Chemistry.
University - No (UoB) Good Experience
Could change my mind if I get the job I want, but so it has not materialised.
Posted from TSR Mobile
University - No (UoB) Good Experience
Could change my mind if I get the job I want, but so it has not materialised.
Posted from TSR Mobile
And this, it seems to me, is the great STEM myth. It's not, from what I've seen, every stem degree easily gets you a job in science. It's the applied subjects, particularly engineering that seem to do that.
I regretted going to university straight after school. I didn't really know what I wanted to do and wasted two years on q course I hated. So I took a year out then worked full time, and realised what I wanted to do.
Schools tend to push students to apply for uni as if it is the only progression, but I realised soon after that it is not!
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Schools tend to push students to apply for uni as if it is the only progression, but I realised soon after that it is not!
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Well, once you got a degree, as can't get a job, no one can blame you.
Original post by Doofy
I regretted going to university straight after school. I didn't really know what I wanted to do and wasted two years on q course I hated. So I took a year out then worked full time, and realised what I wanted to do.
Schools tend to push students to apply for uni as if it is the only progression, but I realised soon after that it is not!
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Schools tend to push students to apply for uni as if it is the only progression, but I realised soon after that it is not!
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Well expressed! I think knowing what one wants is the most important thing, the thing i didn't know at first when i had an intense interest in science. But as soon as i realised what i want then i gradually lost interest in science. Having realised what i really want and lost interest in science I'm still considering specialising in science.
Education tells us what we need to do, but it doesn't tell us what we can do.
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(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by r_u_jelly
You haven't even mentioned your subject, proving the point you don't like your degree
I do English and History... I hate English, love History. I never mentioned my course in case anyone from my university recognised me.
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Original post by simplylldxo
I do English and History... I hate English, love History. I never mentioned my course in case anyone from my university recognised me.
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At the end of the day we all need to have something to say to the world, when those who know you will recognise you and those who don't know you will remember you
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Starting university in September. I'm going to Hull to study Politics and Philosophy joint-honours, with a view to taking it up to at least a Masters and then trying to get management of some kind.
Anybody on here studied that or studied at Hull that regrets it, or just generally thinks this is a bad idea and I'll regret it?
Anybody on here studied that or studied at Hull that regrets it, or just generally thinks this is a bad idea and I'll regret it?
Yes
Not enough support
Too many deadliness
And deception about the maths content.
I should have never went to uni.
Not enough support
Too many deadliness
And deception about the maths content.
I should have never went to uni.
Anyone here done Sociology or Politics at a top RG uni and regretted it? Did you get jobs after?
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No. Although the job market is brutal for graduates, it would have been even tougher without a solid qualification to my name.
Callum mate I read your comments on this post and thought would be nice to make a reply
I admire the fact that you are ambitious and know quite clearly what you want, I would definitely say that you should not let the ranking or reputation of your university get in your way.
Just like you, I was very ambitious to go to a top-tier uni in the first place for law. I was unsuccessful in the first place because my teachers gave me too low predicated grades and I just marginally managed to get into a RS uni through Extra.
I was very determined to get out but eventually decided to reject the unconditional offers to go to Bristol or Durham and stayed with my uni. Given the employment struggles I am facing right now, I cannot say that I am entirely satisfied with that decision and, without a single doubt, graduating from Bristol or Durham would definitely have put me in a better position.
Nevertheless, when I look back at the three years here, there is very little that I should lament for. I love the city. I met great friends and mates here. I played sports and joined societies. I had a great time here. I would have loved Bristol as well but I am contented with what I earned here, apart from the career-boost aspect.
I know friends from my course who got a training contract with major international law firms. Reed Smith. Herbert Smith. White and Case. It comes down to your experience your passion your ambition your skills your hard-work your academics your personality. I was never too keen and still ain't on becoming a lawyer so it never really bothers me that much. Obviously if I were very determined to practise law I would without a doubt have agreed to switch to Durham.
Despite all that, I know very clearly in my mind that I will never become a great lawyer. Whoever took my place probably will serve the human race better. Knowing that I am good enough to go Bristol and Durham is good enough for me. If it is any consolation, I was rejected by Oxford, LSE and UCL (the best blessing in disguise in my entire life) and was never frustrated by that.
You were a bit upset that you did not apply to KCL or Nott for law. Don't be. They are not that good and I know what I am talking about. If they had offered me a place to read law there I would have rejected them without a doubt.
You have done well to arrive at where you are now. Next step is that do not let that belief of not going to Oxbridge LSE Durham hold you back and you will be fine.
I admire the fact that you are ambitious and know quite clearly what you want, I would definitely say that you should not let the ranking or reputation of your university get in your way.
Just like you, I was very ambitious to go to a top-tier uni in the first place for law. I was unsuccessful in the first place because my teachers gave me too low predicated grades and I just marginally managed to get into a RS uni through Extra.
I was very determined to get out but eventually decided to reject the unconditional offers to go to Bristol or Durham and stayed with my uni. Given the employment struggles I am facing right now, I cannot say that I am entirely satisfied with that decision and, without a single doubt, graduating from Bristol or Durham would definitely have put me in a better position.
Nevertheless, when I look back at the three years here, there is very little that I should lament for. I love the city. I met great friends and mates here. I played sports and joined societies. I had a great time here. I would have loved Bristol as well but I am contented with what I earned here, apart from the career-boost aspect.
I know friends from my course who got a training contract with major international law firms. Reed Smith. Herbert Smith. White and Case. It comes down to your experience your passion your ambition your skills your hard-work your academics your personality. I was never too keen and still ain't on becoming a lawyer so it never really bothers me that much. Obviously if I were very determined to practise law I would without a doubt have agreed to switch to Durham.
Despite all that, I know very clearly in my mind that I will never become a great lawyer. Whoever took my place probably will serve the human race better. Knowing that I am good enough to go Bristol and Durham is good enough for me. If it is any consolation, I was rejected by Oxford, LSE and UCL (the best blessing in disguise in my entire life) and was never frustrated by that.
You were a bit upset that you did not apply to KCL or Nott for law. Don't be. They are not that good and I know what I am talking about. If they had offered me a place to read law there I would have rejected them without a doubt.
You have done well to arrive at where you are now. Next step is that do not let that belief of not going to Oxbridge LSE Durham hold you back and you will be fine.
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: I'm not the type of person to have regrets - I leave the past in the past and move on. The problem is that my choice to do that degree has blighted my life ever since and it affects my present so it won't be in the past until I've rebuilt my life.
I essentially wasted 3 long years of my life studying hard, sacrificing things I would have rather been doing, worrying myself sick about deadlines and exams all for nothing. I thought it would be worth it in the end but not so. I could have worked for a year and then gone travelling and seen the world. I could have worked abroad. I could have spent more time with my family etc. Those were 'the best years of my life' and I spent them stressed and stuck in library's/lecture rooms/exam halls.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how much an absolute waste of time, effort and money it all was. Just the sheer emotional and mental strain of 3rd year alone was completely pointless and in vain.
After 3 years since graduating, I finally cleared out all of my lecture notes/essays/lever arch files and thew it all into the recycling. Absolutely all of it. The only thing I have left as evidence that I ever did my degree is a singular hard copy of my dissertation and my degree certificate which I took out of the frame in my family's living room and put into a folder in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. It hasn't led anywhere and I don't like being reminded of that in my own home.
Maybe one day when I've got a career I'll put the certificate in a frame but for now it's just a reminder of a bad mistake and a waste of 3 years that I'll never get back.
On the other hand, that mistake taught me to value my time more and never to become so invested in something that you neglect to just enjoy life and live it - important life lesson learnt early on I guess.
I studied Philosophy at a uni ranked higher than Hull (not a brag, just to give you an idea of my background). I also have a friend who did the exact same degree as you at a higher ranked uni and then went on to do an MA in a single subject - they are unemployed but make of that what you will, I'm sure there are other people with those quals who have jobs.
Management of what exactly, if you don't mind me asking? You won't need an MA for management and in a lot of cases you won't need a BA. In fact, a BA and MA will leave you overqualified and massively under experienced for 99% of management roles. You'll only have to start as a junior so you may as well just do a BA and get a ton of work experience although obviously I'd be inclined to tell you that the BA will be useless and climbing the ladder from entry level would be a better idea.
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Long answer: I'm not the type of person to have regrets - I leave the past in the past and move on. The problem is that my choice to do that degree has blighted my life ever since and it affects my present so it won't be in the past until I've rebuilt my life.
I essentially wasted 3 long years of my life studying hard, sacrificing things I would have rather been doing, worrying myself sick about deadlines and exams all for nothing. I thought it would be worth it in the end but not so. I could have worked for a year and then gone travelling and seen the world. I could have worked abroad. I could have spent more time with my family etc. Those were 'the best years of my life' and I spent them stressed and stuck in library's/lecture rooms/exam halls.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how much an absolute waste of time, effort and money it all was. Just the sheer emotional and mental strain of 3rd year alone was completely pointless and in vain.
After 3 years since graduating, I finally cleared out all of my lecture notes/essays/lever arch files and thew it all into the recycling. Absolutely all of it. The only thing I have left as evidence that I ever did my degree is a singular hard copy of my dissertation and my degree certificate which I took out of the frame in my family's living room and put into a folder in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. It hasn't led anywhere and I don't like being reminded of that in my own home.
Maybe one day when I've got a career I'll put the certificate in a frame but for now it's just a reminder of a bad mistake and a waste of 3 years that I'll never get back.
On the other hand, that mistake taught me to value my time more and never to become so invested in something that you neglect to just enjoy life and live it - important life lesson learnt early on I guess.
Original post by Jeeves42
Starting university in September. I'm going to Hull to study Politics and Philosophy joint-honours, with a view to taking it up to at least a Masters and then trying to get management of some kind.
Anybody on here studied that or studied at Hull that regrets it, or just generally thinks this is a bad idea and I'll regret it?
Anybody on here studied that or studied at Hull that regrets it, or just generally thinks this is a bad idea and I'll regret it?
I studied Philosophy at a uni ranked higher than Hull (not a brag, just to give you an idea of my background). I also have a friend who did the exact same degree as you at a higher ranked uni and then went on to do an MA in a single subject - they are unemployed but make of that what you will, I'm sure there are other people with those quals who have jobs.
Management of what exactly, if you don't mind me asking? You won't need an MA for management and in a lot of cases you won't need a BA. In fact, a BA and MA will leave you overqualified and massively under experienced for 99% of management roles. You'll only have to start as a junior so you may as well just do a BA and get a ton of work experience although obviously I'd be inclined to tell you that the BA will be useless and climbing the ladder from entry level would be a better idea.
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Original post by somethingbeautiful
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: I'm not the type of person to have regrets - I leave the past in the past and move on. The problem is that my choice to do that degree has blighted my life ever since and it affects my present so it won't be in the past until I've rebuilt my life.
I essentially wasted 3 long years of my life studying hard, sacrificing things I would have rather been doing, worrying myself sick about deadlines and exams all for nothing. I thought it would be worth it in the end but not so. I could have worked for a year and then gone travelling and seen the world. I could have worked abroad. I could have spent more time with my family etc. Those were 'the best years of my life' and I spent them stressed and stuck in library's/lecture rooms/exam halls.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how much an absolute waste of time, effort and money it all was. Just the sheer emotional and mental strain of 3rd year alone was completely pointless and in vain.
After 3 years since graduating, I finally cleared out all of my lecture notes/essays/lever arch files and thew it all into the recycling. Absolutely all of it. The only thing I have left as evidence that I ever did my degree is a singular hard copy of my dissertation and my degree certificate which I took out of the frame in my family's living room and put into a folder in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. It hasn't led anywhere and I don't like being reminded of that in my own home.
Maybe one day when I've got a career I'll put the certificate in a frame but for now it's just a reminder of a bad mistake and a waste of 3 years that I'll never get back.
On the other hand, that mistake taught me to value my time more and never to become so invested in something that you neglect to just enjoy life and live it - important life lesson learnt early on I guess.
I studied Philosophy at a uni ranked higher than Hull (not a brag, just to give you an idea of my background). I also have a friend who did the exact same degree as you at a higher ranked uni and then went on to do an MA in a single subject - they are unemployed but make of that what you will, I'm sure there are other people with those quals who have jobs.
Management of what exactly, if you don't mind me asking? You won't need an MA for management and in a lot of cases you won't need a BA. In fact, a BA and MA will leave you overqualified and massively under experienced for 99% of management roles. You'll only have to start as a junior so you may as well just do a BA and get a ton of work experience although obviously I'd be inclined to tell you that the BA will be useless and climbing the ladder from entry level would be a better idea.
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Long answer: I'm not the type of person to have regrets - I leave the past in the past and move on. The problem is that my choice to do that degree has blighted my life ever since and it affects my present so it won't be in the past until I've rebuilt my life.
I essentially wasted 3 long years of my life studying hard, sacrificing things I would have rather been doing, worrying myself sick about deadlines and exams all for nothing. I thought it would be worth it in the end but not so. I could have worked for a year and then gone travelling and seen the world. I could have worked abroad. I could have spent more time with my family etc. Those were 'the best years of my life' and I spent them stressed and stuck in library's/lecture rooms/exam halls.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how much an absolute waste of time, effort and money it all was. Just the sheer emotional and mental strain of 3rd year alone was completely pointless and in vain.
After 3 years since graduating, I finally cleared out all of my lecture notes/essays/lever arch files and thew it all into the recycling. Absolutely all of it. The only thing I have left as evidence that I ever did my degree is a singular hard copy of my dissertation and my degree certificate which I took out of the frame in my family's living room and put into a folder in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. It hasn't led anywhere and I don't like being reminded of that in my own home.
Maybe one day when I've got a career I'll put the certificate in a frame but for now it's just a reminder of a bad mistake and a waste of 3 years that I'll never get back.
On the other hand, that mistake taught me to value my time more and never to become so invested in something that you neglect to just enjoy life and live it - important life lesson learnt early on I guess.
I studied Philosophy at a uni ranked higher than Hull (not a brag, just to give you an idea of my background). I also have a friend who did the exact same degree as you at a higher ranked uni and then went on to do an MA in a single subject - they are unemployed but make of that what you will, I'm sure there are other people with those quals who have jobs.
Management of what exactly, if you don't mind me asking? You won't need an MA for management and in a lot of cases you won't need a BA. In fact, a BA and MA will leave you overqualified and massively under experienced for 99% of management roles. You'll only have to start as a junior so you may as well just do a BA and get a ton of work experience although obviously I'd be inclined to tell you that the BA will be useless and climbing the ladder from entry level would be a better idea.
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Are you me? I too felt that university was a colossal waste of my time and have thrown away every little document saying that I ever attended. Don't like to even talk about it. Problem is society doesn't give you any other options.
Original post by somethingbeautiful
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: I'm not the type of person to have regrets - I leave the past in the past and move on. The problem is that my choice to do that degree has blighted my life ever since and it affects my present so it won't be in the past until I've rebuilt my life.
I essentially wasted 3 long years of my life studying hard, sacrificing things I would have rather been doing, worrying myself sick about deadlines and exams all for nothing. I thought it would be worth it in the end but not so. I could have worked for a year and then gone travelling and seen the world. I could have worked abroad. I could have spent more time with my family etc. Those were 'the best years of my life' and I spent them stressed and stuck in library's/lecture rooms/exam halls.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how much an absolute waste of time, effort and money it all was. Just the sheer emotional and mental strain of 3rd year alone was completely pointless and in vain.
After 3 years since graduating, I finally cleared out all of my lecture notes/essays/lever arch files and thew it all into the recycling. Absolutely all of it. The only thing I have left as evidence that I ever did my degree is a singular hard copy of my dissertation and my degree certificate which I took out of the frame in my family's living room and put into a folder in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. It hasn't led anywhere and I don't like being reminded of that in my own home.
Maybe one day when I've got a career I'll put the certificate in a frame but for now it's just a reminder of a bad mistake and a waste of 3 years that I'll never get back.
On the other hand, that mistake taught me to value my time more and never to become so invested in something that you neglect to just enjoy life and live it - important life lesson learnt early on I guess.
I studied Philosophy at a uni ranked higher than Hull (not a brag, just to give you an idea of my background). I also have a friend who did the exact same degree as you at a higher ranked uni and then went on to do an MA in a single subject - they are unemployed but make of that what you will, I'm sure there are other people with those quals who have jobs.
Management of what exactly, if you don't mind me asking? You won't need an MA for management and in a lot of cases you won't need a BA. In fact, a BA and MA will leave you overqualified and massively under experienced for 99% of management roles. You'll only have to start as a junior so you may as well just do a BA and get a ton of work experience although obviously I'd be inclined to tell you that the BA will be useless and climbing the ladder from entry level would be a better idea.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Long answer: I'm not the type of person to have regrets - I leave the past in the past and move on. The problem is that my choice to do that degree has blighted my life ever since and it affects my present so it won't be in the past until I've rebuilt my life.
I essentially wasted 3 long years of my life studying hard, sacrificing things I would have rather been doing, worrying myself sick about deadlines and exams all for nothing. I thought it would be worth it in the end but not so. I could have worked for a year and then gone travelling and seen the world. I could have worked abroad. I could have spent more time with my family etc. Those were 'the best years of my life' and I spent them stressed and stuck in library's/lecture rooms/exam halls.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how much an absolute waste of time, effort and money it all was. Just the sheer emotional and mental strain of 3rd year alone was completely pointless and in vain.
After 3 years since graduating, I finally cleared out all of my lecture notes/essays/lever arch files and thew it all into the recycling. Absolutely all of it. The only thing I have left as evidence that I ever did my degree is a singular hard copy of my dissertation and my degree certificate which I took out of the frame in my family's living room and put into a folder in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. It hasn't led anywhere and I don't like being reminded of that in my own home.
Maybe one day when I've got a career I'll put the certificate in a frame but for now it's just a reminder of a bad mistake and a waste of 3 years that I'll never get back.
On the other hand, that mistake taught me to value my time more and never to become so invested in something that you neglect to just enjoy life and live it - important life lesson learnt early on I guess.
I studied Philosophy at a uni ranked higher than Hull (not a brag, just to give you an idea of my background). I also have a friend who did the exact same degree as you at a higher ranked uni and then went on to do an MA in a single subject - they are unemployed but make of that what you will, I'm sure there are other people with those quals who have jobs.
Management of what exactly, if you don't mind me asking? You won't need an MA for management and in a lot of cases you won't need a BA. In fact, a BA and MA will leave you overqualified and massively under experienced for 99% of management roles. You'll only have to start as a junior so you may as well just do a BA and get a ton of work experience although obviously I'd be inclined to tell you that the BA will be useless and climbing the ladder from entry level would be a better idea.
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Coudnt have put this in better words.
I really do regret doing my degree, it is coming to the point now where now I take my degree off my CV. It was 3 years I wasted, 3 years where I could have gained useful work experience, made a bit of money, traveled etc.
It is 3 years that I will never get back, I am now unable to do an apprenticeship because I will not be funded. What employer wants to employ me as a graduate with zero relavent work experience they would rather take on an apprentice and get funding.
It is 3 years that I will never get back, I am now unable to do an apprenticeship because I will not be funded. What employer wants to employ me as a graduate with zero relavent work experience they would rather take on an apprentice and get funding.
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