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University to go or not to go?

I have recently applied to Bath Spa, Winchester, Bolton, Plymouth and Southampton Solent to do creative writing, but i can't decide if i actually want to go to university or not, i know if i do go my top two choices are Bath Spa and Southampton Solent.

i haven't been to see any as i only just decided to apply and was originally going to go straight into work, at the moment i am workign as a cleaner but i will soon be working as a receptionist at a hotel.

How can i decide whats best for me?
all my freinds and boyfriend are going to university.

thanks xxxx

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Reply 1

milly.

Wait and see. You've got ages before you decide whether to go or not. Apply, and if you decide uni isn't for you then you can withdraw at any point. All you've got to loose is £15.

:smile:

Reply 2

Cowards

China Doll

How can i decide whats best for me?

By thinking for yourself.

Reply 3

made_of_fail

withdraw and reapply for a better course would be my advice.

feck me, i didn't know you could do a whole BA in creative writing.

Reply 4

Tomber

made_of_fail

withdraw and reapply for a better course would be my advice.

feck me, i didn't know you could do a whole BA in creative writing.

Pretty reputable subject, especially at UEA, where Malcolm Bradbury founded the department.

Reply 5

FyreFight

If I'm honest, I don't think that a degree in creative writing from any of those Unis will help your career much. Not enough to make the debt you'll make and potential earnings you'll lose while studying worth it, at least.

The only reason I'd encourage it is for the student experience.

Reply 6

made_of_fail

Pretty reputable subject, especially at UEA, where Malcolm Bradbury founded the department.

yes i know that - ian mcewan, kazuo ishiguro etc went there - but im pretty sure it's only an MA, which makes far more sense. Even so, I'm not at all convinced of the merits of university level creative writing course; it doesn't sound like much of an education. You want to write? Sit down and write everyday regardless of what else you're doing.

Reply 7

Purple

I dont think going to any of those universities would be worth the debt you would be getting yourself into especially considering you only seem to want to go because your friends and bf are. What are your predicted grades? Why dont you look into advanced apprenticeships (for people with A levels) etc. instead?

Reply 8

Tomber

made_of_fail

Ah ok, yeah that figures, it's not really something I know much about. I woul agree that if you want to do creative writing, you're maybe better off getting a degree in English Lit or something like that first, then pursuing the creative writing side at post grad.

Reply 9

Kittennffc

You can always do a combined honours degree, maybe English with Creative Writing?

Reply 10

username102860

There's no need to adopt such a condescending attitude towards her course choice guys; besides, it's arguably as reputable a course in English Language. In reality, the amount of people who follow their degrees through into their career choice is very few (40% was the figure I was quoted, but I think that was distorted by them being mainly top 10 unis).

There's no point going to university if you don't believe that you'll gain any valuable experience from it, you will just waste money. Personally, I'd speak to your family, friends and teachers, see what they have to say, but at the end of the day, it's which path you think will prove to be most beneficial. It's entirely circumstantial and individualistic whether or not someone should go to university and certainly should not be based on the impersonal advice of folk from the internet. Good luck with your decision.

Btw, is anybody else finding TSR inanely slow tonight? My browser just wouldn't load it up properly at all until just now.

Reply 11

Mystic

Don't go just because your friends are. Think about what you really want to do. I wasn't sure what I wanted so I did a college course, which helped my decide that Forensic Science was the way for me.

Plus I'm in my first year now (all my friends started 2 years ago), and waiting those two years did me the world of good. It helped me grow-up, decide whether uni was for me, and the subject I wanted to study.

Also talking to someone like a careers advisor may help you decide if uni would be the right path for you.

Reply 12

user-name

Heather_1

Do you want to go into forensics as a job? It looks like an interesting course but I warn you it's very difficult to get into the job with a forensics degree, they mainly look for something like biochemistry, microbiology, biology or chemistry.

Reply 13

Mystic

I would, yes. I know there might not be a job when I graduate. But It's what I'm interested in, plus I can always do something else more science-y later on.

Reply 14

made_of_fail

There's no need to adopt such a condescending attitude towards her course choice guys; besides, it's arguably as reputable a course in English Language.

whatever. my point is that it's not justifiable as an education.

Reply 15

user-name

Heather_1

I would, yes. I know there might not be a job when I graduate. But It's what I'm interested in, plus I can always do something else more science-y later on.

Yeah, just a heads up.

Reply 16

username102860

made_of_fail

whatever. my point is that it's not justifiable as an education.

If they learn something then yes it is education. Belittling people's chosen degree is hardly constructive.

Reply 17

amie

It really irritates me when people look down on Bath Spa.

I go to Bath but my boyfriend goes to Bath Spa and to be honest, I wouldn't have a bloody clue where to start on his course. Plus, it's literally the best place in the country to study it and it's a vocational course that'll really help him get the career he wants. So why do people talk *******s like "I dont think going to any of those universities would be worth the debt you would be getting yourself into" etc ad nauseum?

Sure, maybe for some subjects it's a bit dodgy and the university's reputation as a whole might not be up there in the top 20, but for a lot of specialised arts subjects, it's really up there with the best of them.

It's supposed to be pretty good for Creative Writing so if that's what the OP wants to do, I say go for it. Actually one of my housemates studies it and her work looks fascinating. She's a third year and as one of her main pieces she's doing some life-writing, about another of my housemates who grew up in Saudi Arabia before moving to England and the transition and stuff. From what I can gather from her, there are some people on her course who are just amazing at writing and other who aren't as good, but it's what you make of it really.

Good luck OP, and if you'd like me to find out any more about the Bath Spa course just let me know :smile:

Reply 18

made_of_fail

If they learn something then yes it is education. Belittling people's chosen degree is hardly constructive.

I wasn't claiming that it was not an education; rather, that it's not a very good one.

Writing is a skill that can be developed without any formal instruction, and can't essentially be taught. Far more rewarding to spend three years studying something else - whatever it is - that involves mastering some considerable body of knowledge.

Reply 19

China Doll

made_of_fail

Writing is a skill that can be developed without any formal instruction, and can't essentially be taught

this was originally my opinion and my argument when all of my freinds tried to convince me to apply to university and i still beleive this, i think there is a lot i can learn but i have to do it through trial and error. However i've applied wiht this course as there nothing else i want to do and if i apply at least i have some option if i do decide to go.

My main choice is a 2 year course as i know if i do go i don't want to be there for ages.

I am leaning towards not going and am starting work as a receptionist where i can work my way up (already have the job just haven't started yet).

Nice to know how many people appreciate writers, but creative writing is a popular course for me it was going to be for enjoyment.

thanks for your opinions you've really helped xxxxxxxxxx