Hi, I hope I don't bore you with this long thread but this is really important to me, and I'd like your advice.
I'm a current first year at the University of Bristol, studying Politics. But I don't want to stay there anymore - I want to chase my dream and apply to Oxford to study PPE, or to the LSE to do International Relations. They are the best universities for the social sciences and I don't feel challenged enough at Bristol. But this would mean quitting Bristol University, shich would be an incredibly difficult thing to do, leaving my friends as well.
Basically let me tell you more about me - I've always wanted to go to Oxford, but I underachieved on my GCSEs (2A*s, 6As and a B in Maths) and my AS Levels (AABB), so I panicked because I didn't think I was good enough to get in. I ended up choosing Bristol uni - they gave me a 4A offer. I didn't think I'd make that but I worked really hard in my A levels (Politics, French, German and Religious Studies) and got AAAA, and a distinction in AEA German.
In the euphoria of getting my results, I didn't think twice and chose Bristol.
But six months later, I realise I made the wrong decision. Bristol is far two small a city, I've been out everywhere, it doesn't excite me. Plus the politics course there is horrendous, it changed this year, its all about political philosophy, theres nothing there thats contemporary. I'm not happy there - I constantly think of being at Oxford or at LSE because they are the best, and the courses are far better.
Furthermore, I wish I had the gap year - so I could travel the world - because theres very little time to do this nowadays, and work lots so I could afford what I like, at the moment, my parents are very poor and scraping what they can, with aid of govt benefits, thus I'm counting every penny. If I took a year out, I could earn over 15,000 pounds, and thus pay my way/help out a lot with payment.
I've spoken to my parents about this, they aren't keen for me, they feel I'm wasting two years of my life, but said they'll support me whatever I do. I'd like to finish this year at Bristol, then quit, and earn for 6-8 months (I have a well paid job already secured), then travel.
In brief, I just want to be happy where I'm studying and have no regrets. I don't want to think ever 'What if' - that would forever tear me up inside. I know I'm good enough to get in to either of those universities (I'm thinking of applying to at least 2 courses at LSE)
What do you guys think I should do? Any advice appreciated.