The Student Room Group

University worries

I am getting in a state because I have no idea what I'm gonna apply for at university. It has to be done asap, as for one of the courses I'm thinking of applications have to be in by October 15th, and for the other I'd be applying to Cambridge so that's an October deadline too.

Plus I really need to tell my teachers what I'm doing when I go back to school next week so they can write my reference...if I say, 'I'm not sure yet,' and ask for a little extra time, they're not going to write me a very favourable reference are they?!

I really want to take a gap year and apply in 2007 for 2008 entry, just so I have an extra year to decide what to do. But my parents say no way, that even if I did take a gap year I would have to apply this year for deferred entry - which totally defeats the object of taking a year out! They don't seem to get that I'm not old enough to know what I want to do for the rest of my life, they just say I have to decide - but how am I meant to?

I don't know what to do...there is a course I'd love to do, but it's not an option because there's pretty much no job at the end of it and I'd be stuck in some low-paid unrelated job...the thing I have to accept is I wouldn't be happy with a low-paid job, so I just can't do that course.

Is anyone in this situation, or has been? What would you recommend for deciding what to do? Tried pros and cons of each one but it's not helping me much! I know it's something I have to come to a decision about myself, but I'm basically not able to decide, I'm stuck in a stalemate, so I need some advice. It is really getting me down, I'm seriously terrified about it all and it's really depressing me. Has anyone got any advice for coming to a decision?
Reply 1
It would help if you listed what sorts of subjects you are considering. Then people who are studying them might be able to give you recomendations.

Don't worry; most people I know only made up their mind in the last year before applying; very few people are fulfilling a lifelong ambition! Also though, I don't know anyone who has regretted their choice of subject - once you start, no doubt you'll wonder why on earth you were so uncertain in the first place!
Reply 2
1. Don't listen to your parents, do what you want.

2. Even a well regarded degree isn't a magic gateway to a highly paid job. You'll spend 3 years at Uni. If there's a course you really want to do, then you should go for it. You don't know what the future holds.

3. You wouldn't have to get a deferred entry. If you really need more time to decide then just sit your exams and apply in next years UCAS cycle. You will have the added benefit of already having your grades and can pick courses with more confidence.

4. You're best off not overthinking all the different options. Go with your gut instinct and dive in head first and get it over with. If you're not ready to apply yet then give it another year.

Personally I recommend the gap year. I was unsure about my university chopices and decide to proceed anyway rather than take a gap year. I think it was a mistake. If I'd taken the year out I wouldn't have lost anything. I could have considered my options more carefully and made a decision I'm happy with. A year passes very fast, many people take gap years and it's not a major deal. On the other hand if you apply there is a lo0t of room for mistakes and regret later. I say take on your parents and fight for more time and freedom. Your decision in the end though.
Reply 3
Either dentistry or law...unfortunately there is no vocation I have ever felt a calling for, so whatever I apply for it won't be something I really want to do.

You sound quite optimistic! I just really don't feel things'll turn out ok for me, I think I'll be making a mistake whatever I do! :frown:
What course would you love to do? Surely it's better to do a course you'd love to do, rather than be stuck slogging out 3 years doing something just because you think it's going to lead to a well-paid job?

Also, you said that one of the courses you want to apply for has an October deadline; what course is this?
Reply 5
If you are applying to Oxbridge just apply for the subject you like. Their courses aren't usually geared up to pushing someone through a specific career, but they will give you a strong foundation for whatever you want to do. Margaret Thatcher did Chemistry and invented Mr Whippy ice-cream before becoming Prime-Minister, you don't have to decide what you want to do all your life, just pick a subject that you love.
Anonymous
Either dentistry or law...unfortunately there is no vocation I have ever felt a calling for, so whatever I apply for it won't be something I really want to do.

You sound quite optimistic! I just really don't feel things'll turn out ok for me, I think I'll be making a mistake whatever I do! :frown:
You sounds very unsure, and for something as specialised at dentistry, isn't a good grounding. Theres also the disadvantage that if you wanted to apply for say, both dentistry and law, your PS would be too muddled as these two subjects couldn't be further apart.
Reply 7
There goes my anonymity lol...

Anyways...I get what Laika means, I personally think it would be much better for me to take one year out, even if I waste it (I can't see me doing anything productive) and then make the right decision, rather than waste 3-5 years, or even the rest of my life, because I made a decision when I wasn't ready.

But my parents just won't have it. And if my dad says no, I can't really do anything about it. They're great parents and everything, it's just on this one issue they don't understand I'm not ready. They keep saying they don't want me to do a course I don't want to, but they say I have to apply now.

I just have no idea what to do...any tips for persuading the 'rents?
Reply 8
You need to do something productive if you take a gap year. It will look bad on your applications if you don't, so you need to make a decision. Get the coursebooks out, sit down and have a look. What do you enjoy at school? What extracurrics have you got? What are your a-level subjects? What looks interesting?
Reply 9
I don't know what to do...there is a course I'd love to do, but it's not an option because there's pretty much no job at the end of it and I'd be stuck in some low-paid unrelated job...the thing I have to accept is I wouldn't be happy with a low-paid job, so I just can't do that course.


Dentistry and Law are both very much geared towards specific professions, so not a good choice unless you're 100% certain that's the way you want your life to go. The money is clearly your incentive here - but what is this other subject you want to do so much? Sounds like this is the real issue, not any uncertainty on your point. Do your parents object to you taking this course, or are they merely eager for you to choose (regardless of what your choice is)? In that case then just "following your heart" (*executes self for naff cheesiness*) would also solve your parent problem.

Pretty much any degree is going to increase your job prospects. Take my parents for example - both did Modern languages, Mum ended up teaching them but my Dad runs a business making town guides! Don't assume that a certain degree choice condemns you to a particular job. If you work exceptionally hard you may get a very good degree that will lead to a higher paid job than an average degree in a high-paid subject will.

On the subject of Gap years, it is vital that if you do take one then you have an idea of what you will do during it - "taking time out to decide" is not generally considered constructive use of a Gap year, and may actually hinder your application.

Latest