I&#x27;m 15 - should I go to uni?

OP

And by the way my degree would have nothing to do with acting so it's not like it would help in any way. It would probably be in either Psychology or Fine Art.

Reply 2

PrincessZara

17

You're 15 and considering going to uni. I'm 15 and I can't even tie my laces.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 3

OP

Original post by PrincessZara

You're 15 and considering going to uni. I'm 15 and I can't even tie my laces.

I never said I could tie my laces.... :tongue:

Reply 4

h.dan

8

Pretty amazing. I'd say go for it! At the age that you leave uni (around 19) would be the age that I start (around 19 because I failed my first year of AS lol).

What types of grades have you achieved? I'm sure you can attend uni as well as do acting lessons/programmes etc. with your academic ability.

Reply 5

PrincessZara

17

Original post by redbluedex

I never said I could tie my laces.... :tongue:

marry me.

Reply 6

Jenx301

It's your choice but if you do go to uni you might have to stay at home as you will have trouble signing a tenancy agreement under 18 years old as it is a legal document. Also you won't be able to go out drinking with your friends at uni. I don't think I would have been mature enough at 16 to go to uni - hell I am 21 and I don't feel mature enough! I know uni isn't all about social life but it is important to some people and it is important that you don't spend 3 years being miserable. It's worth waiting to make sure you make the right choices. You can always work for a few years to save up money in the mean time even if the acting thing doesn't work out. Having money saved up for uni will help you out. Personally, I wouldn't go right now if I were you but it is down to you and you need to work out what you want. Remember you can always apply now just to give yourself the option - you don't have to take up your place.

Reply 7

DedicatedWizard

Have you considered a deferred entry to uni?

Reply 8

beautifulbigmacs

You still have up until the age of 19 where you can do further education qualifications for free. I would use the time between now and the year you turn 18 to do a btec in acting. Or indeed any other qualification that takes your fancy. Do it while you can and before it's not free any more.

You won't get much out of the uni experience until you turn 18. I'm not talking about being legal to drink etc. I mean you might just feel alienated from a lot of the socialising from not being able to go to places and I think that would be a real shame.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9

OP

Original post by DedicatedWizard

Have you considered a deferred entry to uni?

Yes, I did consider it, but it didn't really seem like the best option. For example if I started acting now, I wouldn't really see a reason to suddenly stop at 18, or 20, or whatever and get a degree when I will have already started working...if that makes sense :smile:

Reply 10

Bupdeeboowah

3

Original post by redbluedex

And by the way my degree would have nothing to do with acting so it's not like it would help in any way. It would probably be in either Psychology or Fine Art.

Those degrees would hardly be backup plans.

You'd be better off pursuing your acting dreams than being saddled with debt from a degree you're not too keen on and which would not likely land you a job either.

Reply 11

OP

Original post by h.dan

Pretty amazing. I'd say go for it! At the age that you leave uni (around 19) would be the age that I start (around 19 because I failed my first year of AS lol).

What types of grades have you achieved? I'm sure you can attend uni as well as do acting lessons/programmes etc. with your academic ability.

I'm predicted As and A*s. If I went to uni I would do acting on the side but I worry that I'd have to throw myself into my studies so much that I wouldn't have much time for acting

Reply 12

h.dan

8

Original post by redbluedex

I'm predicted As and A*s. If I went to uni I would do acting on the side but I worry that I'd have to throw myself into my studies so much that I wouldn't have much time for acting

I see where you're coming from. If I was in your situation I'd make the sacrifice and go in the deep end for both at the same time. Reason being is that my brother wants to be an actor too. There are not many acting roles in the world for the amount of people who want to be actors. Most actors (probably apart from the world famous film star actors) also have other jobs too working in Cafes, Restaurants and Supermarkets simply because the acting industry isn't big enough.

Let's say you get a degree in Computer Science, you do not need to get a job in a Computing related environment though. With a Computer Science degree you could probably get many other jobs that would work around your acting schedule too. And with a degree you've always got a plan B too.

Don't forget, you're 15 and you have some great opportunities ahead of you. You've worked hard and you're opening doors for yourself as you go along. Keep doing that and don't give up on your dreams but don't sacrifice other options either. Times are hard xD.

Reply 13

DedicatedWizard

Original post by redbluedex

Yes, I did consider it, but it didn't really seem like the best option. For example if I started acting now, I wouldn't really see a reason to suddenly stop at 18, or 20, or whatever and get a degree when I will have already started working...if that makes sense :smile:

I think you should do it! You have plenty of time to carry out your dreams. I wish I had this chance, I have always wanted to act. Don't regret it :smile:

I think you should also do some work experience related to the degree at the side too so you can have something to talk about in your statement. Maybe take extra academic classes? Learn a new language? Gosh you have so many opportunities! Make the most of it :h:

Reply 14

OP

Original post by beautifulbigmacs

You still have up until the age of 19 where you can do further education qualifications for free. I would use the time between now and the year you turn 18 to do a btec in acting. Or indeed any other qualification that takes your fancy. Do it while you can and before it's not free any more.

I actually didn't consider different types of qualifications, thank you for that.

Original post by beautifulbigmacs

You won't get much out of the uni experience until you turn 18. I'm not talking about being legal to drink etc. I mean you might just feel alienated from a lot of the socialising from not being able to go to places and I think that would be a real shame.

Yeah, I feel pretty alienated at school at the moment because of my age so it wouldn't really be anything new... :frown:

Reply 15

username944192

Original post by redbluedex

I'm predicted As and A*s. If I went to uni I would do acting on the side but I worry that I'd have to throw myself into my studies so much that I wouldn't have much time for acting

I've noticed a lot of British actresses/actors seem to have done English Lit at Oxford. Why don't you go try to go to Oxford for Eng Lit, do some acting on the side, you'd be 19 when you graduate and still at prime acting age

Reply 16

OP

Original post by DedicatedWizard

I think you should do it! You have plenty of time to carry out your dreams. I wish I had this chance, I have always wanted to act. Don't regret it :smile:

I think you should also do some work experience related to the degree at the side too so you can have something to talk about in your statement. Maybe take extra academic classes? Learn a new language? Gosh you have so many opportunities! Make the most of it :h:

I would love to learn a new language! :smile:

Reply 17

DedicatedWizard

Original post by redbluedex

I would love to learn a new language! :smile:

Yes do it! Maybe an employable one like French or German? Chinese? :biggrin:

Reply 18

beautifulbigmacs

Original post by redbluedex

I actually didn't consider different types of qualifications, thank you for that.

Yeah, I feel pretty alienated at school at the moment because of my age so it wouldn't really be anything new... :frown:

acting schools value maturity and the audition process is competitive so a btec in acting could be a good choice for you :smile:

could learn a language alongside it too.

I think going to uni at 18 would be a good way to feel less out of the loop with your peers. Actually I think it's cool to be a black sheep and your own person but yeah :smile:

Reply 19

DrSocSciences