Teenlife crisis- what should I do with my career I'm running out of time to decide?

Hi, I'm in my AS Level year, taking English language, English literature and French and thought I had my plan for post-A levels all sorted but over the last few months I've been secretly doubting what I should/could do later in life.

I was looking at an English literature degree, maybe with french depending on how I do in my exams, with a view to becoming a teacher. I am a ridiculously indecisive person and changed my mind about what job I wanted to do every week during high school. A while ago I decided that teaching wasn't for me, then I had no clue what to do with my degree should I get it (I know about publishing etc from the prospects website) but I was still very lost. Then (and this is going to sound so silly), I went to see a London show at the west end some time ago and was like wow. Really, these people love and enjoy what they do! It was a complete life-changing moment because I had gone from having virtually decided my path to rethinking everything and realising that there was this unspoken pressure for me to do something less artsy and more brainy at university.

I'd never thought of theatre/acting/performing as a possible career for me because I've been quite good with like academic subjects and just went with the flow. I have been on stage quite a bit when I was younger and even snagged some lead roles but I was bullied for a while in high school (haven't we all ) and lost confidence at putting myself 'out there'. I also danced on stage with my dance school in ballet, tap and jazz until I was 10. So I guess I have a little experience?

I feel quite awkward talking to my parents about this because while they will support me in whatever I do, my revelation has come of a bit of a shock, especially considering the uni tour will start soon (!) and to them, this is out of the blue and random.

So the point of my long winded post? I would really appreciate any advice from any other confused student, performing arts career follower or anyone who can remotely help a very confused student; I know you should follow your dreams and all that but this is a risky choice seeing as its such a competitive career path and most people who do it have been performing and perfecting their skill for years but here I am thinking of entering into it at 17. Words of encouragement would be great you awesome people! Thanks so much

Hi, I'm in my AS Level year, taking English language, English literature and French and thought I had my plan for post-A levels all sorted but over the last few months I've been secretly doubting what I should/could do later in life.

I was looking at an English literature degree, maybe with french depending on how I do in my exams, with a view to becoming a teacher. I am a ridiculously indecisive person and changed my mind about what job I wanted to do every week during high school. A while ago I decided that teaching wasn't for me, then I had no clue what to do with my degree should I get it (I know about publishing etc from the prospects website) but I was still very lost. Then (and this is going to sound so silly), I went to see a London show at the west end some time ago and was like wow. Really, these people love and enjoy what they do! It was a complete life-changing moment because I had gone from having virtually decided my path to rethinking everything and realising that there was this unspoken pressure for me to do something less artsy and more brainy at university.

I'd never thought of theatre/acting/performing as a possible career for me because I've been quite good with like academic subjects and just went with the flow. I have been on stage quite a bit when I was younger and even snagged some lead roles but I was bullied for a while in high school (haven't we all ) and lost confidence at putting myself 'out there'. I also danced on stage with my dance school in ballet, tap and jazz until I was 10. So I guess I have a little experience?

I feel quite awkward talking to my parents about this because while they will support me in whatever I do, my revelation has come of a bit of a shock, especially considering the uni tour will start soon (!) and to them, this is out of the blue and random.

So the point of my long winded post? I would really appreciate any advice from any other confused student, performing arts career follower or anyone who can remotely help a very confused student; I know you should follow your dreams and all that but this is a risky choice seeing as its such a competitive career path and most people who do it have been performing and perfecting their skill for years but here I am thinking of entering into it at 17. Words of encouragement would be great you awesome people! Thanks so much

Hi, I'm in my AS Level year, taking English language, English literature and French and thought I had my plan for post-A levels all sorted but over the last few months I've been secretly doubting what I should/could do later in life.

I was looking at an English literature degree, maybe with french depending on how I do in my exams, with a view to becoming a teacher. I am a ridiculously indecisive person and changed my mind about what job I wanted to do every week during high school. A while ago I decided that teaching wasn't for me, then I had no clue what to do with my degree should I get it (I know about publishing etc from the prospects website) but I was still very lost. Then (and this is going to sound so silly), I went to see a London show at the west end some time ago and was like wow. Really, these people love and enjoy what they do! It was a complete life-changing moment because I had gone from having virtually decided my path to rethinking everything and realising that there was this unspoken pressure for me to do something less artsy and more brainy at university.

I'd never thought of theatre/acting/performing as a possible career for me because I've been quite good with like academic subjects and just went with the flow. I have been on stage quite a bit when I was younger and even snagged some lead roles but I was bullied for a while in high school (haven't we all ) and lost confidence at putting myself 'out there'. I also danced on stage with my dance school in ballet, tap and jazz until I was 10. So I guess I have a little experience?

I feel quite awkward talking to my parents about this because while they will support me in whatever I do, my revelation has come of a bit of a shock, especially considering the uni tour will start soon (!) and to them, this is out of the blue and random.

So the point of my long winded post? I would really appreciate any advice from any other confused student, performing arts career follower or anyone who can remotely help a very confused student; I know you should follow your dreams and all that but this is a risky choice seeing as its such a competitive career path and most people who do it have been performing and perfecting their skill for years but here I am thinking of entering into it at 17. Words of encouragement would be great you awesome people! Thanks so much

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