Advice for a Classics freshman student

I have a genuine interest in Latin and Greek and I'm beginning a Classics course this autumn. I'm really keen on Classics and I want to broaden my knowledge and skills in this field, but how could I motivate myself to go the extra mile in studying for this degree despite the fact that I'm aware it's a niche subject and the career prospects are limited (in part because of classism). My friends who are already at uni, studying computer science, law or medicine say that when they are about to become self-indulgent, they remember that they'll have a high salary after they've put all their efforts into the degree. How could I motivate myself to study at my full capacity despite the fact that my chances of a successful career in this field are low (I'm not referring to my financial status, I want to have just a decent life and a family...I wouldn't read Classics if my financial expectations were higher) and I might need to change my field after I graduate or I might even have to do another degree? I'm not sure it's wise wasting my energy on trying to be a very good student before having to start another degree. I know I might sound a bit pessimistic, but this virus and all the stress around it (moving to uni in this context, online courses) is really setting me off.
Thank you!

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 1

kinga99

i guess a motivation to study would be a genuine interest in the subject which i'm sure you had when you applied but it sounds like you expect uni to give you a degree that will cushion you for the rest of your life. classics won't do that unless your social background already makes you privileged. you will have to think about careers while doing your degree, but so do most people. i'm a finalist in classics and yes, i have to work hard to make myself look employable because i won't be offered a cushy job by a family friend.
i don't really understand a lack of motivation in something you've chosen to study. surely, you'd want to do well because this is what you're devoting your time towards. i get that medics and lawyers have it 'easy' in the sense that they don't have to work on the side to find some route to employment, but classics is still a valid degree that makes you a little bit different from the tons of people doing history or politics.
where are you studying?