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University course - having doubts please help

So I am in year 13 and will get my results next week. I have applied to do Mathematics and I am having doubts. I took maths initially because I didn't know what I exactly wanted to do and maths left me with the most options open, or so I thought. I am still in that position where I am unsure. I have been always leaning towards a finance related career, however nowadays I have been having little wavers where I think about engineering or artificial intelligence or something else. So with my unsureness, was taking maths the right choice? I know I will go into a STEM career, just not sure with path and I guess I thought I could do maths and then do a postgrad in a path that I would've decided by then? I am just really worried right now about whether I have made the right decision, so any advice will be appreciated!
Reply 1
Original post by _m_4
So I am in year 13 and will get my results next week. I have applied to do Mathematics and I am having doubts. I took maths initially because I didn't know what I exactly wanted to do and maths left me with the most options open, or so I thought. I am still in that position where I am unsure. I have been always leaning towards a finance related career, however nowadays I have been having little wavers where I think about engineering or artificial intelligence or something else. So with my unsureness, was taking maths the right choice? I know I will go into a STEM career, just not sure with path and I guess I thought I could do maths and then do a postgrad in a path that I would've decided by then? I am just really worried right now about whether I have made the right decision, so any advice will be appreciated!

Hi there I'm not sure what help I'll be but if you get accepted into a university that you love that was your firm choice then I say stick with maths for a bit just to see as you may find that the course is actually perfect for you. If you end up hating it then there's always options available to you to switch courses to one that you may prefer like engineering, IT etc and try that out at your university. If maths has a lot of options available to you with future careers that you're interested in then it sounds perfect for you but don't worry if not because I'm sure that your university will have support there and careers advice to help you make the right decision if you find you don't like your course!
Having cold feet at this stage is totally normal.
There are thousands of other people all feeling exactly the same way right now - have I chosen the right course, the right Uni, am I really going to Uni etc etc.

Maths leaves your career pathways wide open and is a great first degree - you can pursue what ever more specialised interest you develop during the course at postgrad level, and you are not restricting your career options at all.

Once you get to Uni and get involved in your course, and realise all the good things about being at Uni, you will wonder what you were ever so worried out - promise.
Original post by _m_4
So I am in year 13 and will get my results next week. I have applied to do Mathematics and I am having doubts. I took maths initially because I didn't know what I exactly wanted to do and maths left me with the most options open, or so I thought. I am still in that position where I am unsure. I have been always leaning towards a finance related career, however nowadays I have been having little wavers where I think about engineering or artificial intelligence or something else. So with my unsureness, was taking maths the right choice? I know I will go into a STEM career, just not sure with path and I guess I thought I could do maths and then do a postgrad in a path that I would've decided by then? I am just really worried right now about whether I have made the right decision, so any advice will be appreciated!

Forget about careers for the moment- do you think you'll enjoy doing maths as a degree?

Getting a good degree in maths will open a lot of doors for you in STEM, and as you say, if needed you can always do a postgrad, but you'll be very employable even after getting an undergrad.

However, if you're feeling unsure about maths as a degree in itself, that's a bit different- doing something you hate for 3+ years isn't a good way to get a good degree, or good for your mental health. If you end up with a Third, that could definitely close down some options.

It is normal to have doubts at this stage, but if you doubts are just about careers, I honestly would not worry about taking maths!
Reply 4
Hi all! Sorry I haven't replied - it has just been so busy!! Thank you all so much for the advice, and reassurance that cold feet at that stage was completely normal! I have decided to stick with a maths degree :smile:

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