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Sixth former has no clue what to do at university :)

Hello all
I'm a Year 12 student with an upcoming meeting with a school careers advisor, and I'm a little stumped on what I actually want to do at uni. Yes, I definitely want to go, because I am absolutely mortified by the idea of working full-time from 18 onwards and I'd like to have the uni lifestyle.

I'm studying English Literature, Religious Studies and Psychology (and doing an EPQ on postmodern art), and I'd like to go to either Exeter uni (because it's a short enough train ride away from my parents) or a Scottish uni (like Edinburgh, because they have better trans healthcare). I don't mind going to another university though.

My main problem, I guess, is that I don't really know what to do in the future. I think something to do with English Lit would be nice, because I enjoy it lots, but I'm getting a little burnt out from scholarly things so idk if I'd like to be a professor or critic or something. I've thought of being a librarian, so that'd be my best idea currently, though I am pretty scared about the pay being too low for future nation economic crises and things.
Somewhat unrelated, but funeral care/morticianary work has interested me, but that has a lot of communication/conversational skills that my social anxiety disagrees with, and because I'm not taking Biology/PE it'll be difficult to do anything related to enbalming.

I am interested in Anthropology as well, but most courses relating to that demand History (to my knowledge) and its too late for me to change courses now.

Thanks for listening :>
why is it absolutely mortifying to work full-time from 18
Reply 2
Original post by Genesiss
why is it absolutely mortifying to work full-time from 18

Idk, I haven't worked a job before, and my fears tend to get the better of me in most social places.

I also live in an area with lots of people who aren't my age, so I'd prefer to try and meet people ig
Reply 3
Original post by Desdemona_
Hello all
I'm a Year 12 student with an upcoming meeting with a school careers advisor, and I'm a little stumped on what I actually want to do at uni. Yes, I definitely want to go, because I am absolutely mortified by the idea of working full-time from 18 onwards and I'd like to have the uni lifestyle.

I'm studying English Literature, Religious Studies and Psychology (and doing an EPQ on postmodern art), and I'd like to go to either Exeter uni (because it's a short enough train ride away from my parents) or a Scottish uni (like Edinburgh, because they have better trans healthcare). I don't mind going to another university though.

My main problem, I guess, is that I don't really know what to do in the future. I think something to do with English Lit would be nice, because I enjoy it lots, but I'm getting a little burnt out from scholarly things so idk if I'd like to be a professor or critic or something. I've thought of being a librarian, so that'd be my best idea currently, though I am pretty scared about the pay being too low for future nation economic crises and things.
Somewhat unrelated, but funeral care/morticianary work has interested me, but that has a lot of communication/conversational skills that my social anxiety disagrees with, and because I'm not taking Biology/PE it'll be difficult to do anything related to enbalming.

I am interested in Anthropology as well, but most courses relating to that demand History (to my knowledge) and its too late for me to change courses now.

Thanks for listening :>

So if you don't know what you want to do, whatever you do, don't go off to university because that is what you think you should do. Why don't you apply to your local library and ask if you can volunteer on a Saturday morning? Why not apply to get a summer job at a funeral parlour and gain some experience?

Ultimately, the only way to find out what you like is to try things you think you might like and give them a go. And if you have a go and discover the way to really hit the ground running is to get a degree, you will still have that option open to you.

Good luck!
Reply 4
Original post by hotpud
So if you don't know what you want to do, whatever you do, don't go off to university because that is what you think you should do. Why don't you apply to your local library and ask if you can volunteer on a Saturday morning? Why not apply to get a summer job at a funeral parlour and gain some experience?

Ultimately, the only way to find out what you like is to try things you think you might like and give them a go. And if you have a go and discover the way to really hit the ground running is to get a degree, you will still have that option open to you.

Good luck!

Thank you for the kind response.

I suppose you are totally right - I can spend all day thinking about it but it'll never be the same as doing it. It is very scary, but thank you so so much for motivating me :>
Reply 5
Original post by Desdemona_
Thank you for the kind response.

I suppose you are totally right - I can spend all day thinking about it but it'll never be the same as doing it. It is very scary, but thank you so so much for motivating me :>

I would be amazed if your local library didn't bite your hand up and I can't imagine people queuing up to get experience at the local funeral parlour.

Once in, make sure you ask people who work there what they like about it.

Good luck!

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