Med school, flying, or something else entirely?

Thank you, I do agree. I think I will end up in a position of just simply trying one or the other, and if I get it wrong, so be it.

Originally I decided to take a double gap year [kind of accidental] as I couldn't establish what I wanted to do. Now I have two interests and both are strong and both have so many pros and cons that are specific to me.
I've got an offer to study Medicine at Bangor in September 24.. Despite having work experience in hospital and knowing pretty much exactly what the job entails, I still don't know if medicine is for me or if I actually should go. I do really enjoy the patient interaction and investigating in my head people's symptoms and illnesses, even the bloody paperwork is interesting. But I can't tell if that interest will last to even finish medical school, let alone be a doctor for the rest of my life. I am however put off by the idea of trauma, the workload of a doctor and the expectations involved, and the idea of being forced to carry a failing health service.
My preferred choice was definitely Cardiff and I am really devastated that I've not been able to get an offer there as it is closer to home which to me, matters a great deal. I think it's very hard to perform up to par on a course like medicine while your mind is barraged with other thoughts about being in a new place with new people [I would have no familiarity with the people or places unlike Cardiff].
I much prefer the idea of Cardiff as a city as I am very familiar with it and I know more people and it's just all round a better experience for me in my head.
I know people will say I am lucky to have a place at all, and they are right, however it is a huge decision as I will be 20 going into university and so I feel like I don't have time to waste [if I don't like it, want to do a different course or just not do university].
University benefits; I can come home when I want to and I do not have to take a job away from home, potentially have somewhat of a typical and enjoyable student life at Bangor.
With this, the other interest I have is also eating away at me in that I have always had a love for flying as well, and I have an opportunity to fly commercially involving an intensive MPL course [pilot licence] lasting 18 months and then going straight into a full time job, permanently away from home. Technically with this, I can start whenever I want, but it is a matter of starting. Going straight into a job like this deprives me of the idea of socials and student life which I quite like the idea of. I do absolutely love flying however and I know I would definitely be happy doing this job, whereas with medicine, I'm not so sure I could tolerate it forever.
So the only things holding me back from flying are; living away permanently, though I can be relatively close to home, quickly taking a full time job meaning no time for friends or family, missing out on student life and fun.
I'm split between everything and my head's a mess because;
I would like to be able to have the option to commute between uni/work and where I currently live, I don't want to miss out on social life or making friends more of my age and I don't want to waste time starting Med School whether be through access courses or transfers etc.
I'm at a roundabout and I simply cannot get on it, I would highly appreciate some outside viewpoints.
Please don't see it as being ungrateful, I'm definitely not, but I have been tied between these two for a very long time and the pros and cons [not all shared] are fairly evenly weighed in my mind. Thanks.

just a subjective view from me, probably just thinking like a mother…
why don’t you look at alternative 3 year degrees at Cardiff in a subject you enjoy, and moreover, think you can get a top degree in if you apply yourself?
this way, you leave open the pilot option before having to leave the area you love altogether to train at the age of 23/24, which is still young but you will be ready by the. If you still want to pursue flying and you should have had a blast in Cardiff first

So you don't think I should make the most of my medicine offer and just give it a go?
I understand what you are saying, but it feels like a waste of a good offer even if I wouldn't necessarily be the happiest there. I do very much like the idea of the course and role as I have had many open day trips and work experience, but I don't think many people truly know until they get started.
Equally, any subject I enjoy is probably closed to clearing at Cardiff anyway.

I appreciate that. Just when one splits that into
“Studying medicine” and “at Bangor”
One gets too completely different feelings about it.
Yes it’s roughly the same everywhere so its not a matter of being worse or better, but there’s life outside of your course to consider as well.
My mind didn’t jump to studying medicine at Bangor, it jumped to studying medicine. Question is can I truly feel happy enough to be able to get through my difficult studies? I don’t know.
Thanks though

understand, and it is a long degree
just remember, Bangor is not a million miles from Cardiff for weekend diversions
the other thing is that whilst it’s good to get dispassionate advice from third parties on TSR, random posters and advisors don’t know you or your situation at all beyond the barest information, so there is real value in talking to people you know and respect

and what do your family say?
assume you have only a short time to let Bangor know your decision?

Well freshers is 23rd September.
Family say it is up to me which isn't really helpful but it is true.

Hi just to say I'm a radiogrpahh student at Bangor. I was actually going to do the TUI pilot apprenticeship but I think it's best to have a degree to fall back on and medicine is so variable. Id say go with a degree and then if Ur not happy with it go with flying. If I have any questions on campus hmu. I'm 19 and going into 2nd year

Legend, thats literally my situation. I think I agree with you and I’ll give it a go. If I like it I win, if I don’t I just go do what I really want to do.

Yeah and if flying fails I will have a degree to fall back on. Flying isn't a very stable job at times, look at pandemic. Well if I decide to go for Bangor I on Wrexham campus which is where medicine is so I can always hmu

Do u think Ur do medicine this year or still taking gap year btw. It's great position to be in so should be proud

Medicine at Bangor yes I will probably do that in September.