unsure of university course
im currently in U6 and with the approaching ucas deadlines i’m in the unfortunate process of having to pick my universities and their respective courses but i’m still entirely drawing blanks on what it is that i want to dedicate the next 3 or 4 years of my life doing 
as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!
as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!(edited 7 months ago)
Reply 1
You can always take a gap year to figure stuff out!
Also with cs, you will need to catch up with programming since you have not had any experience with it (as i understand?)
Also with cs, you will need to catch up with programming since you have not had any experience with it (as i understand?)
Reply 2
Original post by bomufei
im currently in U6 and with the approaching ucas deadlines i’m in the unfortunate process of having to pick my universities and their respective courses but i’m still entirely drawing blanks on what it is that i want to dedicate the next 3 or 4 years of my life doing as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!
as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!Hi @bomufei
It can be really hard to know what to do in university, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was in my second year of A-levels and I didn't even know that the course I'm doing now existed.
It is an important decision and if you are going to be studying it for 3/4 years then I think it is important to choose something you enjoy and put in the research before hand.
With you studying art, one of my first thoughts in response to your post was considering to study the art and design foundation course. This is what I did after A-levels and many people who don't know what they want to do at university go on to do this, as it really gives you time to make a decision. Plus you don't have to go on to study an art subject after the one year foundation course. It can also make you realise art isn't for you and people would also go on to study non art subjects. It is also much more independent and free compared to A-level art, which can be quite uninspiring. In foundation there is more chance to be creative and try different mediums, it may help with your creative block.
Doing a foundation or a gap year would also give you more time to go to open days, look at the courses they offer and choose the ones that appeal to you the most. You could start doing this now by looking at prospectuses or the websites and just research the courses that stand out. Read the course content and see if it appeals.
A gap year may also be a good idea as you could get a job, volunteer, get work experience etc. This way you may learn what you do and do not like, meet lots of new people who have advice and life experience that may make you consider something you had never thought of. It also means you are building you CV and skills that will appeal if you decide to apply for university or future jobs. If you are interested I can give you some examples of places to volunteer.
Do you have a careers coach where you are currently studying? It may be a good idea to book an appointment with them, again they will have lots of ideas on jobs and courses that you may have not considered or heard of before.
Your predicted grades are amazing! I wouldn't worry that you haven't done certain A-levels that match what you may do in university as many will be more than willing to consider you, especially with grades like that.
I hope this helps and if you have any questions feel free to ask
-Grace (Kingston Rep)
Reply 3
Hi, I'm Adama, a second-year computing student starting a bachelor's degree for the second time in a decade, so I know what you're going through and the questions you might be asking yourself. Well, let me tell you, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed when making such a big decision, and it's especially hard when you haven't found a single subject that suits you. With your mix of A-levels (English Literature, Maths, and Art), you'll have a range of skills that will open doors to many different fields. Here are some tips and ideas to help you consider your options:
Think about how you like to learn.
Research different courses and future careers, apply for them, and test your interests.
Try to match your personality to what you'll be learning, so it's easier to talk about; and when writing your personal statement, focus on the transferable skills you've developed through your A-levels and how they will help you excel on your chosen course. Most importantly, seek advice from your teachers or careers adviser.
I hope this helps, let me know if you need any further advice.
Think about how you like to learn.
Research different courses and future careers, apply for them, and test your interests.
Try to match your personality to what you'll be learning, so it's easier to talk about; and when writing your personal statement, focus on the transferable skills you've developed through your A-levels and how they will help you excel on your chosen course. Most importantly, seek advice from your teachers or careers adviser.
I hope this helps, let me know if you need any further advice.
(edited 6 months ago)
Original post by UoS Student Rep
Hi, I'm Adama, a second-year computing student starting a bachelor's degree for the second time in a decade, so I know what you're going through and the questions you might be asking yourself. Well, let me tell you, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed when making such a big decision, and it's especially hard when you haven't found a single subject that suits you. With your mix of A-levels (English Literature, Maths, and Art), you'll have a range of skills that will open doors to many different fields. Here are some tips and ideas to help you consider your options:
Think about how you like to learn.
Research different courses and future careers, apply for them, and test your interests.
Try to match your personality to what you'll be learning, so it's easier to talk about; and when writing your personal statement, focus on the transferable skills you've developed through your A-levels and how they will help you excel on your chosen course. Most importantly, seek advice from your teachers or careers adviser.
I hope this helps, let me know if you need any further advice.
Think about how you like to learn.
Research different courses and future careers, apply for them, and test your interests.
Try to match your personality to what you'll be learning, so it's easier to talk about; and when writing your personal statement, focus on the transferable skills you've developed through your A-levels and how they will help you excel on your chosen course. Most importantly, seek advice from your teachers or careers adviser.
I hope this helps, let me know if you need any further advice.
Maths and English a level and lit
Reply 5
Original post by bomufei
im currently in U6 and with the approaching ucas deadlines i’m in the unfortunate process of having to pick my universities and their respective courses but i’m still entirely drawing blanks on what it is that i want to dedicate the next 3 or 4 years of my life doing as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!
as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!Hi there!
I'm a third-year studying psychology. University can be tough, and it may be hard to keep yourself motivated for 3 entire years if you don't love the subject you're studying! You have until the UCAS deadline in January to apply, so I'd recommend going to a few university open days in the meantime, especially ones with subject talks or taster sessions for psychology and York St. John. This can help give you an idea of what you'd study in both degrees, how you'd be assessed, who you'd be taught by and how, which might help you lean towards one subject more than the other. As others have suggested in this thread, it may also be worth considering a gap year.
Something to note: I did psychology, and computer science at A-Level. Computer science is very full on, and very coding heavy. Almost all universities will expect you to go in with some coding experience and knowledge, and I personally didn't feel confident in my coding at A-Level, so ruled it out as a university option. Have a look at some different university websites and prospectuses to check their entry requirements too, as some universities will want you to have studies psychology or a science for psych, and a maths and/or computer science for computer science. At York St. John, as an example, for psychology the entry requirement is 120 UCAS points for psychology, and 104 UCAS points for computer science (points rather than subject requirements).
Hope this helps🤗
-Kiera (Student Ambassador)
Take some time out - nowhere does it say you can only apply for Uni straight from school.
Plan a gap year or just get a job (any job). Many people don't work out what they really want to do in life until they have had a few years of doing something else.
Gap year travel - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360
Camp America - Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America
Plan a gap year or just get a job (any job). Many people don't work out what they really want to do in life until they have had a few years of doing something else.
Gap year travel - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360
Camp America - Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America
Original post by bomufei
im currently in U6 and with the approaching ucas deadlines i’m in the unfortunate process of having to pick my universities and their respective courses but i’m still entirely drawing blanks on what it is that i want to dedicate the next 3 or 4 years of my life doing as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!
as soon as i think about it my brain sort of flatlines and it’s really discouraging me from putting any effort into school at the moment. i do english lit, maths and art for my a levels for context and i am on track for A*AB hopefully however i haven’t felt any genuine interest past surface-level in any schoolwork throughout the last year at all which makes me worry a smidge that i’ll suffocate in university (for example i like reading, obviously, but not enough to churn out essays every week and i like pure maths but applied maths can be the bane of my existence. i like art but i’ve been on a creative block ever since the start of lower sixth but i know there aren’t any shortcuts past just doing it which is why im not putting too much weight on how much i would enjoy the course as long as i’d handle it well with what little skills i have) 💔 so far i’ve been considering to apply for either computer science or psychology since i feel like they make sense although as they’re both pretty competitive i don’t know if the subjects i do are enough (especially because psychology is offered as an a level in my school!!!!!! and i don’t know if “it didn’t stick out to me until now” is a good enough excuse for not having chosen it) is anyone in a similar predicament and does anyone have any advice relating to this haha i feel like i’m going insane a little bit and i fear my personal statement isn’t going to write itself either!!!I would suggest a gap year or look at a flexible degree like the one Exeter offers:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/flexible/exeter/
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