I am stuck about University

Hiiii
I am a pretty good student, I have an A* in Spanish, and am working towards a grade A* in French, A in Sociology and B in English Lit. So people are heavily encouraging me to go to university. I think id like to go because I need the structure in my life (ADHD and anxiety reasons) but I also feel like I need a structure in my life (gap year would then be stressful, as I don't have a plan). basically I am stuck. im currently thinking about applying for uni for next year, and just making sure I have an amazing summer so I don't feel like ive missed out by not doing the gap year. idk if this makes sense, someone please tell me they understand

Reply 1

Gob123

11

Original post by hannini-panini

Hiiii
I am a pretty good student, I have an A* in Spanish, and am working towards a grade A* in French, A in Sociology and B in English Lit. So people are heavily encouraging me to go to university. I think id like to go because I need the structure in my life (ADHD and anxiety reasons) but I also feel like I need a structure in my life (gap year would then be stressful, as I don't have a plan). basically I am stuck. im currently thinking about applying for uni for next year, and just making sure I have an amazing summer so I don't feel like ive missed out by not doing the gap year. idk if this makes sense, someone please tell me they understand

I get you kinda I’m doing a gap year now. I say just apply to uni to whatever course it’s really not that deep. Cause if you change your mind thinking I want to go uni and do a diff course you can go through clearing. Idk why you would regret gap year it’s just one year, get a job and save up that money.

Reply 2

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

14

Original post by hannini-panini

Hiiii
I am a pretty good student, I have an A* in Spanish, and am working towards a grade A* in French, A in Sociology and B in English Lit. So people are heavily encouraging me to go to university. I think id like to go because I need the structure in my life (ADHD and anxiety reasons) but I also feel like I need a structure in my life (gap year would then be stressful, as I don't have a plan). basically I am stuck. im currently thinking about applying for uni for next year, and just making sure I have an amazing summer so I don't feel like ive missed out by not doing the gap year. idk if this makes sense, someone please tell me they understand

Hi there,
I get what you mean about needing structure, I'm the same! For me, university has definitely helped me with that because of lectures and being around other people. If you decide to go to university, you need to make sure you enjoy the course, and look at the modules each university does.
In terms of ADHD and anxiety, university can offer lots of support. At Sheffield we've got the DDSS which helps make university accessible for everyone, and can direct you to further support if you want it - they've definitely made my uni experience smoother. If you want to have a further look here's a link with more info. Hope this helps! Trudie :smile:

https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/support-hub/contacts/ddss

Reply 3

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

10

Hi @hannini-panini

First of all - Well Done! It sounds like you are doing really well with your studies and working hard. I hope you get the grades you want.

Second, this is such a good question! I can totally understand where you are coming from. It is important to have an idea of how you wish to spend your gap year should you decide to take one. There are plenty of things you can do in a gap year such as:

1.

Get a job and save up for university and/or travelling

2.

As mentioned above go travelling

3.

Volunteer and gain more work experience in a field you are interested in either in the UK or abroad. Some voluntary opportunities abroad offer partial to full funding. Or work abroad.

4.

Learn a new skill such as a language, instrument, baking etc.

5.

Or complete a course in e.g. first aid

If you’d like to explore gap year opportunities more you might find this link helpful:

https://www.ucas.com/discover/gap-years

My advice would be (as someone who also can struggle without structure) to have a plan you’re excited about e.g. working for 6 months to be able to go travelling for four months. I always find this motivates me more!

It can be hard to get back into the studying mindset if you have time away from education, so this is where learning a new skill or doing a course you’ve always wanted to might help keep your brain in study mode.

Going straight to university is also a great option, especially, if you don’t know what you’d like to do during a gap year. You could look at having a fun exciting summer whether that is working for some of it to pay for fun trips with your friends or perhaps organising a summer placement abroad. Don’t forget most university courses (depending on what you choose to study) have long summer holidays so there is always the chance to do something during these or when you graduate from university.

You may find that when you attend university you have more time for independent study than you are used to. Consequently, it can be tricky to know how to spend that time. Now you may already do lots of these things, but I find having a couple of things on my “To-Do list” for the day always helps me if I have a “free day” and want to avoid not doing anything. This can be as simple as calling a friend, ticking one household chore off the list, or tackling one study task. Sometimes I find it helpful to arrange things with friends, so it makes me do them e.g., going for a walk with them, or a study morning as I know they’ll hold me accountable...and probably most importantly it is more fun with them.

I hope that helps a little, feel free to let me know if you have any further questions.

Good luck!

Lucy 😊
(Official Uni of Salford Student Rep)

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 4

greg tony

17

Original post by hannini-panini

Hiiii
I am a pretty good student, I have an A* in Spanish, and am working towards a grade A* in French, A in Sociology and B in English Lit. So people are heavily encouraging me to go to university. I think id like to go because I need the structure in my life (ADHD and anxiety reasons) but I also feel like I need a structure in my life (gap year would then be stressful, as I don't have a plan). basically I am stuck. im currently thinking about applying for uni for next year, and just making sure I have an amazing summer so I don't feel like ive missed out by not doing the gap year. idk if this makes sense, someone please tell me they understand

Uni is a lot less structured than you would imagine (there can be lots of independent work/deadlines, and lectures are not always mandatory) so i would definitely not go solely for this reason.

I would always say dont go to uni nless you need to or have a specific interest/subject you want to study. Rushing into something for the sake of it is a common problem for students, and can lead to financial and psychological regrets later (in general only get one funded go at uni).

Plans can be made outside of uni, have you looked at organisations that run activities volunteering abroad, or even get a job. Saving money before uni always beneficial, you will learn some key skills, have more space when you study (most students hold down part time or fulltime jobs just to survive) and you will grow and learn about what you really want. In some ways i think all school leavers should do a year in employment before studying.

Greg

Reply 5

Glemon

17

I'm not 100% about doing a gap year so I am going to wait for results and then defer if I decide to take a gap year. That gives me until August to change my mind.

I am stuck about University

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