The Student Room Group

Undecided on what i want to be

hello to anyone who bothers to answer and ,sincerely, thanks for your time and kindness

I am a person whos always ben science based since i was younger and i love to learn new things even outside science (especially stuff based on ethics,laguages,computer science specifically coding , religion and sociology although ive never learnt them in school), got good grades (aleves were 5/9 grade 9's and alevels (AS technically since im in yr 12) are mainly A*'s-Bs on what im getting) .My father and mother and some of my family members say i should go for medicine because im academically good for it but the thing is
and ik its ironic that im going to people for advice but
i dont like people in general (due to bullying, trust issues , people badmouthing me and making fun of me to my face and how the world is rn ) but i like helping people yk more so when i started volunteering in a shop i really enjoyed the routine of smiling and assisting people, talking even though it felt awkward but i dont want to yk interact with everyone everysingle day of my life
then i like looked at biochemistry and was like alr i have some lab exp coming up (thx to some summer school programmes) and i lve always liked biology and chem (obv) so yeah i could do that but it was the job prospects
then i got depressed and my metnal health was in shambels but its getting better so not im unsure
got any advice coz i want to start my personal statement so
again thx :smile:

Reply 1

Original post
by bleak-analyst
hello to anyone who bothers to answer and ,sincerely, thanks for your time and kindness
I am a person whos always ben science based since i was younger and i love to learn new things even outside science (especially stuff based on ethics,laguages,computer science specifically coding , religion and sociology although ive never learnt them in school), got good grades (aleves were 5/9 grade 9's and alevels (AS technically since im in yr 12) are mainly A*'s-Bs on what im getting) .My father and mother and some of my family members say i should go for medicine because im academically good for it but the thing is
and ik its ironic that im going to people for advice but
i dont like people in general (due to bullying, trust issues , people badmouthing me and making fun of me to my face and how the world is rn ) but i like helping people yk more so when i started volunteering in a shop i really enjoyed the routine of smiling and assisting people, talking even though it felt awkward but i dont want to yk interact with everyone everysingle day of my life
then i like looked at biochemistry and was like alr i have some lab exp coming up (thx to some summer school programmes) and i lve always liked biology and chem (obv) so yeah i could do that but it was the job prospects
then i got depressed and my metnal health was in shambels but its getting better so not im unsure
got any advice coz i want to start my personal statement so
again thx :smile:

hey hope youre doing okay. honestly if i were u i wouldnt pay much mind to what your family tells you to do. their opinions are important but the decisions u make are gonna affect your life. id say to look into courses at uni for biochem and med and see if its something youre really interested bc theyre both a lot of work. there are parts of medicine where you dont have to interact w patients everyday if thats something youre into? maybe radiology or anesthesiology. id also talk to people that do both biochem and med and ask ab their experiences. good luck!

Reply 2

I get the feeling you are in the middle of a massive storm where you have had your confidence battered by others just when you were at the age when you needed a safe perch? Life is so brutal at times created by the very people you would have thought more of. But do remind yourself that just because you have had a difficult few years at school it doesn't mean life is all like that.

Often (if you decide to go to Uni) you can find hundreds of people from all over the world, who share the same interests you in what you study, or outlook etc. Those people all have a life story and they can help you put perspective on your life so far. What you think has been bad, others would think it's a walk in the park. Find the cheer leaders around you who encourage you. Get a list of the subjects that really are so interesting you think you want to study them for life. Then explore every job - by what it needs (ie communications and interaction with others, or technically based interaction with scientific gear) working inside or outside, surveying, flying, sailing, farming? It's ok not to like people or indeed never to have to bother to cosy up to anyone. Some people love animals far far more than any human. Humans can be vindictive, smelly, violent, unpredictable, dishonest, uncaring, selfish, sadistic, remote, callous - do you get the picture? BUT for everyone like that (and they are usually damaged goods themselves because they have been hurt and unhappy in their heads) there are hundreds of people who are kind, gentle, calm, honest, caring. Do you get the picture? NOT EVERYONE IS LIKE THAT Your head and psyche is unique. You will think on a different wave length to so many others. But when you find that certain someone who thinks and speaks on the same 'wavelength' it is like music that just is harmonious and beautiful. You just have to hold onto what you know, what you love and hope along the next few years you can explore that and find those certain someone's who will help you enjoy those subjects even more.

Manage your emotional health first. Get into a stable and positive mind set. Use all the help you can get from school, your GP, college - both talking therapies and medication if it is warranted. But a lot of the time it is just accepting that is how you feel and it is normal for what you have experienced. Knowing you have a bad head space is like a storm. The rain comes down, it is cold wet and horrible. But the sun always comes out eventually. When it does it feels so good. It sounds like you need some help maintaining the positives (think of 3 every single day - and being upright and breathing might be one of them!) Then start the escape and dream what you would love to do. No holds barred - as you fall asleep imagine you are the most popular person around. Imagine yourself in the role you want to do. No pressure from anyone. See it. What are you doing? What are you enjoying? How do you see yourself? Hold that imagery and in the daytime research it to see what you need to do and whether it is achievable.

The pressure from parents can be immense because they want you to be a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist on a big salary, blah blah and it is so black and white. But the reality with medicine is that it is no walk in the park. The pressures on you for at least your Uni years are massive and then 10 years plus to get to consultant stage are off the scale. People are the stressors, and when they are in pain or hurt they say the worst. Often they want to sue. So if you can't hack the pressure now pre exams, you could find you don't have the emotional reserve before you start. Why is medicine the be all and end all? You can do a lot with science grades - use your school/college career service to explore jobs and careers. So don't think you have to do all the decisions now. Some Uni's will still take mature students aged 30 plus as long as you are fit and healthy.

So take each step at a time. Deal with today. Remind yourself what you did well, what made you laugh, smile. Have a plan or timetable to manage your day tomorrow. Try not to look too far forward. That is the crucifier. Then when you have finished any exams start the searching again, and explore. Take time to visit Uni's to get a feel for each campus. Good luck. You are doing so well. Just never look back, because if you have done the very best you possibly can today you can't do any more.

Reply 3

Original post
by bleak-analyst
hello to anyone who bothers to answer and ,sincerely, thanks for your time and kindness
I am a person whos always ben science based since i was younger and i love to learn new things even outside science (especially stuff based on ethics,laguages,computer science specifically coding , religion and sociology although ive never learnt them in school), got good grades (aleves were 5/9 grade 9's and alevels (AS technically since im in yr 12) are mainly A*'s-Bs on what im getting) .My father and mother and some of my family members say i should go for medicine because im academically good for it but the thing is
and ik its ironic that im going to people for advice but
i dont like people in general (due to bullying, trust issues , people badmouthing me and making fun of me to my face and how the world is rn ) but i like helping people yk more so when i started volunteering in a shop i really enjoyed the routine of smiling and assisting people, talking even though it felt awkward but i dont want to yk interact with everyone everysingle day of my life
then i like looked at biochemistry and was like alr i have some lab exp coming up (thx to some summer school programmes) and i lve always liked biology and chem (obv) so yeah i could do that but it was the job prospects
then i got depressed and my metnal health was in shambels but its getting better so not im unsure
got any advice coz i want to start my personal statement so
again thx :smile:

Hi there,

Deciding on what to study at uni can be such a difficult decision! It sounds like you've got a lot going on and a lot to think about.

It's good that you've found an interest in science as that already helps narrow down the subjects you might study. Whilst it may be a difficult conversation to have with your parents, you need to make the right decision for what you want to study. You will spend several years of your life studying at uni and then going into a career so you want to pick the best thing for you.

I would definitely look at some of the alternative routes in science as there are so many jobs which aren't public facing so might be a better fit for you. Have a look at some of the different courses online and listens to subjects talks at open days to get a feel for what you might like. There are many careers available which you may not have heard for before so try have a look online and speak to a careers advisors or uni reps about what might be suited for you.

It can feel like an impossibly hard decision but remember to make the decision which is best for you!

Eloise
Second Year Psychology Student

Reply 4

Hi @bleak-analyst,

It sounds like you're at an important point of decision-making, and it’s great that you're already reflecting on what might be best for you. As others have pointed out, choosing a path that aligns with both your strengths and passions is really important—3-4 years is a long time to study something you’re not excited about.

If you're unsure about medicine, I suggest exploring courses in similar fields to see what sparks your interest. Many universities have specific school pages where related courses are grouped together. Take a look at the module listings, which can help you get a clearer picture of what each option involves. It might also help to make a For and Against list for each choice to guide your decision.

You could also look into virtual or in-person open days, which many universities offer, especially over the summer. These events can give you a real sense of what different subjects might be like. Additionally, career or personality quizzes could help you discover options you hadn't thought of before.

In the meantime, exploring free online courses (MOOCs, Open University, etc.) can give you a taste of different subjects and help pinpoint what genuinely excites you. Plus, you can earn certifications or digital badges that might boost your personal statement.

Above all, make sure you're pursuing what you truly want to do, not just what others think you should.

Best of luck, and remember to take care of your mental health throughout this process! 🙂

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 5

Original post
by bleak-analyst
hello to anyone who bothers to answer and ,sincerely, thanks for your time and kindness
I am a person whos always ben science based since i was younger and i love to learn new things even outside science (especially stuff based on ethics,laguages,computer science specifically coding , religion and sociology although ive never learnt them in school), got good grades (aleves were 5/9 grade 9's and alevels (AS technically since im in yr 12) are mainly A*'s-Bs on what im getting) .My father and mother and some of my family members say i should go for medicine because im academically good for it but the thing is
and ik its ironic that im going to people for advice but
i dont like people in general (due to bullying, trust issues , people badmouthing me and making fun of me to my face and how the world is rn ) but i like helping people yk more so when i started volunteering in a shop i really enjoyed the routine of smiling and assisting people, talking even though it felt awkward but i dont want to yk interact with everyone everysingle day of my life
then i like looked at biochemistry and was like alr i have some lab exp coming up (thx to some summer school programmes) and i lve always liked biology and chem (obv) so yeah i could do that but it was the job prospects
then i got depressed and my metnal health was in shambels but its getting better so not im unsure
got any advice coz i want to start my personal statement so
again thx :smile:

Hello!

I hope you're feeling ok and your mental health is starting to feel better now. Just to corroborate the previous replies, as important as deciding what to study at university is, you really need to look after yourself first and foremost and make sure you are in a good place before you begin to contemplate making difficult decisions. Spend time doing the stuff you love, whether that's going out with friends, or hobbies on your own, it's really important to look after yourself and have some 'me time' too. :flower2:

In terms of what you should study at university, that is a really personal to you decision you have to make - it's something that only you can decide really, however much family and friends try and suggest ideas to you, you need to remember that although their suggestions are coming from a kind and good place, it's up to you ultimately, to do what YOU want to do - it's your life, and it will be you spending the next few years studying a course, so it needs to be a course that you want to do. Their advice is coming from a caring place because they have your best interests at heart, but only you know how you feel.
Have you tried using websites such as Prospects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying-for-university/choosing-a-course/how-to-choose-the-right-degree ? And the Student Room https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer ? These websites contain a sort of 'quiz' where you can see the courses your A Levels lend themselves to, and from there you can find suggested careers. The websites might give you some help and suggestions for courses you hadn't contemplated.
Another big factor to remember is that if you did study biochemistry, say, but after this you decided you wanted to be a doctor afterall, there is always the option of studying medicine afterwards as a postgraduate.
Have you been to any university Open Days yet? If not, it might be a good idea to visit, as during the day you would have the opportunity of visiting the university departments that you are interested in studying courses in. You could talk to the tutors in the departments and find out a lot more about the course contents etc and that way gain a more detailed insight into them, as well as gaining an idea of whether this is something you would like to study.
I hope this helps a bit, but if you have any other questions, just ask,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

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