What shall I do for university?
10
Hey, so I am at that stage where my teachers are asking me what I want to do for university. I'm currently in year 12 doing BTEC Information Technology and BTEC Health and social care.
My parent have always made the education choices for me. When it came to me choosing my GCSE subject, I chose the subjects which made them happy because the subjects that I wanted to do was looked down on, and when it came to choosing my subject choices for college/sixth-form, I again had to pick the options that made my parent happy because they were not happy with what subjects that I wanted to do because apparently they all went down "a bad route" even though all future careers can go down "a bad route" (If you know what I mean). All of my teachers who have spoken to me about choosing my University options have told me that I should pick something that makes me happy and that I should not pick something that will make my parents happy and make me miserable. I don't know what to do at university as I really did not get a say when it came to my education and im really struggling. I am confused between doing either a Degree apprentice or Just a regular degree. I struggle when it comes to education due to my learning difficulty so i think that doing a degree will be better because if i am doing a degree apprentice I know that I would not be able to handle studying whilst doing work at the same time plus I wont have the full university experience. When I presented my parents with the idea, they again judged my choices and said that a degree apprentice is better for me as they "know what's best for me" even though I have a strong belief that they don't always know what is best for me. So I am really struggling here-
My parent have always made the education choices for me. When it came to me choosing my GCSE subject, I chose the subjects which made them happy because the subjects that I wanted to do was looked down on, and when it came to choosing my subject choices for college/sixth-form, I again had to pick the options that made my parent happy because they were not happy with what subjects that I wanted to do because apparently they all went down "a bad route" even though all future careers can go down "a bad route" (If you know what I mean). All of my teachers who have spoken to me about choosing my University options have told me that I should pick something that makes me happy and that I should not pick something that will make my parents happy and make me miserable. I don't know what to do at university as I really did not get a say when it came to my education and im really struggling. I am confused between doing either a Degree apprentice or Just a regular degree. I struggle when it comes to education due to my learning difficulty so i think that doing a degree will be better because if i am doing a degree apprentice I know that I would not be able to handle studying whilst doing work at the same time plus I wont have the full university experience. When I presented my parents with the idea, they again judged my choices and said that a degree apprentice is better for me as they "know what's best for me" even though I have a strong belief that they don't always know what is best for me. So I am really struggling here-
Reply 1
10
Original post
by muna4282Hey, so I am at that stage where my teachers are asking me what I want to do for university. I'm currently in year 12 doing BTEC Information Technology and BTEC Health and social care.
My parent have always made the education choices for me. When it came to me choosing my GCSE subject, I chose the subjects which made them happy because the subjects that I wanted to do was looked down on, and when it came to choosing my subject choices for college/sixth-form, I again had to pick the options that made my parent happy because they were not happy with what subjects that I wanted to do because apparently they all went down "a bad route" even though all future careers can go down "a bad route" (If you know what I mean). All of my teachers who have spoken to me about choosing my University options have told me that I should pick something that makes me happy and that I should not pick something that will make my parents happy and make me miserable. I don't know what to do at university as I really did not get a say when it came to my education and im really struggling. I am confused between doing either a Degree apprentice or Just a regular degree. I struggle when it comes to education due to my learning difficulty so i think that doing a degree will be better because if i am doing a degree apprentice I know that I would not be able to handle studying whilst doing work at the same time plus I wont have the full university experience. When I presented my parents with the idea, they again judged my choices and said that a degree apprentice is better for me as they "know what's best for me" even though I have a strong belief that they don't always know what is best for me. So I am really struggling here-
My parent have always made the education choices for me. When it came to me choosing my GCSE subject, I chose the subjects which made them happy because the subjects that I wanted to do was looked down on, and when it came to choosing my subject choices for college/sixth-form, I again had to pick the options that made my parent happy because they were not happy with what subjects that I wanted to do because apparently they all went down "a bad route" even though all future careers can go down "a bad route" (If you know what I mean). All of my teachers who have spoken to me about choosing my University options have told me that I should pick something that makes me happy and that I should not pick something that will make my parents happy and make me miserable. I don't know what to do at university as I really did not get a say when it came to my education and im really struggling. I am confused between doing either a Degree apprentice or Just a regular degree. I struggle when it comes to education due to my learning difficulty so i think that doing a degree will be better because if i am doing a degree apprentice I know that I would not be able to handle studying whilst doing work at the same time plus I wont have the full university experience. When I presented my parents with the idea, they again judged my choices and said that a degree apprentice is better for me as they "know what's best for me" even though I have a strong belief that they don't always know what is best for me. So I am really struggling here-
I’d say listen to your teachers!! Obviously employability is good to think about but it shouldnt be the deciding factor. I do law and a VAST majority of law students are only doing it for the promise of a well paying corporate job at the end of it rather than any actual interest in law and they all hate their own degree that theyre paying an arm and a leg to do and if you hate the degree youll also no doubt hate the sparkly job it “guarantees” you at the end of it. I personally love law and have specific areas of law im especially interested in so if theres a subject area you have that sort of relationship with then i really would suggest doing it. Some subjects are harder to make a career out of than others but generally speaking you can find a career for any degree- dont forget you have very good careers services at uni and individual courses also have course-specific employability advice and stuff like that (im assuming the employability of a degree is what makes your parents happy or unhappy, correct me if im wrong though). Also universities these days often have LOTS of support available for learning disabilities and anything like that, some unis are better than others for this so if you have any specific unis in mind see if anyone on here has posted about learning support at whatever university. In my experience as well, BTEC coursework prepares you for essay based subjects a lot better than a lot of a levels (i did a mixture of a levels and btecs). The most useful parts of my college time were the coursework and essays from my english a level and the btec style coursework from btec law and also criminology. But I cant speak for more stem-ish subjects. Do you have any subject areas you might like to do at uni regardless of your parents opinions? or are you not sure yet? If there are any skills in your college courses that you find especially enjoyable to use or any topics you found especially enjoyable to learn about these are great places to start even if they dont relate to the btecs themselves (a good personal statement can get you onto a degree in subjects that are super far away from what you did at college too, id be happy to help with this if you need as well)
Reply 2
Original post
by muna4282Hey, so I am at that stage where my teachers are asking me what I want to do for university. I'm currently in year 12 doing BTEC Information Technology and BTEC Health and social care.
My parent have always made the education choices for me. When it came to me choosing my GCSE subject, I chose the subjects which made them happy because the subjects that I wanted to do was looked down on, and when it came to choosing my subject choices for college/sixth-form, I again had to pick the options that made my parent happy because they were not happy with what subjects that I wanted to do because apparently they all went down "a bad route" even though all future careers can go down "a bad route" (If you know what I mean). All of my teachers who have spoken to me about choosing my University options have told me that I should pick something that makes me happy and that I should not pick something that will make my parents happy and make me miserable. I don't know what to do at university as I really did not get a say when it came to my education and im really struggling. I am confused between doing either a Degree apprentice or Just a regular degree. I struggle when it comes to education due to my learning difficulty so i think that doing a degree will be better because if i am doing a degree apprentice I know that I would not be able to handle studying whilst doing work at the same time plus I wont have the full university experience. When I presented my parents with the idea, they again judged my choices and said that a degree apprentice is better for me as they "know what's best for me" even though I have a strong belief that they don't always know what is best for me. So I am really struggling here-
My parent have always made the education choices for me. When it came to me choosing my GCSE subject, I chose the subjects which made them happy because the subjects that I wanted to do was looked down on, and when it came to choosing my subject choices for college/sixth-form, I again had to pick the options that made my parent happy because they were not happy with what subjects that I wanted to do because apparently they all went down "a bad route" even though all future careers can go down "a bad route" (If you know what I mean). All of my teachers who have spoken to me about choosing my University options have told me that I should pick something that makes me happy and that I should not pick something that will make my parents happy and make me miserable. I don't know what to do at university as I really did not get a say when it came to my education and im really struggling. I am confused between doing either a Degree apprentice or Just a regular degree. I struggle when it comes to education due to my learning difficulty so i think that doing a degree will be better because if i am doing a degree apprentice I know that I would not be able to handle studying whilst doing work at the same time plus I wont have the full university experience. When I presented my parents with the idea, they again judged my choices and said that a degree apprentice is better for me as they "know what's best for me" even though I have a strong belief that they don't always know what is best for me. So I am really struggling here-
Hi Muna,
You’re at a crossroads where you have to make a decision not just for university, but for yourself, for your happiness, your wellbeing, and your future. It’s clear that your parents care deeply about you and want the best for you, but it’s also important to remember that you are the one who has to live this life, not them.
You mentioned something really important: you struggle with learning and feel that a full-time university degree would give you the support, structure, and experience you need to succeed. That instinct is valid. If you already know that juggling work and study (as in a degree apprenticeship) would be overwhelming, then it’s okay to lean into a path that feels more manageable and suited to your learning style.
UEA and other supportive universities offer amazing wellbeing services, learning support, mentoring, and a community that understands that not everyone’s journey is linear or easy. University is about more than just getting a job, it’s about growing into who you want to be, discovering what excites you, and learning how to live independently. That experience might help you become more confident not just in your career, but in advocating for yourself.
Have you had a quiet conversation with a teacher, careers advisor, or someone else at school who gets you? If not, I’d really recommend i, they might be able to speak to your parents or help you plan your next steps so that you're supported both emotionally and practically.
You have every right to make a decision that reflects your needs. And it’s okay if that decision doesn’t make everyone happy at first. What matters is that you’re building a life where you feel happy, capable, and proud.
Best,
Daniel
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