I feel like what I want to do for Uni is pointless

Hello,

I am in Year 12 and think I want to go to University. I'm not too sure what I want to do but I'm mostly thinking about Film Production, though maybe History or Maths (Yes, I know they're very different and random).
The issue is, I feel like Film Production and History are kind of useless, and I probably can't do Maths as I haven't done Further Maths.
I worry a lot, and it might just be the worry of the thought of uni, so I just wanted to see if anyone could offer any advice and if what I'm worrying about isn't too big of a deal.
It would also be especially helpful if anyone who does / have done Film Production at uni could answer!
Thanks.

Reply 1

Crazy Jamie

Life & Style Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

I don't have any knowledge at all of Film Production so I cannot help with that, but I can give some general advice. The thing is, you can only really define something as useless if you know what your goals are and know that that thing isn't going to in any way move you closer to that goal. It very much appears that you do not have much of an idea as to what you might want to do in terms of a career, and that is absolutely fine. But it also means that, by definition, it's not really possible for you to do something at university that is useless. Regardless of what you do, in the three or more years that you're at university, you will gain a significant amount of knowledge in a particular subject. You will also meet people, gain new experiences, and develop a range of new skills. Those will all contribute to the type of person that you become and what you will eventually end up doing. The degree itself may be pivotal in that, or it may not. But it doesn't matter. Whether you use your degree or not, all of these experiences move you closer to what you will eventually end up doing. Even if you do Film Production and decide at the end of it that you want to do anything but film production, there is value in knowing what you don't want to do, because it can set you on a path to what you actually do want to do.

None of this means that you should be completely blasé about what you study at university. I'm not advocating for that at all. If you don't have a clear profession or career in mind at this stage, and many people don't, just pursue your interests and keep an open mind. That will at least keep you involved in things that you are interested in and put you in a good position to make future decisions, whether that's to stay on the same path or pivot. Either way, don't put pressure on yourself. You have so much time to find what it is you want to do, and all of the experiences you gather along the way will contribute to that. Just go with it and enjoy the next thing, whatever that is. At this point, the long term vision can certainly wait.

Reply 2

McGinger

You dont have to go to Uni, nor do you have to go directly from school. And there is no point in picking a random subject 'that might be okay' as this tactic usually ends in unhappiness and disappointment.

Plan a gap-year - get a job (any job) and earn some money, then travel or at least do some very calm thinking about what you want to do next - and why. Ideas - Work abroad programs | JENZA
Or look at an apprenticeship - Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK.

Many people go to Uni after a gap-year, or several gap years, and thats perfectly okay. Very few people have a clear idea about a career pathway at 17 or 18.

Reply 3

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hey Doesntmatter1,

It’s great to hear you are in year 12 and already thinking about your future options! I understand the stress of trying to chose a course as I had similar concerns myself when I was applying for uni.

If you are passionate about pursuing a career in film there are many jobs you could go into. LJMU Film Studies graduates have gone on to work in the film and television industries as writers, directors, researchers and actors. Employers include the BBC, Channel 4, FACT, LA Productions and Lime Pictures. Alternatively, you may want to pursue postgraduate study at MA and PhD level or go into teaching.

If you think a History degree may be right for you there are also so many jobs you could go into! Many LJMU History Graduates are working in occupations ranging from advertising, marketing, museums, arts administration and publishing to industrial, retail, leisure and charitable organisation management, educational administration, accountancy, law, the social and Civil Services and teaching. Others have completed teacher training PGDE courses at LJMU and other providers or use their skills in other types of teaching, such as English as a second language or adult education. Another option is to continue in education with a masters degree, PhD or vocational course, such as journalism or marketing.

However, I would say avoid doing a course just because you are unsure of your next steps or feel you HAVE to go to university. Have a think about what you actually want. When I was in year 13 I was uncertain on which course to take and therefore took a year out of education. This allowed me to gain work experience and learn which type of work I truly enjoy. I was then able to make a more informed decision and returned to education to pursue my undergraduate degree at LJMU. This was the right decision for me but it’s different for everyone of course.

Hope this helps a little and best of luck for the future!

Tilly
LJMU Student Rep