I don't know what to do for university.

I've been raised my whole life around a career in medicine but have music as a major hobby that I enjoy and love studying. However, I can't make up my mind between music and STEM.

I've already decided that medicine isn't for me through work experience and seeing how my mother is faring working fourteen hour shifts for such little pay and a toxic work environment, but every time I read into what people have done after a non-vocational degree in STEM, it's either soul crushing but makes good money, or they're still unemployed even after having a STEM degree. Additionally, I'm very aware that a music degree won't be of much use going immediately into the creative industry and making a lot of money, which is why I'm considering an administrative role first with the help of doing a year in industry, and then transitioning into teaching. Nevertheless, I'm worried about having regrets not doing a STEM degree because of the wider range of jobs.

I've told my parents already that I'm not willing to do medicine, but am considering music or biomedical sciences, yet it seems every day I'm changing my mind every other hour.

Should I go for music or STEM, or should I just go back to doing medicine since the path is much more straightforward and it'll almost guarantee me a job of some sort? Or should I even go to university at all this year? Please help, I'm losing my mind here :')))

Reply 1

demi0001

Original post

by cathhhhhh17

I've been raised my whole life around a career in medicine but have music as a major hobby that I enjoy and love studying. However, I can't make up my mind between music and STEM.
I've already decided that medicine isn't for me through work experience and seeing how my mother is faring working fourteen hour shifts for such little pay and a toxic work environment, but every time I read into what people have done after a non-vocational degree in STEM, it's either soul crushing but makes good money, or they're still unemployed even after having a STEM degree. Additionally, I'm very aware that a music degree won't be of much use going immediately into the creative industry and making a lot of money, which is why I'm considering an administrative role first with the help of doing a year in industry, and then transitioning into teaching. Nevertheless, I'm worried about having regrets not doing a STEM degree because of the wider range of jobs.
I've told my parents already that I'm not willing to do medicine, but am considering music or biomedical sciences, yet it seems every day I'm changing my mind every other hour.
Should I go for music or STEM, or should I just go back to doing medicine since the path is much more straightforward and it'll almost guarantee me a job of some sort? Or should I even go to university at all this year? Please help, I'm losing my mind here :')))

I would say definitely don’t just do medicine for the sake of it. It’s a hard degree and a hard career and if you don’t have a genuine passion for it you will end up hating it. I think teaching is just as safe of an option as medicine, as long as that’s something you see yourself doing.

Reply 2

McGinger

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Which A level subjects are you taking?

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What are your grade predictions?

PS. Nowhere does it say you can only go to Uni straight from school - plan a gap-year and do some calm thinking - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360

Reply 3

username6928267

Original post

by McGinger

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Which A level subjects are you taking?

•

What are your grade predictions?

PS. Nowhere does it say you can only go to Uni straight from school - plan a gap-year and do some calm thinking - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360

I take Music, Chemistry, and Maths with A*AA respectively (thanks for the link!)

Reply 4

McGinger

Original post

by cathhhhhh17

I take Music, Chemistry, and Maths with A*AA respectively (thanks for the link!)

I think also that you might be overthinking the long-view a bit. Try not to focus on 'job' or 'career' at this stage, that can all come much later, and most people change their minds numerous times at University, and after, about what they might do next. You will get plenty of help with career / next steps whilst at Uni, so the most important thing right now is 1) do I want to go straight to Uni, or take some time out first, and b) what do I want to study for 3 or 4 years at Uni once I get there?

Just getting a job (any job), earning some cash and maybe traveling a bit is never a waste of time. Its possible to make some very good decisions about what to do next whilst stacking shelves in Tescos or sitting on a beach.

Its also worth starting to think outside the box a bit and considering more than the obvious degree subjects and careers that your A levels might suggest to you. There are subjects like Law where you dont need any specific A level subjects - science-heads make good Law students as its all to do with logic and analysis.

There are also degrees like 'Natural Sciences' or 'Liberal Arts and Sciences' where you can study multi-sciences (and arts subjects) and the connections between them, and these programs often include a work-placement or study-abroad, both of which add to degree-context and your graduate employability.

Have a look at the range of Uni subjects at these two Unis - what sounds interesting intriguing, and what A level subject do you actually need, this might surprise you.
Undergraduate Courses, Degrees : Study : University of Sussex
Subjects | Search resources | Library | University of Leeds

Finally, who says you have to go to Uni at all.
Search apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
Royal Navy | Joining options

Reply 5

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

Original post

by cathhhhhh17

I've been raised my whole life around a career in medicine but have music as a major hobby that I enjoy and love studying. However, I can't make up my mind between music and STEM.
I've already decided that medicine isn't for me through work experience and seeing how my mother is faring working fourteen hour shifts for such little pay and a toxic work environment, but every time I read into what people have done after a non-vocational degree in STEM, it's either soul crushing but makes good money, or they're still unemployed even after having a STEM degree. Additionally, I'm very aware that a music degree won't be of much use going immediately into the creative industry and making a lot of money, which is why I'm considering an administrative role first with the help of doing a year in industry, and then transitioning into teaching. Nevertheless, I'm worried about having regrets not doing a STEM degree because of the wider range of jobs.
I've told my parents already that I'm not willing to do medicine, but am considering music or biomedical sciences, yet it seems every day I'm changing my mind every other hour.
Should I go for music or STEM, or should I just go back to doing medicine since the path is much more straightforward and it'll almost guarantee me a job of some sort? Or should I even go to university at all this year? Please help, I'm losing my mind here :')))

Hi there,

please do not do medicine for the sake of it, it is a hard degree and it you struggle, it will affect you and I do not want you to go through any negative experiences.

I have a medical biology degree, I picked my course based on the number of exams and the level of coursework required, so I knew I would not face too much burnout. While I was considering a medicine degree, I did not want to be a medical doctor but still liked the content - so ended up doing medical biology (similar to biomedical sciences). I would suggest considering other STEM degrees. But also, as you are torn - are you able to take a year out to decide between music and STEM? It is much better to wait and make an informed decision, than it is to rush it and pick wrong.

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 6

WILD_CHILD1407

Original post

by cathhhhhh17

I've been raised my whole life around a career in medicine but have music as a major hobby that I enjoy and love studying. However, I can't make up my mind between music and STEM.
I've already decided that medicine isn't for me through work experience and seeing how my mother is faring working fourteen hour shifts for such little pay and a toxic work environment, but every time I read into what people have done after a non-vocational degree in STEM, it's either soul crushing but makes good money, or they're still unemployed even after having a STEM degree. Additionally, I'm very aware that a music degree won't be of much use going immediately into the creative industry and making a lot of money, which is why I'm considering an administrative role first with the help of doing a year in industry, and then transitioning into teaching. Nevertheless, I'm worried about having regrets not doing a STEM degree because of the wider range of jobs.
I've told my parents already that I'm not willing to do medicine, but am considering music or biomedical sciences, yet it seems every day I'm changing my mind every other hour.
Should I go for music or STEM, or should I just go back to doing medicine since the path is much more straightforward and it'll almost guarantee me a job of some sort? Or should I even go to university at all this year? Please help, I'm losing my mind here :')))

maybe find a good uni that does the degree you want to do. it's still respected.

Reply 7

Flamingo10

Original post

by cathhhhhh17

I've been raised my whole life around a career in medicine but have music as a major hobby that I enjoy and love studying. However, I can't make up my mind between music and STEM.
I've already decided that medicine isn't for me through work experience and seeing how my mother is faring working fourteen hour shifts for such little pay and a toxic work environment, but every time I read into what people have done after a non-vocational degree in STEM, it's either soul crushing but makes good money, or they're still unemployed even after having a STEM degree. Additionally, I'm very aware that a music degree won't be of much use going immediately into the creative industry and making a lot of money, which is why I'm considering an administrative role first with the help of doing a year in industry, and then transitioning into teaching. Nevertheless, I'm worried about having regrets not doing a STEM degree because of the wider range of jobs.
I've told my parents already that I'm not willing to do medicine, but am considering music or biomedical sciences, yet it seems every day I'm changing my mind every other hour.
Should I go for music or STEM, or should I just go back to doing medicine since the path is much more straightforward and it'll almost guarantee me a job of some sort? Or should I even go to university at all this year? Please help, I'm losing my mind here :')))

Just because you have the grades for university doesn't mean that you have to go. Or go now. Sometimes it is better to do an apprenticeship. You might find that you can do an apprenticeship in the music business. Or you might decide to get a job and then later get a degree to get a promotion. There are lots of other options apart from university.