Should I stay for S6 or go into uni? I want to be an aeronautical engineer

2

I'm currently at the start of S5, but I'm not sure if I'm wanting to stay for S6 or not. I figure that, if I get the grades to go in, why not go? and if I don't, then I won't get accepted and will just make it up in S6. But would taking advanced Highers before going to Uni help me? I know the jump will be big, but will it be that big? Or will we be going over the same stuff as in Advanced Higher in Year 1?

A lot of people talk about staying for the social aspect of High School, but I literally have no friends, no one to go to prom with, to spring fling (our s5 prom), the exclusive S6 halloween party. I just spend all my time alone, and I'm severely depressed. I know I'm not guaranteed to meet my best friend for life in Uni, but I might make even 1 friend, which is more than i can say for here.

My careers advisor said that a big part of uni culture is drinking and going to pubs, and since i'd only be 17 when i go to uni, i wouldn't be able to take part. Even if i wanted to, which i definitely don't, I'm on antidepressants, so i can't drink on those anyway.

my mum says that i'm rushing it, and that going to uni is a much bigger jump than i realise, but i understand that. I also understand that I'm going to go to uni eventually, whether it be in 1 year or 2. She says that I will be more mature in 2 years, but I think that in 1 year I will be plenty fine, and that staying away from it for longer may make the transition harder.

She also made the point that 18 year olds won't want to hang out with a 17 year old, but I feel like that can't be as big of an issue as she says it is. We will all be in the same boat, all starting a big new school after high school, and I don't think age will be a big factor people are considering when making friends in that strange environment.

I'm really confused and I don't know what to do

Reply 1

MaryamMajick

11

Hey, I just wanted to say that I typed out a really long answer and then it just dissappeared for some reason 😭. I'll try and retype later today, but tldr; you have nothing to lose by applying - you can change your mind when you get offers and chose not to go but you can't retroactively apply (well I suppose you could do clearing but that's not as sure) so I would say go for it! Dw too much abt drinking culture and age, people are all kind of ages at uni and you will meet other 17 year olds for courses where that's allowed. I'm also Muslim so I don't drink at all and we still go to uni and find our people eventually. You don't want to be around people who can't have fun without alcohol anyway.

Hope everything works out xx

Reply 2

millerex

OP

2

Original post

by MaryamMajick

Hey, I just wanted to say that I typed out a really long answer and then it just dissappeared for some reason 😭. I'll try and retype later today, but tldr; you have nothing to lose by applying - you can change your mind when you get offers and chose not to go but you can't retroactively apply (well I suppose you could do clearing but that's not as sure) so I would say go for it! Dw too much abt drinking culture and age, people are all kind of ages at uni and you will meet other 17 year olds for courses where that's allowed. I'm also Muslim so I don't drink at all and we still go to uni and find our people eventually. You don't want to be around people who can't have fun without alcohol anyway.
Hope everything works out xx

Yeah thats fair, and thats what I was thinking initially. If I apply, get a conditional AND get the grades I need, then I can decide whether or not I want to go. And if I don't get the grades or the offer or I simply decide I want to wait, then I can, no harm done. I know its £30 to apply, but I think it's worth it because if I don't apply and realise at the end of S5 that I should have, then I'd regret it

Reply 3

MaryamMajick

11

Original post

by millerex

Yeah thats fair, and thats what I was thinking initially. If I apply, get a conditional AND get the grades I need, then I can decide whether or not I want to go. And if I don't get the grades or the offer or I simply decide I want to wait, then I can, no harm done. I know its £30 to apply, but I think it's worth it because if I don't apply and realise at the end of S5 that I should have, then I'd regret it

Absolutely, if anything you'll just gain a bit of experience!

Definitely check grade requirements carefully to make sure you're eligible so you don't waste any spots and try and write a good PS, but honestly don't worry about it too much.

Also, about it being a big jump - I said before (when it disappeared 🥲) that bc Scottish uni courses are four years long they often let people who do well in their AHs to skip first year and enter straight into their second year. So it might not be the exact same stuff but clearly there is some overlap. It will be a big jump no matter if you do it in S6 or S5, but I think you must already be quite mature if you're thinking about uni so you can definitely do it.

Hope everything works out xx

Reply 4

jasmineva3128

16

I say that if you're certain and you know the entry requirements for the courses you want to take (and meet the subject requirements), then you should go for it!

I'm in S5 too, and whilst I want to study English and History at uni, I've also considered applying this year (my social situation is very similar to yours, and I do kind of feel ready).

I have, annoyingly, decided against it myself because I'm worried I don't have enough for my personal statement yet (plus absolutely no guidance from my school).

However, I've gathered a lot of advice (particularly about personal statements) for when I apply next year, so I'll put some links to stuff below.

https://anyverse.app/statements/bank

https://youtu.be/4Am_PxsctzU?si=BpEZvcJ0rpQDARMT

https://youtu.be/6pvcEawVUGo?si=WgBzgeELWSi2GtBU

https://youtu.be/Ld4yw0wzl4Q?si=D3tytlz42P3ggfQv

https://youtu.be/HruO_-hAgAY?si=rBoMgCl60zOWj8Zx

I hope this helps 😊

Should I stay for S6 or go into uni? I want to be an aeronautical engineer

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