It seems that if you start A Levels at sixth form, you’re expected to transfer onto university after finishing them. This pressure is constantly on us from the moment we start our AS studies. The question of “Is university the right choice for me?” pops up.
I found myself in this position just under two years ago. I had started sixth form, but due to the limited choice of subjects we could take to A Level standard, and those dreaded option blocks, I was stuck with three out of four subjects which I absolutely hated, not forgetting that this also pushed back my confidence and my options for what to study at university.
Be certain
It was proving to be rather unpredictable on how my future was branching out. I can remember spending the majority of my free periods looking online at the University websites, in search for the right course for me. It turned out that all the ones I liked, required an A Level in a subject which I hadn’t taken.
I definitely feel that the main cause for uncertainty when it comes to university, is knowing that you have to have a real interest and some understanding in the subject you’re going to take. You have to write a personal statement on your desired course, not forgetting that you’re paying up to £9,000 a year to study that one course, maybe two if you opt for a joint honours.
Consider the cost
There has and always will be the constant speculation where people mention how university is a waste of money. You spend at least three years studying, to leave in thousands of pounds’ worth of debt, only to go and get a job in your local supermarket. Maybe not so if you studied medicine or dentistry. With a subject in the media field, Journalism is often seen as a waste of time.
I can remember being told numerous of times by subject teachers that I would be wasting my time going to university to study Journalism, where a more prestigious degree such as History or English would be more highly regarded and of more use to me. I believe that many prestigious degrees don’t have many options for after graduation. The most known one is obviously to go into teacher training and specialise in that particular subject. However, Journalism courses do equip you for the world of work, and I think they’re really useful compared to other courses.
You make it
University is obviously what you make it. I myself haven’t started yet, but in September I’ll be living the life of a university student finally being able to experience it all for myself. From speaking to graduates, they’ve mentioned that they’d go back and do it all again, they also wouldn’t change anything, (apart from going out more in first year).
So don’t ever feel pressured into going to university just because you opted to study A Levels. Take some time to think things through, there is always the next year! It’s becoming more and more popular that students take a year out, and apply to university a year late.
How are you meant to decide whether university is the right choice for you? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo: Steven S. / Flickr
18 year old student travel journalist. I write and edit many publications.
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