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A Levels, Results Day, Uni- Is it worth it?

If you are in 6th form or college, you will no doubt have heard your teachers bang on about how university is the key to success and how your life is pretty much set if you get a degree. I remember when I was in year 13, I felt bombarded with information on courses, loans etc and I honestly believed that a degree was the only way I could get where I wanted to be. I WAS SO WRONG.

6th Form was probably the most confusing time of my life yet and most of it was down to the fact that I was scared to take a different route simply because everyone else was taking the same route. I ended up applying to study Law with Criminal Justice at Brunel University as a result of not getting into any legal apprenticeship schemes. I cannot stress how beneficial apprenticeships are, if you can get into your career via an apprenticeship- do it! You learn practical skills so you have a head start against those at uni, you get paid and you are debt free. They are becoming very common, however, they are competitive so make sure your application is on point. Anyway, back to the point, I went to uni, I attended all my lectures, seminars and made rigorous notes. After a while, I couldn't help but feel like I was back at school. I was simply memorising information to regurgitate in the exam and it was starting to wear on me. I have always been very practical and don't really like to waste time, thus, the fact that I would be spending 4 years (including a placement year) here amongst 250 other students made me question why would I land the training contract when I have the same degree that millions of other students have. That is partially the problem- a degree is no longer anything special or sought after. In 2015, it was reported that 48% of those in the UK have a higher education and this number is only set to increase. A degree is no longer just for those who are incredibly smart or filthy rich- absolutely anyone has access to university. After 3 months, I decided to drop out of university and scrap law altogether. At the time, I was scared and uncertain as all my friends were at university, however, it is now the best decision I have ever made. To shed a more positive light, university IS a nice experience. I would not say it is life changing (perhaps because I didn't live out), but, I would say it was lovely to meet new people from different walks of life. Living in a small town, everyone is so similar, thus, it was nice to get to know new people. This being said, university is such a big place and nothing like the social life at school, it was hard to maintain friendships as I would be meeting new people EVERYDAY.

If you are thinking about going to university, be wise and think practically, actually consider the long term. Going to meet new people and for the “experience” is not a strong enough justification for the £27,000 debt that university entails. You will have all these experiences at any point in your life, you do not need to pay an absurd amount to do so. Do not confine yourself to what everyone else is doing. Choosing a different route does not make you any less smart or less motivated or less anything; it is called being practical and thinking ahead. Of course, for some career paths such as that of a doctor, you absolutely need to go to university. However, for many, university is no longer a necessity- you can even become a solicitor without going to university, the world is progressing! If you don’t want to go to university, don’t want to do an apprenticeship and don’t want to study- just get a full time job! You are in control of your own future and these are the years for confusion and mistakes. To put it into perspective for you, I went to university for 3 months, I am 18, I have incurred a debt of £4k- it is real and you don’t feel it until you start paying it back! In a sense, university is the easy way out. Instead of stepping out into the real world, using practical skills and working for your money, you are back at school memorising and being spoon fed information. Personally, I would encourage young people to simply DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. It is easily said but not so easily practiced. Research your various options, we are so lucky to have so many options. Take your time and take a gap year if you need, you are young and there is no rush to hasten into a career.


My views are simply from my own experiences. Of course, university is important to so many people and necessary for many career paths, I just want to stress that it is not the only way. If you guys have any questions or want any advice on uni or apprenticeships or anything like that, I am more than happy to help- just drop me a message x

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