University

Everyone wishes their uni was Hogwarts right?

After the anxious wait over summer for AS-Level results, it's that time of year when many people are clicking onto UCAS and starting to submit personal statements (I do not recommend reading these years later, cringe!) in preparation for another anxious wait for replies from universities.

I remember 3 years ago worriedly trying to get my life together, wondering what it was I actually wanted to do. For me, university was always a given rather, it was what I wanted to study that was uncertain. However, with the rise in university fees, the choice of going to university isn't so simple now.

So, should you go to university?

The answer isn't a simple yes or no.

 

If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, further education isn't a choice and it is something you will have to do. However, for other courses such as accounting, there are other entry routes, for example I know PWC do a school leavers course and a lot more industries are offering apprenticeships so it is something you will have to research into if you are on the fence about university.

 



 

 

There is also the 'university experience' to consider - it isn't 100% about the degree you achieve (although always keep this in mind, as it is very easy to get side tracked, and it is the only thing you'll have on paper after leaving!)

University opens you up to a much larger range of people and experiences. Over the 3 years you will mature and change more than you could imagine. Pre-university I was very shy and now this is the one thing all my home friends have noticed has changed in me. University, in a way, forces you out of your comfort zone and provides you with invaluable life experience, whether it just be learning how to cook something other than beans on toast or giving you the opportunity to learn to speak up and grow in confidence.

 

 

 

 

If the £9,000 tuition fees are deterring you from applying to university there is the age old argument of potential greater earnings if you do have a degree, however if you really feel university is not for you it could be the best time not to go to university with the government backing increases in apprenticeships.

 

I know I am definitely glad I made the choice to go to University despite struggling a little in first year. I have made friends who I know I'll stay in contact with after (n'awwww) and now in my final year my course is specialising into what I would like to do after I graduate I am finding it so much more interesting.

 

(images from weheartit)