Life after A-Levels [Archive] - Soap, Drama and Spoiler Forums

GossipGirl

30-08-2009, 10:44

Is there anyone here that is not heading off to Uni in the upcoming weeks?

I did really well in my A Levels but have decided to not head off to uni right away as I want to work for a year and see where that leads. Anyone else doing the same? Choosing to work then possibly think about heading off for further study at a later time?

My parents have seemed to be supportive that I am doing this but in another breath I can feel their disappointment that I won't be heading off right away to study. If the truth be known I don't know if I really want to head off to study anymore. Right now as I sit here I am happy with what I have achieved so far and I know that my studying isn't over forever but I feel that after so many years of studying- Don't I deserve a break?

Meh

30-08-2009, 12:06

GossipGirl

30-08-2009, 12:08

I'm thinking of waiting a while I feel when I eventually head to uni if ever I will be a better person then if I head off now.

Katy

30-08-2009, 15:53

M cousin went and hated his course and only went straight after uni as that was what he thought he had to do as everyone else was. He ended up quitting at Christmas and got a job in ASDAs, he went back to a local uni a 2 years later after deciding on the course he really wanted to do.

I think waiting is a much better option. At least it goves you time to think about what you really want to do.

Abigail

30-08-2009, 16:51

On the other hand...

My friend finished her A levels last year, got good grades and decided to get a job instead of going to uni. I spoke to her a few weeks ago and she regrets not going, for various reasons.

It's up to you at the end of the day what you do. You shouldn't feel obliged to go just because your peers are and you've finished your A levels. Do what's right for you, not your parents.

GossipGirl

31-08-2009, 12:02

I have been working for the last 2 years during my A levels and now they are all over I want to try and earn money for myself, have some time for myself to de-stress as I have had other things going on and then maybe head to uni.

I am making my own decisions as I am at the age where I should be able to!

Trinity

31-08-2009, 12:53

Absolutely, it is essential that you make decisions that are right for you and you shouldn't be influenced by your peers.

For some people a few years in the real world motivates them to work harder at uni, of others they find another path that suits them better and decide that uni is not for them

For some a gap year is a disaster becouse they lose the study ethic that they built up during their final years ar school and they end up dropping out.

Only you can decide what is best for you.

GossipGirl

31-08-2009, 12:58

I feel for me another year working in the real world of working is what I need. I have plans to travel in this year off and I will be keeping my self in close contact with studying as I have a volunteer job at the weekends helping young ones to read.

Some of my friends I have spoken to are heading off to uni for the lifestyle then for the studying ethic for me that is not my main reason for studying!

Chloe O'brien

31-08-2009, 23:27

I waited 17 years before I returned to education to achieve my degree as it was the right time. If I had continued from school I would have went onto the wrong course as I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life so I went out to work, but the downside is you get used to money in your purse, which you wouldn't have if you were a student. On the other hand my nephew does not have a certificate to his name but he has a successful web designing buisness and is about to open up his own photography business were he will sell his photos as well as take them. He has had no training in any of these careers he is fully self taught.

GossipGirl

31-08-2009, 23:29

Thanks for that and I think it has to do with timing. I think I will know when the time is right, It's not like I will be sitting around for a year on my ass for this next year I have a good job at the moment and I could be 'fast tracked' up the career ladder but I am only interested in really saving up enough to go to uni.

CrazyLea

01-09-2009, 00:27

Siobhan

01-09-2009, 11:50

I know plenty of people that didn't bother going to University and are doing better than those that did.

It's not about having a break. You've now reached that point in life where you want to choose your career path. I didn't go to uni till I was 21 and have zero regrets.

I didn't go to uni til I was 26, I was 30 when I graduated and I haven't regretted anything. I did better most of the graduates at 26 then they did at 18 as I had a lot to lose..

Katy

01-09-2009, 15:43

Im thinkin the same but after uni, most people on my course are going to go straight into another year or two of study and i just really dont fancy that. I have studied continuosly GSCEs, A LEvels, Degree, and i really want to work a bit and then travel, i was the opposite and the timing for a gap year before a degree was all wrong, i didnt know where to go, what to do and i wasnt as mature as i am now.

Im going to get money together probably travel around europe and maybe work on a boat, who knows.

I think timing is definitley the key influence in my decision.

GossipGirl

02-09-2009, 19:56

Abbie

04-09-2009, 15:54

My dad didnt get his degree till he was about 34/35

My friend yesterday has decided that she might not go to uni after all and take a year out

Siobhan

04-09-2009, 16:24

My dad didnt get his degree till he was about 34/35

My friend yesterday has decided that she might not go to uni after all and take a year out

I went back to school before going on the Uni and there was a 72 year old woman in my class.. she total inspired me and she earned her degree at 75 years old.. that is totally amazing.

Abbie

04-09-2009, 16:31

Wow, that is amazing!

Kirsty :]

05-09-2009, 00:08

I can't believe I've only just seen this thread!

I'm not going to Uni... I've done my A Levels and jsut enrolled onto a Hospitality Course at College which is 2 years.

You kind of sounds similar to me in the job aspect, I've always wanted to teach.. and then I got my part time job waitressing, and completely fell in love with the whole atmosphere and realised that I wanted to serve customers, as I enjoy it and I actually feel liek I do a good job, so I withdrew my application for Uni, and then things happened at home, I got distracted in lessons so I dropped out completely... but then ended up going back to sit my exams which I'm glad I've done now.

It'll be weird going to College starting over again and probably being one of the oldest in my class as most of them ahve just done their GCSE's and I have 2 A Levels... but I know it's the right decision for me.

Everyone has a different time of making their decisions :) you know what you want.. no-one else can decide it for you :) I thought I wnated to go to Uni, until I realised that was only because my friends were going, and all I wanted was the lifestyle.. so broke out of the chain before I got myself into deeper water.

Good luck with whatever you do, and do it just for you, it's your future at the end of the day, no-one elses :)

Chloe O'brien

05-09-2009, 00:19

I haven't done A Levels.. but I have now finished education (at 20!). And have no idea what to do! I didn't achieve my whole diploma, got the NC instead... what's that gonna do :( I'm gonna be stuck packing shelves!!!

Lea don't beat yourself up about it, there is still plenty of time to get the extra units you need to get the diploma how many credits are you short. You can still consider your options of going out to work and maybe decide to return to education in a year or two. College and Uni is not for everyone as many mature members on here will tell you a degree of life goes a long way. If I hadn't had Marley I would neve had returned to education I have worked in all kinds of jobs including hotel and catering work since I was 16 and believe me a knowledge of the real working world is more useful to an employer tha a graduate with a list of certificates.

Abbie

05-09-2009, 01:16

;680249']I can't believe I've only just seen this thread!

I'm not going to Uni... I've done my A Levels and jsut enrolled onto a Hospitality Course at College which is 2 years.

You kind of sounds similar to me in the job aspect, I've always wanted to teach.. and then I got my part time job waitressing, and completely fell in love with the whole atmosphere and realised that I wanted to serve customers, as I enjoy it and I actually feel liek I do a good job, so I withdrew my application for Uni, and then things happened at home, I got distracted in lessons so I dropped out completely... but then ended up going back to sit my exams which I'm glad I've done now.

It'll be weird going to College starting over again and probably being one of the oldest in my class as most of them ahve just done their GCSE's and I have 2 A Levels... but I know it's the right decision for me.

Everyone has a different time of making their decisions :) you know what you want.. no-one else can decide it for you :) I thought I wnated to go to Uni, until I realised that was only because my friends were going, and all I wanted was the lifestyle.. so broke out of the chain before I got myself into deeper water.

Good luck with whatever you do, and do it just for you, it's your future at the end of the day, no-one elses :)

You might not be the oldest in your class, and its quite common really. I remember in my AS year in drama there was someone doing a third year of A levels cos they were repeating some, and loads of other people change there mind and find something else they are suited to :)

Hannelene

05-09-2009, 07:47

I started my degree this year at the age of 25 and I'm doing distance learning with the OU so you can work and study if you want. In my tutorial classes I am the youngest the oldest person is in their 50's. Just goes to prove your never too old to learn!

GossipGirl

05-09-2009, 15:56

thanks everyone
all your words have been encouraging

Hannelene

05-09-2009, 17:01

Your welcome.

GossipGirl

12-09-2009, 10:17

I feel like less of a failure now