What to do at uni?!

pawsies

I'm on the opposite end of the don't know what I want to do spectrum.

I did know what I wanted, which is why I went to uni. Now I'm nearly at 3rd year I don't want to do this! But I want to do something related to it.

So it swings both ways.

Dunroamin

I suggest that you make an appointment for a careers guidance interview, either at your college or with Connexions. They should be able to help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as well as discussing career options.

I don't think hat you need to know exactly what you want to do afterwards as most degrees are non vocational, but I do think it useful to have a general idea of what doors will open and close with your various options.

jobbingmusician

Another vote for Law here. And a vote for the Open University if you don't actually feel the need to go away to uni.....

Notagoodmoneysaver

Thanks for all the advice, finding it really helpful! Can I ask why you suggest the open university jobbingmusician? If I do go to uni I'd probably stay at home to avoid living costs.

hawk30

I vote for law as well (slightly biased as I have a law degree). However, if you choose law and want to become a solicitor (no trials necessary) you have to have excellent A Levels and go to a well regarded university - law is extremely competitive and it is very difficult to get training contracts.

An alternative might be becoming a chartered legal executive. Legal executives are specialist lawyers and you can read up on them at https://www.cilex.org.uk . One of the advantages is that you study while you are working and a number of employers will sponsor you to do the courses. There are also a lot of apprenticeships around at the moment.

dizzyrascal

Firstly, you don't have to make a decision now. It might be a better idea to do a gap year prior to university and use that time to get to know yourself a bit better/spend time exploring your options
Secondly, I work with students and the best advice I can give them is, do a subject that you enjoy or your 3 years will be very hard work indeed.
Most jobs after university do not require a specific degree so you really can study anything but a joint honours is a good idea. It will give you a bit more flexibility

A great many law students do not qualify as solicitors or barristers but it is a good degree (and very interesting) so if you like the subject I would consider it. You could try to work shadow at a solicitors to see if you might like a legal career but employers like it as a business degree so don't worry if being a lawyer is not for you.
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If you do take a gap year then you should do some volunteering, especially in the caring sector. Find out about the sort of paid roles that are available and get some useful experience.

marybelle01

I'm voting with a gap year - and with not staying at home to save costs! If you are going to live off your parents (which is what saving money means!) and they are agreeable, get them to stump up the costs of volunteering abroad (and if they aren't agreeable - get a job and save for it). Get to see some of the world and do something good for others, and you'll probably discover more about yourself doing that than anything you could possibly ever do again. It may be the only chance you get in a long time to do something because you can, and not because you must. I can't imagine that you could spend time doing something like this and not come back with some very good ideas about what you do and don't want to do with your life. Then you can make the most of university and have a reason for being there.

FBaby

Another vote for Law. It opens a lot of doors. If you are naturally academic and think you can handle it from a studious stand, then I would definitely do it and get over with it.

I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do after my A levels, but not going to uni wasn't an alternative. I am so glad I did! I studied psychology and loved it. My regret is that after I graduated, I had to work and so took on what I could taking me away from going for a Masters and becoming a psychologist.

I have however found my degree very helpful with my career. Most jobs I applied to required a degree and I don't think I would have progressesed as I have without it. Before I started a family, I decided to do a Masters but decided to do international business. Silly idea as I haven't done any work in this area since, but again, the Masters has looked very good on the CV and has no doubt scored me extra points at interview.

I am soooooo glad thought that I got all my education and first experience over before starting a family as the pressures that come with it would have made it much harder. I would advise anyone who can afford to do so to get it all done as soon as possible. If you later regret your choice of subject, you can always do a Masters in what you then know is what you are meant to study. Most masters will accept bachelors from other discipline with some work experience, so even if you decide you want to divert from Law, it is likely you would be able to do any other masters with it. Good luck with your final choice.

rosered1963

Hi Op.

I would recommend Open University - but only when you have a clue what you want to do and why. You could start with a foundation course. Having done a degree with the Open University (Science) and also one at a top ten British University, I can say that in my experience, Open University was far better in terms of the quality and rigour. I would echo what others have said regarding subjects.

If you don't know what you want to read or why, please think again before choosing Psychology or Sociology as there are many people around who have done these degrees as they didn't really know what else to do. Not a good idea as in the future people will expect you have a good reason for choosing the subject that you read for three years. Also, make sure you pick a very good university and a very good department for the subject you want, if you do decide to go. Despite what people sometimes say, the reputation of the university is critical, especially now that so many people go to university whereas it used to be a small number. Best wishes

gibson123

Another vote for taking some time out of study and either volunteering or travelling. I worked for 7 years before going to Uni (the first time) at 23 years old. I did a business degree and then an MBA (20 years later). You do not have to rush to go to Uni, consider taking your time, your working life is going to span the next 50 years, you have plenty of time, also consider that many people are now changing careers 3 or more times in their working life.