What to do at uni?!

Notagoodmoneysaver

I would love to volunteer abroad but really don't think I could afford it. My parents couldn't afford to give me the money for it (not that I'd ask) and I don't have a job at the moment. I'm looking and applying daily whilst doing surveys, swagbucks and selling homemade bits and bobs in my spare time to get a bit of money but don't think I could afford anything like travelling. I'm in two minds as to whether it's better to get uni out the way as young as I can or take time out to, as some of you have said, find myself before I go to uni (if I decide I want to). Thanks again for all the replies, they're really helpful!

dawyldthing

you could do a working holiday and work your way around the world. What many people do (i haven't unfortunately, but have met many people on my travelling trips) is go to usually Australia working in either the fruit picking/ industry/ service industry around the country (as i think theres a 6 month maximum stay in any job) and save what you can then use the money saved from 6 months/a year working to travel your way around the world. To do it I would say you will need to save 2500 ish at least as you will need your flights (700 odd on travelsupermarket), your visa (150 i think), a month or 2 of accomodation costs (800 easily) and some money for spends etc to keep you going. But when out there apparently there are loads of options and there is a whole community doing the same. I have thought about it in the past, and still have another 4 years to do it (as you can do your year but if you do i think its 3 month fruit picking you can get an extension of a year). Theres also working as a camp counsellor in America and Canada (i did both through CCUSA, 2 years in America and 1 in Canada), teaching abroad after doing a TEFL course in China/Korea/Japan/Thailand, working a ski season in Canada/France, work for 2 years in New Zealand and extend it by 2 if you work so long in fruit picking. If you want to volunteer one of the cheaper options is volunteer solutions as they are basically just agencies anyway so can be done cheaper.

There are loads of options, you just need to decide which options are for you really but I would say travel as although I didn't have a gap year bar my first year of uni I worked at summer camp then the final year volunteered with Oxfam at the festivals in the UK as I worked hard (in paid work and uni work) throughout the year, sometimes doing more than full time hours to fund my summer) so that my summer was my own.

Kynthia

I agree with many of the posters above. Uni is too expensive nowadays to do it just because. You need to know what you want to do afterwards and know that a degree would help you greatly to do it. Therefore I'd recommend a year out to earn and save money, get some life experience and to try out jobs in the fields you're interested. Maybe get some work in a nursery, a solicitors firm, write a blog, do research into the fields that interest you, etc. All this would really help you.

If you are determined to go to uni now then I think law is best. You'd need to be 100% determined that you wanted a related career to study psycology or sociology as they are extremely competetive, and your other possibles are complete guesses where you have no idea whether you'd actually enjoy them. You really need to study something that you are interested in and that makes you employable, and law fits both of them. It can lead to a range of different jobs afterwards as this article shows:
http://www.lawteacher.net/law-degree-jobs.php
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/jun/24/law-degree

pinkteapot

I have to say I wouldn't recommend the Open University for you, and I'm in the process of applying to them for a Master's degree.

You mentioned in your first post that you're shy. I was too at school - I would do anything to avoid giving presentations, speaking in front of people, etc. Going away to uni helped me no end. If you go to uni, I would also recommend going away (not living at home) if you can make the finances work. It's a really good experience. Daunting at first yes, but worth it in the end.

With the Open University you're primarily studying at home by yourself. You don't have the social side of it - not just socialising but working with other students several times a week, discussing things you're stuck on, sharing ideas face to face (most of it is done online). They do run residential schools (week-long) for some modules and you can optionally go to the occasional tutorial, but it is a very different experience to studying at a traditional university. I think that if your friends go off to uni and you're at home doing an Open University degree full-time then you could find it quite isolating...

Who?_me?

Uni isn't something you "get out of the way / over and done with" Its a huge financial commitment. Not to be taken lightly. Given my time again, I would have gone and foundout what I wanted to do before hand - and I didn't have the loans and fees when I went.
I would also say live away from home, much more beneficial. What about VSO? (voluntary service overseas) that would get you out there and they have massive range of opportunities.
What ever you do, DO NOT think of Uni as something you get over and done with. I'ts not a right of passage.

Travelqueen

Hi
I would probably agree with the people who have suggested law, when applying for a non law related job it is well regarded as being a difficult academic subject and one that requires commitment to get a decent grade - most of my uni friends were lawyers.
However, the experience of being at university is definitely worth while, as long as you can find that elusive balance between socialising and studying which many seem to miss for the 1st two years!
I would also say as long as you enjoy law then do it, but don't take it because it will be better received by future employers as that's a miserable way to spend 3 years!
I did a totally random degree, and even back in the 90's when things were easier everyone used to ask me what the h*ll I was going to do with it. Luckily my degree included a language and a year abroad both of which stood me in good stead for getting a job. Some of my friends who did law also did it with a language and studied abroad, the benefits of a gap year, but in a structured way.
Whatever you choose do make the most of it. Don't let the fees put you off the experience, as Martin constantly says they only have to be paid back once you are earning enough anyway.
Good luck with your choice
TQ

colino

Employers are still pretty much traditional in their thinking and see degrees as three broad strands. Medicine and the Law etc., are pretty much geared up as "vocational" training. You start off in that field and you are going to develop skills and abilities in that field.
The middle ground is much broader and flexible, say an English degree, where you may be heading towards further study in that field, but it is by no means certain, but you will still be well regarded as having been through the university system.
At the other pole, Degrees in Performing Arts etc., are not particularly coveted or understood, and generally are viewed as being extended gap years with employers scratching their heads how appropriate that background will apply to their situation.
Scan the broadsheets and apart from Medicine and the Law, ICT and Finance are the current hot tickets.
Don't forget though that a degree demonstrates application, ability and competitiveness and is useful brownie points in any fledgling career.

flea72

Notagoodmoneysaver wrote: »

I'm quite a shy person so the idea of having to do mock trials makes me want to cry (and I suffer from anxiety quite badly so I'm not sure this is a good idea because it could stop me from going to uni all together).

has no-one told you that Uni is student led classes, where you regularly have to stand in front of the class and speak? it is nothing like school where the teachers stand at the front and spoon feed you everything you need to know. lessons often take the seminar format, where you are put into groups and given a topic to discuss. active participation from everyone is essential

by the end of your course, it will be second nature to stand up and hold your own

F

WashingTime

You're obviously very bright. It sounds like a career in some kind of child protection law might appeal? And actually quite a small proportion of law graduates ever make it to court so don't be put off by that.

Do law - but make sure it's at a good (russell group) uni.

One word of warning is that on day 1, you'll encounter what seems a huge number of super-confident wannabe QCs. It's intimidating but after the first week, most will have been cut down to size.

Stick with it, find just a couple of friends on the course who are similar to you and you'll love it!

Horace

I am going to go against the grain and say don't study law as there are many students out there who cannot get articles because there just aren't the places. I would be inclined to study Psychology and eventually specialise in Criminal Psychology as that would be really interesting to find out why criminals do the things they do.

Instead of going to university why not study at a local college instead - it will be less expensive but still an enjoyable experience and it will bring you out of your shell.

Have a word with your careers officer and find out what you can do with the A levels that you are planning to take.