What to do at uni?!

Wellery82

flea72 wrote: »

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

I didn't do this once at Uni? And even on a post grad course i did then certain people asked not to speak in front of the class which was fine.

On the original post another vote for Law. It opens so many doors and is hugely relevant in many business roles. It may be as your personality changes as well the idea of a solicitor etc begins to appeal more. As others have said though no need to jump into anything

jobbingmusician

Horace wrote: »

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.

Sorry, but I soooooo disagree. Psychology graduates are two a penny, I'm afraid (and I am one.) If you want to specialise in Crim Psych and have the ability, start with the law end of things and add the pscyh later rather than the other way around!

Breezay

Can you talk your thoughts through with a careers counsellor? Your school should have one, if not, I think Connexions do. They might be able to put your thoughts into sense for you.

Another good idea would be to check out some course open days Pop along to some trial days & get a feel for it.

I know a girl who did a law degree & now works in a Solicitors and two girls who did psych degrees. One got a graduate job at HSBC and the other works as a 'wellness practitioner' for the NHS.

No offence to the people who have replied, but we are all biased so none of us can really give you any impartial advice. I really think you should speak to your college & Connexions, they will be able to help

hawk30

Jimavfc82 wrote: »

I didn't do this once at Uni? And even on a post grad course i did then certain people asked not to speak in front of the class which was fine.

On the original post another vote for Law. It opens so many doors and is hugely relevant in many business roles. It may be as your personality changes as well the idea of a solicitor etc begins to appeal more. As others have said though no need to jump into anything

Neither did I - The only speaking I did was in the very occasional seminar and the small group sessions, but it wasn't compulsory. There was certainly no requirement to stand up and speak to everyone.

OP you will find that your shyness improves over time. I always hated public speaking and presentations when I was younger. I now teach law, so I have to speak to large groups on a regular basis and I have absolutely no problem with it (in fact it's difficult to get me to shut up). It all comes with time and practice.

Evilm

I'd go with the option of taking a GAP year and doing a few low level jobs or even internships (if you can get one).

Going to university for the sake of it just because you feel that you ought to is stupid and I know lots of people who did just that and spent their late 20s/early 30's doing evening classes to requalify in something more apt to where life takes them.

elsien

And as another aside, you don't need a degree to get a care job working with people with disabilities, children's homes etc. I know people who fit that in around their studies, family commitments etc, picking up relief shifts to suit around their working hours. So if that's a field you want to explore, you could do that anyway. That then gives you the option of staying in care and working your way up (which is what I did) or branching off out into social work/occupational health etc if you decide that's the route you want to go down.
I have a pyschology degree (another one who did it as I had no idea what else to do) - I don't regret doing it because a) it was pre tuition fees and b) it led me to an interest in clinical pyschology. However if I'd had to fork out 12K as you do nowadays, I don't think it's a route I'd have gone down. Unfortunately for various reasons I was unable to get into the career I wanted, and I could actually have got to where I am now up the management ladder in the organisation without a degree, as have most of my colleagues. So a degree isn't the be all and end all.

ElleR

Travelqueen wrote: »

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

I've only skimmed the thread but I completely agree with Travelqueen here. Uni is about life experience too! Definately pick a subject you enjoy. I'm no expert in law but I'm sure that will look impressive whatever career avenue you take in the future. I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do either. But I knew I wanted to go to uni (wasn't forced in any way, flew out the door when it was time to go!) and I loved maths (:eek:). So that was that.

And who says once you pick a career you have to stick with it? I'm starting a masters in September. Graduated 3 years ago and have been working since then in a pretty random job not related to my degree. But just from working I've found out what I enjoy and what I don't so now I'm having a career change. (Tried to get into it without a masters but I would have been starting from school leaver level and overqualified, you just can't win!).

Just enjoy it all... You're too young to worry!

Kynthia

flea72 wrote: »

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

My mechanical engineering degree was nothing like this! It was large lecture halls spent listening and taking notes followed by some experiements and projects.

thesim

Hold off uni. I did. I'm 25 now and doing a degree and its in a subject I'm certain about whereas before I didnt know. Too much money at stake if you do a course you dont like.

And dont let yourself get pressured into applying if you are unsure. It is YOUR future, nobody elses.

ETA: In between finishing college and starting uni (6 years) I studied 3 other courses part-time whilst working full-time. Finishing college and not starting uni doesnt have to be the end of your studying. You could take some courses in subjects that you feel interested in and see if anything pops out at you.

Notagoodmoneysaver

Thanks everyone. All the replies have really helped. I've decided to volunteer abroad for a few weeks when I finish college. I agree that I need to "find myself" first. If I do decide to go to uni I think it will be to do law. If I don't go yet then I'll spend the year trying different things, see what I want to do. All the replies have made me do a lot of thinking, I've applied for work experience at the citizens advice bureau and the local hospital. Hoping these might help give me some direction! I'm glad some of you have disagreed with flea72's comment! That terrified me a bit! My confidence isn't that bad. It used to be but I've pushed myself to do a lot of things and I'm no where near as shy as I used to be. Just talking on my own infront of big groups of people is something I'd quite like to avoid! Although I know this isn't possible forever!