What to do with my life...

[Bilbs]

I finished sixth form this year with 2 A levels: Photography-B + Media-B and 2 As levels: IT-C + Psychology-E. I didn't take college too seriously and only worked hard with the subjects I enjoyed. I also did English lit in my first year but never turned up, just wasn't my thing. So all my friends have gone off to uni, hearing from a lot of them that it was the wrong choice for them, it's hard work and that they are partying too much and not getting work done. Sounds like me all over. A few of them have already dropped out and it's making my decision a lot harder.

Due to my grades at A level I only have a couple options when it comes to uni which are to apply to a foundation degree which I can lead on to do a top up degree to achieve an honors, or try my luck at applying for an honors degree with an outstanding personal statement. The recent increase in uni fees has lead to a 12.5% drop in applications which will help when it comes to applying for an honors degree.

I have no idea what I'm interested in pursuing, let alone what degree I want to do, if I do one at all. I'm passionate about digital media and photography however these kinds of degrees are most certainly not worth paying £9000 a year for as they don't get you anywhere these days. So my thoughts on this would be to apply to apprenticeship positions to get some work experience in and go straight in to the industry. Easier said than done in a recession. I've looked at foundation degrees like business and management but I have no idea weather it's my cup of tea and I know what will happen if it isn't.

I want to go to uni and leave with a degree which will benefit me. I want to go into a job I enjoy, which also pays well. I want to be able to continue partying my youth away. I want to make the right choice.

Any advice?

 

[Jerry Atrick]

You say you have a passion for digital media and photography but are afraid to study it in school. You mention business and management but don't know if you'll like it. This is quite a dilemma.

In my opinion, and remember this is just an opinion, I would go with my passion before I considered doing something I wouldn't enjoy. If you are good at digital media and photography, you enjoy it, and you are confident in your abilities, then I don't see anything wrong with pursuing it at school. Why study something you won't enjoy just so you can get a job that you will hate?

Too many times I hear people complain about not getting an ideal job when they graduate from college. The university IS NOT an employment agency, it is a place to get your education. The whole mindset of going to college to get a good job when you graduate is leftover from the industrial era of the 1950s. I know this may sound controversial to you and prolly even moreso to your parents. But you asked for advice and I'm giving it to you.

If you want to have a job you will love and enjoy going to every day for the rest of your life, then I would choose that focus as my college major and run with it. However, if you want to have a job you will hate and dread going to every day for the rest of your life, then go ahead and major in business.