Should you go/go back to uni?

Firstly, I'm incredibly sorry it's been a while. But I am back and motivated and here to stay. Secondly, I would really really like to thank everyone who replied to my constant begging posts and told me about your university experience (or lack thereof).

I won't really bore you with my original university stint, anyone who has read any of my previous blogs or knows me in person will have heard the disaster that was my first degree. Check out my other blogs if you want to laugh at me. (( http://chloejadethoughts.blogspot.com/2017/09/back-to-uni.html )). But in all seriousness, I went to university the first time around because I felt like I had to, I was never given another option in my mind, University was painted as my amazing, perfect destination... But I wasn't the artist. Even when I dropped out of my first degree, after going to talk to someone about my career options I was basically told there was no good life out there for smart girls like me who drop out of uni. It was scary because I was genuinely afraid of my 'university experience' and the thought of going back repulsed me, but I didn't know if the thought of not having a successful future scared me more.

You watch the films and read online about what university is like. You drink a lot, eat from the pan and don't show up to your 9ams. But honestly, this truly isn't the experience I have had at either of the universities I have attended. At the University of Sheffield, I had amazing housemates, who made my time there worthwhile, and yes we drank quite a bit and yeah we ordered several pizzas. But it was the evenings watching Bake Off, or when we put up the Christmas decorations that comes to mind when I think of being with them. As for Chester, the first year was difficult for me, I am doing a dual-honours degree in Politics and History here, and during my first year, I found it incredibly hard to make friends. I didn't feel like I belonged there at all. I had to work as many hours as possible to be able to afford nice things and that meant I missed out on a lot. If it wasn't for joining debate society, I can honestly say things wouldn't have changed. It must be said that it's not all doom and gloom, you will meet amazing people at university, that could be a friend, a tutor, a co-worker. They will be the people who make your university experience worthwhile, so make sure you make an effort to meet people.

A pal of mine, Abi,  had very similar things to say. She worked a lot and never saw much of friends, it was definitely not what she expected. She said one thing in particular that stood out to me. "Uni is a choice and when I was 17 I didn't realise that I thought everyone had to go. If I'd have known what it was going to be like and all the debt I've acquired for a piece of paper at the end of it, I don't think I would have gone." which can be relatable for a lot of people.

Emily made note that, even if you aren't particularly enjoying it now, doesn't mean you always won't. In first year, she hated who she lived with and didn't really feel like she found a place. Now in second year, things are looking a lot brighter and university is where she wants to be.

I think it is important that schools stop deciding a students future for them. Of course *requested* advice is amazing and helpful but unwanted opinions and heavy expectation is unfair and totally unnecessary. For those going through the education system now, it is almost a given that you are going to be pushed towards university. My best friend was forced to produce an application to university knowing full well they didn't want to go. How does that possibly make sense? My little sister decided generally university isn't for her, she is now studying a hair and beauty course at college and already making money from it. My other best friend is killing it on an accounting course that will bypass the need for university completely. There are THOUSANDS of options for people who don't think university is for them (whether you've tried it or not), don't be scaremongered into thinking there isn't.

My honest and open advice to anyone is:

1. Don't be scared to say you're not ready.
   When I finished college, I hadn't thought about options other than university. I applied to do one of the three subjects I had from a levels and thought that was going to be my decision. I knew that deep down, at the time, I was academically exhausted. I needed time and advice, both things college and expectations don't seem to help with. Take your time, rash decisions get you somewhere you are completely unprepared for and down on yourself.
2. If you're not sure, don't bother.
   Are you just going to uni because you don't know what else to do? Do you actually enjoy this subject? You don't have to know where you are going with it, you just have to know that you want to spend at least 3 years getting there. Be confident, it'll get you far.
3. University isn't as scary as the memes would lead you to believe, you'll be fine.
   I have some of the best memories ever from my time at uni, even with how awful my academic life was. And whilst I am scared to go back, I'm twice as excited to see what this year has in store for me. The uni meme pages often petrified me because I assumed I'd be out of my depth. Just be prepared, have fun and be honest with the people around you, especially when you need help.

I am by no means trying to make people give up on going to university if that is what they truly want to do. I have had almost 40 people message me with what they loved about university. From the stereotypical image "the best nights out of my life, the embarrassing stories are to die for" to more academic views of "I genuinely feel at home academically here, growing up I was always teased for enjoying this kinda stuff and now it is celebrated". University opens the door to so many different events, opportunities and experiences that you couldn't dream of finding on your own, you speak to individuals who are wise beyond imagination and attend some of the coolest things. It was amazing to see how people felt about university, even with the same city, uni and department people's experiences are vastly different and yours will be too. But that's totally ok. Just make sure it's the experience you actually want not what other people want for you.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to open a forum on thestudentroom, to talk about this kind of thing. I urge people who are already at university, people who have been to university, those thinking of going and those who decided not to alike to join in the conversation and have your say.