I'm not sure I want to go to University?

Question

Hey, so I've accepted my offer, stupidly but I'm really not sure I want to go, I'm pretty sure you can cancel it right? I'm not sure if its the right thing to do. I want a career in film or writing and is going to Uni the best thing to do? I'm also not sure if I want to leave home and leave my girlfriend (I'm from Northern Ireland going to England) I know that sounds kinda stupid but I'm starting to get really concerned as to what I should do?

So any advice would be really helpful...

Answer 1

You can't go through clearing actually, not if you decline the offers you've been given.

But it sounds like last minute nerves to me. Of course it's nerve wracking leaving home and going to university, but getting a degree will be invaluable, and you're sure to have a great time.

Try and concentrate on the things you're looking forward to (living independently, making new friends, partying...) and don't worry so much about everything else. Try taking some deep breaths and thinking carefully about all the positive things university is going to do for you.

Answer 2

It's normal to be anxious about this choice. It's a big move, the culture is different, it's far from home, your girlfriend and family...

Things like distance from home are sane reasons why you'd pick, or not pick, a particular university. But is this just last-minute jitters, or more serious than that? If it's more serious, you could try to see if you can get into a local university via clearing, to do the course you want. Then you could decline your offer even though you've accepted it, and try for the other uni.

For your field - film or writing - you don't *have* to go to university, but the vast majority of people do, and uni will give you the skills (and the networking opportunities) you need in order to try to get into this career successfully. It's not impossible to do without uni, but it's far more difficult. In addition, most employers in theater, film and tv will hire someone with a college degree over someone without it, unless they know them personally and know their talent. So especially starting out, having a degree is going to help you a lot.

Another factor is that the centre of the UK film industry is in England. Most jobs are there. The best courses are there. A lot of internships are there. There's more opportunity there. However, the BBC and etc. is really making a push to have more done in the regional centers, so if you do decide not to go to England, and to stay closer to home, try to get into the best film course that you can, and to do internships and etc. in your region's film/tv centre (maybe Belfast?) so that you maximize your opportunities. And if you *do* stay closer to home for uni, perhaps consider doing a summer internship, or a summer film programme, in London, so you have that sort of experience.

I hope this helps in your decision. Good luck.