I worked full time for 2 years before i went to university, when at university i also had a student loan, which i'm paying back now. I saw numerous people who i went to university with drop out or become severely depressed due to financial struggle - DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY, if you cannot afford it, figure it out before you commit to it.
As for where to go, look for places that are the best for your area of study AND for the quality of life in that area. I went to a university which was amazing for my field of study but beyond abysmal for everyday life. It made my 3 years very boring and tedious.
And finally, have fun. It's your first time living, take risks, try new things and talk to new people. It's all scary but then again, what isn't :)
Apr 13, 2025
Related Recs
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don’t be fooled by “brand name” schools. avoid as much debt as possible.
its important to try new things but remember you’re there to get a job after 4 years. don’t dillydally too much because you need to be employable.
sorry its the harsh reality these days /:
Oct 31, 2024
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i loved & miss university, it really helped me figure out some things i was passionate about, have some cool experiences & learn a lot about myself, plus i just love learning and being in school in general (i always say if i was rich enough to not work i'd spend all my money getting degrees for fun), but that being said.... i no longer work in said field nor do i have any interest to at all lol
i feel like if you're going to go to college you need to be sure of your field and the possibilities that come from it, or at the very least, go into something broadly applicable and then do as many things as you can (related clubs, volunteering, competitions, whatever) that allow you to explore the field while there. i got a broad degree (comms) but then made the mistake of not exploring enough avenues while in school and wound up locked into one that i didn't like post-grad. tried to leverage my degree to break into fields i'd enjoy more, but with my focused background, it's unfortunately not enough.
Jun 18, 2024
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I took off an entire year before my first degree after high school and just took language classes for fun, and it was the best thing I could have done to settle into my undergrad degree when I eventually went. The truth is, people who discourage it tend to do so because they think you will need to play catch up but there is actually nothing to catch up to, its just arbitrary standards about what you should do and when. It will never be too late to do and become the things that you want. But when you are burnt out, and need a mental health break, especially when you have avenues to take a break, you should listen to your body and do it.
How you use your gap semester is up to you, whether its getting more sleep or taking some pottery classes for fun, but I found it fulfilling to have a break where I was not just running on a hamster wheel, worrying myself sick about my miles long to do list. And I was the better for it when I went to uni afterwards, I was more focused and I had a better understanding of what I wanted out of my academic career. So yeah, do it, the refresh is more likely to help than it is to harm, just be balanced in how you use it e.g. do some hobbies now that you aren't beholden to the school schedule, don't jam pack your time away and come back tired etc
Aug 12, 2024
Top Recs from @Rattlesnake
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waking up at 7am today has been a painfully dreadful existence, and i've only been awake for 52 minutes. How do people do this?
6d ago
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im 24, i am a sound designer. I have won awards for sound design. I have a 1st in a degree that included me to do sound designing. I like books and music and films and pictures and friends and my ex and sound designing sounds for my ears, and hopefully one day, your ears too. i also like my bed and listening to sounds. Did i mention sound?
Feb 28, 2025
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In the UK, it's Mother's Day today, and for the first time potentially in my entire life, i explicitly told my mum "I love you". Shit feels gooooooood :) i love ya ma, i tell ye, i loves ya
Mar 30, 2025