Because it has to come sooner or later. As of next term, I’m officially in year 12. How scary.
I’ve spent the past hour or so reading through university booklets and brochures and scouring the web and so I also thought I’d ask you guys for advice :)
What are you doing in life? Do you enjoy it? How hard exactly is it to get a really good UAI? (if you’re from Australia). Are you currently studying? If so, what?
To give you an idea of what I’m interested in, the subjects I’m doing for my HSC are:
- 4unit English (extension 2)
- 3unit Mathematics (extension 1)
- 3unit Latin (extension 1)
- Art
I had to drop business studies and ancient history because I had way too many units :(
Of course, I’m interested in studying visual arts in university, but I’m not sure how practical that really is. I do still need to make a living… Apart from art, the two other areas I’m interested in are law and psychology, particularly clinical psychology and I’m interested in doing philosophy and languages alongside them :) but…
arts/psychology = 98.5 UAI requirement
combined law = 99.55 UAI requirement
Just looking at those numbers makes me sad XD.
Murray Newham
I can’t emphasize enough to do subjects you’re good at..
Though I wanted to get into IT I took subjects like Maths Methods, Physics etc.. I’m not mathematically minded and bombed and it seriously affected my TER (at the time) score..
Fortunately I scraped into a course at Monash Uni .. did a year or so and deferred as I found a job that payed well..
I’ve since studied a Microsoft certification program.. which is a lump of books and countless exams (perhaps 9 or 11 or so.. ) and have used industry certifications to progress my way through..
Either way.. once you’re in University and can prove your a decent student, it’s actually quite easy to move around..
Jessica Andrews
I am studying Liberal Arts at night…which incorporates a lot of philosophy. It’s a great course if your wanting to start off small…and an Arts degree is great if your not sure of what you want to do. It can take you anywhere really…
dawesy
If I can give you one piece of advice it is this:
Do what you enjoy
Beyond that, the rest will sort itself out. I did engineering out of school because the careers looked awesome and it seems to line up with what I was good at. I never put in enough effort to see if I would enjoy the actual course though. I didn’t and I left Uni 3 years later with no degree.
Out in the real world I found an enjoyment of computers and now I have an IT degree. I came first in my year. A far cry from the time I got 15/100 for an engineering subject that actually wasn’t very hard.
Wherever I look in life, truly successful people are the ones that love what they do. So do what you love. There are a million quotes about it, but I remember best what was said at my year 12 valedictory dinner by one of the parents.
‘Find your drum in life, and beat the hell out of it’
I thought he was a twit at the time, but it was one of the best pieces of advice I never took. I’m not sure I’ve found mine yet and I turn 30 next year. Funnily, that scares me less than when I was going into year 12 next year, so I guess these things get easier.
dawesy
Oh, and something that the other comments have reminded me, it really is easier than you think to change courses later on. Say you’re really keen on the Arts/Phsyc but don’t get the marks. Do straight arts but pick subjects as much as possible that are also in the Arts/Phsyc degree. Pull a Credit average (>65/100 I think) and you’ll more than likely be able to move over.
I would say half of my friends who have completed a degree, finished a different one to the one one they started!
It’s really daunting now, but it you just follow what you enjoy and get your foot in the door of the Uni, you can find your way.
Faith Hunter
I can’t emphasise enought Imogen, don’t get too hung up about it.
Twenty-something years ago I spent my HSC year in a state of mortal terror because everyone just kept repeating “This is the most improtant year of your life”. I found it impossible to choose a university course becasue everyone kept saying “This is the most important choice you will ever make”.
I was an A grade student good at maths and sciences as well as arts and humanities. Enjoyed everything and could find something interesting about several completely different courses at Uni level.
It took me about ten years to get over the fear and anxiety drilled into me about making those choices. An enjoyable ten years, spent partying and avoiding commitments and work, but not very productive ones.
Since then I’ve worked in several completely different areas, from IT consulting to online marketing to writing and translating and plenty in between. What I’ve discovered is that people will respond to your interest and passion far more than any bits of paper. And that the world is geared and accepting of change and creativity even in the more conservative areas in a way that hasn’t been the case in the past. The only university degree I now have is in Philosophy. I don’t have any bits of paper or qualifications in any of the areas where I have had formal jobs (and where funnily enough I have earned ludicrous amounts of money).
Do what you enjoy. You’ll always be able to change later, many many times, and its about the journey, the getting there, the process, more than anything else. In fact, there is no ‘there’ to get too.
That is the best thing. ;-)
Amanda Cole
Hi Hon, well i did four years of Psych at UOW and loved it, the best course ever! though now i work in marketing and have written the book.. life changes paths on you so chose something you enjoy, youa re so creative i would extend yourself that way till what ever t is that you are here for grabs you.. Good luck, but really Have fun making the decision!
William Greenf...
I skipped uni and joined the Australian Navy having an absolute Ball
Not for everyone but you do not necessarily have to go to uni to find something that you love doing.
Don’t do something because you are expected to do so. look into other option and then make your decision.
(Hint it is still a good idea to pick year 12 subjects based on what you may like to do at uni).
Just have fun
Jared Poole
I still reckon you’re going to have to give up your social life. :P
Imogene Munday:
i know :( i have accepted this
BYRON
Vale Imogen!
Our clever GRL wants to study latin?
Good on ya Imogen. Nice to see people still study that language!.
And there was me thinking it was dead when I studied it 20~something years ago.
-Byron
Veni. Vidi. Visa. (I came, I saw, I went shopping)
Imogene Munday:
i’m going shopping today XD
yeah, i’ve been studying latin for 4 years now XD i love it (very small class is just a benefit)
Pâte Brisée
Mm, Dim, I forgot. Latin Dinner – help me!
Imogene Munday:
Latin dinner? when, for who?
BYRON
Hiya Imogen, cool, my class only had 8 students.
I failed badly, but I never was any good at languages, but I have a deep and abiding love of words.
I have a Latin Dictionary and an English Dictionary on my coffee table and I use them nearly every day.
You will be amazed how much, even 20~something years later, you will find Latin useful (except for travelling in Italy!)