August 28, 2015 - Written by: Becky Solomon

You Are Valuable

So the last couple of weeks have been extremely important for all those who were receiving their results. Young people up and down the country were making their decisions on what to do next. It is a huge decision, not least because of the amount of pressure put upon you from peers, parents and teachers. That, in itself, is enough to make you panic into a decision about university or A Level choices.

You can’t possibly know what to expect in 5 or 10 years time. But what I can tell those who are feeling a bit confused at this time is: not everything needs to happen right away. It’s much more important for you to think rationally about your options than to panic into a degree you’re not too bothered about. However, if that does happen – you can always change!

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One thing I went through at uni was coming to terms with the possibility of dropping out. Although I was desperately unhappy, dropping out seemed like the end of the world. I thought I would achieve nothing and my life would be over.

It turned out it certainly wasn’t – it was the beginning. I ended up switching universities and a whole other chapter of my life started. It made me seriously reevaluate my priorities, including the reasons why I had gone to university. I considered how employable I looked and I quickly started to work up extra curricular activities to build my CV.

Big decisions like where to go, what to do and choosing options are intimidating. But you should know that you are valuable.

In fact, you are incredibly valuable to universities, colleges and employers. Even working for an employer, if you do a good job, you are earning them money and sometimes you have to take a step back, think about your worth and at times go, “Y’know what, I am worth more than that”.

Although you do have to obtain certain grades to get into universities, at the end of the day, you are paying them – so make sure your choice is worth your money.

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There are some pretty persuasive people out there who will coerce you into want they want you to do, even if you’re feeling its not quite right. It could be the teacher who is telling you to pursue science at the sixth form when your heart really lies in music. Ultimately – it is your decision and, where possible, I am a strong believer in going where your heart takes you.

Imagine you are in a bubble that can’t be influenced by other people. Imagine you are the sole person in the world who has the opportunity to take the next steps – what would you do that excites you?

If you don’t quite get it right the first time, whether you didn’t get the grades you wanted, or you tried university and you just didn’t get it, there is always another road waiting to be explored.

I am in my mid-twenties now and I look at awe at those who have returned to study at a later stage in their life, I think it’s one of the best things you can do. You have had a go at life and got a clear idea of your likes and dislikes and you know you’re studying to increase your knowledge and not for a good time away from the parents. Learning and new careers can happen at any time of your life. It doesn’t have to happen immediately – so, in the words of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – don’t panic.

If you enjoyed this article, why not check out ‘Results Day: It’s All A State Of Mind‘?