Do you believe that the University guarantees success?
I once weighed up my options and really considered University as at the time, it made more sense.
I had completed my sports diploma, and going down that route seemed the obvious and best one for me.
Doesn’t everyone go to uni though, that is what I used to the thought.
Mainly because most of the people around me were doing just that.
Of the modern age and why I am writing this article, many people are considering University a scam, of which I can see why.
When we are young, as we go right through the education system, we are conditioned, and you could say brainwashed into thinking Uni is the only route.
If you are set on a specific career, let’s say being a doctor, dentist, engineer, etc.
Then I would say maybe Uni is a good idea, however, only a small minority actually know what they want to do.
When I was 16/17 and a year away from what would be my first year of uni, if I went, I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
In fact, when I went to college, I froze when I saw all the courses as it was the first moment where I was pushed to pick something I had an interest in.
This leads me on to my first reason…
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Not Being Ready!
Have you heard of someone who has gone to uni, maybe because of pressure from parents, and then quit halfway through the first semester.
Well, that happened to a mate of mine, he went to Uni and a few months later found himself putting in a request to leave for a few weeks.
In this case, which is very common, he just wasn’t ready, which is one of the main issues people have with Uni.
I nearly went myself as I said.
My friends were like, ‘well, what are you going to do then?’
It’s a massive investment, and it costs a hell of a lot of money, which is why you see so many people coming out of there with huge debts.
Some pay it off while some don’t.
However, the point here is you should not do anything that you don’t genuinely want to do.
I briefly covered the payment reason so let’s talk more about that.
Massive Debts…
Did you know that the average cost to go to uni in my country (UK) is £9,188?
Now imagine if you do a foundation degree for 4 years.
That comes in at just over £36,000…
I know what your thinking; that’s one massive debt waiting for you once you step out of UNI.
Once you have graduated, you will need to pay back around 9% of your annual income, that is, once you start earning £21,000 a year.
Now the thing is not everyone can get jobs when they leave uni.
So you will find that most uni students are still paying off their debts 10 years into the future.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many job roles out there that require a job.
For that money though, you wan’t to know that if you do complete the course and get the necessary qualifications, you will be set.
You will find the job you want, buy a house, find a wife or husband, and live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as that, as most people struggle to get work in the industry that they had their head focused on getting.
Not only that, you will need to slave away many hours when you do get a job just to pay that money back.
That honestly sucks though; in the course, I was doing, which was sport, there are a few roles you could do.
Become a coach, sports psychologist, personal trainer, and so on.
However, you will be surprised to find out that most people don’t jump into that work.
This leads me to my 3rd reason, which is…
Being Trapped In The Bubble
I call it being trapped in the University bubble.
Mainly because people go straight from school right through to university
You are basically staying in the education system and within your comfort zone.
When you go to UNI, not a lot of changes; you simply continue the same lifestyle
Which for many is so much easier then going out into the real world
At UNI, you can party, chill out, so coursework like you would at school, basically what you have been accustomed to.
That’s cool, because who doesn’t like to party
Now here’s the thing and where the shock comes into place.
When you leave, maybe around 21 or 22 depending on when you start
You will find it really hard to adapt to the real world and basically get yourself out there.
All those parties have now stopped, and all your piers now have to go and get jobs.
You have been trapped for 20+ years and now need to put it bluntly, go out and make a living.
People who don’t go to UNI are now getting a head start over these people.
They can apply for jobs and get experience years before these guys.
Let’s say two people are going for the same job in the same industry.
One person left school at 18 has been employed by 1 or two companies and has 4 years of experience in his name.
Now compare that to someone who has left UNI. They have all the qualifications for the job; however have little to no experience.
Who would you employ?
Someone who has been doing the role for many years or someone who is completely new to it.
Sure, the one who left UNI will get experience over time and be one of the best at the future job.
However, right now,, the employer will be looking for someone who can get started now and who has that experience.
I have heard this first hand on so many occasions by business owners you wouldn’t believe.
I want to clear up though, that some jobs do need qualifications ,simultaneously, which is where it gets tricky.
Let’s move onto the next point, which is…
What About Self-Employment?
Well what about it, well the thing is and one thing you might have noticed.
Is that no one suggests going down the self-employment road, it’s just never mentioned.
Teachers I found often spoke to you about roles that would require you to work for other people.
When you have dreams, I don’t think they consist of working for other people however, it seems like that is the only choice for you.
That you pick something out and do your UCAS form, pick a few UNI’s that you like, and off you go.
You will then go to UNI to learn more about that industry you would like to get a job in so that you can apply to work for someone else afterward.
Basically, the goal here is to help other people get richer.
The only situation where it works out is when you literally have a job you have set your heart on getting, and you get it.
The amount of people getting the jobs they want is a huge minority though, compared to those who aren’t.
My Grandad is someone who knew he wanted to be self-employed and didn’t go to UNI.
Fast forward a few years, and he had created a painting business for himself, which was very successful.
And in the times we are in now it’s even easier to create an online business instead.
Funnily enough, he even had some people working for him who came from UNI.
These people also didn’t take degrees in painting.
The point here is that nobody encourages or even suggests the idea of creating a business.
It is hard work to do so, but it’s never mentioned, so not many people consider it.
Losing Interest
For me, this is one of the biggest reasons why I’m not too fond of UNI.
Before you even step foot on the University grounds, you are told to pick out something you have an interest in.
This choice, like mine can be rushed, which is not good.
The course you take is the career you would like to spend your life pursuing and making a living in
People who have chosen a course have then found later on that it wasn’t for them and that their interests lie elsewhere
See, I applied for UNI and nearly went,
However, I thought to myself after doing the two years of college.
Do I want to be a coach? Nope
A teacher? Nope
Personal Trainer? Nope, again
Physiotherapist? Urm…no not really
I did two years, and I realized while I liked sport and enjoyed playing it.
I didn’t see myself in any of those roles.
Oof…that’s a problem.
If you went to uni and found that halfway through you can’t see yourself doing that job role, then that is going to be an issue.
You could start UNI again, which is an option, but you have already wasted time.
That’s why I think it is rushed and you are made to choose what you want to do in a short space of time.
The people who I have heard of doing well at UNI and getting the job they wanted are those who took a gap year.
This allowed them time to figure out what they wanted to do without any pressure.
You also get time to find yourself, which is very key.
,I do think something needs to change with the University system or even just the way people view it.
As people get older, this may change as the world is revolving around the internet and what was acceptable, and the norm back then will constantly change.
What do you think about University? Do you think University is worth it?
Let me know by getting in touch with me in the comments section below.
