University is said to be one of the best career progressions to take and is often a common one because of it. However, just because many people are doing it does not mean that everyone must. Indeed, it might not be as beneficial to you to go down the university route as it is for others, or you might find that university is the exact thing you are looking for.
To help you to determine which direction you need to go in, this piece has been put together.
Let’s get into it.
What Would You Do Instead of University?
One of the first questions to ask yourself is “What options do I have?”. Depending on what you want to do with the next stage of your life will also determine what qualifications you will need, and what routes you can go down. For example, if you want to go into plumbing and you are still at home, an apprenticeship might serve you better than undertaking another course. However, if you want to be a doctor, university is the only route you can take for that career choice.
Options that are not university include:
- Getting a job
- Getting an apprenticeship
- Taking a gap year
What Is Your End Goal?
This would also tie in with asking yourself what your end goal is. If your end goal is to do something that does not require you to have a degree, you might be better off taking a different route which could be slower but could essentially cost you significantly less upfront and over time.
What If You Need a Degree?
If you need a degree, the bottom line is you will need to go to a university to obtain it. If this is the case, the question should be more about whether a specific university is right for you or not. You must choose something that is going to work around your current lifestyle, commitments, and responsibilities, otherwise you might find that you struggle to keep up with everything on your plate which will affect all areas of your life.
Take time to choose what university will be the best option for you, along with what you need to get started, such as college transfers requirements for Middlebury, and whether an in-person course or an online option would be best for you!
Think About the Added Benefits
Going to university is not just about obtaining a degree. Though this is, of course, the focus, it is also about the experience that going to university can give you overall. Confidence building, socializing, and people skills are all crucial developments, along with creating and nurturing interpersonal relationships, and the option to be involved in clubs and other social aspects.
Ultimately, only you can decide if going to university is right for you – these are just some of the factors worth thinking about. The best course of action is to think about what you want in the future and then take the steps required to meet those goals.