Life Beyond School

OK, so I'm getting to that point in life where I have to think about what I'm going to do after school. And not as in "should I go straight home or grab a burger at McDonalds and get the late bus?"

No, I mean. After. School. That whole thing where you finish your exams without going crazy (hopefully), apply to a uni/college (again, hopefully), leave home (maybe) and step out into The Real World.

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiikkkkkeeess!!

*deep breaths*

If you're younger than me, here's a basic rundown of what you'll be freaking out about at this point:

1. What if I walk into my first end-of-school exam and freak?

2. What do I even want to do when I grow up?

3. What subjects am I good at? I thought I was good at such and such but then I got so-and-so grade in it and my mark in *insert completely unrelated subject* is now way higher so maybe I should do something related to that and (see #2).

4. Which course should I do? Why do people keep asking me this when I haven't even figured out #2 yet?!

5. What if I apply to the best course and don't get in? Should I aim high or low? What if I kind of want to do my second-ranked course?

6. What will my parents/teachers/friends/cat think of my course choice?

7. I chose the wrong subjects. I chose the wrong subjects. I knew it, I should have done *insert subject you dropped*. I'm rubbish at *insert subject you just got a low mark in, regardless of previous record in this subject*.

8. Can I cope with leaving home--
8a. Financially?
8b. Emotionally?!
8c. While managing to still do well at uni/college?!?!

9. Will I ever get a second chance if I make the wrong choice?

10. If I chained myself to my desk, would they possibly let me just stay in school forever?

I don't want to get bogged down in my specific worries, so let's keep it broad -- a place for YWS'ers who are already finished school to help those of us looking forward to (or in the throes of) this uncertain and exciting time!

Ask specific questions, freak out, offer words of sage advice and encouragement...

Anyway, my (serious) specific question is: Is living on campus at university/college like school camp? Not in terms of going canoeing and hiking all day, but sleeping conditions? I really really dislike school camp accomodation -- being kept awake all night, bunk beds, people getting sick (why is it always me/someone in my cabin?), your carefully packed suitcase being in a mess after five minutes -- but is it different on campus, if only because you have a wardrobe or something to organise your stuff?

I can answer number nine straight away: Yes. Take it from a person who knows, there are always second chances if you make a wrong choice. I started off studying law because I thought it would lead to a stable career. A relatively dull and challenging one, but stable and well payed. I realised a third of the way into the first year though that it wasn't for me and have since switched to English and Creative writing and am much more settled and happy.

Alright then. Living arrangements! My experience is they're nothing like camp at all. It's not as nice as being at home where you've got your own kitchen and everything works really well, but it's not the stone age either. You get your own room, or if you're sharing, it's generally a big enough room that there's still plenty of space for each person. You get a wardrobe and usually a chest of draws, sometimes a few shelves stuck to the wall to put books on, other times not. You generally get a desk and a chair and of course you get a bed. The beds aren't usually big. Mine in my first year was a rather small single but it was comfy enough. This year I have a three-quarter double bed, oh yeah! My room this year is generally amazing though as it's big and a good shape.

I find that student housing is colder than normal but that just means make sure you have a thick duvet for the winter. Sharing bathrooms and a kitchen is never fun and it's true, people do get sick, though it's usually colds and stuff rather than throwing up bugs. Some student living is better than others so it's a good idea to fully research what your college/ university offers. There are minmum standards they have to reach though so they will always be manageable. Once you're living there it's easier to find out what else the area offers too so you may find in your later years that you have more comfortable living arrangements.

Basically, it varies but it's generally okay and you will never have to spend months on end living out of your suitcase. Bare minimum you will have a wardrobe and a desk to put your stuff in and you should get a set of drawers too (I have two, one small and one medium sized).

Hopefully that puts some of your fears to rest ^^

Currently in college. I'll answer as much as I can. ^^

2. What do I even want to do when I grow up?
I asked myself this question so much. It took me years (two periods of about 6 months, one before highschool and one in my final year) to figure out what I wanted to do— and even then I didn't pick something I thought I would actually stay in.

What made me settle on my major was the number of skills I got as a result. I'd been looking into three/four majors before settling on this one, which combined all my previous major choices. Therefore, I used my education as much as I possibly could so I wasn't pigion-holed into something I wasn't sure I'd like (or get sick of eventually)

Another thing I considered was my personality type and general tendencies. I ruled out interior design because it was 100% client work, and that's just not me. In my current major (advertising) I can do client work or I can work behind the scenes, which suits me just fine.

3. What subjects am I good at? I thought I was good at such and such but then I got so-and-so grade in it and my mark in *insert completely unrelated subject* is now way higher so maybe I should do something related to that and (see #2).

Don't focus so much on this. Take more time in picking things you can pass with enough effort. There are several studies that show students who get lower grades/have to really work for grades in university internalize more information than those who skate.

For me, my Achilles heel is design. I always have to work quite a few more hours, especially in the prep stage, than my classmates to produce the same results. But I knew this going in to my program, and figured I could handle the design parts. I now know the theory behind design pretty well, because of how much I've had to study it on my own to really do well.

5. What if I apply to the best course and don't get in? Should I aim high or low? What if I kind of want to do my second-ranked course?

Don't worry about the rank of a course! I'm at a community college, which normally isn't considered that prestigious, but it fit me. Focus more on what fits you and your learning style instead of what's "high" and "low." What matters is the quality of the education.

6. What will my parents/teachers/friends/cat think of my course choice?

Who cares? As I said, I'm in advertising. The opinions on it aren't exactly the best, as you probably know. But it fits me and I figure it'll open the most doors for me. Just do what makes you happy.

Hope this helps. ^^

2. What do I even want to do when I grow up?
Don't worry about it. Honestly, if you don't really know what you want to do it doesn't matter. You have time to experiment with different courses and classes and figure out what you want to do. I ended up really loving what I chose (English-Creative Writing) but a lot of my friends have changed majors, which is totally normal. A lot of people go in not knowing at all what they want to do, and figure it out from what classes they take that they enjoyed/what classes they take that they hated. There's no rush, so don't stress over it!

3. What subjects am I good at? I thought I was good at such and such but then I got so-and-so grade in it and my mark in *insert completely unrelated subject* is now way higher so maybe I should do something related to that and (see #2).

Exactly what Rosey has said above. Plus, doing something that takes no effort at all isn't really as satisfying as succeeding in something you really had to work at.

4. Which course should I do? Why do people keep asking me this when I haven't even figured out #2 yet?!
5. What if I apply to the best course and don't get in? Should I aim high or low? What if I kind of want to do my second-ranked course?

I'm putting these together, since they're kind of similar. Like Rosey said, it doesn't really matter in the end where you go. What matters is getting the education that will most benefit you. That will fit your learning style best. Don't stress yourself going to some "prestigious" school that's absolutely huge when something that big is going to intimidate you so much you'll panic and not do well. But on the other hand don't go somewhere tiny if you want to have room to "spread your wings" so to speak. Keep in mind that bigger schools often offer more non-academic related (clubs, sports, activities).

6. What will my parents/teachers/friends/cat think of my course choice?

Don't make a decision based on what other people like. I'm an english major with a specialization in creative writing, so everyone I tell my major to gives me a look like I'm crazy and says "oh". My family supports me because they're my family, and your family will do the same. All that matters is doing what you love, and what will make you happy.

7. I chose the wrong subjects. I chose the wrong subjects. I knew it, I should have done *insert subject you dropped*. I'm rubbish at *insert subject you just got a low mark in, regardless of previous record in this subject*.

At my college and most US colleges (don't know about other countries really) you can drop/add/change classes you have signed up for through the first twoish weeks of the semester. And you can also drop a class all the way through most of the semester. And you won't likely chose something "wrong" because you'll have so many different advisors who will tell you exactly what you need to take to graduate. No one will let you screw yourself over with wrong classes.

And grade-wise, don't worry either. With the right about of dedication and work you can excell in whatever you put your mind to.

8. Can I cope with leaving home--
8a. Financially?
-Apply for every scholarship/grant/whatever you can. It really helps. The small ones really add up too. You can also take out student loans (though you have to pay them back eventually) to help cope with the costs.
8b. Emotionally?!
-It's really not as bad as you may think. Being on your own can be a little daunting a first, but it gets easier. You make friends, have fun, and get used to the independence. I still called my mom almost every day by the end of my first year (which I just finished), but because I love talking to her and not because I was emotionally destroyed from being away from home.
8c. While managing to still do well at uni/college?!?!
-Balancing everything isn't as hard as it may seem. You don't have as many classes in college as in high school, and they are spread out over the day. Getting work done takes a bit longer, but its not life-consuming. Everyone I know in college still manages to have a social life and time to chill (except for maybe around exam time xD)

9. Will I ever get a second chance if I make the wrong choice?

Yes. Definitely. Like I said, you can change classes, majors, and even schools if you feel you don't fit in whatever you have already chosen. And there are so many different people whose jobs are to make sure you are doing what is right for you, and not ending up in situations that will screw you over.

10. If I chained myself to my desk, would they possibly let me just stay in school forever?

Trust me, college is a whole slew of new and amazing experiences so different from high school. It's something you don't want to miss out on. I ended up at a school where I didn't know anyone, and all of my friends were going to school hours away. It was a big school, and I wasn't entirely confident in my choice of major. But, I made friends with my roommate and the two girls who lived next door, as well as a lot of other people in my residence hall. I ended up really loving the classes I had (and did really well my first semester) and loving my major. Some people had a few more upsets than me, but everything always works out in the end.

As far as living arrangements go, it can vary from school to school, but most schools have the typical double room where you share with another person. It's not really like summer camp, because you actually live there. You're not visiting. It's easy to get settled in and spread out (well, a little, dorms can be small xD) and even though you probably share a bathroom with a ton of other people it's not bad. It's just a different way of living and pretty easy to adjust to.

Overall, just relax. Going on to this next step in your life can be seriously scary, but it's also really awesome and exciting. Everything will work out, no one will let you make terrible choices, and you'll do great.

The best advice I can give is to do your research, and visit the schools you are looking at. The reason I chose my university and my major is because I talked to a professor in the english department and he was simply amazing. But, no matter what, you'll find a way to fit in wherever you go.

Hope this helped ^^

I live in a different country with a wildly different school system, so take my answers with lots of salt. ;D


1. What if I walk into my first end-of-school exam and freak?

I didn't. It's the last one that got to me. Not because I freaked, but cause I actually thought I'd miss my highschool.

2. What do I even want to do when I grow up?

I've known this since forever (well, not really). I always knew I wanted to be either a doctor, lawyer, banker, or businesswoman. Doctor was out of the question - I'm not dedicated to spending 12+ years in med school. Lawyer was more decent and it actually seemed fun, but my heart lay in criminal law, not corporate law, and criminal law isn't exactly the safest profession. The choices left made it easy for me. I haven't decided which I would be yet, but I'm taking a major that would benefit either choice - accounting. ^^

3. What subjects am I good at? I thought I was good at such and such but then I got so-and-so grade in it and my mark in *insert completely unrelated subject* is now way higher so maybe I should do something related to that and (see #2).

I think you shouldn't think of your grades as opposed to what you want to be, but that's my personal opinion.

4. Which course should I do? Why do people keep asking me this when I haven't even figured out #2 yet?!

Don't pressure yourself. Take your time and think properly and clearly about what you want to do. Ignore everyone else.

5. What if I apply to the best course and don't get in? Should I aim high or low? What if I kind of want to do my second-ranked course?

Aim as high as you possibly can, so that if you miss the stars, you still hit the moon. ~ Confucius.

Anyway, I agree. You should apply to your favorite number one major course first. Don't apply to one you don't like just because you can get in. If you kind of want to do your second course and first one and you can't decide which, then do both! 8D

6. What will my parents/teachers/friends/cat think of my course choice?

It's your life, guys. <3 They will have things to say, but in the end, it's your life they're playing with. If you choose to do something, they can't exactly say no. If they do, try to talk it out with them.

9. Will I ever get a second chance if I make the wrong choice?

Life is full of second chances. ;D

10. If I chained myself to my desk, would they possibly let me just stay in school forever?

xDD No, not likely. They might let you take the desk, though.

Don't stress. Or at least not more than you have to. I must of doodled on half my AP exams. Biggest waste of money in my life. But hell, anything I say won't help, I've been there and I know. The silver lining is that you didn't bring up whether or not you'll get married, or have a satisfying job, or die lonely...