Should I study further?

[DoctorObviously]

For obvious reasons, I didn't want to ask this question on Yahoo Answers.

I'm having a dilemma. Here in Belgium, I'm almost done studying. I'm in my sixth year now, and the seventh is the last required year of studying. After that, I'm free to do what I want. I can either go to a university or go to work. Now, I'm dying to jump in the real life, away from school, go to work and make money, and my parents are 90 times out of the 100 right.

But the problem starts here. My parents would love me see finishing that last seventh year and going to work, finding a nice girl etc... and I understand that, because, as parents, they want to see their kid safe and sound, having a relatively good life. But other people, like various teachers, my brother, in other words: people I've known throughout my life, think I should study further in the university of Gent.

They all say the same, that I've got the capacity to get through the difficult studies, but I know from myself that I'm not big on studying; I always got through the years of school by barely looking at my books and I always managed to succeed. And by the way, I absolutely hate going to school.

I honestly can't make up my mind, and I wondered what the Escapist thinks of this.

 

[Sun Flash]

Personally, I would go to university. A degree is only going to make you more employable (that's only if you can afford it ofcourse and are willing to go through with it)

What is it you want to do?

 

[nolongerhere]

What would you consider studying? Is there a course at the university that you think you could enjoy, and would be interested in getting involved in that field? If there is, then I would certainly consider going to university. If there isn't, then you may as well get a job.

As for the studying, if it's something that you find genuinely interesting, then the studying is much easier. And from my experience, university and school are very different.

 

[irani_che]

agreed
get a degree in something real.
I am doing engineering now. I started at this top uni, but i quickly was bored by long lectures, i transferred out to a uni where it had focus on the real world. You will graduate with a degree and get an amazing job, also, uni is the best place to meet the best girls. Both for fun and acutal girlfriend/wife material.
If you dont like studying, try a diploma, its a practical degree, desinged for the real world, with in-course work experience. If you liked it and were really good at it, you can have it upgraded to degree.

Just dont get a degree in Arts, you will waste your time and be no better off. Same with 90% of humnaties (history, sociology, anthropology etc.) Get a degree which can guarantee you a job in something you want to do for the rest of ur life.

 

[darth.pixie]

Get a degree and work part time. Go to a university where you don't have to study all that much and perhaps you will discover something you love doing.

 

[Dys]

I hugely regret choosing to study, though I did always hate school. Right now I'm 3/4 of the way through a mechanical engineers/bachelor of business double degree and it feels like I've wasted my youth. I'm stuck doing advanced mathematics that I'll never have cause to implement, in lecture theaters with over 100 blokes (and, on occasion, a girl)....I could've done something soft like general science or arts, but then there's no job at the end of cycle....I guess if you enjoy studying, go for it, but if, like me, you dislike school and have no real desire to be a specific professional, I'd recommend skipping it, at least until you've had a chance to try working, living alone etc.

 

[Mr Thin]

Man, you should always study if there's something you're interested in learning about.

Knowledge is the most precious resource known to man. I know that sounds pretentious, but it's true.

You say you want to work; why not do a course part-time, and work part-time too? It would take longer, but you'd get to live closer to the lifestyle you want right now, and get a serious education, instead of just a high-school one.

 

[Illesdan]

Going to school and earning the brass ring sounds good on the surface; but if you don't know what you want to do with your life or what career field you think you would enjoy, it's going to be just a major waste of time and money.

Why rush into it? Go find a couple of jobs and see if something clicks, something that will make you WANT to learn more and if that requires going to school, well, it won't be too late and you wouldn't have wasted your time studying in a field you absolutely hate.

Personally, never went to school a day in my life. I was home-schooled. When I turned twenty, I studied for my GED. I was three points shy of earning full entry into the Oregon Institute of Technology (my math and science scores were almost perfect). But I'm glad I didn't go. I decided to go to work in a casino, and had a blast there. I met my spouse there (we've been married for ten years now) and I'm thinking about going back to work there again. I work at the local paper now, and I enjoy it, (I've worked there for seven years) but unfortunately, my hours are so scaled back, it doesn't pay the bills anymore.

 

[Kirkby]

Well a couple of things you should remember

1. University is nothing like school! You wont believe the difference

2.You probably should go to university not only because it furthers your education but also because its an amazing social experience BUT ONLY IF YOU FIND A COURSE YOUR ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN. You wont be able to study a course you dont like at that level, so read through one of the unis perspectus and see what courses they can offer you (also it should be noted that what your school calls biology a uni teaches completely different, just because you didnt like it at school it doesnt mean you wont like the uni version)

3. Go to an open day, have a walk around and see if you could see yourself living there, it helps alot to decide which uni you want to go too

and thats pretty much it, basically dont be rushed into making an uniformed decision, go find out more about the lifestyle you'll be living

EDIT: Point 4: If you coudnt tell by now im very much in favour of uni, but thats just me, my personality suits uni life. Dont go to uni just because you think you should, if its not for you its not for you most important thing is that your doing what you want to do with your life

 

[Melian]

If you aren't interested in studying, you're just going to hate having to force yourself to do it. I liked studying, but sometimes I felt like it was a huge weight hanging on my shoulders. Really, I think that if you're not sure what you want to do, get a job and work for a couple of years. Take your time to figure out what you want to do.

 

[Exterminas]

If you can muster the money to study. Do it.
Studying doesn't mean you won't marry or you won't be safe. It just means that you will delay that in exchange for a higher quality job.

People our day are expectet to reach a hundred years lifespan. Marrying at 25 will only lead to a divorce at 40, so don't rush these things.

 

[Cowabungaa]

I don't know much about the Belgian educational system, but nowadays I just care about one thing; do what you think is right and what you want to do. It's your life, no-one else's and you must live it like you think you should. Don't let your decision be made by either your teachers or parents, no matter how well they mean.

If you hate studying but still reckon the effort worthwhile enough, go for it. If you think you'll be fine, start working. Whatever you do, do what you want to do for your own sake. Just be happy, in the end that's all that matters.

Also, I'm wondering, how does the Belgian educational system work? Are you still in Belgian equivalent of high school? Are you in college already? What exactly will you have when you've finished that final year?

 

[Tetranitrophenol]

The only true poverty is the lack of knowledge...

 

[Zarmi]

It depends on a lot of things. Do you personally feel you want to study further? Weight the pros and cons with not studying, and with studying. Also, universities vary a lot from country to country, so there's nothing wrong in skipping it, as it CAN be a bad experience. I'd say, so what you find most intrigueing.

 

[tunderball]

University is a life changing experience and if you embrace it they will become the best years of your life with memories that will stay with you forever.
But seriously my advice would be to make a well informed decision and stick to it don't regret it either way or wonder what could have been. I know a few friends that dropped out of Uni in their 3rd year so thats 2 and a bit years which they have nothing to show for except a large amount of student debt.
So yeah make the choice that is right for you, either way have fun and good luck.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

is it hard to find jobs in your area?

because if so, look for jobs now, and if a good one comes along, take it.

if not then ur still in school and dont need worry too much about unemployment.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

Uni is not like school, don't worry about that. In school you're stuck doing meaningless tasks for no reason other than that you have to. In Uni, you do it because you have something to gain from it, and because you're surrounded by like-minded people. It's a much, much more pleasant experience (and this is coming from someone who absolutely loathed high school).

That said, it comes down to whether or not what you want from life will need university. For me, I thought it did, and have spent a year of my life and a hell load of money on a degree I now realise I don't even want. I don't regret giving it a chance though since I did learn, and as I said the experience is enjoyable, but there's certainly more to it than that.

The question you should ask yourself is: what do you want out of life? If it's something that you need a degree for, give Uni a chance. If it's not, then it'll likely be a waste of time.

Either way, it's not like you have to decide now. Take a year off to think about it, see if you have an epiphany or stumble on something great.

 

[Aesthetical Quietus]

Personally I would recommend going to University. Earning that degree proves you are willing to educate yourself to better your career, that you aren't a quitter and that you will do the hard yards. Skipping out and getting a moderately well paid job is the easy path. Going through University means suffering long hours both in University and in part time jobs to cover your living costs, but it also leads to better career opportunities and higher paying jobs.

I know many people* who have been picked up over other candidates simply because they have a degree, even when the degree has absolutely no relevance to the job. You are voluntarily putting yourself through hardship to better yourself and further your prospects of getting a career, potential employers tend to lap that up.

* Admittedly this is in New Zealand.

If you aren't convinced, ask yourself. Do you pick the person who has been through a couple of jobs over the last few years or the person who has stuck themselves at University for those years, paying horrendous prices, working part-time jobs to pay for living costs just to further their education? This is especially true in jobs where a bit of training is required. They can see that you are willing to stay in one place and learn and further yourself.

I'd recommend that almost everyone that has the grades to attend University, do as such. It is wickedly good fun too. There are some awesome people there.

Just my two cents.

 

[rutger5000]

Speaking as a university student from the Netherlands doing a difficult study I think I can shed some light on this situation.
First off: definitely finish that last year of high school (I think you're allowed to leave, but don't just yet) keep that option open. Apart from being able to go to university it'll also help you find a job.
Second off: If you're not motivated to go to university then that doesn't mean you're not fit for a difficult study. A lot of people aren't motivated at the beginning, but become so latter on. University is fundamentally different from high school, so not liking high school doesn't mean you won't love going to university. However if you can't get motivated then going to university has no use. The difficult and worthwhile studies take time and effort, the easy ones simply aren't worth crap. (Except economics, that should get you a job and is pretty easy.)
Third: There is no reason to go to university directly after you finish high school. You can take your time to choose. Some people claim that university is harder if you don't directly go there from high school. But this is false, hardly any knowledge learned from high school is truly necessary at university (and the knowledge that is will be taught to you again anyway.) and if you forget how to study then you'll learn that again too.
To rap everything up. My advice, finish high-school first, during the vacation afterwards you can make the choice what you want to do. If you don't know what you want to do after the vacation then just get a job for a year, or maybe travel around a bit. After a year or so it's about time to make a choice. You should definitely try to get some education, if you have a good job then ask your boss what kind of education you should get to get higher up and do that, or quiet the job and go to university.

 

[Fishyash]

I think unless you have something they have a course for you that you're really interested in studying it's not really worth going straight there.

I personally think the experience is only worth it if you can show enough interest in the subject and take it past the degree level.

If you can do this, Uni will actually be lots of fun. Seriously I can't wait to study at University, it looks awesome, moving to a new city, meeting new people.

I think it would be good for you to attend Uni anyways, but honestly unless you can apply yourself (and I just want to tell you that if your teachers at school say you can, then you probably can do it), it may not be as enjoyable.

To top this off, I just want to say that it is likely to be about 10x better than school though. More mature people, a little more flexible to your needs and you learn stuff that is acctually important to you.